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Old 05-16-2010, 10:33 AM
 
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Hello, my wife and I will be visiting Miami for the first time in June. Our hotel is in Miami, and we have a Fodor's guide for seeing the typical tourist spots. But we've come to understand that Miami is an urban area that encompasses more than the city of Miami itself.

Since it's our first opportunity to go, and a rare one, we'd like to get as full a sense of Miami as possible. Should this mean visiting one or several nearby cities? And, if not, are there any nearby cities that are worth visiting anyway?
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Old 05-16-2010, 10:45 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FromPhillytoSoCal View Post
Hello, my wife and I will be visiting Miami for the first time in June. Our hotel is in Miami, and we have a Fodor's guide for seeing the typical tourist spots. But we've come to understand that Miami is an urban area that encompasses more than the city of Miami itself.

Since it's our first opportunity to go, and a rare one, we'd like to get as full a sense of Miami as possible. Should this mean visiting one or several nearby cities? And, if not, are there any nearby cities that are worth visiting anyway?
Coral Gables Yes, definitely.
I strongly recommend a trip to the Keys.
The Everglades please.
Ft Lauderdale, maybe Las Olas, but that's something you could do without.
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Old 05-16-2010, 01:45 PM
 
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How long are you staying and what hotel are you staying at?

In Miami there are plenty of attractions. Coral Gables is a place you should go, as is Miami Beach. The Everglades for sure, and the Keys, if you have enough time. If you like shopping, try going to Sawgrass Mills up in Sunrise (close to Ft. Lauderdale) and again, depending on time, Ft. Lauderdale's Las Olas/downtown area would be fun as well. Key Biscayne is lovely, Bill Baggs State Park is just wonderful.

If you let us know the exact number of days, that would help so people here could guide you to the "must see" over "it's nice if you have some time."
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Old 05-16-2010, 01:54 PM
 
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Hello Coconut1, thank you very much for the suggestions. We will be in Miami for exactly one week. We were hoping to spend 2 days actually at the beach - any recommendations as to which beaches we should go to?

(We actually have been to the Keys before, so we'll probably just stay near Miami this time.)
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Old 05-16-2010, 03:35 PM
 
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7 days is a good amount of time. I suggest:

One day at Key Biscayne. You can rent bikes at Bill Baggs and ride around there. They also have lighthouse tours certain days of the week. The beach there is also lovely. Quiet, serene, and very natural. You can leave Bill Baggs and walk along Crandon Blvd. for just a nice little stroll. The Miami Seaquarium is also off the Richebaker Causeway which brings you to Key Biscayne so if you want to see that you can do it while you're there as opposed to having to pay the toll to come over twice. There's also a reef out there which you might enjoy snorkeling at.

Another day I would spend in Coral Gables. You can browse shops along the Miracle Mile and also go by the Venetian Pools. You can also head down to Merrick Park for some luxury stores. If you have time you can head over to Calle Ocho for some real Cuban food.

Miami Beach could certainly be done in two days. Make sure you see Lincoln Road for good shopping and dining and the beach walk along the beach is a nice walk as well.

You could certainly head up to Las Olas one day and also hit Sawgrass Mills once you're done looking around downtown FTL.

The Everglades require a day of their own. You can take an airboat ride and/or a swamp buggy ride. Both are very fun and once in a life time type things. You have to experience it at least once!

With a week you can certainly experience most everything you want. Enjoy!
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Old 05-16-2010, 04:34 PM
 
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Personaly, I think you should go to coconut grove, this place is so peacefull and beautifull, and like Coconut just say, Key biscayne with the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the view from the lighthouse is realy nice. For Miami beach, you really need to go one ocean drive and Lincoln Road, i think you can do it in one day) shopping afternoon in Lincoln, restaurant in ocean drive and Night club at Nikki beach
For the everglade, you can go to Aningha Trial (near Florida City)
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Old 05-17-2010, 09:44 AM
 
Location: Coconut Grove, Miami
470 posts, read 1,189,336 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FromPhillytoSoCal View Post
Hello, my wife and I will be visiting Miami for the first time in June. Our hotel is in Miami, and we have a Fodor's guide for seeing the typical tourist spots. But we've come to understand that Miami is an urban area that encompasses more than the city of Miami itself.

Since it's our first opportunity to go, and a rare one, we'd like to get as full a sense of Miami as possible. Should this mean visiting one or several nearby cities? And, if not, are there any nearby cities that are worth visiting anyway?
First time in Miami, hmmm, make sure you see EVERYTHING in Miami (the city). That's the main and most important part. Also, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, the Everglades and Coral Gables are definets. Ft. Lauderdale? there's no point if you are seeing Miami. Ft. Lauderdale doesn't have anything, and what it does have are watered down extremely compared to Miami's. So, there's no point of going there. Oh, the Keys could be nice too, but the Keys are more of a "wouldn't be bad to check out if you have some time" thing. Enjoy Miami. And there's also going to be wuite a few events going down in Miami in June so check in on that if you like.
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Old 05-17-2010, 09:56 AM
 
Location: Coconut Grove, Miami
470 posts, read 1,189,336 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FromPhillytoSoCal View Post
Hello Coconut1, thank you very much for the suggestions. We will be in Miami for exactly one week. We were hoping to spend 2 days actually at the beach - any recommendations as to which beaches we should go to?

(We actually have been to the Keys before, so we'll probably just stay near Miami this time.)
Oh yes, Coconut Grove in more on the must go places, but that's a neighborhood in Miami so I'm sure the tourist will take you there. Beaches, beaches, beaches, hmm there's really way too many, of course Nikki Beach, ranked number one beach in Florida .

Remember Downtown Miami is freaking great, it has everything and than some. The best in South Florida is there. Major shopping areas include Flagler Street in Downtown Miami, as well as Bayside Marketplace and Mary Brickell Village. Be sure to check out Miami's Jewelry District, even though not known worldwide yet (I don't know why ) it's great and I have lived in California and know their Jewelry District, Miami's is great . You could also check the arts, phew there's really way to much. You could do a little research as well, but remember some sites might just have on what to do clubing and partying wise, and not the other rich things in Miami. Enjoy
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Old 05-17-2010, 10:00 AM
 
Location: Miami
6,853 posts, read 22,378,347 times
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Great post Coconut1. I would add some extra ideas. Viscaya, John Pennekamp in Key Largo, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, the Deering Estate, Coconut Grove for dinner or lunch one day.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coconut1 View Post
7 days is a good amount of time. I suggest:

One day at Key Biscayne. You can rent bikes at Bill Baggs and ride around there. They also have lighthouse tours certain days of the week. The beach there is also lovely. Quiet, serene, and very natural. You can leave Bill Baggs and walk along Crandon Blvd. for just a nice little stroll. The Miami Seaquarium is also off the Richebaker Causeway which brings you to Key Biscayne so if you want to see that you can do it while you're there as opposed to having to pay the toll to come over twice. There's also a reef out there which you might enjoy snorkeling at.

Another day I would spend in Coral Gables. You can browse shops along the Miracle Mile and also go by the Venetian Pools. You can also head down to Merrick Park for some luxury stores. If you have time you can head over to Calle Ocho for some real Cuban food.

Miami Beach could certainly be done in two days. Make sure you see Lincoln Road for good shopping and dining and the beach walk along the beach is a nice walk as well.

You could certainly head up to Las Olas one day and also hit Sawgrass Mills once you're done looking around downtown FTL.

The Everglades require a day of their own. You can take an airboat ride and/or a swamp buggy ride. Both are very fun and once in a life time type things. You have to experience it at least once!

With a week you can certainly experience most everything you want. Enjoy!
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Old 05-17-2010, 10:32 AM
 
3,848 posts, read 9,284,731 times
Reputation: 2023
Quote:
Originally Posted by doggiebus View Post
Great post Coconut1. I would add some extra ideas. Viscaya, John Pennekamp in Key Largo, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, the Deering Estate, Coconut Grove for dinner or lunch one day.
Thanks and you're right, doggie, those are some things that should be put on the list.

I also suggest heading to Bal Harbour for the Bal Harbour Shops, even if it's just to drool at all the expensive merchandise, or use one of the massive diamond pieces in the windows as a mirror to check yourself out

Bal Harbour Shops: Homepage 1

Surfside is another charming place the check out. It has a large Jewish population and you'll notice that from the different stores along Harding Ave. The beach in Surfside is also a great one to check out to get away from the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach.

Also, if you want to pull a couple of one armed bandits, head up to Gulf Stream Park. They've just finished redeveloping it. Besides the track and casino, the shopping and restaurants there are just gorgeous. It has a very Naples, FL type feel to it. The casino isn't much to write home about, kind of crappy, actually (FL doesn't know how to do casinos. If you want some more 'real' casino action, check out the Hardrock in Hollywood) but it's a nice place nonetheless. Gulf Stream is located in Hallandale.

Right down the road from Gulf Stream is Aventura and Aventura Mall. The mall is huge and is the fifth largest mall in the US by space.

You might also enjoy the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale if history is more your thing. Very pretty, right at the beach and you might just meet a friend or two (monkeys run wild on the property)

There are also boat tours that bring you past place like Star Island which show you homes of the rich and famous.
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