Stay in Miami or road trip?
Discussion
I am thinking of going on holiday to Miami in April next year for 2 weeks. We will be flying in and out of Miami (decent flight prices for us). Any suggestions on whether it's better to stay in Miami for the full 2 weeks, although we will hire a car and drive to places, or is it a better idea to go for a road trip and stay in different places for a couple of nights at a time?
We would at least spend 3 or 4 nights in Miami at the beach etc. if we were to stay elsewhere during our trip.
We would at least spend 3 or 4 nights in Miami at the beach etc. if we were to stay elsewhere during our trip.
It's easy to spend two weeks in Miami, I go back and fore there regularly and it's a fantastic place nowadays. You should do the keys though. The drive down the Overseas highway is fantastic but take a convertible Mustang or something like that. Stay a couple of nights in Key West if you can, great place, if a little bit weird at times. Stop in some of the smaller keys for a look around, some are lovely.
When you're in Miami, go to a Heat game and a Dolphins game if you can. Use Uber all the time, not taxis. Dont stay on Ocean Drive. Stay on SoBe if you want to be close to the beach and craziness but if you're going to have a rental car stay further north on Miami beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour and further north are really nice. Bayfront is nice if you like the downtown feel and you have Bayside Marketplace very close. If you want the best place to stay, do an Airbnb South of 5th on SoBe (There's not many hotels south of 5th). Perfect location and another world from the rest of Miami.
Crandon Park has great beaches on Key Biscayne. Great for kiteboarding, as is Matheson Hammock in Coral Gables, if you're into kiting. They are national parks, well worth a visit. Beware mozzies.
Take a day trip to Naples or stay overnight, beautiful place about a 100 miles away.
Take a boat trip to Stiltsville after you've read the history of the place.
Sunday brunch at the Biltmore, Area 31 and Zuma in The Epic, Elwoods pub for a real British pub (sort of). Fado in Mary Brickell village if there's sport on (was fantastic for the rugby world cup). The Clevelander just to say you have.
Aventura Mall if you must get dragged round a mall for the day.
There's loads of live music venues within about an hour's drive. Seen some great music over the last year but The Who in the AA Arena were the highlight.
Valet parking every day gets expensive so try and find a place with parking if you're renting a car.
cheers.
When you're in Miami, go to a Heat game and a Dolphins game if you can. Use Uber all the time, not taxis. Dont stay on Ocean Drive. Stay on SoBe if you want to be close to the beach and craziness but if you're going to have a rental car stay further north on Miami beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour and further north are really nice. Bayfront is nice if you like the downtown feel and you have Bayside Marketplace very close. If you want the best place to stay, do an Airbnb South of 5th on SoBe (There's not many hotels south of 5th). Perfect location and another world from the rest of Miami.
Crandon Park has great beaches on Key Biscayne. Great for kiteboarding, as is Matheson Hammock in Coral Gables, if you're into kiting. They are national parks, well worth a visit. Beware mozzies.
Take a day trip to Naples or stay overnight, beautiful place about a 100 miles away.
Take a boat trip to Stiltsville after you've read the history of the place.
Sunday brunch at the Biltmore, Area 31 and Zuma in The Epic, Elwoods pub for a real British pub (sort of). Fado in Mary Brickell village if there's sport on (was fantastic for the rugby world cup). The Clevelander just to say you have.
Aventura Mall if you must get dragged round a mall for the day.
There's loads of live music venues within about an hour's drive. Seen some great music over the last year but The Who in the AA Arena were the highlight.
Valet parking every day gets expensive so try and find a place with parking if you're renting a car.
cheers.
We head to Florida once or twice a year; we normally fly into Miami and then head for Naples for a week - The Trianon hotel in Naples is inexpensive, quiet, and close to 5th Avenue so we spend most of our time there with perhaps a few nights at the Hilton on Marco Island. Naples really is a lovely place to stay and a nice contrast with Miami. We then tend to head down to Key Largo for a few nights at the Hampton Inn and normally take a day trip/drive down to Key West (we have stayed there a few times so are happy just to visit for the day). If you like shopping Sawgrass Mills near Miami, or Miramar Mall 20 miles north of Naples are recommended.
We are heading back on the 23rd December and have booked a villa near Naples for the first time - can't wait!
We are heading back on the 23rd December and have booked a villa near Naples for the first time - can't wait!
Depends if you want a huge metropolis or get out and explore a bit, the gulf coast is great, Pensacola has lots going for it, Naval aviation museum etc. There is Fort Lauderdale, Kennedy space centre, fantastic day out on east coast. Yes a fair bit of driving but done in short steps or devote a day to a big long drive it is not too bad. So Florida is worth a look round and with car hire only around the £22/day it is worth getting out and about IMO.
Dilligaf10 said:
Staying in Naples at the moment, this really is paradise. Plenty to do and see, been to a gun range and airboat ride through the Everglades tomorrow.
First place I've been to on holiday where I genuinely don't want to leave.
I felt the same when we went there last August. Two weeks of genuine relaxation.First place I've been to on holiday where I genuinely don't want to leave.
RammyMP said:
Dilligaf10 said:
Staying in Naples at the moment, this really is paradise. Plenty to do and see, been to a gun range and airboat ride through the Everglades tomorrow.
First place I've been to on holiday where I genuinely don't want to leave.
I felt the same when we went there last August. Two weeks of genuine relaxation.First place I've been to on holiday where I genuinely don't want to leave.
Just back from there - generally do Miami, Naples and the Keys. One stand out recommendation would be hiring a boat in Naples for the day. Inland waterways, GPS, maps, great set up, no license required, pull up on boat accessibly beach, dock at a restaurant for lunch, see dolphins jumping around you. Amazing experience and not pricey. Circa £180 for a day plus fuel and insurance. About £40/50.
S 8 GRN said:
Just back from there - generally do Miami, Naples and the Keys. One stand out recommendation would be hiring a boat in Naples for the day. Inland waterways, GPS, maps, great set up, no license required, pull up on boat accessibly beach, dock at a restaurant for lunch, see dolphins jumping around you. Amazing experience and not pricey. Circa £180 for a day plus fuel and insurance. About £40/50.
Where was that from, we're going again next year, might look at thatRammyMP said:
S 8 GRN said:
Just back from there - generally do Miami, Naples and the Keys. One stand out recommendation would be hiring a boat in Naples for the day. Inland waterways, GPS, maps, great set up, no license required, pull up on boat accessibly beach, dock at a restaurant for lunch, see dolphins jumping around you. Amazing experience and not pricey. Circa £180 for a day plus fuel and insurance. About £40/50.
Where was that from, we're going again next year, might look at thatRammyMP said:
S 8 GRN said:
Just back from there - generally do Miami, Naples and the Keys. One stand out recommendation would be hiring a boat in Naples for the day. Inland waterways, GPS, maps, great set up, no license required, pull up on boat accessibly beach, dock at a restaurant for lunch, see dolphins jumping around you. Amazing experience and not pricey. Circa £180 for a day plus fuel and insurance. About £40/50.
Where was that from, we're going again next year, might look at thatS 8 GRN said:
Naples Bay Resort. You can book online. Kids enjoyed it way more than Disney.
Cheers. Took the kids (5 and 9 at the time) down to the Everglades last time, they loved it. They'll be 7 and 11 next time. I'll definitely look at hiring a boat next time. It costs $100 for 30 minutes on an airboat!The Moose said:
RammyMP said:
S 8 GRN said:
Just back from there - generally do Miami, Naples and the Keys. One stand out recommendation would be hiring a boat in Naples for the day. Inland waterways, GPS, maps, great set up, no license required, pull up on boat accessibly beach, dock at a restaurant for lunch, see dolphins jumping around you. Amazing experience and not pricey. Circa £180 for a day plus fuel and insurance. About £40/50.
Where was that from, we're going again next year, might look at thatWe went from Orlando to Miami, then down to Key West for a few days, then back up to Sarasota.
Everywhere is amazing, and completely different, so worth seeing as much as you can.
Just watch out for the nature reserve on the Overseas Highway down to Key West, the speed limit drops down to 30 at night
Everywhere is amazing, and completely different, so worth seeing as much as you can.
Just watch out for the nature reserve on the Overseas Highway down to Key West, the speed limit drops down to 30 at night
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