Help with planning a vacation in MIAMI...!

[AussieAngel]

Calling all Miami experts.... Calling all Miami experts....

My DH and I are planning our next big holiday to the USA!! Yayyyy!!! (Including DisneyWorld, of course!)

We live in Australia, so when we fly over, we want to visit a few places, since flights are ridiculously expensive. So here's our plan...

* New York, 5 nights
* Miami, 3 nights
* Key West, 3 nights
* DisneyWorld, 10 nights

Now, here's where we need your help!! We're fine with organising New York, Key West, and DisneyWorld, but for some reason Miami bamboozles me!! I've read Lonely Planet guidebooks about it and everything, but I still don't know where we should stay!

Okay, so there's Miami. Then there's Miami Beach. Then there's South Beach. Augh!!

We're only really there for 2 full days, and we plan on doing a tour on the first day, of Miami, a bay cruise, and the Everglades. Then on the second day, we hope to just enjoy the beach and the shops.

I thought we'd stay near the beach somewhere. Not in a hotel right on the beach though, cause that would be too expensive. We're looking for a nice hotel, but just somewhere to crash, really. Nothing fancy. Maybe a few blocks from the beach. We won't have a car, so we'd love to be able to walk everywhere we need to go.

So!! Should we stay at South Beach? Or Miami Beach? And what are the major differences between the two? And any other helpful info you can suggest for us?! Anything would be great!!

Thanks for your help in advance!!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

South Beach is actually a "neighborhood/area" of Miami Beach. Miami Beach is its own city which is located over the bridges. I believe that is is an island.

Check out the Marriott Courtyard Oceanside. We stayed there last year, while it was the summer time and I believe we only paid about $150 a night.

Obviously the bigger named hotels (Delano, Lowes, Marriott South Beach ,the Victor, Tides) will be extremely expensive, but check out the Colony or the Park Central, you might get lucky.

DH have done SoBe with and without the kids, both are entirely different trips, but both were equally enjoyable.

Our favorite is the Eden Roc - it was closed for rehab last summer so we couldn't stay there. I haven't checked but I believe its open. Its also a Marriott Hotel now.

 

[Golf4food]

As a native Floridian I just have to ask - why would anyone want to vacation in Miami!?

Another option down there might be a day trip to the Bahamas - the island of Bimini is only a short 2 or 3 hour trip by boat from Miami and since you already have passports that should not be a problem.

There are Seminole indian reservations and museums in the Evergrlades - I'd recommend looking into those as well.

 

[schmitty]

South Beach is just an area. Its right next to the beach. There is a days in thats pretty close to everything on South Beach. You can and should walk around while at South Beach. Driving is pretty bad. If you stay at the Days in on South Beach you will probably have free parking, not sure call the hotel to confirm. Its $150 USD a night. Are going to go to the cities in that order. If I were you I would do NY, Keys, Miami, then Orlando. Its about a 3 hours drive from Miami to Key West. Its about 4 hours from Miami to Orlando.

 

[scottishduffy]

Hello!

I live in Miami and am not to sure about hotels but if you want any ideas as to specific places to hit feel free to ask. There are many different Everglade farms, with huge differencs in price as well as tours offered. My favorite is the 'Everglades Alligator Farm'. We have duck tours, then the tours of Star island leaving from Bayside. ( I am actually doing the Bayside tour tommorow just for fun)

The beach is OK, and I understand how people not from the area like it. However, it isn't a great beach.... just be prepared that the beach is like walking on concrete. the sand it not soft and it is super-crowded. I would perhaps walk around the beach here but not bother actually going for the day. Save the beach for the Keys. There are some nice shop and restaurants in an outdoor ahopping area called Lincoln Road, as well as the Bayside area.

South Beach is mainly trendy high rise condos and small uber expensive hotels. Don't forget we have the Seaquarium & the Metro zoo which are fun diversions. It is hot as hades here, hotter than Orlando or the Keys courtesy of our concrete jungle.

 

[bettyann29]

We went on a cruise out of Miami last month and arrived a few days early.. One thing that we did was the Miami Seaquarium for one day and we really enjoyed it..

 

[ilisao]

Keep in mind that South Beach is below 24th Street, Middle Beach is 24th-63rd Streets, and North Beach is above that.

I always have loved Miami. My grandfather was in the hotel business there and I spent many summers and vacations down there. I miss the old Lincoln Road, before it became what it is today. And I remember when they widened the beach.

Last time we were in Miami, we stayed at the Essex House, an art deco hotel on Collins just a block from Ocean Drive on 10th. It's right behind the Clevelander and a block from the beach.

Sounds like a great vacation you have planned!

 

[Pop Daddy]

If Im going to Miami , I need to know only two words "south beach"

 

[AussieAngel]

Hehee, it sounds like South Beach it is, then!!

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions, everybody!

I'm going to check out those hotels now. Great to have some recommendations!

And I think we might save our beach day for Key West instead, like a few of you suggested, and go check out the Seaquarium!

I really wanted to go there anyway, but DH wanted a beach day - after reading that the beach really isn't that great, he was happy to do the Seaquarium instead! Yahooooo!!

We might even do the swimming with the dolphins thing at the Seaquarium... has anyone done that?

Thanks again for our ideas, everybody!

Keep 'em coming, if you have any suggestions for places to eat, other things to see, etc...

 

[ilisao]

If you can, you should try Joe's Stone Crab. They don't take reservations, but the wait was worth it!

http://www.joesstonecrab.com/

 

[Talking Hands]

Depending on which part of the Everglades you visit, it can be an all day trip.
Because we live near Homestead we usually go down and enter the park there and then drive down to Flamingo stopping at outlook areas along the way. Also you can go out the Trail and see the sights at the Seminole Indian Village and take an air boat ride, see gator wrestling etc. Another fun place to go is Parrot Jungle. (Some tell me the new name for that,pls)

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi! I am a 3rd generation native Miamian...just want to add that The Keys are not really known for there beaches...I believe any beaches there are man made. It is more of a "water sports" place...diving, snorkeling, waterskiing etc.

Have fun! DH and I are planning a BIG TRIP to *your* wonderful country soon. It is one of those places we dream of seeing, and even toy with the idea of moving there (although I guess we better VISIT before we make any decisions!, LOL)

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Depending on which part of the Everglades you visit, it can be an all day trip.
Because we live near Homestead we usually go down and enter the park there and then drive down to Flamingo stopping at outlook areas along the way. Also you can go out the Trail and see the sights at the Seminole Indian Village and take an air boat ride, see gator wrestling etc. Another fun place to go is Parrot Jungle. (Some tell me the new name for that,pls)

I think it is "Jungle Island" now...that new location on Watson Island. I have not been there, but used to go to the old location as a kid.

 

[AussieAngel]

Thanks for the suggestions, everybody!

I really don't know what part of the Everglades we'll be visiting. I found a full day tour which takes you on a tour of Miami, a bay cruise, and a trip to a part of the Everglades where you take an airboat ride. I've always just fancied doing an airboat ride, really! We're not there for long enough to devote a whole day to the Everglades, although I'm sure it would be great. But I like the idea of the whole day tour with the three different aspects - at least we'll get a little sample of each!

Wildernesslodgelover... Thanks for your info about the beaches in the Keys. We're more water sport people anyway, rather than just lying on the beach, so that suits us fine! We love snorkeling!

And yes, you should definitely come to Australia! When / where are you planning on going? If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Maybe I can repay the favor of offering some helpful info!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks AA! I will let you know if it ever looks like a possibility.

Have a great trip! Please report back and let us know how it went!

 

[scottishduffy]

Another restaurant to try if you are near the Seaquarium would be the Rusty Pelican. I have been there once and it was good. I have also heard good things said about the place by others and it is somewhat close to the seaquarium.

I did a Bay cruise yesterday and it was fun. Passing by the cruise terminal and the celebrity homes on Star Island. Wear sunscreen though... my shoulders are now bright red because I forgot and the boat was pretty open. Oh, and for the air boar ride bring ear plugs!! Many of the tours will offer you head sets or something, but just in case bring your own because once the boat is going full blast it is *Very* loud. (done this about 4 times now)

Enjoy the Vacation!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

*wiping a tear from my eye*

Well, whaddya know? What a coincidence. I was MARRIED...had wedding and reception...at the RUSTY PELICAN...11 years ago this May!!!!

Is the Seaquarium in the same location as it used to be? On Key Biscayne? I think it moved.