Southern Florida planning

We're visiting Florida for Christmas, 16th December to January 2nd.
The 21st to the end of the holiday we'll be at Walt Disney World.
But we fly into Miami on the 16th and are looking for ideas for the 5
nights beforewe arrive in Orlando.

Any recommendations?

--
Am I the only Gareth Slee?
http://garethslee.com

"Gareth Slee" wrote in message
...
We're visiting Florida for Christmas, 16th December to January 2nd.
The 21st to the end of the holiday we'll be at Walt Disney World.
But we fly into Miami on the 16th and are looking for ideas for the 5
nights beforewe arrive in Orlando.

Any recommendations?

--
Am I the only Gareth Slee?
http://garethslee.com

Try a good Cuban restaurant or two. Versailles is a popular place with
tourists, though far from the best. Ask around for places near where you'll
be staying. Little Havana and Hialeah have the most. If you like pork (and
lots of it) see if you can find a place that roasts hogs the Cuban way in a
caja china. There are also some good Argentine-style steakhouses

You're visiting Disney, so i'll just venture that you'll have youngsters
with you. There are 'Duck Tours' that use amphibious vehicles to take you
around and into the harbor. Fun.

Miami's zoo has come a long way in the past ten years, and it's a great
place to spend half a day. There's a big children's museum, but I haven't
been.

There's the beach, of course, and Orlando doesn't have one. Miami proper
doesn't have anything great, but the island town of Miami Beach has the
famous South Beach. Its fame is justifiable, and it's accessible from most
cross-streets, although the lineup of hotels obscures the view except from
the beach itself.

Of course, if you're staying in South Beach, other entertainment would be
superfluous. Poke around on the web, you'll find where everything is.
Miami, more than most places by the water, is fairly easy to navigate, and I
think it's safe to ignore the dire warnings you're apt to hear in this
group.

It's a big city, with its own underworld and crime, but for a tourist family
it's just fine.

Keith

"Gareth Slee" wrote:
We're visiting Florida for Christmas, 16th December to January
2nd. The 21st to the end of the holiday we'll be at Walt Disney
World. But we fly into Miami on the 16th and are looking for
ideas... Any recommendations?
----------------
With all due respect to Keith, there is plenty to do in Miami proper...
Tour some of the historic sites along the waterfront, such as...
-- Vizcaya (great house + gardens) -- www.vizcayamuseum.org/
-- Charles Deering Estate -- www.deeringestate.org/
-- Fairchild Botanic Gardens -- www.fairchildgarden.org/index.cfm
Explore a tropical oasis at Jungle Island -- www.parrotjungle.com/
See marine life at the Seaquarium -- www.miamiseaquarium.com/
Ride a train at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum -- http://gcrm.org/

Check out visitor resources at http://miamidade.gov/wps/portal/visitor
There's Miami-Dade County government sponsored Eco-Adventures
http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/libra...adventures.pdf
or trips on your own into Everglades Nat'l.Park -- www.nps.gov/ever/

Gareth Slee wrote:
We're visiting Florida for Christmas, 16th December to January 2nd.
The 21st to the end of the holiday we'll be at Walt Disney World.
But we fly into Miami on the 16th and are looking for ideas for the 5
nights beforewe arrive in Orlando.

Any recommendations?

Go out the the Shark Valley Visitor Center in the Everglades.

"http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/upload/SVBike.pdf"
"http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/svdirections.htm"

Rent bicycles and ride the 15 mile r/t tram road out to the observation
tower. Remember, those things in the road not speed bumps, steer around
them, not over them.

You didn't say the ages of the people in your group. A lot depends on
who you're trying to entertain. Depending on the ages of the people will
affect where in South Florida you should stay in that area, but by now
you must already have your lodging arranged.

Venetian Pool is awesome, but it's closed for renovation.

On 9/15/2008 1:55 PM Gareth Slee did a "happy dance", then made these
writings:
We're visiting Florida for Christmas, 16th December to January 2nd.
The 21st to the end of the holiday we'll be at Walt Disney World.
But we fly into Miami on the 16th and are looking for ideas for the 5
nights beforewe arrive in Orlando.

Any recommendations?


How many is "we" and what are your ages? What is your budget? You will
be in South Florida during High Season, so called because everything is
about double the cost of Low Season.

Are you beach people? Are you adventurous as regards eating out? What
airline are you flying in to MIA upon? If it's Continental, you might
see if you can arrange a layover in Key West. Your flights would then
be, Home to MIA Miami International then Continental Connection to EYW
Key West. After 5 days of "Wasting Away In Margaritaville", snorkel or
scuba diving the reefs, enjoying free music at several bars and
restaurants, sampling South Florida and Bahamian Cuisine, Fresh Seafood
at the Half Shell Raw Bar, Bo's Fish Wagon, or Capt. Runaground,
party-party along Duval St....you will then fly out of Key West to
Orlando via Continental Connection.

Or, you could stay in Miami Beach, rent a car then drive down to Key
West for a few days and then drive back to Miami then fly to Orlando.
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to book your lodging well in advance
of your travel dates.

--
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Brian M. Kochera
"The poor dog is the firmest friend, the first to welcome the foremost to defend" - Lord Byron
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