Is 10 days too long to spend in Southern Florida? My DH thinks so, and is contemplating of squeezing in a 5 day Caribbean cruise. But that would leave us with very little time to see Florida is my complaint.

Could someone suggest an itinerary -- how many days to spend in each place, so we could decide what to do?

Places in Southern FL that I'd like to see are:
* Miami / South Beach
* Everglades
* Key West
Anything else? We like to snorkel too.

Thanks!

Depends what you want to do. Many people travel to southern Florida and never go back north.

If your objective is to go to Miami/ENP/KW, browse, then move on then 10d is too long. Add in relaxation, beach, golf, more history & culture, etc and 10d is not enough.

Agree with above - what is purpose of this trip. Most people go to south Florida in the winter to escape colder climates - I go every year to visit my brother and take the Boston chill out of my bones - and while there take perhaps 1/4 of the time finding something to see.

Also depends on what type of traveler you are. This is not the place to go if you want to get up in the AM with a full agenda of new and exciting things to see and do. While there are things to do, much of the emphasis is on relaxation.

Perhaps fly in/out of Miami, a day trip to the Everglades, with a few days in Key West at the beginning or end of trip.

Many 5-day Caribbean cruises out of Miami spend most port time in the Bahamas - and not exactly a "see" destination either. The answer is a really a travel-goal and lifestyle one.

We enjoyed snorkeling at Biscayne Bay National Park http://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm

and also at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
http://www.pennekamppark.com/

If it were me, I'd spend 3 days in Miami/South Beach/Coconut Grove and see Vizcaya http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/.

Then 2 days seeing the Everglades taking advantage of the ranger tours/presentations, 2 days snorkeling, and 2 days in Key West. That leaves 1 day of your 10 for unforseen.

I could easily spend 10 days just in the Keys. A couple days in Miami is enough for me though.

Our yearly trip to Key West is usually five nights, and it really isn't long enough.

I guess it depends on what you like to do when you travel.

We spend two weeks in Key West in the fall and another two weeks in the spring. On especially lucky years, we add another two weeks during the winter. Your trip will be what you make of it!

You could also head west and hit Everglades NP at shark river and also Everglades City then go north to Naples, Sanibel/Captiva, etc. lots to see/do in that area.

Thanks, all, for your helpful response! I think I can persuade my DH to forego the cruise then.

To snorkel in southern FL, do I need to take a boat out or it's just right off shore? We're also interested in kayaking.

Thanks!

I think you will have a great time. But back to the cruise option - check prices. Often a cruise turns out to be cheaper per day than hotel and meals - and includes all sorts of things not included on land. Surprising, but true - the reason they can do it is that cruises make a percentage of their profit on selling you alcohol, excursions, spa treatments, etc - all of which cost more on board than on shore. So if cost is a factor, you may want to reconsider the cruise.

I'm not familiar with the other keys, but snorkeling out of Key West is much better from a reef. There are lots of options for both snorkeling and kayaking in Key West. Hopefully Peter will notice this thread because he's the water expert!

I second snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo!

hikerboy / linda8, so I'd need to join a snorkeling excursion to snorkel in FL? Nothing DIY? We have our own gear and are experienced snorkelers.

Could someone give me a rough itinerary over 10 days so I could show to my DH? How about this?

Miami area -- 2 days
Keys: snorkel, drive to Key West -- 2 to 3 days
Everglades: canoe, hike -- 2 days

What else? He might say we probably can do everything above in 5 days and then take a 5 day cruise. We're flying in and out of Miami.

Thanks!

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions! Could you also recommend where to stay (city) and some reasonably priced hotels (in the low $100).

Rough itinerary:

* Miami (Thurs, Fri) -- necessary to stay in Miami beach? Looks quite expensive unless you know of a good value hotel there. Or Miami downtown is ok?

* Everglades--Homestead area (Sat) -- do south entrance and Flamingo city.

* Florida Keys. Where to stay? Thinking of snorkeling/kayaking John Pennekamp State Park and Bahia Honda State Park. See Key deer, etc. Maybe Biscayne National Park too (how does it compare to John Pennekamp, which everyone seems to recommend?).

* Key West -- 1 or 2 nights

* Fort Lauderdale

* Back to Miami for an early morning flight out. Probably stay near the airport.

Thanks for answering any of the questions above!


*

I would prefer staying in Miami Beach vs. downtown, but I'm also a beach person. If it's too expensive, try Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale.

Having led a lot of groups to Florida, I find the best combination as follows: arrive in Miami and drive straight to the Keys (I find Key West the most charming and has great snorkel boats also). 3 nights in the keys is sufficient....take a leisurely drive up to Miami Beach, stay their for 2 nights (maximum), then on your way up to Palm Beach, do a bicycle excursion in the Everglades at Shark Valley....this is unique. Stay your last 5 nights in the Palm Beach area...preferrably within walking distance to CityPlace in West Palm Beach. You've got beaches, culture and nightlife within walking or biking distance in a safe, upscale area and lots of excursion possibilities, like a canoe trip on the Loxahatchee River...checkout http://www.canoeskayaksflorida.com. For accommodation checkout www.grandview-gardens.com

Here's a great tip for Miami Beach accommodation also: www.sobeyou.us Downtown Miami is not really ideal for leisure travel.

Thanks, RickRose, for your suggestions.

Is it better to drive to Key West during Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after that? Maybe the weekend after the 4 day weekend? I hear it gets packed on the road there. We might not be able to go on a weekday.

Thanks!

The weekend after Thanksgiving would be less congested...also in terms of rates and availability at hotels. But if you do need to travel on Thanksgiving weekend, just do not arrive, depart, or be on the road on the Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday of that weekend....it's ridiculous here on those days.