need help getting my bearings

okay i%26#39;ll be in miami (area) from july 11-17th. my plan is to spend 2 or 3 nights in miami. sunday start making my way south until i get to key west. (few stops along the way) end up back in miami wednesday to fly out on thursday.

i%26#39;ve had success getting rooms through priceline before and i wanted to try again. this is my first time in miami so i%26#39;m not sure what areas i should be looking in.

priceline lists the areas as: 1) miami beach 2) miami airport 3)coral-gables/coconut grove 4) miami downtown 5) north miami beach 6) miami lakes-miramar

just need to help knowing which areas are safe and the things to do in each area.(clubbing/dancing, shopping, etc) or are they all pretty close together and it doesnt really matter?

need help getting my bearings

memphis%26gt;

You want Miami Beach but honestly you want South Beach to be near all the fun stuff...

In late July rates at nice hotels in the center of the city shouldn%26#39;t be super -high so check on your own at the Park Central and Strand... you might not need Priceline.

Here is a quick guide to the Keys online for you:

southbeach-usa.com/news/鈥?/a>

AG

need help getting my bearings

If you plan on making a trip to Miami and it%26#39;s your ';first'; time I would suggest staying in South Beach specifically. This way you do not have to have a car to make it to great restaurants, the beach and nightlife. Coconut Grove is nice but is mainly a college eccentric area with local bars catering to a very specific crowd. Also, the strip is only about 4 blocks. Outside of those four blocks you have the marina but nothing much else is happening. I would not recommend staying near the airport. That area is great if you are on a business conference and don%26#39;t plan on leaving your hotel. But in general I find that area to be depressing for tourists. You will need a car if you stay there.

To be in the center of or within walking distance of the center of SoBe you want to stay somewhere below 23d street (address number under 2300) and on Washington or Collins Aves., or Ocean drive.