Art, Autos and Authors in Miami

With much more to offer than just sand and sun, Miami gives tourists (and snowbirds) a place to take in art and culture in late fall. Just as humidity and temperatures drop to tolerable levels the year’s best events are scheduled all over the city.

Here is a preview of the next eight weeks in Miami:

• South Florida International Auto Show, held Nov. 5-14: Celebrating its 40th year, this event showcases more than 1,000 new car models from more than 40 of the top auto manufacturers.
• Miami International Book Fair, held Nov. 14-21: Hundreds of thousands of readers and writers descend on Miami for an eight-day celebration of all things literary. Attend readings by famous authors from around the world, or stop by the street fair to buy books and mingle with other book worms.
• NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Ford 400, held Nov. 21: Experience the speed and action in person at the Homestead-Miami Speedway for NASCAR’s closing event of the 2010 season.
• Art Basel, held Dec. 2-5: Praised as one of the most important art show in the United States’ artists, critics, dealers and curators take over Miami for this four-day event. Parties and exhibitions spiral out all over the city -- tickets to which are the only affordable part of the sensory spectacle.

In addition to these annual events, year-long recurring events are still in full swing. Drop by the Design District on the second Saturday of every month for an evening of gallery hopping and live music. For an earthier crowd, two different farmers markets take place on Sundays: Lincoln Road and Brickell. Stay steps away from Lincoln Road for $116 (US$115) per night at the Royal Palm Resort. These markets sell fresh organic fruits and vegetables, handmade pasta and honey and the always aromatic kettle corn -- enough to make your mouth water!

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