We are going on a cruise from Miami in July and want to spend a few extra days in south Florida with our 4 kids and another adult couple. Our kids are 8, 12, 14, and 18. The adults all want a more laid back relaxing place to lay on the beach with calm clear water. The kids want somewhere with asomething to do. Plus, we don't want to have to drive more then 2 hours MAX from Miami.
We are thinking about Ft Lauderdale on the east coast or Marco Island on the west coast. Any suggestions would be helpful.
East or West coast?
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Marco Island might be a bit over your 2 hour max drive. Mapquest is showing it as about 130 miles from the airport and just over 2 hour drive. Depending on what day/time you land in MIA, traffic could easily add 20-45 more minutes to that time.
That said, I personally would take Marco Island over anything around Miami but plenty of people do like it. Your desire for clear water leaves out anything more more north than Ft Lauderdale.
I wouldn't choose Marco for myself, but we have friends who rent there every year for exactly what you want to do. Rent a house with pool, and everyone will be happy.
US 41 from Miami passes along the northern border of the Everglades, and there is a lot of wildlife along the road, particularly alligators near the Turner River.