Miami Travel Answers

Miami is a very large city - very sprawled out. You need to pick and choose wisely based on what interests you - only then perhaps we can recommend things to do. Are you looking for beach? art? Also, it would help greatly if we knew where you were staying. Zoo is def. worth it! I'm a member and usually go at least once a week. Depending on where you are staying however, it can be quite removed from Miami - (if you're staying in the beach for instance). Everglades a must for something truly unique to Miami/South Florida. The best area for airboat rides is in the Northern entrance to park off of US 41 on the way to Naples. There are several airboat companies that are set up before you reach the Shark Valley entry into the park. They are all pretty much the same all claiming to be the "oldest" Please check through our pages for things to do, dining, etc. in Miami. Homer

you should def see the metrozoo, there is also a nice parrot jungle , shopping see Aventura Mall,and Sawgrass mills up north in nearby Sunrise, Broward county as the best in my years living there. there is one newer one Dolphin that is good too. Everglades is a must, there are a few but my all time favorite is Billy Swamp at the Seminole indian reservation, http://www.billieswamp.com/ driving is a must there ,you see more, best way to see things. Cheers

thank you! i took a quick peek at the miami "things to do" but i'll go back & take a closer look. we will be staying at the Courtyard Miami airport south on le Jeune Road. as far as interests go trying to find things that would make this trip unique & memorable for our kids....shopping/art we can skip unless they're more of the unique shops in miami>>>not interested in malls/outlets as we go to plenty here...beaches we may visit if time allows since we are from so. cal.would u think it's a priority or we can "skip"..... will take a look at the recommended airboat tours & parrot island...seems like the zoo is a must so i'll take a look at that as well.....thank you all so much for the advise!

hmmmmm....now that i'm "mapquesting" from our hotel to the everglades, shark valley, anhinga trail, etc. would it be advisable to change our hotel accomodations? again, we are at the courtyard miami airport south..... would this be more for those who want to take advantage of the beaches, shopping, etc in that area? *confused*

You will be in smack dab center of Miami. I wouldn't change it unless you're wanting to stay on the beach. Yes, not the prettiest part of Miami to be in but central enough. You can easily jump on the expressway and go to US 41 due West towards Naples and you'll arrive to Everglades National Park in about 40 mins - depending on traffic. You can go East and head straight to the beach. You catch the 836 West to 826 South or 874 Turnpike extension (better) and get off on 152 street/Metro Zoo exit which is only about 6 blocks from expressway on the left hand side - you can't miss it. You will also be within minutes of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove or Calle Ocho.

I agree with homanded with location is good, the area not much to see or walk around thus. for stores you can go to downtown miami for some quaint little shops or CocoWalk for fancier stores. its definitively a great place to drive around ::) I am sure you have look at the miami convention and visitor center site for tourist information there. cheers