Along with stumpworks list, check out:
http://www.piratejohntravel.com/Bucc...ntureGuide.htm

It's a few years old, but most of the places are still there...you can download a free copy.

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions!

I just found out that the annual Art Basel is held in Miami the weekend that I come back. I hear it's a major art event, so should I avoid Miami that weekend or embrace it and check out the art festival? With my limited time there, I at most just want to spend 1 or 2 hours to see some free stuff, but not to listen to lectures, etc.

Has anyone been to Art Basel Miami?

Thanks!

I've been going to Art Basel Miami Beach every year since 2004 or 2005 (and we spent our honeymoon at Art Basel in Switzerland in 2006!). As the other posters mentioned, it is a great time to go. You can check the Miami Herald and other local web sites for events that week, as well as www.ArtBasel.com, the main site.

Of all the events, I most enjoy the "Conversations" series, which are open to the public (and I believe they are free); you will meet and interact with some of the world's top collectors, curators and art experts in an intimate environment.

The public program is located at:

http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/gl...aaaaaaaaaateud

As SoBchBud mentioned, the hotels can be problematic that weekend (cheaper properties in South Beach, that would normally be $100/night, jack up their rates to $300-400 on that weekend). You can get around that by staying outside of South Beach (there is not much of an increase in the rates in hotels in northern Miami Beach and in Miami). This year the hotels are apparently slower (many properties that have been sold out at this point other years still have rooms available).

The crowds are no worse than a typical winter weekend, although top restaurants and clubs will be a lot more crowded.

you can't stay IN the everglades = there is no place to stay anymore unless you camp. have to stay in homestead or somewhere closer to miami. shark valley is interesting too. they ahve a tram tour. 2 hours. 2 days is not enough for us, but we like doing that sort of thing. suppose would pick anhinga if can only do one.

if go from flamingo city to keys have to drive back up out of everglades to ? before can turn to go to keys.