in our sixties never been to miami area. plan to drive from palm beach area for one day. need suggestions of where to go outdoors, relaxing and fun. do we go to miami beach/ south beach. where do we stop to eat for great food, but reasonable prices. plan to stay from 11am to app.6:30pm thanks

Although Ocean Drive can be a bit of a tourist trap, it is fun to people watch there and have lunch outside. The views of the water are pretty and it's a fun scene to watch. Lincoln Road in South beach is also fun, and generally has better restaurants, but is not on the water (it runs perpendicular to the water).

You could also have lunch at one the hotels-- the Ritz Carlton, the delano, the loews, etc. and then just walk around. If you park near any of those hotels (particularly the Ritz or the loews)you could walk to ocean drive and lincoln road if you feel like walking a bit.

I dont know when you are coming but I think an early dinner at Joe's Stone Crabs is a must. Its a South Beach institution -http://www.joesstonecrab.com/
Joe Allens is also yummy - http://www.joeallenrestaurant.com/Miami_Beach_home.html
Lincoln Road is great for people watching and parking is easy - there are many city lots to the north of Lincoln which have parking machines that take credit cards.
Some Lincoln Rd restaurants can be crowded - but that doesnt mean they are good - try Miss Yips (Chinese), Van Dykes (Cafe), the Books and Books Cafe, or Spris (Italina)
There are many stores and on Sundays there is an outdoor market.
There is the Bass Museum and the Wolfsonian on South Beach.
If you are coming in the winter there is always a festival or event check http://www.miamiherald.com/ for more info .

Love the drive between Palm Beach and Miami Beach.

It gets tricky in Ft. Lauderdale where you actually have to get off the beach and take A1A through Dania but it puts you out right on Hollywood Beach.

My faves, stop at The Rascal House on 172nd and Collins for lunch.

Collins Avenue is one way for about 5 miles of the trip so you'll actually be driving about two to four blocks off the beach.

Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles are beautiful.

When you get to South Beach, park your car and get out and walk.

Have a mojito at The Delano.

Plan on spending $$$$ at Joe's Stone Crab or for that matter anywhere in South Beach.

You do not have a whole lot of time given the traffic...but I would park in the Lincoln rd area and walk around from there.

Possibilities for food given your time constraints but desire for experience....stick to an outdoor place for the "scene"....lunch at Van Dykes is a good decent place, and a great way to take in the scene.

Keep in mind while Joe's is a South Beach mainstay....it is very expensive.

A better choice might be to walk South Beach and then stop at the Shops of Bal Harbour and have dinner outside at Carpaccio's which is quite reasonable and price is very good and has a great scene to take in.

Have fun.