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Miami questions...

LondonDiva
Posts: 3,011 Forumite


Please can anyone advise, I've a few last niggly questions about my first stay in Miami in a couple of weeks and was hoping for some advice / information, or better yet, your suggestions or recommendations.
***We will be arriving in Miami at about 6pm, which means we'll get to the hotel downtown (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay) at about 9pm ish - where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat? As you will imagine, we will have had a long day and are looking for a sensibly priced meal close by our hotel.
***Are there any places to eat a reasonably-priced breakfast that you'd recommend? We're not that fussy but would be happier with a diner type place rather than Starbucks.
***We will be getting something delivered to a local Wal-Mart using site to store (possibly 1425 Northeast 163Rd Street) and was wondering how easy it would be to get there in a cab or public transport from either the hotel or South Beach?
*** We would be interested in taking an Everglades tour. How easy would it be to pitch up on the day (are they booked weeks in advance?), where would we go and does anyone have any suggestions?
*** How far is South Beach from downtown and is it easy by bus or the train? Would it be easy to get from there or downtown to Biscayne Blvd?
**** If I just wanted to walk around the art deco parts of Miami, where are they and would it be fairly easy to get to from the hotel?
*** How easy is it to get back from an evenign out? Could I grab a bus / train or if I needed a cab from restaurants, would they call them for me or would I need to have a number to hand?
There was the suggestion of renting a car for a day (30 dollars) but I'm not sure about how easy it would be to drive round Miami.
Thanks in advance guys, I know they are fairly mundane questions
***We will be arriving in Miami at about 6pm, which means we'll get to the hotel downtown (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay) at about 9pm ish - where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat? As you will imagine, we will have had a long day and are looking for a sensibly priced meal close by our hotel.
***Are there any places to eat a reasonably-priced breakfast that you'd recommend? We're not that fussy but would be happier with a diner type place rather than Starbucks.
***We will be getting something delivered to a local Wal-Mart using site to store (possibly 1425 Northeast 163Rd Street) and was wondering how easy it would be to get there in a cab or public transport from either the hotel or South Beach?
*** We would be interested in taking an Everglades tour. How easy would it be to pitch up on the day (are they booked weeks in advance?), where would we go and does anyone have any suggestions?
*** How far is South Beach from downtown and is it easy by bus or the train? Would it be easy to get from there or downtown to Biscayne Blvd?
**** If I just wanted to walk around the art deco parts of Miami, where are they and would it be fairly easy to get to from the hotel?
*** How easy is it to get back from an evenign out? Could I grab a bus / train or if I needed a cab from restaurants, would they call them for me or would I need to have a number to hand?
There was the suggestion of renting a car for a day (30 dollars) but I'm not sure about how easy it would be to drive round Miami.
Thanks in advance guys, I know they are fairly mundane questions

"This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."
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Comments
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I was in Miami in May, however I stayed at the beach (which I would recommend over downtown, but anyway). I can't help you with the questions about your hotel, but I can with some of the others:
I pitched up the day before for the everglades tour. You don't say what time of year you're going but unless it is absolute peak season I think you will be fine. Every hotel runs them, they are a long half day (roughly 9am - 2pm) and you go to the gator farm and take a tour on the air boats through the everglades. It was great fun and I saw heaps of alligators.
South Beach is about a 20 minute bus ride from downtown, I don't think there are trains. This is the area with all the art deco too. There is an art deco welcome centre (ask when you get there as when I went it was a temporary one, they were moving to a new building) and they run tours every day at 11am, the money goes to building preservation ($20 I think). You can wander around yourself, but they get you inside some parts and really show the detail and the history, I think it was well worth it.
I think you would probably need to get a taxi back in the evenings unless you ate close to the hotel. Buses would take a long time and the public transport is a little sketchy. Most of the good restaurants and clubs are at south beach.
Also I would recommend getting a bus from downtown to Little Havana, it is interesting to wander around for half a day or so, all the old Cuban men playing dominos in the park, etc.
I didn't drive around Miami, but I think it would be ok. The parking would probably add a lot to the cost though.
The other thing to consider - I did a day trip to Key West which was awesome, I would highly recommend it if you can make it there. It is a bit of a drive but a completely different, quirky part of the US.
HTH0 -
Pm me if you like.
I used to live in florida.Loving the sunny days!0 -
LondonDiva wrote: »Please can anyone advise, I've a few last niggly questions about my first stay in Miami in a couple of weeks and was hoping for some advice / information, or better yet, your suggestions or recommendations.
***We will be arriving in Miami at about 6pm, which means we'll get to the hotel downtown (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay) at about 9pm ish - where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat? As you will imagine, we will have had a long day and are looking for a sensibly priced meal close by our hotel.
***Are there any places to eat a reasonably-priced breakfast that you'd recommend? We're not that fussy but would be happier with a diner type place rather than Starbucks.
You usually get breakfast with your room in America. If not, look out for Dennys or IHOP.
***We will be getting something delivered to a local Wal-Mart using site to store (possibly 1425 Northeast 163Rd Street) and was wondering how easy it would be to get there in a cab or public transport from either the hotel or South Beach?
163rd st. Is a major road and very long. There should be a bus from Biscayne, but it may take a looong time.
*** We would be interested in taking an Everglades tour. How easy would it be to pitch up on the day (are they booked weeks in advance?), where would we go and does anyone have any suggestions?
You need to go west on Griffin road, just turn up. There is a cafe and gift shop there.
(wave to the MIL as you go past)
*** How far is South Beach from downtown and is it easy by bus or the train? Would it be easy to get from there or downtown to Biscayne Blvd?
Have a look at mapquest, using your hotel zip code as starting point. The public transport system is not as popular as it is here. Hire a car with a sat nav, go the the everglades in the day, and SoBe in the evening. Be mindful of where you park, always park nose in (so the plate is visible- it is an offence to do it the other way round)
**** If I just wanted to walk around the art deco parts of Miami, where are they and would it be fairly easy to get to from the hotel?
Miami beach, Collins ave. Take a taxi.
*** How easy is it to get back from an evenign out? Could I grab a bus / train or if I needed a cab from restaurants, would they call them for me or would I need to have a number to hand?
No to bus/train. Ask the staff in your best british accent
There was the suggestion of renting a car for a day (30 dollars) but I'm not sure about how easy it would be to drive round Miami.
Make sure it has a sat nav! Life for you is easier if you are prepared to drive.
Thanks in advance guys, I know they are fairly mundane questions
Have fun!
Go to Sawgrass Mills for great shopping bargains, be warned it is H-U-G-ELoving the sunny days!0 -
Thanks guys
Printing off information you've given.
I'm a fairly ok ish driver and drove in Canada last year - they were lovely and v considerate drivers. Would Miami be comparable to the experience?"This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."0 -
Have fun!
Go to Sawgrass Mills for great shopping bargains, be warned it is H-U-G-E
Is it better than the Dolphin Mall? I was thinking about there because there's a shuttle to and from the hotel, but hadn't looked at Sawgrass.
What sort of distances are they from town?"This is a forum - not a support group. We do not "owe" anyone unconditional acceptance of their opinions."0 -
Consider going to Sawgrass early in the morning, the queues get very long. I found the best clothing bargains were at Banana Republic, great quality at good prices. Check the shops available on the Sawgrass website and have a bit of a plan before you get there.
Stuff on sale in Macys with the tourist 11% off card, can be cheaper than going to Sawgrass. Worth browsing the Macys website.Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.0 -
Sawgrass Mills is absolutely massive. We did enjoy it there but spent about five hours and didn't even scratch the surface! In a sense you may be better off in a smaller mall (I don't know the Dolphin Mall personally) if you want to do it more quickly / easily.
We found driving in Miami pretty easy
One comment made above says that you usually get breakfast in your room in America. Whether I've not stayed in typical places or not I don't know, but having done twelve trips and stayed in multiple hotels in each trip, I've only once had breakfast included. Best to check if yours does or not rather than assume I would suggest?
The art deco district is lovely and there are free guided tours; I'll see if I can find the link.
Have fun!0 -
The art deco district is lovely and there are free guided tours; I'll see if I can find the link.
I've had a quick google and I can't immediately find a free one so maybe I got that wrong (though I'm sure when I did it it was free) but here's one you have to pay for:
http://gomiami.about.com/od/guidedtours/a/artdecotours.htm
I think you can get it included in the Miami City Pass thingy, if you were thinking about that anyway.
Sorry0 -
LondonDiva wrote: »Please can anyone advise, I've a few last niggly questions about my first stay in Miami in a couple of weeks and was hoping for some advice / information, or better yet, your suggestions or recommendations.
***We will be arriving in Miami at about 6pm, which means we'll get to the hotel downtown (Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay) at about 9pm ish - where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat? As you will imagine, we will have had a long day and are looking for a sensibly priced meal close by our hotel.
***Are there any places to eat a reasonably-priced breakfast that you'd recommend? We're not that fussy but would be happier with a diner type place rather than Starbucks.
***We will be getting something delivered to a local Wal-Mart using site to store (possibly 1425 Northeast 163Rd Street) and was wondering how easy it would be to get there in a cab or public transport from either the hotel or South Beach?
*** We would be interested in taking an Everglades tour. How easy would it be to pitch up on the day (are they booked weeks in advance?), where would we go and does anyone have any suggestions?
*** How far is South Beach from downtown and is it easy by bus or the train? Would it be easy to get from there or downtown to Biscayne Blvd?
**** If I just wanted to walk around the art deco parts of Miami, where are they and would it be fairly easy to get to from the hotel?
*** How easy is it to get back from an evenign out? Could I grab a bus / train or if I needed a cab from restaurants, would they call them for me or would I need to have a number to hand?
There was the suggestion of renting a car for a day (30 dollars) but I'm not sure about how easy it would be to drive round Miami.
Thanks in advance guys, I know they are fairly mundane questions
Your not ordering one of the coffins you can buy on Walmarts website?0 -
Hi,
We haven't stayed at the Marriott, but have stayed at the Doubletree which is right next door. You are minutes away from the bus terminal which will give you access to all parts of Miami. I can't remember the bus number which will take you down to South Beach, but the bus timetables etc are well displayed and documented. If you intend to use the bus, you need to tender the correct fare as the drivers do not give change so this is worth bearing in mind i.e. $2 fare makes it expensive if you tender a $10 note. Above the bus station is the Metro Mover which goes around Miami in a Loop and stops extremely frequently. Is is accessed by stairs although there are lots of stations with lifts (a bit smelly!) The main advise we were given was not to ride the Metro Mover at night - apparently it makes a comfortable bed for the homeless. Some stations are staffed but most are not. As regards eating, during the day you could easily walk to the Bayside Market (not really similar to our understanding of a market) but at the time you will be arriving I would advise a taxi. Taxi fares are reasonable and there will be plenty outside of your hotel at all times. Sawgrass Mill is quite a way from where you will be staying and will take a while if you use public transport and I don't think a taxi would be cheap either. It is on the other side of Fort Lauderdale. Ventura shopping mall is large and is easily accessable from the bus terminus I mentioned above.(journey time approx 50 mins) Food court, Macys, Bloomindales etc., are just a few of the retailers. By the way if you are taking a taxi from the airport down into Miami go where the taxi despatcher is. Is is a fixed flat rate of $26 plus tip to downtown Miami and will take 20 mins depending on traffic. The beach is huge and when we were there in December virtually deserted. Flagler Street also worth a visit. Main shopping area in Downtown Miami and easily accessable via Metro Mover. Have a good trip - its worth seeing. Sally0
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