The perfect beaches, smiles and golden tans. Welcome to Miami beach. Here's what's behind the smuggness of Florida's 'Magic City'
Miami blends Florida's laid-back charm with a fiery Cuban spirit, writes Roger Crow.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Hold on," yells Captain Matt, the engine of his boat roaring like an unleashed animal.
My heart's racing as we bounce from wave to wave, the familiar Floridian skyline a backdrop to my sun-kissed adventure.
I knew I should have worn a suit jacket, sleeves rolled up like some 80s TV detective. It's too hot for that but crashing through the surf near Gloria Estefan's house on the aptly named celeb-filled Star Island, it's hard for any former 1980s teen not to imagine themselves as a Miami Vice crime-buster.
The Spanish-style Biltmore Hotel built in 1925. Photo / 123RF
While Jan Hammer's title theme plays on my mental jukebox, our Ocean Force Adventures' skipper guides our boat over the next wave.
I find no shortage of glorious attractions on my travels around town, including the 2000 stars of Everglades Alligator Farm, and the more amiable aquatic life at Miami Seaquarium.
Marine parks can be either amateurish or corporate but both of these have a big heart. I'll admit I'm a little unlucky with the weather and there are downpours (one of which creates a superb rainbow over Miami Beach).
But there's no shortage of indoor attractions to distract travellers.
I head downtown to Pamm (Perez Art Museum Miami) to absorb some of the paintings and sculptures, instead of raindrops; a vege burger at waterfront eatery Verde is an added bonus.
Wynwood District.
My mental battery charges like a phone plugged into the mains.
As glorious as Pamm is, I soon lose my heart to another attraction: the jaw-dropping Wynwood Walls and arts district turns me into a kid on Christmas morning.
This neighbourhood, filled with murals, galleries, hipster breweries and cool bars, is hugely rewarding.
Given the chilled party atmosphere, I wonder how safe the region is.
"There are some 'sketchy' areas," explains Amanda, one of Urban Spirit Art Crawl's guides, her red cowboy boots and whip-smart attitude summing up the spirit of the region.
All global neighbourhoods have their good blocks and bad blocks but I feel more at home here in Miami than many nightlife spots on home turf.
Leaving the edgy urban art gallery, we go next door to a micro brewery and geek chic bar, J Wakefield Brewery, decorated with Marvel and Star Wars ephemera.
Miami is my favourite new cocktail of a holiday, blending the best of Florida's laid-back charm with a fiery Cuban spirit.
Given the wealth of options on offer, it's hard not to enthuse about this jewel in America's crown.
A beach on the Altantic side of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Photo / 123RF
Checklist
GETTING THERE Air New Zealand flies from Auckland to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston, with connections to Miami with partner airlines.
A 12-night Sunshine Trails self-drive holiday through helloworld, including 13-day rental car hire, starts from $1399pp, twin share. Add on three nights at Holiday Inn Miami Beach from $349pp, twin share.
