Recommendations on how to kill time in MIA?
 

Hopefully this is the right forum for my question. I have a 4 hour and 15 minute layover in MIA (flying AA) on a Friday night. Any suggestions on how to kill time other than using the Admiral's Club? Looking for something to do either inside or outside of the airport.

Thanks.

I'm not sure about outside the airport but I don't think 4h15 is enough time to get anywhere as just as you've arrived you'd have to return. Night-time is prime time around MIA as that's when most of the south american flights depart and it's sure to be a zoo so you might not want to chance it, but others would know better for sure. As far as IN the airport, I had a great time just people watching. Arrive hungry and head over to La Carreta near the entrance to the D councourse for a Cubano sandwich and fries... not healthy but YUMMY. They have lots of other much better for you options as well. I had key lime pie too which was awesome... they don't exactly go together but key lime pie is my favorite dessert of all time so I couldn't resist. Note that none, and I mean NONE of this was on my diet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I have been there for 2 years now, but the Hilton Airport has a great bar. They proudly say they got an award as the best Latin American bar. They play live music with around 20 musicans. People there dance great salsa and I think is a good place to go for a couple hours to have a good drink.

Rgoel -

I agree with the previous post - traffic around MIA on a Friday night can be nightmarish - so you may want to consider staying in the airport area.

The Hotel MIA in the terminal does offer a fitness facility (and showers I believe) for about U$8, so if you are into working out this may be a good choice.

Alternatively, the same hotel has a great bar on the 9th floor - Top of the Port - excellent for plane spotting and much calmer than the AAdmirals club.

CanGuy

I concur, I was just there yesterday - the 8th (sorry, it is the 8th floor) bar has the best view at the airport. I checked the whole place, and the bar is the place to be.

But stay away from the bloody mary, it was the worst one I've ever had. Not sure how to describe it. A mix of cheap vodka, tomato juice, and engine degreaser.

I've been unfortunate enough to have experienced that Bloody Mary as well. It tasted like a science experiment gone awry. Truly awful!

Thanks for all the tips. Sounds like food and drink is the way to go - dinner at La Carreta and then the bar at the airport hotel.

Is "Hotel MIA" the same as the Hilton at MIA, or are they two separate hotels.

Also, anybody been to this hotel gym and able to comment on the equipment/facilities?

Thanks.

Rgoel, there is also a neat restaurant http://miami.metroguide.com/dining/d100222.htm the 94th Aero Squadron. You could get there eat and back easily within 2.5 hrs. Pretty good food, and a nice view of runway with headseats (most work...make sure to get a table with ones working) that broadcast MIA tower. Definitely different if you've never been to one. $13-25 price range. One of my favorite places in Miami.

If you are taking the late flight to BA (which I think you are) be aware that most of the restaurants close at 10:00 or 11:00 (so much for int'l airport, and Latins, at least in S. America, don't even eat dinner until then...what's up with that???)

There is one bar mentioned earlier that will still be open (I think it's between C and B terminals) and you can also get some airport grub, but you'll pay out the wazoo. Try the 94th...I bet you'll like it.

I second this recommendation. This bar is great, and they have a fantastic buffet (either free or just a couple $) that runs until 8 or 9pm.