Miami questions

[CaliforniaMama]

My 2 children and I are going on the Wonder out of Miami next January for a 5 day cruise. This will be the last of a 3 week school break for us. I have never been to Miami and wonder if there is anything there worth adding on a couple of days pre cruise. Are the beaches nice? Good for kids? Any thoughts? My kids will be nearly 5 and 8 at the time. Thanks! Also, any suggestions of where to stay either way?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

The one thing we regretted about our cruise out of Miami was that we didn't have any time before or after to see the city. Looking at it from the ship as we sailed away made us really wish we had time to explore.

 

[jrabbit]

Driving down to Key West is a unique experience, water to the right, water to the left, a 7 mile long bridge ... Some nice state parks.

We drove down to the Everglades (in through Homestead). It really is an all day trip. Just a little way past the main entrance, is the Ahinga Trail - LOTS of wildlife - including alligators! Turtles, lot of different types of birds. There are many other trails between there and Flamingo. At Flamingo there are more trails, but they have two different "excursions" - I would do the "Backwater boat tour" - Very interesting. The other one is the "Florida Bay Tour" - we did not like it as well. Down at Flamingo there are BOTH Alligators and Crocodiles (one of the few places in the world where their habitats overlap).

Closer to Miami is Shark Valley in the Everglades. We took the tram tour and really enjoyed it. Saw a lot of alligators, turtles, birds and would do this again. It is a shorter day than going to Flamingo.

 

[Gigi22]

Miami is quite close to Ft. Lauderdale. If you have a car, drive up along the coast and take the water taxi in Ft. Lauderdale. You get a tour thrown in for free, the drivers do want tips. At least in Ft. Lauderdale most of the beaches are privately owned, so access is limited. You can book one of the beachfront hotels.

 

[NCConch]

Crandon Park on Key Biscayne is very nice and not far from the port.

 

[dawne98]

I live in Miami and we love going to Crandon Park beach and you keep going down Key Biscayne you'll be right at Bill Baggs Cape FL state park with a lighthouse and beach....also Zoo Miami is great and the Everglades...if you want a see a little bit of Cuban then you'll want to go to Little Havana you'll to start at the outdoor Domino club then just walk about and any where you eat around there you'll get good Cuban food.... when family and friends get out to see me in Miami we go to the
Zoo, Cape FL for the beach and lighthouse, Little Havana, and the Everglades and dinner on South Beach on Ocean DR out side right across the st from the beach....also Bayside is good too to eat and hung out at night I would just go to Tripadvisor and look this all up to see if they are things you and your kids would like to do you can always PM if you need more info on anything....

 

[mmouse37]

This thread is very helpful...all about things to do, transportation, etc.

Official Port of Miami Thread

And here are some pics I took in October leaving Miami...gorgeous!!!

MJ

 

[CaliforniaMama]

Wow! Great pictures thank for sharing them! Thanks for the link too. Very helpful.

 

[CaliforniaMama]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I really appreciate it.