JDe75 Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Hey ! I'm going to Miami on May 2nd. We'll be staying there for one week, and now are figuring what to do when we get there.My wife is more interesting at just exploring on our own, and loitering at the beach but I wanna see and do stuff. So I was thinking, as I'll be there I have to go see Everglades. So that's one. We're also gonna rent a car, a Mustang convertible no less (though I'm more of a Trans Am -fan but sadly they don't make it anymore). So yeah, I was thinking of driving around looking for Vice and Burn Notice locations with a GPS. I also spotted this which I thought looked interesting: http://www.viator.com/tours/Miami/Miami-Movie-and-TV-Sites-Tour/d662-6342MOVIE "Begin with a pickup at select hotels in downtown Miami, then climb aboard a large, luxury coach complete with comfortable seating, air-conditioning, big windows and an on-board video screen to compare the movie or TV show with the places visited. Some of the movie locations to see include Scarface, Dexter, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Ace Ventura, James Bond 007, Bad Boys, Miami Vice, Burn Notice, the Bird Cage, Transporter 2 and more." It's abit pricey but sounds cool. And oh, don't laugh, but I actually like to drive at nighttime around Helsinki in my Sports Coupe with "In The Air Tonight" blasting from the car stereos, reminiscent of the night driving sequences in Miami Vice. So, how cool would it be to do that in Miami ?!! The only problem is, I know my way around in Helsinki. In Miami, not so much. So I'm afraid I'd stray off to a bad area, at night. Any suggestions regarding this one? And to get a better vantage point for pictures. I'd love to go to skyscrapers like Miami Tower. Can you guys tell me, locals or who've been there, do they take visitors to Miami Tower? Is there like a viewing platform on the roof or something? And what other skyscr5apers can I go to? Oh, and regarding driving a car in Miami, how's the parking? Plentifull or slim, many parking structures (parking garage) on just limited to some pararrel spots lining the streets? Any recommedations on clubbing? Nightclubs, events..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 (edited) And to get a better vantage point for pictures. I'd love to go to skyscrapers like Miami Tower. Can you guys tell me, locals or who've been there, do they take visitors to Miami Tower? Is there like a viewing platform on the roof or something? And what other skyscr5apers can I go to? Oh, and regarding driving a car in Miami, how's the parking? Plentifull or slim, many parking structures (parking garage) on just limited to some parallel spots lining the streets? All I know about parking is that it is expensive. Beware when you book a hotel that parking will probably cost extra or not be available at all. There will often be a resort fee, too. The Miami Tower has a few eateries and I think they are on the terrace level where you have a nice view of the Brickell area. I've had it on my list every time I've ever visited Miami but never made it there. If you have specific BN or MV sites you want to see, we are glad to help. If you ask what are the best locations to see, that's a tough question because everybody has their own favorites. In South Beach there are a ton of Vice locations you can see at the same time you are enjoying the general vibe. Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Espanola Way, Collins, Washington --- these areas are like one continuous Vice location and also they are the main places to do touristy stuff and people-watch. Edited December 31, 2015 by airtommy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted January 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) We booked the Colony Hotel, so we're already on Ocean Drive the first day There*s a parking lot nearby, but it was like $30 a day. But many sources say you gotta have a car to get around comfortably in Miami, and I gotta do the night-driving thing (any advice on that, like "don't go to [place] at night, even with a car" ?). First location that came to mind was this: I found a neat site - http://www.burnnoticelocations.org/- and from there found out the location is Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami (the map says its Bayfront Park though, which is it?). Isn't that park also the location where the end scenes of Miami Vice was filmed? Anyway, I got this next screenshot from a different episode, but isn't that the same place? Also want to see Michael's loft and Madeline's house. As for Miami Vice, the first scene in pilot where the guy dances and Sonny goes "5000 street corners in greater Miami, and Gumby here has to pick ours." And well, there's just so much ! Edited January 1, 2016 by JDe75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 We booked the Colony Hotel, so we're already on Ocean Drive the first day There*s a parking lot nearby, but it was like $30 a day. But many sources say you gotta have a car to get around comfortably in Miami, and I gotta do the night-driving thing (any advice on that, like "don't go to [place] at night, even with a car" ?). First location that came to mind was this: I found a neat site - http://www.burnnoticelocations.org/- and from there found out the location is Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami (the map says its Bayfront Park though, which is it?). Isn't that park also the location where the end scenes of Miami Vice was filmed? Anyway, I got this next screenshot from a different episode, but isn't that the same place? Also want to see Michael's loft and Madeline's house. As for Miami Vice, the first scene in pilot where the guy dances and Sonny goes "5000 street corners in greater Miami, and Gumby here has to pick ours." And well, there's just so much ! Yes, both of those BN screenshots are the same place as the ending of MV - Bayfront Park. From there it is a short walk to the marina where Crockett lived. Both http://www.burnnoticelocations.organd http://www.miamivicelocations.org are the work of "C Glide" who posts here in this forum. His websites are in incredible resource that also cover many movies filmed in Miami. I assume you can easily find Michael's loft and Madeline's house on his site. Just around the corner, there were some scenes in "Back in the World". I think most or all of the NW 7th St buildings have been demolished, but the little bridge over which Maynard escapes is still there. Be careful, the neighborhood east of the canal is "Overtown", which is one of the less safe areas. Madeline's house is in "Spring Garden", west of the canal, which is not dangerous. If you saw "The Specialist" movie with Stallone, the Hindu Temple is at the end of the canal on NW 11th St. The "5000 street corners" scene is at Ocean Drive & 13th St. Crockett is in front of the Carlyle Hotel. Next door to the Colony Hotel is "Johnny Rockets", where the chainsaw scene in "Scarface" was filmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamijimf Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) On Burn Notice Michael's loft was originally a river warehouse, 528 NW 7th Avenue, Miami. The first two episodes were filmed on location at the warehouse for both interior and exterior shots. After that it continued to appear numerous times through season six in overhead aerial establishing shots when the next scene was supposed to take place in the loft. Beginning with the third episode of Season One interior and close up exterior loft shots actually took place on sets constructed to resemble the warehouse at the Coconut Grove Convention Center. The river warehouse was torn down in Jan 2013 and the Coconut Grove Convention Center is gone also. Almost all of Miami Beach is pretty safe even at night. It's very difficult to find a parking place on the streets on or near Ocean Drive. There are many Vice sites within walking distance from your hotel but you absolutely need a car. Unless you are very lucky you will have to use a parking garage most of the time. Have a great time and take a lot of photos. Edited January 2, 2016 by miamijimf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted January 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 So, Overtown is a place to avoid when doing the nightdriving thing.... check. What about the nightclubs I only found like 3 - Mango's Tropical Cafe and LIV in Miami Beach, Club Space in 34 NE 11th St Miami FL 33132, wherever that is (their website kept crashing). I'm really into electronic dance music (Trance, PsyTrance), my favorites include Christopher Lawrence who's jingles promote him as "America's top Trance DJ", Shame his website is going thru relaunch and isn't up yet. Should he happen to be on tour in Miami while I'm there would be exhilarating. So, I'm looking for that kinds of clubs. Ofcourse I'm into salsa and that kinda music too, but I have a feeling I don't have to look for that What about other high rises to visit in addition to Miami Tower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 So, Overtown is a place to avoid when doing the nightdriving thing.... check. What about other high rises to visit in addition to Miami Tower? I don't go to clubs or bars, so others will have to help you with that. I wouldn't even linger in Overtown very long during the day. When you are there, pay attention to your surroundings. The expressway underpass where Corky's car is blown up in the pilot (NW 1st Ave / I-395) reportedly has vagrants even during the day. I've never gone inside any high-rises. I imagine most are not very welcoming to the public, but I don't really know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted April 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 About two weeks to my Miami-trip, no wonder I look nervous... LOL (as Airtommy's signature said ) I have never driven a car abroad, so what a great idea to start in a big city like Miami Hope the traffic signs are about the same (they should be international, right?) though the colors may vary I guess (atleast noticed some differences in The Netherlands like the downwards pointed triangle, give way, was on white background in the Netherlands while in Finland it's on yellow background. Oh, I noticed in the US it's white too) Finnishhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Finland#/media/File:Finland_road_sign_231.svg US (according to Wikipedia)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_the_United_States#/media/File:MUTCD_R1-2.svg Damn, must I learn those again...? But I see many signs have text within them (whereas in Finland they don't) so I guess that helps In Helsinki, they've implemented lots of automatic traffic control on the main ring-roads (and some highways) - automatic radars that measures the vehicle's speed and takes a picture if it's over the limit). I drive to work daily on one such ring-road and wondered, if they have such things in Miami? And how picky are they... in Finland, where the speeds are in kph, they generally don't ticket you if the speed exceeds the limit by 10kph (if you drive speeds exceeding 60, like doing 90 on a road with an 80-limit you probably don't get a ticket). One thing BTW, as the electrical sockets are different, but the car's cigarette lighter is the same I guess (for a phone charger - I'll be using alot of the phone's navigator, and it drains battery fast so I better have it plugged to charger). Well, my Trans Am had the same cigarette lighter than my other cars, an it was made in California (evident from this remark, I've never been in the US). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Great ! I hope you enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer84 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Have fun!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Do you plan to visit any Miami Vice locations?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Yeah, gonna visit some locations..... The "5000 street corners" location at the Carlyle, the gas station from Evan.... Bayfront park... The marina where St. Vitus was berthed.... and probably some Burn Notice sites.... Any suggestions (on filming locations, places on general,things to do...)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Sounds great - look in the Miami Vice travel and/or the google shooting locations of this site - so many ideas there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Already began tagging the locations to Google Maps I was wondering, is there anything Miami Vice -related happenings, fan meetings that sort of thing? I don't mean just next week, but like in general (like smaller Vice meetings at the same time with some conventions etc. (not really sure, but do they do Comic Cons in Miami?)). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators James Posted April 25, 2016 Administrators Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 1 hour ago, JDe75 said: Already began tagging the locations to Google Maps I was wondering, is there anything Miami Vice -related happenings, fan meetings that sort of thing? I don't mean just next week, but like in general (like smaller Vice meetings at the same time with some conventions etc. (not really sure, but do they do Comic Cons in Miami?)). There was a Comic Con in Rhode Island a few months ago where the old Vice team meet up (all except for PMT and Don Johnson) Follow Michael Talbot on Facebook as he posts the events he will be at, when they come around. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelTalbottMiamiVice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted April 29, 2016 Report Share Posted April 29, 2016 On 4/25/2016 at 10:34 AM, James said: There was a Comic Con in Rhode Island a few months ago where the old Vice team meet up (all except for PMT and Don Johnson) Follow Michael Talbot on Facebook as he posts the events he will be at, when they come around. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelTalbottMiamiVice Great info ! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted May 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 (edited) Wow... Great trip ! Some plans went back to drawing board as Air France kindly lost our luggage at the start of the trip. And they did it again on the way back to Finland... Funny how we got here. Took a Lyft-ride there and basically had to tell the local driver, who'd lived there for 25 years, how to drive to Watson Island and that in fact there is such a place ! That was funny... His GPS was acting up, but he did get a glimpse long enough to say "Yes, I think there is a Watson Island in Miami" There was a better view at some pier, but there were staff telling us "You taking a photo on private property" and didn't even let us take one photo of downtown... And this, sunset taken from Biscayne Bay. Not a funny story here though This was where we were staying at. For the first two nights anyway. The rest we spent at South Point. It was close enough, like a 10-minute walk... Oh, and without realizing it, we ate at Carlyle Cafe the 2nd night ! Just when I got the bill and saw the name I was like "Daaaamn..." And actually, our table was nearly on THE street corner Perhaps there was a renovation going on or something but the porch was covered with some plywood or something.... I didn't recognize it at first... Let me dig up a picture.... Here's my friend and a giant Margarita.... The sidewalk was alot narrower in MV pilot though, now it was wide enough to hold tables on either side.... Actually, the whole Ocean Drive was. Have they widened the sidewalk at some point? Edited May 13, 2016 by JDe75 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadrian Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Great pics!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicefan7777 Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 Looks like you had a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 (edited) On May 13, 2016 at 4:24 PM, JDe75 said: Oh, and without realizing it, we ate at Carlyle Cafe the 2nd night ! Just when I got the bill and saw the name I was like "Daaaamn..." And actually, our table was nearly on THE street corner Perhaps there was a renovation going on or something but the porch was covered with some plywood or something.... I didn't recognize it at first... The sidewalk was alot narrower in MV pilot though, now it was wide enough to hold tables on either side.... Actually, the whole Ocean Drive was. Have they widened the sidewalk at some point? Very interesting! I had not noticed this before. Back in 1984, the steps and wall were almost at the curb. Today the curb is much farther away. Also, I love your Watson Island night-time picture! 1984: today: Edited June 13, 2016 by airtommy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDe75 Posted June 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 (edited) I came across a photo of Miami on the internet, well I'm not 100% it even is of Miami but the internet said so. Anyway, I told you when we were on Watson Island seeking for a good place to take photos of the Downtown skyline, we first went to a patio / pier that seemed like a good spot. There was a big boat berthed there, and a couple of bouncers standing on the pier. They were quick to come to us and shooed us away, telling it was private property and we couldn't even take photos of the downtown. So, this picture I came across, I think it's taken from that patio. So can anyone of you tell is it, or is it even of Miami.... I tried comparing it with the shots I took but the ones I took were all to the left from American Airlines Arena, so I didn't see buildings like that in my pics., I took the photos from the left (south) side of the International Seaplane Base. The place we were shooed away from, which offered a better view of Downtown, was nearer to MacArthur Causeway bridge. Somewhere around the circled area below. And here's the pic. Come to think of it, I had my camera on my hand and ready for action before the bouncers intercepted us, so had I just pushed the shutter button I would've gotten a photo from about as far of the railing than the pic is (we never got to the railing or those palm trees). Edited June 13, 2016 by JDe75 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airtommy Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 No, that photo was not taken from Watson Island looking at downtown Miami. It was taken from Brickell Key (specifically the pool area of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel) looking at the Brickell area. The four short wide buildings (two at the water, two set back) are the Four Ambassadors. At the far right you see a bridge. That's where the opening and closing scenes of "Smuggler's Blues" were filmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Fantastic - thankyou for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 On 5/13/2016 at 9:24 PM, JDe75 said: Wow... Great trip ! Some plans went back to drawing board as Air France kindly lost our luggage at the start of the trip. And they did it again on the way back to Finland... Funny how we got here. Took a Lyft-ride there and basically had to tell the local driver, who'd lived there for 25 years, how to drive to Watson Island and that in fact there is such a place ! That was funny... His GPS was acting up, but he did get a glimpse long enough to say "Yes, I think there is a Watson Island in Miami" There was a better view at some pier, but there were staff telling us "You taking a photo on private property" and didn't even let us take one photo of downtown... And this, sunset taken from Biscayne Bay. Not a funny story here though This was where we were staying at. For the first two nights anyway. The rest we spent at South Point. It was close enough, like a 10-minute walk... Oh, and without realizing it, we ate at Carlyle Cafe the 2nd night ! Just when I got the bill and saw the name I was like "Daaaamn..." And actually, our table was nearly on THE street corner Perhaps there was a renovation going on or something but the porch was covered with some plywood or something.... I didn't recognize it at first... Let me dig up a picture.... Here's my friend and a giant Margarita.... The sidewalk was alot narrower in MV pilot though, now it was wide enough to hold tables on either side.... Actually, the whole Ocean Drive was. Have they widened the sidewalk at some point? Great shot - skyline looks less built up at this angle - even though Watson Island is a mess these days https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@25.7771378,-80.1738677,908a,20y,316.57h,44.74t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt5 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Beautiful shot from Biscayne Bay was this from a boat with the sunset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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