The ‘Phin-ish Line
After a tough loss at home in below freezing temps, your Bengals are going on a much-needed trip south for their final away game. Specifically, to Miami to take on Tua and the Dolphins. Maybe warm weather and a change of scenery is all they need to right some wrongs. If you’re headed down there and escaping this gloomy weather, I am jealous, but here’s some recommendations to make sure everything stays sunny on your trip.
Die hard
If you’re a true die-hard fan sticking with the Bengals until the very end, the city applauds you. Unlike Paycor Stadium, the Dolphins configuration makes things a little tricky as the stadium is about 30 minutes north of downtown Miami. But if you’re truly here for football first and the beach second, check out the Hard Rock Hotel. Beyond being shaped like a guitar and conveniently located only 10 miles from Hard Rock Stadium, they also offer a free shuttle service to the arena. You’ll be free to tailgate as hard as you want with transportation fully covered! Maybe that’ll make the game more enjoyable (sorry).
Past beaches and 80°F Decembers, there is another thing Miami has that Cincinnati knows nothing about: professional basketball. Although the Heat are on the road this weekend, the Kaseya Center still offers all-access tours. You’ll be able to get an exclusive look at where fellow Ohioan LeBron James called home after he broke the hearts of Clevelanders 15 years ago. The Center offers three tours a day, running every hour from 1 ti 3 p.m. You’ll get a tour of the home locker room, practice facilities, arena lounges and more.
While you’re still in the city, grab dinner at American Social for some great views of the Miami River and of all the bowl games going on this weekend. AmSo is an elevated sports bar right on the water serving up American classics along with Florida seafood, so they’ll give you the best of both words in terms of entertainment and menu.
On the bandwagon
With postseason hopes out the window for yet another year, it’s normal to be a little checked out from all things football. In that case, try the Moxy Miami South Beach to be by the ocean and in the heart of the iconic South Beach. With complimentary bikes to get all around and a rooftop lounge, the Moxy has your Miami experience covered. It’s even within walking distance to the hotel where the infamous chainsaw scene from “Scarface” was filmed for all you movie buffs.
After you’ve had enough beach time, check out Little Havana for a one-of-a-kind experience. Named after Cuba’s capital, the neighborhood is a major part of what makes Miami such a dynamic cultural destination. Walk along the vibrant Calle Ocho and you’ll find bakeries, fruit stands, cigar shops, rum bars and Latin-inspired restaurants. To get the full picture, head to Versailles for dinner. Hailed as the “world’s most famous Cuban restaurant,” Versailles has welcomed everyone from Beyonce to George W. Bush on its way to becoming a Miami staple. Try Cuban classics like croquetas or vaca frita or go with an authentic Cuban sandwich. Either way, a trip to Miami isn’t complete without Versailles.
Along for the ride
If your idea of sports on this vacation looks more like volleyball and Frisbee on the beach rather than Bengals football, that’s all right too!
Check in to the stylish Vagabond Hotel to start your trip with retro beachy vibes. Housed in a fully restored 1950s motel, the Vagabond is a stunning example of the city’s own tropical architectural style, Miami Modern. Plus, the rooms are perfectly themed with Mid-Century Modern décor. All the pops of color will be a major departure from our current midwestern dreariness! Once you’re all settled in, grab some seafood at Joe’s Stone Crab. Famous for serving Florida Stone Crab claws (as the name implies), Joe’s has been around for over a century and made its mark as a legendary Miami eatery. It has even been designated as a Miami Beach historic landmark.
Going to the beach is a given when in Florida, so look into checking out the Everglades for some different outdoor fun. The Everglades National Park is just under an hour away and is like nowhere else in the world. The best way to experience the one-of-a-kind ecosystem firsthand is through an airboat tour. While there are many options to choose from, locals recommend touring with Tigertail or Buffalo Tiger. Both are Miccosukee run and take you through Miccosukee tribal lands widely unavailable to the general public. They prioritize education on the wildlife you’ll see and conservation efforts on the surrounding nature as opposed to any touristy gimmicks.
All that and you’ll get to enjoy the nice weather at the stadium as well. Even if the game doesn’t go our way, at least it’s not -6°F.
– Meredith Ruhland