South Beach | Cheap Retreat | Miami

The old folks' hit parade doesn't stray much, listing the market, bike riding, the Wolfsonian, and MAM as big yums on the Zen meter (Michelle also voted for her beloved Key lime pie and perusing the Ocean Drive boutiques). We are still bouncing opinions back and forth as we head one last time to the Essex, where we've arranged a late checkout. After packing up, we take one last look at the South Beach scene and then reluctantly leave the circus in town.

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the tally
here's how we budgeted $999 for our family weekend in miami and still managed to have $150.70 (yep, that's right) left over.



lodging: $223.74
the essex house hotel & suites, (800) 553-7739 or (305) 534-2700, www.essexhotel.com. rooms from $89 (june to september), $125 (october to december), $159 (january to march).

dining: $259.24
big pink, (305) 532-4700, www.bigpinkrestaurant.com. ample service and selections, from a bucket of fries ($4.25) to baked meatball hero ($9.25).

david's cafe ii, (305) 672-8707, www.davidscafe.com. cuban sandwiches and coffee to chicken fingers, from $5.50.

11th street diner, (305) 534-6373. chocolate shakes to greek omelets and sandwiches from $4.95.