Would you recommend Calle Ocho to tourists? (Miami, Carol City: home, pharmacy)

[Chelito23]

I have to agree with Tanner to SOME extent. I have seen those tourist busses there as well, however, I have never seen the actual tourists. Maybe they are just small groups or they are all in a restaurant or something?

I think it is worth a trip to see what Miami is about...I mean taking a walk there isn't bad..it is one of the few culturally rich areas with a semi-decent pedestrian layout.

Nice way to kill an hour or two if you are from out of town and want to say you have been to Little Havana...

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by crisp444

oh my god are their burgers good!

Oh yeah! For those that don't know, a frita is a Cuban hamburger. Spiced (not caliente) and served on a bun with onions and piled HIGH with shoestring potatoes.
They have a chicken version that rocks too.

El Rey is the best I've had and makes going down Calle Ocho vs US1 worth it.
(My doctor hates that I get these though! lol)
You have to go to THIS one though -- it's kind of like "Ray's Pizza" in NYC, there are a few "El Reys" around.

There are so many great restaurants on Calle Ocho -- the best Mexican too. A friend just took me to "Taqueria el Mexicano" (??? I think that's the name) -- awesome little place!

[thumbelina]

Originally Posted by burgler09

The other day I saw a travel site promoting Carol city with nice big palm trees

And I thought that sign on I95 luring tourists to "Historic Overtown Village" was bad!

After reading all the responses on this thread, still not sure what I'll do the next time I see a lost tourist asking for advice. Maybe I'll just be safe and keep on walking?

[noland123]

People have computers today,they can type in a particular city of interest and find out all there is to know about the city. I have read that alot of the older generation Cubans have moved out of Little Havana and that quite a few of the historical spots have been torn down, but to me it is still an interesting city,just because it is different than most.

[vpcats]

I don't see anything exciting about Little Havana. If you have to drive through there, hold on to your steering wheel. The lanes are narrow and people just walk anywhere, cars pull out at any time, doors open when you least expect anything, ETC. It is overcrowded, lots of elderly who can't hear or see well enough to be ambulating alone and it's not a very clean place anymore. There are many less than desirable elements around.

HOWEVER, I do like to go there on the Cultural Fridays. The whole strip is booming, the stores are open late, the art galleries are turning "chic", the restaurants all have "sidewalk" tables now, you have all kinds of well dressed people and groups and there is a lot of entertainment on the streets. It is also VERY safe with patrol cars everywhere, foot police and policemen on horses. I enjoy those outings but on a normal, routine day.....I avoid it at all costs.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I don't see anything exciting about Little Havana. If you have to drive through there, hold on to your steering wheel. The lanes are narrow and people just walk anywhere, cars pull out at any time, doors open when you least expect anything, ETC. It is overcrowded, lots of elderly who can't hear or see well enough to be ambulating alone and it's not a very clean place anymore. There are many less than desirable elements around.

HOWEVER, I do like to go there on the Cultural Fridays. The whole strip is booming, the stores are open late, the art galleries are turning "chic", the restaurants all have "sidewalk" tables now, you have all kinds of well dressed people and groups and there is a lot of entertainment on the streets. It is also VERY safe with patrol cars everywhere, foot police and policemen on horses. I enjoy those outings but on a normal, routine day.....I avoid it at all costs.

Are Cultural Fridays every Friday? Where is it? That sounds really cool and interesting, I'd like to go.

[noland123]

Kevin,Viernes Culturales is on the last Friday of every month. It is at 1421 S.W. 8TH St. I believe it read that it started at 6:30 and ended at 11:00 It is between 14 th and 17th ave. on Calle Ocho.

[vpcats]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

Are Cultural Fridays every Friday? Where is it? That sounds really cool and interesting, I'd like to go.

They are on the last Friday of every month only. Get there around 8 ish. You'll need to park somewhere else on streets around the perimeter. You'll do some walking.

There is a laundromat that has a parking lot and you have this woman with a couple of young kids that sits there and she charges $5.00 for watching your car and "allowing" you to park there. When you come back, there's nobody there anymore. Great security. Her partner does the same at the pharmacy/optical shop (?) across the street.

We've never had a problem. Just make sure you don't block anyone's driveway or get into any private business lots (unless that lady tells you it's OK).

[socrates]

You guys on this site really over-react to places that aren't high class suburbias. I heard bad stuff about carol city and would have never gone there until I left a marlins game and go down the street to get gas. As I'm pumping gas I notice the emphamous CAROL MART right across the street. In the middle of an area full of strip malls with walmart home depot office max etc. I think to myself THIS is carol city?

[big mean bear]

Carol City has a few new commercial areas South of the county line and I believe 27th or 37th ave. where you'll find a few find big chains. The rest of C.C. is either a closed pawn shop or some kind of garage to buy wheels or window tints.