Things to do in Miami

[MrsSmalls]

We are not flying out until the day after the cruise, so we have all day in Mimi with the kids. (7,10,11) Is there anything that people have found are good for the day? I've looked at trip advisor ect. but all the reviews seem mixed.

Thanks!!

 

[Dug720]

What are things that you like to do? There are bus tours, boat tours, Segway tours, walking art tours, walking food tours, a zoo, an aquarium, museums... Not to mention the Everglades is close and there are tours there.

 

[surran12]

We loved going to the zoo it's a pretty nice one to walk around

 

[MunFam]

In a single (LONG) day, we went on an airboat tour of the Everglades, visited the NPS Visitor Center in the Everglades and did Jr. Ranger, visited NPS Visitor Center at Biscayne NP and did Jr. Ranger and we drove to the Florida Keys (Islamorada was as far as we went) for the sunset. We live at the beach...so no need for that.

 

[MrsSmalls]

I didn't even think of the everglades! And the kids love the zoo.

The kids are pretty active, especially our 7 year old, so something active would be better that a sitting bus tour.

 

[AndreAggie]

We went to the zoo. It's a great zoo. They have family bikes you can rent and you pedal your way around the zoo....super fun!

 

[prprincess]

If you're into historic homes, photography, or botanical gardens, Villa Vizcaya is absolutely stunning.

 

[Dug720]

By bus I meant HOHO. So you see stuff but jump off and on as you choose.

 

[Bree]

I live an hour north of Miami. If you are interested in an airboat tour we have used this company twice http://www.airboatineverglades.com/. The guides are fantastic. They really have a love for the glades and it shows. If there is any way you can request Alex as your guide you will not be disappointed. He is just an amazing guide and is great with kids. Seeing alligators in their natural habitat is just something to be experienced.

You didn't say if you would have a rental car or not. That company will pick you up at your hotel. They also offer an add on of a Biscayne National Park tour.

 

[Bree]

Some pics from our tour last July.

Here is a pic of a 3 month old gator.

 

[Bree]

And here is a male that is about 5-6 years old.

 

[wanderlust7]

Not sure if you'd want to go this far, but my kids had a lot of fun at Lion Country Safari. We stayed in Pompano Beach for a few days after the cruise. I think from Miami, it might be about a hour and a half. It's a drive in zoo (with your own car) plus a bunch of other fun attractions.

 

[samily]

We did an airboat ride in the Everglades which we all enjoyed.

If you haven't done so already, take a look at Groupon for Miami, when I was researching things to do in Miami, there were discounts for just about all of the suggestions mentioned above. You may also find something you haven't thought of yet. We also got great deals for lunch and dinner there.

 

[BoulderGal]

Don't go to the Miami Seaquarium, it's old and awful.

I grew up in Miami and lived in South Beach for a few years. The Zoo is nice, but the Everglades is a more unique experience. Walking along Ocean Drive on South Beach is lots of fun, and especially pretty with the Art Deco buildings and the lights at night. You can go to David's Cafe and have authentic Cuban food, or News Cafe for a locals experience. Joe's Stonecrab is an (expensive) institution with the best stone crabs in existence. They have their own farm in the Everglades and many restaurants buy from them. Maybe rent rollerblades and skate on the path on the beach side. Lincoln Road Mall is also fun, lots of shops and restaurants.

Boating is also wonderful, the intercostal is cool and the houses on the islands near the port are unbelievable, its right next to downtown, so quite a view. Boat captains would know about the great sandbar areas and it's fun to head south too, very pretty. You can rent waverunners in Biscayne Bay too.

Hope that helps!
Mindy

 

[Capt_BJ]

what time of the year?

Zoo is very good and quite large (and spread out which makes the bikes a good but $$ option .... but in summer also an oven)

in the summer Venetian Pool is spring fed and cool: http://www.coralgables.com/index.aspx?page=167

The Venetian Pool is an aquatic facility unlike any other in the country. It has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, and is still one of the main tourist attractions for those visiting the City of Coral Gables.

The pool was created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry, where much of the original coral rock was used to border and further accentuate the pool. It also features two large historic lookout towers, with a view to the City Beautiful.

The 820,000 gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer. In the spring and summer seasons, the pool is filled and drained daily!

 

[lorimay]

Jungle Island is very nice, not too far from the port.

The pictures Bree posted scare me to death, LOL Floridian chicken.
We have an alligator in our lake in our backyard, now I won't go out till I check to make sure it hasn't come up on the grass. That thing makes me loose sleep.

Have a great time.

 

[MunFam]

Jungle Island is very nice, not too far from the port.

The pictures Bree posted scare me to death, LOL Floridian chicken.
We have an alligator in our lake in our backyard, now I won't go out till I check to make sure it hasn't come up on the grass. That thing makes me loose sleep.

Have a great time.

I don't blame you!!! I would probably move.

 

[Bree]

Jungle Island is very nice, not too far from the port.

The pictures Bree posted scare me to death, LOL Floridian chicken.
We have an alligator in our lake in our backyard, now I won't go out till I check to make sure it hasn't come up on the grass. That thing makes me loose sleep.

Have a great time.

http://www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/

You can call and have the gator removed if it meets qualifications as a "nuisance". We have a canal in our backyard. There's trees between the water line and our fence, but I still wonder if they hang out back there.

 

[lorimay]

http://www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/

You can call and have the gator removed if it meets qualifications as a "nuisance". We have a canal in our backyard. There's trees between the water line and our fence, but I still wonder if they hang out back there.

Thank you for this info.

 

[MrsSmalls]

Thank you all, I definitely want to try some good local ethnic food!