TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: South Beach in January

Author: scott, February 5th, 2012

Last month we were in South Beach, Florida again and everything about that place is so exciting with dozens of things to see and do. We always stay at the Lords-South Beach Hotel which is right in the heart of everything.

Located just a couple of blocks from the beach it is the perfect place to stay. Brian Gorman, General Manager continues to update everything about the hotel. He is by far the finest and most professional General Manager of any hotel where we have stayed. There is always something going on all the time there. All of their rooms are bright and airy and they have nearly 60 rooms.

They have the most professional and friendliest staff of any hotel where we have ever stayed. Their rates are quite reasonable. They have a bar and restaurant that is located right in the hotel. One can dine or drink outside on the front terrace and “people watch” all day long. Their website is: www.lordssouthbeach.com and their toll free number is 877.448.4754 and they are located at 1120 Collins Drive which is centrally located to everything to do in South Beach.

If you don’t have an auto, the bus service is quite handy there. They have a nice front lobby where you can always meet with other guests. When you do go to South Beach your first stop after you check into Lords-South Beach should be the Gay and Lesbian Center which is located just a block from the hotel.

They are extremely hospitable and friendly with plenty of brochures that they will give you so that you will have the best idea of what to see and do when in South Beach. George Neary, Steve Adkins, Michael Vita and Cindy Brown at the Center are great people to work with. They are located at 1130 Washington and you can email them at mdglcc@bellsouth.net.

There are dozens of museums and galleries to visit when in South Beach. Among our favorites were the World Erotic Museum which has the most interesting collection of erotica items from all over the world with items dating back to the Grecians to modern day.

The owner Naomi Wilzig has been recognized by the Gay community for her outstanding work for the community. Of all of the dozens of people that we have met in South Beach, Naomi is the “best of the best” and FUN ! This is one museum that you do not want to miss and is located just a block and a half from the Lords-South Beach hotel. Their website is: www.weam.com

Other interesting museums to visit are the Bass Museum of Art, www.bassmuseum.org the Holocaust Memorial, www.holocaustmemorial.org, the Jewish Museum of Florida, www.jewishmuseum.com was particularly interesting to see how the Jews were discriminated against as many Gays have been in the past. The Wolfsonian/FIU, www.wolfsonian.org is also located in South Beach and within walking distance as well.

The Everglades Safari Park, www.evsafaripark.com is extremely interesting as one rides on an airboat and goes right in the swamps and you can see first hand alligators and hundreds of birds.

The Miami Seaquarium, www.miamiseaquarium.com has lots of fish, flamingos, and all other types of animals relating to the area.

The Monkey Jungle, www.monkeyjungle.com and Jungle Island, www.jungleisland.com both have lots of animals to see in their natural habitant.

Two very interesting home tours to take, and we use the term, home tours very loosely as these are not your standard homes. The first is the Vizcaya Mansion and Gardens located just to the South of Miami in Coral Gables. This was the home of the Gay Millionaire, James Deering who had the mansion built in the 1920′s. The White Party as well as other events are held at this mansion. It is a wonderful mansion to visit. Their website is www.vizcayamuseum.org. The Coral Castle is just down the road and is completely hand made out of Coral. Their website is www.coralcastle.com.

And then there are the beaches, the nightlife and the shops to visit when in South Beach. You will be busy 24/7 when visiting South Beach. Be sure and have breakfast on the Terrace at the Lords-South Beach every morning so that you can get a good idea as to what your plans will be for the rest of the day. There are people EVERYWHERE in South Beach, so talk to everybody.

One of our most memorable dining experiences was when we dined with Naomi at Symcha’s Restaurant, www.symchas.net. Owner Symcha Zylberman is doing everything right! Everything was perfect as it should be. The atmosphere, the service the food presentation as well as the quality of the food made for a perfect evening but then dining with Naomi anyplace would be a great dining experience. Her son, Sir Ivan the entertainer joined us for dessert.. Why can’t all restaurants treat all of their customers in this manner?

We meet so many wonderful and interesting people in our travels. THANKS NAOMI WILZIG and MICHAEL VITA for being so fun, funny, exciting and wonderful !

Before traveling to South Beach, check out these websites, www.gogaymiami.com and www.gaycities.com.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!
TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married). Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: florida, gay travel, miami beach, south beach