Located in downtown Miami on the waterfront of Biscayne Bay, the 20,000-seat American Airlines Arena is the city's newest landmark.
Opened in January 2000, the stunning arena is home to the NBA's Miami Heat and the WNBA's Miami Sol. The multipurpose sports and entertainment complex also hosts ice shows, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, magic shows, circuses, and star-studded concerts.
Built by the world-renowned Miami-based avant-garde firm Arquitectonica, the arena fashions the company's famed non-Art Deco style of architecture. Part of the city's bayfront renewal, the arena links to Bayside Marketplace (see shopping) via a pedestrian bridge. Specifically designed for views of the city skyline and the bay from all concourses, the arena provides superior acoustics and sight-lines from every seat. There are public terraces and balconies off all concourses and private terraces with center-court suites. The multiple purpose practice court has sweeping views of beautiful Biscayne Bay.
Great sports events and great food go together. You'll find plenty of taste delights at the arena. For a splendid blend of authentic Cuban cuisine and the culture of Old Havana, try Bongos Cuban Cafe, owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Rising two stories at the plaza level, the 16,000-square-foot club is a restaurant by day and disco by night. A 62-foot pineapple serves as a beacon on the outside to passing boaters and motorists; inside it reveals a huge dance floor that comes alive with tropical salsa music every night.
Premium ticket-holders can enjoy watching hoops while dining on rosemary garlic leg of lamb or crab cakes, courtesy of Levy Catering. An outdoor café and bar offers treats on a bayside terrace. The privately-financed arena features 12 acres of onsite covered parking, as well as lots of offsite parking nearby. There is direct access from parking to skyboxes and courtside lounge seats. The official team store and information center, Heat, of the Miami Heat is open at the adjacent Bayside Marketplace.
Greater
Miami is comprised of a diverse assortment of distinctive neighborhoods,
each with its own unique collection of attractions and hotels. Miami and the
Beaches offer an immense selection of distinctive lodging that can suit any
personality or budget. From the lavish hotels that line the streets of South
Beach ....more
Fifteen minutes in the car will get you to the Disney, the happiest place on
earth. If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing in Orlando. The
Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel is a good choice due to its proximity to tourist
attractions.
