Do I need a car for a 5 day trip in Miami?

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by cry_havoc

4 hours? I thought it was 2. Might just stay in Miami then.

4 hours on the long end 3 hours on the short so most likely 3.5 hours but that is without stopping and there are plenty of things to see. It is a fantastic drive but I agree it is not a drive you want to do up and back in one day.
Your walk to South Beach, bars, clubs, places to eat shop etc.. its a little long. It is about 1.7 miles or so, according to Google a 30min walk. A cab would be fairly cheap and a bus during the day is simple and comes often.

[cry_havoc]

Thanks for all the input.

Is Key West recommended? I already booked the hotel solid in Miami. I want to go, but not sure if it is worth it for a day.

Also, I went on an airport to see birds and gators around Naples last year. Are the everglades around Miami any different?

[himain]

I agree. Get a car for a portion of the trip. Key West is definately an over night stay. Enjoy!

[doggiebus]

Key West is pretty cool, but there are plenty of things to do and see in the 5 days you are in Miami. If you want to do a day trip to the Keys, you might try going to Islamorada or Key Largo. Key Largo is known for its reefs. So you could spend a day at Welcome to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, Florida Keys Then spend a day out at the Everglades National Park official webpage - Everglades National Park that's two days right there.

[Reptoid Humidian]

You should use Rent a Wreck.

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

Key West is pretty cool, but there are plenty of things to do and see in the 5 days you are in Miami. If you want to do a day trip to the Keys, you might try going to Islamorada or Key Largo. Key Largo is known for its reefs. So you could spend a day at Welcome to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, Florida Keys Then spend a day out at the Everglades National Park official webpage - Everglades National Park that's two days right there.

Exactly, Key West is a great trip but it will bascially take two days out of seeing Miami. There are some great things in Miami to do like visit the Everglades, Snorkle in Biscayne National Park Coral Reefs, and if you really do want to get down to the keys a day trip is easy to Key Largo.

Key West has some great things to see too, good food, good bars and a cool drive. Just remember the drive will be about 4 hour each way with no traffic. And if there is traffic, it can be crazy. Its one lane each way for the most part. One bad accident 4 hours becomes 8 hours.

[r_k]

As almost everyone else said, I would skip Key West on this trip. South Beach will be about 2 to 3 miles from your hotel, either a very long walk (fun, though, on the boardwalk) or an easy bus or cab ride.

Skip airboat if you've already done that. If you like nature then rent a car for the day and go to Shark Valley entrance to Everglades and take the tram tour.