Afterwards, take a $5 taxi ride to the Newport Beachside Resort for dinner at one of five restaurants and bars, or relax in the hotel’s hot tub. Adventurous travelers with a penchant for bathing in the buff should check out clothing-optional Haulover beach, just north of the city. Try GayDar on Alton Road or the small chain Curiotica. Miami is packed with hip shops and boutiques, including several gay-owned stores offering queer clothing, novelties and videos. Todd Oldham lodge The Hotel features indulgent dishes at in-house restaurant Wish. Those feeling star-struck can check out Bambu, the Lincoln Road eatery owned by Cameron Diaz. Two gay-owned bistros anchor either end of Collins Avenue ‘ Jeffrey’s and Bal Harbour ‘ but the city boasts world-class cuisine at dozens of hot mainstream restaurants. A melting pot like Miami is always a sure bet for gourmands.
Big spenders can drop up to $600 nightly at Hotel Ocean. Mid-range rooms can be found at the South Beach Villas, conveniently located near several gay bars, restaurants and beaches.
Budget travelers can find rooms for as low as $40 at Island House, a fully furnished gay guesthouse in South Beach. Gay-friendly reservation service Florida Hotel Network is a vital resource for up-to-the-minute updates on Miami’s ever-changing hotel landscape. Lodging can be a mixed bag, with the city notorious for poor service and luxurious lobbies that mask threadbare rooms. Then book those tickets, pick out a shiny new Speedo and get ready for sandy shores. Begin your pre-flight countdown by looking up South Florida Fun, which maintains an active list of gay area businesses, clubs, shopping and other attractions. This is the neon-and-pastel landmark showcased in Miami Vice and C.S.I. Keep south of 22nd Street for the Art Deco avenues of South Beach, famous for its colorful architecture, Latino flavor and queer nightlife. Head 10 minutes south for sandy Miami Beach. Note that the best hot spots aren’t located in Miami proper. Lauderdale and Key West are more renowned as queer destinations, the savvy traveler will find this sunny cityeven mix of gay and straight visitors intriguing. There are few tourist destinations as iconic as Miami, home to a heady brew of gorgeous beaches and gorgeous beach bunnies.