Miami as Family Vacation Spot? (Orlando, Miami Beach: rent, mover, live)

[austin-steve]

Hi,

Would Miami be a good vacation destination for family of four (two kids 12 and 15) for a week in August? We're not into Disney/Orlando (been there, done that) but would like to enjoy some good beaches, good food and have some interesting attractions/places to visit on day trips.

Miami came up on my radar mainly because I have 4 SW Airline passes I need to use and I can get non-stop flights from Austin to Ft. Lauderdale, rent a car and get there fairly hassle free. Some of the other destinations we considered (NYC) impose travel complications (switching flights, inconvenient times, long drives).

Any feedback is welcome.

Steve

[thumbelina]

Aside from the fact that August weather is brutally hot and humid (and hopefully no hurricanes!), sure, I think it's a great destination. You might consider driving down to the keys for a few days. And also you should decide whether you're more the Miami or Ft. Lauderdale types. Lots of options with each. Good luck!

[kevinkagy]

Sounds right on to me. I think it's a great idea. If you're looking for attractions, I sugest Miami Seaquarium, Miami MetroZoo, Jungle Island and especially Villa Vizcaya. Definitely check out Vizcaya, it's a Miami classic.

If you're in to museums, check out: Bass Museum (South Beach favorite, really nice), Miami Science Museum (has a really cool dinosaur fossils exhibition), Wolfsonian-FIU Museum (good for Miami Beach history), MoCA (modern art), and/or Lowe Art Museum (classic art and antiquities).

Good for shopping: Lincoln Road, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, Bayside Marketplace, and/or Sawgrass Mall and Aventura Mall (the later two are really, really big but are your typical suburban malls except bigger). There are a lot more areas but they're either far away, really upscale or nothing special.

Cool parts to walk around: South Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Downtown, Brickell, and maybe even Little Havana if you're interested. I suggest you spend a day in Downtown and Brickell, take a ride on the free Metromover trains to see the city from above, have dinner, and then continue south to Coconut Grove to walk around and have dessert. At least that's what I'd do lol.

Hope that helps! Enjoy Miami!

[noland123]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

Sounds right on to me. I think it's a great idea. If you're looking for attractions, I sugest Miami Seaquarium, Miami MetroZoo, Jungle Island and especially Villa Vizcaya. Definitely check out Vizcaya, it's a Miami classic.

If you're in to museums, check out: Bass Museum (South Beach favorite, really nice), Miami Science Museum (has a really cool dinosaur fossils exhibition), Wolfsonian-FIU Museum (good for Miami Beach history), MoCA (modern art), and/or Lowe Art Museum (classic art and antiquities).

Good for shopping: Lincoln Road, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, Bayside Marketplace, and/or Sawgrass Mall and Aventura Mall (the later two are really, really big but are your typical suburban malls except bigger). There are a lot more areas but they're either far away, really upscale or nothing special.

Cool parts to walk around: South Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Downtown, Brickell, and maybe even Little Havana if you're interested. I suggest you spend a day in Downtown and Brickell, take a ride on the free Metromover trains to see the city from above, have dinner, and then continue south to Coconut Grove to walk around and have dessert. At least that's what I'd do lol.

Hope that helps! Enjoy Miami!

You would make a good concierge Kevin.

[doggiebus]

Miami is a good place to vacation. Just know that August is a peak hurricane month for us including September. It is also our second rainest month. The best time to visit Miami is Jan - April. NYC will also be hot in August btw.

Spend one day in Everglades National Park, drink lots of water as its going to be really hot. Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Spend one day on the beach/pool in South Beach.

Spend one day in Key Largo at John Pennekamp State Park. So many things to do there from renting bikes, canoes, taking a snorkel trip, a glass bottom boat ride, dive trips, etc. Welcome to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, Florida Keys

Spend another day doing all these: Viscaya, Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne and lunch in Coconut Grove then walk around the shops. Main Page - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park » Florida State Parks
Miami-Dade County - Vizcaya
Coconut Grove BIC

So there is 4 days.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

Miami is a good place to vacation. Just know that August is a peak hurricane month for us including September. It is also our second rainest month. The best time to visit Miami is Jan - April. NYC will also be hot in August btw.

Spend one day in Everglades National Park, drink lots of water as its going to be really hot. Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Spend one day on the beach/pool in South Beach.

Spend one day in Key Largo at John Pennekamp State Park. So many things to do there from renting bikes, canoes, taking a snorkel trip, a glass bottom boat ride, dive trips, etc. Welcome to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo, Florida Keys

Spend another day doing all these: Viscaya, Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne and lunch in Coconut Grove then walk around the shops. Main Page - Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park » Florida State Parks
Miami-Dade County - Vizcaya
Coconut Grove BIC

So there is 4 days.

Excellent suggestions. I sometimes think it's easy for those of us who live/have lived in Miami to forget that the Everglades hasn't been completely paved over and built on just yet. If anyone does decide to check out the Glades while it's still here during the summer months, do not forget to bring bug repellant and sunscreen! Shark Valley is a nice place to start.

[austin-steve]

Thanks for all the great tips.
Steve