“Welcome to Miami. Bienvienidos a Miami.” 
All these years later, I still hear Will Smith’s earworm when I think of my hometown.  
This weekend, the city will welcome tens of thousands of fans who are coming to see the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship.  
Technically, the Jan. 19 game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium, in nearby Miami Gardens, but Miami is worth visiting any time of year. 
Here’s what first-timers should know. 
Most travelers fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), a hub for American Airlines and a major transfer point for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. 
Some travelers may opt for Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in neighboring Broward County. 
Miami Gardens is halfway between both airports, so either would work for the championship game or other events at Hard Rock Stadium, which is also a popular concert venue. 
Travelers can also take the high-speed Brightline to Miami from as far north as Orlando, and vice versa. The cities are about 3.5 hours apart by train. 
It’s worth renting a car because Miami’s sights are spread out. 
“You’re 20 minutes away from the Everglades. You’re 20 minutes away from the beach. You’re 20 minutes away from one of the most sophisticated shopping destinations in the world at Bal Harbour. You’re 20 minutes away from walking in a village, Coconut Grove, listening to outdoor music,“ said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.  
He also highlighted the arts and culture scene in the Wynwood neighborhood and called Brickell the Manhattan of the South.  
Rideshare service is readily available for travelers who prefer not to drive.  
You can get a good taste of the city in two or three days, but you can certainly stay longer. 
Miami is an all-ages destination, as popular with snowbirds as it is Spring Breakers.  
“The beauty of Miami is that we’re not just kind of in one box,” Whitaker said. 
Spring Breakers should, however, note that Miami Beach has cracked down on over-the-top partying in recent years. “Disorderly crowds, lawless behavior and violence will not be tolerated,” the city said in a news release last February. It restricted beach access and hiked parking fees, among other measures, last March. 
National Championship game goers may be inclined to stay near Hard Rock Stadium, but Whitaker notes venue location shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when there’s so much to experience elsewhere. 
He lauded Coral Cables and Coconut Grove’s hotels and restaurants, but added, “We have dozens of new and emerging neighborhoods, and each has its own unique hotel community.” 
Wherever you choose to stay, he recommends planning ahead because the city has high occupancy rates year-round. 
There’s no shortage of good food in Miami, from unassuming walk-up counters to Michelin-starred restaurants.  
Whitaker can’t play favorites, but said during stone crab season, “A first-time visitor has to go to Joe’s Stone Crab. It is world famous. It’s a Florida stone crab that’s only harvested here … bay-to-table, and it is an incredible experience.” 
When I go back, I always stop by Versailles Bakery for cafe con leche and Cuban pastries. I also have fond memories of eating at La Carreta, a family-style Cuban restaurant owned by the same family, with multiple locations around the city. 
Whitaker’s top picks include bustling Calle Ocho, or Eighth Street, in Little Havana, and Miami Beach, which he called the area’s front porch. 
For a more laid-back beach experience, you can try Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, just across a tolled causeway from downtown.  
Nature lovers should also check out Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, though most of the latter’s sights are underwater. 
Parking and rideshares will be available at Hard Rock Stadium, but both will be in high demand. The College Football Playoff’s website recommends rideshare users take the free HRS Express shuttle from the stadium to Lots 70 and 95 after the game to more easily catch rides. 
Fans can also take the Brightline and get free roundtrip shuttle service between the stadium and Aventura Brightline Station. 
Hopeful tailgaters should know that after kickoff, local enforcement will ask guests without game tickets to leave stadium parking lots.  
Attendees should also note Hard Rock Stadium has a clear bag policy. 
Whitaker hopes Hoosier fans have a wonderful visit to the Hurricanes’ home turf. 
“We want them to have the time of their life up – until kickoff,” he said with a smile. “Then we respectfully say welcome to Miami. Have a great time, but when the whistle blows… hang on.” 
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