The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

Ok, my wife and I have decided to take a trip to Miami to see a Dolphins game, so I'm looking for some helpful information from ya'll that live in/around Miami.

- Where to stay.
- Where to eat.
- Where/how to get tickets.
- Things to see while in Miami
- Things to avoid while in Miami
- ETC.

Go!

I'd reccomend  staying at the team hotel if you can. It's not really any more expensive than other decent hotels and you can't beat running into the players and coaches away from the game. It's also a good area. Unless you are looking to stay at the beach I think you would really enjoy it. The training facility isn't far away and  makes for some place cool to visit.

The best place for tickets is eBay in my opinion. You can see what you are getting and know if you ate willing to pay the price.

Need more info:
- how long you plan on staying?
- what do you want to see/do while you're here?
- who are you bringing with you, if anyone?
- what kind of accommodations do you like?
- what kind of transportation will you have?
- what kind of budget are you working with?

I can work with you to help you set up your trip.  If you're coming JUST for the game, it all gets very easy.  However, if it is a longer vacation, some of my answers will change?

We will probably only be in Miami for the weekend, like maybe Saturday, Sunday and Monday or something like that. We don't have any specific plans at this point, I'm just trying to gather ideas. It will only be my wife and I. We don't want to spend a lot on accomodations as we don't plan on being in the room all that much. As long as there's a nice clean bed and bathroom with good A/C and a TV, we are pretty much good to go. We plan on staying close to the field and using public transportation if possible. We don't plan on having a vehicle unless we are forced to do that. The budget will depend a lot upon all this other stuff. We have a few months to prepare so depending on the answers I get to the questions will give us a good idea of how much we'll need for the trip. Cost will factor into it, so we won't be going and eating at the nicest restaraunts for example, but if we need to spend a little to see something you can only see in Miami then perhaps we will. I've never been to Miami and neither has my wife, but we don't have a lot of time so if it's something that will take all day, that's probably out.

Mainly we are coming for the game, but we will have a little bit of time to do a little sight seeing as well. Perhaps my wife should contact you to make it easier as she is doing the one setting everything up. If you have an e-mail address or something, shoot me an IM and I'll have her send you an e-mail.

Went to miami a couple years ago. Titans game what a choice (only home win that year) From WI so quite a ways. stayed at a best western out of town. 15 min. away from stadium or so was on bay nice view reasonable prices.  found tickets on some cheap rogue site but used ticket exchange to view tickets (nice set up) I would recommend priceline or something like that get car included pretty cheap & go to keys it's beautiful & it's free. Stock up on Dolphin gear at wally-world right across from stadium.

The couple of times I've been to Miami for a game, I always eaten at a place called Flannigans.  They have Landshark on tap, and their seafood is freshly caught locally.  Their ribs and burgers are excellent as well. 

Hopefully that will be a game I get to go to...I dig meeting non-local TDMMC members at Phins games.


I know a place called TDMMC that has Shandlark on tap...


(edited to repost deleted comment in protest of heavy-handed censorship)

Pappy I can help you, although public transportation options are scarce, and the stadium is kinda in the hood.  I wouldn't recommend staying near there.  There are better places within 10-15 minutes driving and you can get a rental car for 20-30 a day from the airport. 

I can talk with your wife if you want.  I'll shoot you a PM with my email address to help you guys out.

Love the in the hood part... why not just sugar coat it more and say it's in an "urban" area? ::)

^^^ It is in the hood, what's the problem?

what's the hood?

Define what hood means and what makes Miami Gardens "The Hood"?

What differentiates Miami Gardens from Coral Gables or Weston... are they considered hood also? 

Its in a dumpy low-income area.  Its not the best neighborhood to stay in if you're a tourist.

Miami Gardens is where (Miami Superfan) Papa Pump lives.
Weston is where Dan Marino lives.

There's really only 1 hotel anywhere near the stadium, and its falling apart.  The entire area is residential. 

Miami Gardens is in no way a "bad neighborhood" but its also in no way a tourist destination.

So because Papa Pump lives in Miami Gardens and Dan Marino doesn't that makes it hood?  Let me see here...  Papa Pump is black and Dan Marino is white... so white people don't live in a hood?

I guess that's what you're trying to say...  I get it now... you can't say it's the N-word part of town.. so call it "the hood"!

So is Marlins Park in the hood or is it like Weston and has the Dan Marino exemption?

You mean to tell me that I'm going to have to rent a car and pay for parking to go to the game? There's no shuttle service or something like that to the game on gameday?

You are taking this a bit far aren't you. Do you live in the area? if not, have you visited the area? It is pretty well known that the area surrounding the stadium is not a tourist destination and has been known for lower income housing. That is all I take from the "hood" comment.

HAHA, yes Miami is well know for how great it's public transportation is.

^^ Note - that is sarcasm.  You will probably have to pay for parking, unless you link up with some group who's bussing it down.  They exist some places, usually Duffy's will get people together but not sure about the fees they charge.  Either way you will have to pay.

Edit to add - here's the info for the Dolphins bus from Duffy's.  Its team-sponsored and pretty dependable, and you don't have to pay to park at Duffy's.

http://www.miamidolphins.com/tickets-and-stadium/dolphins-express/palm-beach.html

Problem is, the bus comes as a package with tickets and a tailgate party.  It reduces your flexibility and options.

Edit again - the bus package is $89 for upper corner, $134 for lower end zone.  You can buy tickets from StubHub and pay for parking for less than that, and probably get better seats.

Yes, I do live in Miami Gardens!   Born and raised in what was previously called Unincorporated Dade County or the Carol City area.

 

I'm in the area every day... and have also lived in Weston as well!

 
 I've obviously taken more from the comment and i'm waiting on answers to my questions!  I've seen people use crack in both Miami Gardens and Weston.. so why is only Miami Gardens the hood?  

I've seen low income people living in Bonaventure.. that's a part of Weston yet Miami Gardens is the only one considered the hood?

Pappy, I'm not sure if it still exist... but, there use to be a shuttle that ran from Calder race track to the Stadium.  Calder is right down the street from the stadium and is now a casino as well.  There really isn't much in the area around the stadium to stay or see.     You can find other areas that are within a short driving range with nice areas to eat and see...   Miami has one of the worst transit systems I've ever seen... and I've worked in areas like Newark, NJ!   

Dude, my comment was not a black or white comment.  You are the only one here discussing race, no one else did.  

No one else is discussing Weston either.  Only you.  There is low income housing everywhere.  How many millionaires live around Sun Life Stadium?

And yes, Marlins Park is also in a bad part of town.  

I'm not saying "stay away, you'll get murdered" - I walk and drive through that neighborhood all the time.  I'm speaking to a tourist, specifically about the crapariffic hotel (if you're from the area, you know EXACTLY which one I'm talking about), and how I'd suggest not to stay there.  You telling me that's where you'd want a tourist to stay on his vacation?

Sorry if I offended you by calling it "the hood" but you are the only one taking that as a negative connotation.  I don't think you would debate that the surrounding area isn't exactly Disney World, is it?

Two words to derail an entire thread.  Now, can we try to keep this on topic, please?

 

Could it be because I'm the only black person replying and living in the area?    I ask why did "YOU" consider the area "the hood"?    I bring it up because I was offended by the hood statement!  Just because people use "the hood" doesn't mean it's not offensive!    Just like the N word was used for yrs to be derogatory that's the way most use "the hood" it's meant to imply the Ghetto or bad part of town!   More times than not the low income black part of town!

 

I brought up Weston and Coral Gables because I wanted to understand what made Miami Gardens hood in relation to those areas.  And yes low income housing is everywhere... that was my point! 
 

I'll take that... my question was is the area also considered "the hood"


I gave a reply to the OP and did so without saying the hood!    I felt you could have worded it differently without using the derogatory hood connotation!


How should I take the hood? 
Show me one instance where you've used the hood as being something good or positive!

I'm not going to sidetrack the thread any longer...  Just because people don't think before they type/talk... doesn't excuse what is written/said!
 

Obviously you are looking to argue. I grew up next to the projects in Sanford and it's definitely the hood. More than one corner to buy drugs on.  I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would call me black. I certainly hope you aren't trying to paint me a racist as either's color hadn't even crossed my mind and the fact it did shows where your mind set is.

I grew up in the hood and I'm not far removed from what many people consider white trash. It does not define me.

Anyway, I would suggest somewhere like Las Olas area where you can eat and see some things and be near the beach.  I haven't been there in yrs myself... so someone might know more about the area now!  It's much cheaper to fly into Ft. Lauderdale than MIA that's for sure!

Brian had a great idea for all that's interested...  Maybe we can make the game pappy comes to a tailgate party or TDMMC field trip?   

I like the idea and wouldn't mind bringing something or chipping in on something! 

I wouldn't call the stadium area "the hood", but I'll say it's a dumpy shithole, and I wouldn't let my dog take a shit in that neighborhood...

Thanks! 

 I hate steeping in crap because people aren't considerate enough to curb their pets! ???

WARNING :  My comments are not based on any actual knowldge of Miami having only been there once and my sum total of time in Miami involved going by bus from the airport to port for a cruise.

I am willing to bet dollars to donuts, that if you are staying anywhere at all convient to the stadium it would cost less to take a taxi to and from the stadium than rent a car plus parking.  Also call the various hotels before booking, they might have a deal where they shuttle bus people staying at the hotel to and from the game for free or for a really good rate.  (also make sure they will pick you up at the airport if you planning to avoid renting a car)

Are you sure Nov is the time to go?  Dolphins are typically out of the playoff race by then.   >:D

Man you must have missed the discussion about what is close to the stadium.

Bwahahahahahahaha, that's some funny shit right there...........

There's nothing near the stadium.  It's not a ghetto, in terms of being dangerous or feeling unsafe, but it's low-income housing without much else.  Any hotel would require a cab or bus.  You might find a shuttle service taking a bunch of fans (I've done that before).  Did you try the official team hotel?

^^Not yet. Like I said, I'm just trying to get some info on it right now. I'm really disappointed to hear that there's nothing near the stadium. I guess I'm just used to the Cowboys where there are a bunch of nice restaurants within a couple blocks of the stadium. If you eat there on gameday they'll give you a ticket for a bus that will take you to the stadium before and bring you back after so you can leave your car in their parking lot and don't have to pay for parking. Not only that but they usually will offer you a shot of something on the ride over to the stadium to get you warmed up. Guess I have been spoiled and I didn't even realize it. :)

I didn't, in most cities you can travel from end to end a half dozen times by cab before the meter hits the price of a days car rental plus parking. 

There is nothing decent within a $40 taxi ride? 

First no need to stay near stadium.The camp is in davie upper middle class area.Weston is overpriced and far out west.I will help some with food as i lived in fla for 50 years.Rickys bar is good food for wings etc   http://www.rickeyspinesrestaurant.com/  theres the original east of this one on hollywood blvd/pines blvd.Rustic inn great seafood mostly garlic crabs and blue crab also garlic to mmmm.Laspadas best dam subs anywhere  http://www.laspadashoagies.com/    . Also primanti brothers built in pittsburgh and 2 in south fla the ft laud one is open 24/7 the other is in davie.Pretty all thes can be reached easy in davie including fin camp.   http://www.primantibros.com/   Fancy and a little pricey is Joes stone crabs in miami.Never been to but they do ship and it comes fresh to your door... http://www.joesstonecrab.com/    Carlos and pepes decent mexican http://www.carlosandpepesfl.com/ordereze/default.aspx   Check out yelp.com for good ratings on all things. Hope this helps.Post or write me when you get back or need other questions.Also of course for steaks Don Shula;s steak house  http://www.donshula.com/  ALSO Uncle als in davie get there garlic wings this is the one in weston but theres one in the same area as the others off griffen road (the origilal and better. http://www.unclealscafe.com/

There's a Wal Mart near the stadium.  And a Race Trac gas station.  That's it.

That's one of my big beefs, actually with both the Marlins and Dolphins stadiums - there's no place to hang out after the game.  The Panthers and Heat both have arenas located walking distance from an entire mall with bars and restaurants.  I can't understand why they chose these locations for stadiums.  Maybe they want people to blow all their money there.

For a while the team (maybe Huizenga?) was discussing building an area right next to the stadium with restaurants and bars.  I think he wanted to do that where the WalMart is now. 

But, Hoodie also has a decent point.  You could stay at the team hotel and take a taxi ride to the stadium.  Or there's a Sheraton right down the road near the highway.  So, there are options if you're OK with taxi riding.  But if you consider a $40 taxi ride to and from airport/hotel, to and from game, you could rent a car and park at the stadium and still go out to dinner every night or see other stuff for far less.  Taxi rides aren't cheap, and everything here is at least a 10-15 miles away.

Who would be interested in attending a TDMMC tailgate party prior to whatever game Pappy is coming to?

I'd be interested! 

There's a Denny's and another restaurant (I forget the 2nd) across the street from the Walmart...  Not enough to warrant staying near or site seeing around the stadium.  A friend and I discussed yesterday why they built Sunlife and Marlins Park in the locations they did...  I would think the land was much cheaper than in other more upscale areas.   They could have built Marlins park where the Walmart sits and still have the unused land they have there now...   I really thought they would use that land around the stadium for a lot more than they did!

^^ I was hoping for that, actually.  But the Marlins were looking for a handout.  They wanted the land for free and the stadium to be subsidized and the city of Miami was happy to agree to basically lock them in from moving to San Antonio/Wichita/Las Vegas, etc.  They were also looking in Boca and Sunrise (next to the Bank Atlantic Center).  I am glad they are locked into Miami, though.

Its too bad they have so much land dedicated to parking at Sun Life because if even one of them was converted to a strip mall, it would be much better.

But, for Pappy, I'm wondering if you could park your car at WalMart (for free) and walk to the stadium.  I have never tried that so I don't know if they have gameday security to prevent it.  I have see people walking from the stadium to Walmart after the games though.

They could have really developed that area to be something nice!   That's why people like my grandmother fought for yrs to make Miami Gardens a city..  A lot of money that was earmarked for the area was going to other areas in the county.  The area has it's issues that's for sure... but, you can actually see the difference in the area since it became The City Of Miami Gardens!