Things to do in south Florida?

[motion]

Need some help here guys... the wife and I will be in the Miami area next week. Besides hanging around South Beach, what other interesting things should we put on the list? Are the Everglades worth visiting? A drive to Key Largo? Day trip to Cuba? Kite surfing lessons?

Neither of us have sea legs, so anything to do with a boat is a non-starter. Any help is really appreciated

[jwhcars]

Key West is an interesting place to visit.

[wtbzanzibar911]

If its a cold front day yes go to Everglades
The drive down to key west
Is fun
Or go north to Palm Beach
and check out the mansions
and Worth Ave
Is there a car show in Miami ?

[imcarthur]

Definitely rent a car. A rag top too. The most expensive variety you can afford. I usually get a ‘stang for my winter jaunts. Barring that Hertz has Panamera’s at MIA. It is just starting to be convertible weather again. SOBE is wall-to-wall nouveau riche socialites or wannabes with a gaggle of tourists throw in. Expensive, packed. It’s worth a look but unless you love crowds it is not a place to stay for long.

Dinner tips: For beef - Red the Steakhouse & skip the over-hyped Prime One Twelve. BLT is also very good. Old Lisbon is good in Coral Gables for earthy Portuguese food & awesome fish. Big Pink is a standard for funky lunch in SOBE. For sand: Go to South Miami Beach to see or be seen & Haulover Beach in Sunny Isles to REALLY be seen.

Ian

[Hugh R]

Take the drive to Alligator Alley for a swamp tour. Did you know alligators and crocodiles both exist in FL? One likes salt water, the other doesn't. IIRC in droughts, the crocs move north into the gator territory, due to increased salinity in the swamps.

[GH85Carrera]

One thing for sure, SWEAT.

[imcarthur]

Here's an 'action' shot at 70 mph on the Alley. I count 7 gators beside the canal.



This is where we stayed the last time my wife came with me. Grove Isle. Just south of the Gables in Coconut Grove. Taken from the plane.



Ian

[rayporsche]

Go down to Key Largo and get a room at the 'Key Largo Bay Marriott Resort' then walk to 'Sundowner' and eat and drink while enjoying the sunset...

[DonDavis]

Me? Without question I'd go to the Everglades in hopes of seeing a python. A good friend was there and saw 2.

[id10t]

How much time do you have? If it were me, I'd head north and visit one of the springs

[cairns]

One of my favorite cities.

Go to Villa Vizcaya- well worth it. Check out the Design District. Try Little Havana and a mojito. Gorge on the best Cuban food outside Cuba. They have a great Contemporary Art Museum. Check out the Art Deco district and go on a walking tour. They have an awesome zoo. Tons of stuff- go to trip advisor to see what you like.

Leave the Keys for another time- there is plenty to do in Miami itself and driving to Key West can be a long tiresome slog. Key West is nice enough (lots of drunks and college kids) but I found renting a boat in Key Largo and going snorkeling or fishing to be a lot more enjoyable.

[Dan J]

lay in the sun and recharge (that's what guy's from the northeast do)

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by rayporsche

Go down to Key Largo and get a room at the 'Key Largo Bay Marriott Resort' then walk to 'Sundowner' and eat and drink while enjoying the sunset...

The Keys are a different world. Get to Key West if you can. I love tarpon fishing in the Keys if your schedule allows.

[Laneco]

I LOVE Miami!!! If you go to the beaches, go in the morning. Less crowded, people are mostly local, very peaceful and beautiful. Miami has Cuban food everywhere. GREAT food! And the Cuban coffee is simply spectactular. After you have Cuban coffee, you will pour anything else you try down the drain.

One little fun place that I enjoy in Miami is Oleta River State Park. You can rent bikes, walk (or ride) the trails, or rent a Kayak, swim, etc. It's hard to believe that you are basically in the city because when you walk around this place, you feel like you're an explorer.

Miami also has some very lovely architecture - art deco, etc. Enjoy the colors, flavors and wonderful people. I really like Miami!

angela

[doublestuff]

Depending on how much time you have, drive to Key West if you can (it's about a 4-hour drive from Miami, can be much longer if you stop a lot). The drive down the Overseas Highway is something everyone should do at least once. If you can spend a night or two in Key West, even better. There are some tremendous dining opportunities in Key West, my favorite being Better Than Sex, a dessert-only restaurant. Reservations usually required at least a day in advance, so plan ahead.
A&B Lobster House and Blue Heaven are excellent.
If you can be there for sunset, every night at sunset there is a sunset festival at Mallory Square.
Key Largo is nice if you want to experience a taste of the keys, perhaps some kayaking, etc. The snorkeling is incredible but would require that you go in a boat. I get seasick in a bathtub, but I just accept that I'm going to be sick and go. The boats are big and if the conditions are right it might be worth checking out. John Pennekamp State park is a great place for snorkeling and kayaking, etc.
If you don't have time for the Keys, and if you like nature, Everglades National park is worth driving through. Stop at a Publix or somewhere before you go and get some sandwiches, etc. It's 40 miles IIRC from the park entrance to Flamingo at the end of the road, and lots of places to stop and observe, walk boardwalks, etc. Plan for a full day, if you try to zip in and out in an hour it's probably not worth it. Mosquitos should be minimal this time of year but will possibly still be active around dusk. The sun will be brutal even if it's cool so bring sun protection.
And +1 on Oleta River State Park. One of my favorite mountain bike trails, and kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals available there. Nice place.

[motion]

Great suggestions, thanks everyone. We'll put several of these on our list. Thanks much

[Eric 951]

If you do drive to the Keys, make sure your rental has the sunpass option. The tolls are no-cash.

Take your time on the drive--there are several intersting things to see/do on the way.
Bahia Honda state park has a decent beach and cool views.

The No Name Pub on Big Pine has decent pizza and is near the Key deer refuge--you can always spot a few on the dead-end road.

Some suggestions for Key West proper.

Hogfish grill (actually on stock island before crossing over into Key West) decent local dive/food.

If you like oysters/peel and eat shrimp hit up Turtle Kraals for Happy Hour, great prices, great food.

Alonzos and A&B have arleady been mentioned.

You should definately take a stroll down Duval and hit Sloppy Joes' and Capt Tonys just for the experience. At capt tonys, check out the grave near the pool tables and ask about the skeleton behind the bar

If feeling adventurous go to the top of Bull & Whistle and check out garden of eden (clothing optional--no cameras)

One of the coolest things I have done in KW is the Butterfly Conservatory--very unique place.

Hit up the Schooner Wharf for a nice view and dive-bar atmosphere(I wouldn't eat here though)

Watch the sunset on Mallory Square and catch some of the local acts.

Lots to do in KW and the other keys as well.

[speeder]

The one thing I would want to do if I went there is go down to the Keys and see the coral reef before it disappears. Better hurry.

[VINMAN]

I was supposed to be on a plane to KW as we speak. Had to cancel.
I head down this time every year for the offshore racing world championships.

Definately take a drive to KW.

[TimDC]

If you make it down to Key West and want to do some Eco touring, try it on a paddleboard. check out Paddle Island, great guys (Cody and Ryan), here is their FB page https://www.facebook.com/PaddleIsland

I paddled with Cody a lot this past summer in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York. Tell him Tim Strand sent you.

Have fun and enjoy the sun.

Tim