Trip to Miami, what to see? (Coral Gables, Naples: how much, hotel, homes)

[Adream]

We taking a trip to Naples in a couple of weeks and thought we'd take a drive to visit South Beach in Miami. Could be a day trip, or one overnight stay, depending on how much we find out.

What spots should we visit while there? What areas should we stay away from?

Thanks for your info & please PM any links you may have. THANKS!

[sunrico90]

In case some else need the info:

http://www.southbeach-usa.com/
http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/
http://www.visitsouthbeachonline.com/
http://www.sobenightsonline.com/

[needtravelhelp]

Please visit this link for more information about Miami, Find out area information, Must see, Sights and Attractions, Recreation, Golfing, Dining and Shopping too. <a href="http://www.alwaysonvacation.com/vacation-rental-guide/miami-beach_45600/>... Miami at its best</a>

[BlueWillowPlate]

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/0...ours.html?8dpc

Walk Lincoln Road--it's like being in Europe with all the colors, flavors and languages you soak in. Nothing quite like it in the United States; it is a very Mediterranean atmosphere.

[SunnyDog]

Also check out Key Biscayne--go to Crandon Park's public beach and Bill Baggs State Park. Some of the best sights around.

[lulu]

Yes...go walk around Lincoln Rd, South Beach but don't forget my home Coral Gables...we have tons of nice restaurants, shops, the new fancy Merrick Mall, art galleries...all in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Our Venetian pool is simply gorgeous...it's a one of a kind unique pool carved out of the limestone that was once used as a quarry to build the first homes, etc. It's beautiful...and visit our Biltmore hotel, where Presidents, world famous people have stayed - used to be a World War II hospital, too. There's a ton of history here...also, there's a free tour there on a spooky tale about a ghost that wanders around the hotel.
Visit Coralgables.com

[NicBeatle]

CORAL CASTLE! It was amazing! And if you have extra time go to Sawgrass Mills factory outlet mall. Massive massive massive! Great shopping!

[Adream]

Originally Posted by NicBeatle

And if you have extra time go to Sawgrass Mills factory outlet mall. Massive massive massive! Great shopping!

UH-OH...biiiiiiiiiiiiiig trouble brewing.

THANKS to everyone for this great information. I can tell right now that we'll just see a tiny fraction of what Miami has to offer! It sounds exciting!

Any places to avoid, or areas to stay out of? Every city has 'em, I can tell you Atlantic City's and Philly's, so it's not meant to offend. Obviously we do not know Miami at all, so we want to be on the safe side.

THANKS AGAIN!!

[momof2dfw]

Getting to Key Biscayne is on a toll road. There is a lighthouse there that you can climb up. This was THE hardest lighthouse to find in Florida and no one could tell us where it was or anything. Even the person at the tollbooth told us there was no lighthouse on the island. LOL!!! Yet we found it. All the way from Texas and it took us Texans to find it on our own w/o any help. Can ya say, things that make you go, hmmmmmmmm

Anyway, it was nice but REALLY HOT & HUMID! But cool to climb up and see out and all around Key Biscayne and all.

We also wanted to see South Beach on our way from Ft. Lauderdale down to the Keys but be prepared. It is one way thru the major part of it so if you are going south you will not see much but a lot of traffic. Parking was another thing. Not much at all. Then one of the kids had to go . IMPOSSIBLE!!!! Saw a public restroom facility at the entrance to the beach but could not find parking or such. Found a gas station several blocks away, no luck. Finally saw a CVS or other chain pharmacy that had parking, not much but we did get lucky and find a spot. After all of this my other half was ready to get on down the road so we did not get to see much of South Beach. Oh well.

We did see Coral Gables and the homes are beautiful, I'm an architecture nut and LOVE older homes. Just pay attention to your driving and act like you know where you are going and don't hesitate to go and have a good map reader and direction person helping you. Otherwise you will get run over.

[lulu]

I forgot our attractions...

Between Downtown Miami and South beach, there's the new "Parrot Jungle", & in Key biscayne there's the "Miami Seaquarium". In the Gables we have the "Museum of Science" and the "Viscaya Museum and Gardens" which is a beautiful 1916 Italian renassaince style mansion. We also have the "Fairchild botanic garden" which is one of my favorites...it's a beautiful huge garden full of plants & palms from all over the world. It has a guided trolley tour/included w/admission price that takes you all around the grounds. We do have the Miami Metrozoo further South which is big, though it takes a bit of driving to get there.
All these are on the web if you want to check them out.
And yeah...Sawgrass Mills is something allright, there are so many stores that a day is not enough. The last time I went I got blisters on my feet & I still could not see everything I wanted.