Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) My 5 year old son, my wife, and I stayed at 5445 Collins Ave. in an ocean view room on the 11th floor from Thursday, May 5th to Monday, May 9th. The weather was around 80 degrees and no rain for the entire stay!! May 6th marked our 10 year wedding anniversary (we honeymooned in South Beach), and Sunday, May 10th was Mother's Day, so we decided it would be a good weekend to go. I'll try to post the pics in chronological order by location. Any location buffs are welcome to paste links to the locations in the appropriate threads/posts. Here come the pics... edit: photobucket went nuts and I had to upload the pics thru this forum, so the descriptions aren’t in sync with the photos like they were originally. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) The view from our balcony Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) First stop: COFFEE We drove straight to W Flagler downtown to what used to be La Libertad. Crockett and company stopped in here a few times in Season 3. The scenes in "Killshot" were most memorable for me. Its kind of a rough area (someone got arrested while I was there once), but after trying many other places for Café Cubano, we quickly found their "colada" (Google it) to be our favorite of all! We ended up coming back 2-3 times a day! Word of advice: bone up on your Spanish before you go to Miami if you want to enjoy local stuff like this. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Now that we have a cocaine-like coffee buzz (pretty sure there was some in it), we drove on down about 5 blocks to what was the gas station from Evan. Its just an auto repair garage now, but still a great site to see! It was nowhere near time to drive my partner(s) home--we weren't tired at all! Also, we drove by there one night hoping it would be lit up like in Evan. Sadly, it wasn't. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Next, we drove to a parking garage next to the courthouse (downtown), from which I got these shots: The courthouse and surrounding area were under some pretty heavy renovation at the time, but I did manage to get this photo: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Then we surprised my son with a ride on the Metromover (a free automated mass transit train). We got off at The Omni. At that station, there was a good view of Artie's apartment from "Heart of Darkness" in the distance. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) On the way back to the room, we drove by The Freedom Tower. I didn't go to the top to assassinate anyone. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) My son fell asleep in his car seat on the way back to the room, so we decided to just keep driving north past our room on Collins Ave. We drove all the way to this little house from "Yankee Dollar", which still looks great! Here's a little panoramic video: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) On the way back to the room, we stopped by an authentic Columbian food restaurant that my former Miami-native cousin highly recommended called "Mi Tierra". It was great! However, none of the staff on hand (at least that night) spoke English, so, once again, my broken Spanish came in handy. We ate outside where I got this pic looking west down 71st St.: My plate had steak, pork rind, fried bananas, smoked sausage, a fried egg over rice, and a corn fritter with beans: Then we finished with a colada. This Columbian brew was very unique, but still great. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) The next day, we had lunch at Senor Frogs. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many details the same as they were in the teaser "Made for Each Other". Here's a short panoramic video from inside: I somehow failed to get any exterior shots that day, but I got these the following night: "ASHES?? ASHES???" Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) After lunch, we went back to W Flagler for coffee, then we decided to go to Key Biscayne. As we drove alongside the river downtown, I happened to notice Jose Marti Park coming up. We pulled over and let my son play for awhile. I got this pic standing in the meet from "No Exit" area: Here are panoramic videos from two different vantage points: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Now off to Key Biscayne. When we got to Bill Baggs Park, a pro photographer was taking some shots of a young couple (who were evidently expecting a new baby) close to the lighthouse. He offered to take a pic of us, but he seemed a little perplexed about this pose. I guess he's not a member here. I got this shot of some local fishermen as we were walking back to the car. Notice Stiltsville in the distance: We couldn't leave without driving by THE Miami Vice house: Maybe McCarthy has some hippie friends There was a coffee stand on the way out of that neighborhood. My son took this: Then we stopped in Biscayne Park to get this shot of the Atlantis Building: Another shot from Biscayne Park. Check out the espadrillas my wife scored! Crockett would approve: ...then on around to Brickell to get a mandatory selfie:) : I took this sunset pic while sitting at a traffic signal close to our room. This is where Tubbs met with the drug dealer in "Everybody's in Showbiz". That night we went back to Key Biscayne to have dinner at The Rusty Pelican. Nice place! Check out the financial district from our table: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) We HAD to come by here the next day: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) That night, we decided to have a walk in South Beach. I think I found the cheapest parking garage in Miami! "The 17th Street Garage" at 1755 Meridian Ave. only charged $3 both times we parked there (for more than 2 hours, both times). Also, it looks like its straight from 1986. Check it out: The garage is HUGE, so finding an open space is no problem, but we still parked on the roof to take photos. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) The 17th Street Garage is very close to many Miami Vice locations, including this one from Buddies: Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Now onto Ocean Drive... Here's the Carlyle, complete with some shots around the side. Is that where they filmed Ira Stone taking a phone call outside in "Back In the World"? Then the Versace house: Various others: Walking back to the garage, I got this shot of what I believe used to be the Kenneth Cole store (R.I.P. Iberia Restaurant). Location buffs: correct me if I'm wrong. It's a cool structure, regardless. Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) Finally, on the way home, we stopped by the Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale to pay our respects to greatest TV Show car EVER! Idk if its been discussed here, but aside from MANY other GREAT Ferrari cars at the Swap Shop, there was a yellow Daytona Spyder that was cited to be used in 2 episodes of Miami Vice, but it wasn't described in as much detail, as seen with the Testarossa above. This yellow Daytona appeared to be an actual Ferrari. Wasn't the one in "One Way Ticket" a replica? Also, I don't recall seeing a Daytona (other than Crockett's) appearing in any other episode besides "One Way Ticket". Any thoughts? Edited October 13, 2017 by Dadrian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamijimf Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 (edited) Great pics Dadrian, beautiful family and nice to see you. Do you know what's happening with the La Libertad, changing their logo? Sure looks like the Iberia Restaurant, the Evan garage looks as run down as usual, good tip about the 17th Street Garage, not sure this is the real Vice car - check the posts on this site. Thanks for sharing, look forward to the video. Edited May 15, 2016 by miamijimf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicegirl85 Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Amazing pics! Thank you so much for sharing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D. Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Man these pics make me want to pack my bags & take a trip to Miami! Beautiful. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer84 Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Wow... Beautiful pics! Thank you for sharing all of these with us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 I agree with Tony D, this thread makes me eager to visit Miami! What kind of camera did you use? Did you use a tripod for night shots? the color of the water looking out your hotel room is gorgeous!!! that 17th Street parking garage is way cool!!! I second MiamiJimF's question: what is La Libertad called now? yes, you're in exactly the right spot at the Carlyle where Stone makes a phone call yes, you got the Iberia/Kenneth Cole spot right I believe the yellow Daytona in "One Way Ticket" was a genuine Ferrari and there was no other Daytona appearance on MV 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 1 hour ago, miamijimf said: Great pics Dadrian, beautiful family and nice to see you. Do you know what's happening with the La Libertad, changing their logo? Sure looks like the Iberia Restaurant, the Evan garage looks as run down as usual, good tip about the 17th Street Garage, not sure this is the real Vice car - check the posts on this site. Thanks for sharing, look forward to the video. Thanks very much, Jim! The Libertad has really went down hill. I cropped it out the other wall because it has some bad graffiti on it. There are lots of bums hanging around it. They definitely have Tommy's recipe for rocket fuel coffee! Yes, I'll get the videos up next week, hopefully. They are short and sweet! 1 hour ago, vicegirl85 said: Amazing pics! Thank you so much for sharing! Thanks, vicegirl85, and you're welcome! 1 hour ago, Tony D. said: Man these pics make me want to pack my bags & take a trip to Miami! Beautiful. "Kinda makes you feel like you're in Florida, eh?" 51 minutes ago, summer84 said: Wow... Beautiful pics! Thank you for sharing all of these with us. Thanks, summer84, and you're welcome, too! 36 minutes ago, airtommy said: I agree with Tony D, this thread makes me eager to visit Miami! What kind of camera did you use? Did you use a tripod for night shots? the color of the water looking out your hotel room is gorgeous!!! that 17th Street parking garage is way cool!!! I second MiamiJimF's question: what is La Libertad called now? yes, you're in exactly the right spot at the Carlyle where Stone makes a phone call yes, you got the Iberia/Kenneth Cole spot right I believe the yellow Daytona in "One Way Ticket" was a genuine Ferrari and there was no other Daytona appearance on MV Glad you like the photos, airtommy! All of these were done with my iPhone 6S, so no tripod, but the crop function on the included photo editor suggests a rotation to a degree that seems to make things vertical/horizontal if desired. Also all the pics have the "magic wand" thing selected. I'm not sure exactly what all it does, but it's usually good. Thanks! I believe I used the "Transfer" filter from the iPhone photo editor on the hotel room water pics. Almost all of the others have the "Chrome" filter for the vibrant primary colors. "Mama don't take my iPhone 6, Mama don't take my iPhone 6, Mama don't take my iPhone 6 awayyyeeeeyyaaay" (anyone? 50 points) When (yeah, "when" ) I get a Ferrari, I'm taking it this garage for some photos! The selfie on the roof was for my Vice City-playing nephew, but I thought you guys might enjoy it, too. There was no sign that I saw anywhere on or inside La Libertad--just a really, really bad mural of Tupac. He deserves better. Did I mention how good the coffee is? Cool about the Carlyle! That little nook was a nice departure from the mob out front. I went inside that Kenneth Cole building in 2003 (not realizing I was at the old Iberia), so it rang a bell when I walked by this time. Guess I'll be watching "One Way Ticket" tonight to get another look at that Daytona. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 (edited) Okay I watched the episode again. I know it's hard to tell just looking at these two photos, but having recently looking the car over closely in person, and looking at all the shots in the episode, I'm gonna say they are one and the same. The way the lines are on the hood, the single chrome mirror on the driver's side, and the stance of the wheels all look identical. As far as the car being an actual Ferrari Daytona Spyder, I'm certainly not qualified to say. I will guess that if it's a real Ferrari, it was originally a hardtop GTB that was chopped. If it is a replica, it's far more authentic in detail than the black ones Crockett drove. Can we the Daytona buffs to weigh in here? I'm rambling. Edited May 15, 2016 by nofretz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieGlide Posted May 15, 2016 Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 Excellent pics and what a nice looking family! Congrats on your anniversary which happens to be on my birthday (May 6). My friend and I went to Miami last year, arriving on May 8. First stop? La Libertad. Never been before. It's a sketchy neighborhood for sure. Our second day in Miami we took our rented scooters for a cafecito (easily one of the best coffees I've ever had), and witnessed a drug deal, a street fight, and a dude cut in line with no one having a problem with it because, well, he was the dude who had just beat some dude up in the street fight. Ho hum, another day in Miami...Here's what La Libertad looked like on May 8, 2015. Congrats on a great trip Nofretz! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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