In my article “Setting: Elements of Towns and Cities,” I wrote about how many writers believe a setting is merely a location; however setting is not just a location, but everything that would define a location as a place. The seven elements that a writer should focus their setting writing on are the local restaurants, local shops, local events, local activities/entertainment, culture, day/night differences, and people. The best settings serve to incorporate all of these seven elements throughout the story. One area that has an abundance of these seven elements is Miami, Florida. Miami is a major city in Florida that is located on the southeastern tip of the state.

Local Restaurants & Local Shops

Miami is literally packed with restaurants and shops that are spread across the city. One well known area is Little Havana, which is well known for its art galleries, Cuban restaurants, cigar shops, fruit stands, and Cuban vendors. The Miami Design District features a wide selection of high-end shops and restaurants. Midtown Miami and the Lincoln Road Mall provide the perfect selection of venues for the casual shopper and diner looking to see Miami without a high price tag.

Local Events

Miami is well known for the fact that there is almost always something going on. Whether that something is a music festival, a sporting event, or a fundraising benefit there is always an event going on. Some of the most popular events in Miami are the Discover Orange Bowl, Holtz Children's Hospital Beaux Arts Festival of Art, South Beach comedy festival, Miami International Film Festival, Carnival Miami, Miami Beach Gay Parade, Miami Book Fair International, and the yearly Fourth of July celebrations.

Local Activities/Entertainment

Miami plays host to a wide variety of entertainment for people of all ages. One of the most popular if not widely known places is Jungle Island, which is a mix of a zoo and one-on-one animal encounters. The place is loved by many because it provides the opportunity to play with Capuchin monkeys and feed sloths.  

Culture & People

Miami is an international city that has an approximate population of about 450,000 people. Miami has a large Cuban culture, which is reflected in the numerous Cuban cafes, well known for their famous Cuban coffee, and the cigar shops that sell authentic Cuban cigars. Miami has the second largest Spanish speaking population in the United States of America.

Day/Night Differences

During the day, Miami offers a friendly city that is filled with shops, restaurants, and events that can be enjoyed with friends and family of all ages. However, at night Miami becomes a much more adult oriented city that provides the perfect scene for anyone looking to party. The city has everything from mega clubs, gay bars, and Latin dance halls all the way to cocktail lounges. The night life can also get a bit out of hand and wild on the weekends around 11pm, with people becoming rather drunk, so it is best enjoyed by only those adults who are wanting to party.