By SUZETTE LABOY
By SUZETTE LABOY
Associated Press
MIAMI — With its sizzling beaches and steamy nightlife, it’s no wonder Miami is a top vacation spot for snowbirds, spring breakers, international tourists and passengers heading out on cruises from Florida ports.
Over 13 million people visited the city in 2011, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Getting past sticker shock, though, can be difficult for anyone on a budget. Expect to pay $20 for a burger at trendy restaurants, the same for cocktails.
Just getting past the velvet ropes of a popular nightclub can run $300.
To avoid draining your pocketbook, do as the locals do and enjoy Miami’s free attractions. In addition to beaches and people-watching, take in spectacular water views while biking over a causeway.
THE BEACHES
Even if you can’t afford to stay in luxury hotels with ocean views or you’re not trendy enough to get into the beachfront clubs, the sand and turquoise waters of South Beach are free, accessible and popular with visitors along Ocean Drive from about Fifth Street up to Collins Park.
You’ll share the sand with locals, day-trippers and tourists staying in nearby hotels.
Other activities in the South Beach area include a free New World Symphony concert projected onto a 7,000-square-foot wall of a building designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry at 500 17th St., during Wallcasts.
ART DECO BUILDINGS AND LINCOLN ROAD
Miami Beach is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places for having the largest concentration of 1920s and 1930s resort architecture in the U.S.
Perhaps the absolute best free thing to do in Miami Beach is to go people-watching along Lincoln Road — http://www.lincolnroad.org/. The pedestrian mall lined with palm trees, dozens of shops, restaurants and bars is a popular tourist destination and hangout spot for locals — along with their designer dogs.
BIKES AND BUSES
The bike scene in Miami has taken off, turning into a giant social gathering of all ages. On the last Friday of every month, bicyclists take to the streets en masse and bike just over a dozen miles during Miami Critical Mass — http://www.meetup.com/criticalmass-40/. If you don’t have your own bike, rentals are available — http://www.decobike.com/.
A popular cycling route is the Rickenbacker Causeway, which connects Miami to the barrier island of Key Biscayne. Ride into Crandon Park for free to visit a two-mile long beach.
GET ARTSY
The Wynwood Arts District — http://www.wynwoodmiami.com/ is a neighborhood with some of the best artwork to see for free: Legal outdoor murals by graffiti artists cover the walls near art galleries and restaurants. Walking tours are $15 but you can see plenty on your own. Or visit on the second Saturday of the month when you can mingle with artists and art buyers when galleries open their doors to the public. Some provide complimentary alcohol; arrive early for the freebies.
LITTLE HAVANA
At Maximo Gomez Park, better known as Domino Park, 801 SW 15th Ave., you can watch locals playing the game or catch up on Cuban politics. The neighborhood is also home to a cigar factory, Cuban cafes and other eateries, and Paseo de las Estrellas (Walk of the Stars), where celebrities from Latin American are given stars similar to those in Hollywood.
The last Friday evening of every month Little Havana hosts Cultural Fridays including dancing, domino games, cigar rolling, and free walking tours.