What happens to Miami traffic when a boat show and art fest come to town? Lots of detours
Say this about Presidents Day in South Florida: You’re not lacking for things to do.
The Miami Boat Show, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Art Wynwood, the Gay8 festival on Calle Ocho and the Miami Concours automotive display on 39th Street in the Design District are the main events running through the Monday holiday.
READ MORE: Art Wynwood returns for the first time since pandemic. Here’s what you need to know
Or maybe you’re skipping the Miami scene and heading for a day trip to the Keys on what promises to be a sunny weekend.
READ MORE: Here are some of the biggest events in Miami during Presidents Day weekend
Wherever you’re headed, be prepared for heavy traffic in downtown Miami, Little Havana and Coconut Grove.
In one area of downtown Miami the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show is using Biscayne Bay along One Herald Plaza on 14th Street near the Omni complex and across the street from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts to showcase some of its boats. On the Art Miami/Context site, also known as the same One Herald Plaza ground, the Art Wynwood show coincides with the boat show.
And the Arsht at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. has two popular shows on its stages: Broadway’s “Wicked” at the Ziff Ballet Opera House and Area Stage’s presentation of “Beauty and the Beast” at the Carnival Studio Theater running during the Presidents Day crush Wednesday through Sunday.
Arsht spokeswoman Suzette Espinosa Fuentes suggested using nearby lots that let you pre-pay. Find these at www.arshtcenter.org/parking. Lobbies at the venue will open 90 minutes before show times so aim to arrive early.
At least there’s not a Miami Heat home game at the nearby Miami-Dade Arena.
Here’s what you need to know about traffic and some street closings.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Event details: The Coconut Grove Arts Festival puts 285 artists on and around 2700 S. Bayshore Drive and runs along McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive and Pan American Drive Saturday through Monday. Those streets are closed to traffic.
Street closings: Miami police will close streets for the festival starting at around 12:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, through 11:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20.
Pedestrian-only: No cars will be allowed on South Bayshore Drive from Aviation Avenue to McFarlane Road and from McFarlane to Grand Avenue.
Traffic: Expect heavy traffic along Southwest 27th Avenue from U.S. 1 to Tigertail Avenue.
Alternative routes: If you want to drive to the festival you can use 22nd or 32nd Avenues as alternates from South Dixie Highway, Miami police said.
Parking: Miami Parking has designated garages as parking options at Continental Plaza at 3250 Mary Street and Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove at 3300 SW 27th Ave. There is also some on-street metered parking and private parking lots. Ride-share Uber and Lyft is also an option.
Mass transit: Miami-Dade Transit routes offer shuttles from two Metrorail stations: Douglas Road Station and Coconut Grove Station.
Miami International Boat Show
Event details: Thousands of boat lovers will be hopping around various sites in Miami Beach to attend the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show from Wednesday to Sunday. That means you should prepare yourself for heavy traffic, delays and road closures getting around — as well as in and out of — Miami Beach.
READ MORE: Miami International Boat Show on deck. Here are 7 things to know about it before you go
Causeway entrances: Make sure you give yourself ample time to commute around the area, including via the Julia Tuttle and MacArthur causeways.
Road closings:
▪ Through Feb. 24: Convention Center Drive from 18th Street to Dade Boulevard
▪ 19th Street between Meridian Avenue and Convention Center Drive
▪ Through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: East Venetian Causeway Bridge
▪ Eastbound right turn lane onto West Dilido Drive
▪ Bike lanes and sidewalk between East San Marino and West Rivo Alto
Alternative transit: If you don’t want to drive, there are other ways you can get around during the boat show:
▪ Get on the water taxi. Tickets are $15 for the day, and the taxi routes begin an hour before and an hour after the show ends. They include stops at the show’s six locations: Venetian Marina, Herald Plaza, Museum Park Marina/FEC Docks, Miami Beach Convention Center, Maurice Gibb Park and Yacht Haven Grande Miami.
▪ Ride the free shuttle. The shuttle services five routes, stopping at the show’s six locations.
▪ Hop on the free citywide trolley. It operates from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, coming about every 20 minutes along each route.
▪ Ride a bike. The Miami Beach Convention Center and Herald Plaza, where you could view powerboats, motor yachts, engines and marine accessories, are linked by protected bike lanes along the scenic Venetian Causeway. And if you don’t have a bike, you can rent a Citi Bike.
Gay8 Festival
Event details: The Gay8 Festival, a Latino LGBTQ music, food and arts street celebration, will take place on Sunday on Southwest Eighth Street between Southwest 17th and 12th avenues in Little Havana. The festival starts at 11 a.m. and runs until about 11 p.m.
Traffic detours: Here are some disruptions in traffic to expect on Sunday:
▪ Until midnight: Southwest Eighth Street eastbound closed from Southwest 17th to 12th avenues.
▪ Miami-Dade buses with routes along Southwest Eighth Street will be detoured.
▪ Only area residents will be allowed to travel along Southwest Seventh Street on the north side or Southwest Ninth Street on the south side.
