miami/southbeach/keywest
Jun 27th, 2001 | 12:14 PM
#1
Guest
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miami/southbeach/keywest
Going to Miami. We want to stay around South Beach for night life especially thursday and friday. '
- is there somewhere we can go during the day besides the beach?
- when is a good time to drive up to Key West?
- is it stupid to rent a car if we end up staying in miami/southbeach only?
- one last thing, how feasible is it to do "go evening & come back the following evening trip to Orlando" ?
thanks for any input.
- is there somewhere we can go during the day besides the beach?
- when is a good time to drive up to Key West?
- is it stupid to rent a car if we end up staying in miami/southbeach only?
- one last thing, how feasible is it to do "go evening & come back the following evening trip to Orlando" ?
thanks for any input.
Jun 27th, 2001 | 12:38 PM
#2
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Hey there...take it from a former Floridian (and don't listen to what a lot of people say about Florida on these boards! hehe)...scenery and activities abound in So. Florida.
First of all, if you are staying ONLY in South Beach, you won't need to rent a car. Having a car in the South Beach area can actually be quite a pain. Parking is expensive and at night it can be hard to come by. But if you want to explore other parts of the Miami area (for example, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbor and North Miami Beach), you WILL need a car.
As far as non-beach activities go...South Beach has some great shopping (namely the Lincoln Road area and some of Collins/Washington Avenues...depending on what you're interested in)...Bal Harbor has good shopping too. Coconut Grove is a groovy little place, kind of artsy with a big shopping/entertainment complex called CocoWalk. Also...you might want to check out the Villa Vizcaya, Venetian Pools, and Monkey/Parrot Jungles, if you have kids. There are lots of things to do in Miami.
I have done the drive from Miami to Key West a couple of times, and it's really not bad. Both times I left *early*...around 6 or 7am. It takes about 4 hours to get there, and it's a very nice drive. I spent the whole day doing the Key West thing...then left at around 11pm and got back to South Beach at 3am. It was a loooong day, but worth it. The Keys are awesome. Very laid back and bohemian. It's like being in another world.
About Orlando....it's actually a shorter drive there than it is to Key West, at a little over 3 hours. It's definitely feasible, unless you plan on packing in lots of Orlando activities (and there ARE lots). Personally, I would give myself more time in Orlando if at all possible. Especially if you have kids or haven't been before. Sure, it can be tacky...and it's the most touristy spot in the universe, but it's all in good fun.
I have seen some negative reviews of Miami on this board, but overall it's a really cool place. The water is clear-blue, the sand is white. The art-deco is gorgeous. At night I like to drive up Ocean through South Beach into the Bal Harbor area, just 'cause it's fun looking at all the glitz. Check on the Fodor's guide to Miami, it tells you pretty much everything you need to know about stuff to do in the area. And don't forget about the restaurants on Ocean! South Florida is a great vacation, coming from a girl who hasn't traveled the world
First of all, if you are staying ONLY in South Beach, you won't need to rent a car. Having a car in the South Beach area can actually be quite a pain. Parking is expensive and at night it can be hard to come by. But if you want to explore other parts of the Miami area (for example, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbor and North Miami Beach), you WILL need a car.
As far as non-beach activities go...South Beach has some great shopping (namely the Lincoln Road area and some of Collins/Washington Avenues...depending on what you're interested in)...Bal Harbor has good shopping too. Coconut Grove is a groovy little place, kind of artsy with a big shopping/entertainment complex called CocoWalk. Also...you might want to check out the Villa Vizcaya, Venetian Pools, and Monkey/Parrot Jungles, if you have kids. There are lots of things to do in Miami.
I have done the drive from Miami to Key West a couple of times, and it's really not bad. Both times I left *early*...around 6 or 7am. It takes about 4 hours to get there, and it's a very nice drive. I spent the whole day doing the Key West thing...then left at around 11pm and got back to South Beach at 3am. It was a loooong day, but worth it. The Keys are awesome. Very laid back and bohemian. It's like being in another world.
About Orlando....it's actually a shorter drive there than it is to Key West, at a little over 3 hours. It's definitely feasible, unless you plan on packing in lots of Orlando activities (and there ARE lots). Personally, I would give myself more time in Orlando if at all possible. Especially if you have kids or haven't been before. Sure, it can be tacky...and it's the most touristy spot in the universe, but it's all in good fun.
I have seen some negative reviews of Miami on this board, but overall it's a really cool place. The water is clear-blue, the sand is white. The art-deco is gorgeous. At night I like to drive up Ocean through South Beach into the Bal Harbor area, just 'cause it's fun looking at all the glitz. Check on the Fodor's guide to Miami, it tells you pretty much everything you need to know about stuff to do in the area. And don't forget about the restaurants on Ocean! South Florida is a great vacation, coming from a girl who hasn't traveled the world
Jun 27th, 2001 | 01:14 PM
#3
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Neil: If you are planning on staying in South Beach or the surrounding area, you do not need a car, it is a big hassle. You can get taxis to drop you off at some of the area highlights or you can take a sightseeing tour offered by a number of different companies which will take you to Coconut Grove and other communities in the area.
Jun 28th, 2001 | 06:18 AM
#5
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Amy, the Hilton, for whatever it's worth, is greatly disliked by the locals. They fought Hilton for years to keep them from building, but Hilton, of course, won the battle. The locals consider it a montrosity that has destroyed a great view. Anyway, it's a sprawling place, but to me it's just another huge hotel and has no charm. Sunset Key is owned by hilton. you have to take a boat to get to it. there is lodging on Sunset Key, but I'm not familiar with it.
