A Football Fan’s Travel Guide to Miami, Florida

Marc Anthony performing at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Home of the Miami DolphinsThe of the National Football League, the stadium also hosts concerts and other events. Photo Credit: VJ Pannozzo.

American Football

Miami, Florida, is home of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). The Miami Dolphins play at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Here’s is a complete travel guide for visiting football fans.

Miami is a great city with a great climate. There are so many things to see and do in addition to rooting for your favourite football team.

If you’re planning to visit Miami to attend a football game, why not arrive a day or two early or stay on another day or two to take advantage of the many things that Miami has to offer.

Some tips on where to eat, what to do, and where to stay follow.

Where to Eat in South Florida

I asked local football fans living in South Florida (or frequent visitors) to recommend their favourite restaurants. Here are some of their recommendations. Message me if you would like to add to the list.

For Cuban food, Shawn Hinskey recommends “almost any of the random Cuban shops between NMB and BM. “They’re all good,” Shawn says.

• Prime 112 – 112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL. Tel: (305) 532-8112. Recommended by Alise Levine: “The number 1 restaurant is called prime 112.  It’s steak and seafood, etc. The who’s who in Miami eat there… It’s amazing…They also have prime Italian and prime fish.”
• Big Pink – 157 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida. Tel: (305) 532-4700. Recommended by Alise Levine:  “A great diner…  Open late ..  Great fun food!”
• Barton G The Restaurant – 1427 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. Tel: 9305) 672-8881. Recommended by Alise Levine: “A fun, expensive restaurant with a unique dining experience.”
• El Padrinos – 1135 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Tel:  (954) 210-8989. Recommended by Jerry Giggs for Cuban cuisine.
• Catch of the Day – 1050 NW 42^nd Avenue, Miami, Florida. Recommended by Marr Marr for seafood.
• Steve’s Pizza – 12101 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL. Tel: (305) 891-0202. Recommended by Shawn Hinskey: “If you want some awesome Pizza, hit up Steve’s Pizza on US1 in North Miami Beach.”
• News Café – 800 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL. Tel: (305) 538-6397.
• Tea Room Restaurant – 22400 Old Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida. Tel: (305) 258-3543.
• City Works Eatery and Pour House – 3450 NW 83^rd Avenue, Doral, FL. Tel: (847) 668-7554.

Please recommend your favourites in the MESSAGES box at the foot of the post.

Watch to See and Do in South Florida

Everglades National Park is a must-see spot for all ecologically minded visitors to South Florida. Photo Credit: Chauncey Davis.

If you’re heading to Miami to watch a football game, why not arrive a day or two early and take in the sights?

Miami is famous for its beaches, its nightlife, and its Art Deco architecture. But there’s are more to do in the city than soaking up the sun and downing Cuba Libras.

Here’s a short list of things to see and do it South Florida. Click on the highlighted links for more information.

1. Everglades National Park – Explore the Everglades, an expansive area of land consisting of 1.5 million acres of wetland.
2. Miami Parasailing – Hang 10 over the skies of Miami as a speedboat races across Biscayne Bay. Not for the faint of heart!
3. Miami Seaquarium – swim with dolphins at South Florida premier theme park, where conservation and education go hand in hand.
4. Monastery Cloister – wander through the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere, which newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst brought in pieces from Europe to Miami, where it was reassembled.
5. Barnacle Historic State Park – explore the home and grounds of Ralph Munroe, which exemplify the spirit of early Coconut Grove.
6. Venetian Pool – take selfies at this Venetian-style lagoon with its caves, stone bridges, and waterfalls, which was carved out of coral rock.
7. Cauley Square Historic Village – explore this nostalgic village with Its quaint cottages that have been restored into a labyrinth of antique shops and boutiques.
8. Viscaya – wander through James Deering’s subtropical winter home, which is a National Historic Landmark and accredited museum.
9. Bayside Marketplace – hang out at this large shopping, dining, and entertainment complex that overlooks the water.
10. Burger Beast Museum – take a walk down Memory Lane at America’s only museum dedicated to hamburgers and other kinds of comfort food.

Where to Stay

There are many hotels at various price points to choose from. One consideration is whether you want to stay in Miami Beach or near Hard Rock Stadium.

The following 10 hotels are situated closest to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. They are all within 7.5 miles of the stadium.

Hotels are listed based on their distance from the stadium according to Hotels.com. Click on photos for direct links to hotel websites.

Otherwise, click on your favourite hotel booking sites for more information, availability, room rates, and guest reviews.

1. Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale SW/Miramar – 14500 Hotel Road, Miramar, FL. Tel: (866) 573-4235. 6.5 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

2. Best Western Plus Windsor Inn, North Miami – 12210 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL. Tel: (866) 925-8648. 6.8 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

3. Ramada Hollywood Downtown – 925 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Tel: (866) 767-0278. 6.8 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

4. Sun and Surf Inn – 11102 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL. Tel: (866) 925-4159. 7.1 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

5. Knights Inn Hallandale – 26 Diplomat Parkway, Hallandale Beach, FL. Tel: (866-538-0251. 7.2 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

6. Ocean Reserve by 1st HomeRent – 19370 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Tel: (866) 538-1314. 7.3 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

7. OceanView Sunny Isles Luxury Condos – 19370-19390 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Tel: (866) 538-625. 7.4 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

8. Marenas Beach Resort – 18683 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Tel: (866) 538-9298. 7.4 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

9. Trump International Beach Resort – 18001 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL. Tel: (866) 539-506. 7.5 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

10. Beachwalk Resort – 2602 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, FL. Tel: (866) 539-9234. 7.5 miles to Hard Rock Stadium. Check room rates, availability, and guest reviews at your favourite hotel booking website: TripAdvisor or Hotels.com

If You’re Flying …

Miami International Airport is 15.7 miles from Hard Rock Stadium by toll road. The trip takes 17 minutes. Otherwise, it takes 26 minutes.

The airport is a hub for American Airlines. It is a focus city for Avianca and Frontier Airlines.  One of the world’s busiest airports, MIA is served by dozens of domestic and international air carriers, including the following Accidental Travel Writer affiliates:

• British Airways
• Iberia
• Lufthansa German Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Swiss International Air Lines

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is 16.3 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. The trip takes 17 minutes by toll road. Otherwise, it takes 22 minutes.

The airport is a hub for Silver Airways, Spirits Airlines, IBC Airways, and Tropic Ocean Airways. It is a focus city for Allegiant Air, JetBlue Airways, Norwegian Long Haul, and Southwest Airlines.

The airport is served by 26 airlines, including a handful of international airlines, including the following Accidental Travel Writer affiliates:

• British Airways
• Etihad Airways

West Palm Beach International Airport is 58.3 miles from Hard Rock Stadium. The trip takes 55 minutes by toll road. Otherwise, it takes 57 minutes.

The airport is served by 12 airlines flying to cities most in the Eastern United States and Canada as well as the Caribbean.

Your Input Wanted

Please comment on the tourist attractions recommended in this post in the COMMENT box below. Also, please recommend restaurants and bars you think visiting Raiders fans should try.

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