Miami, Florida is one of the most popular vacation places in USA. Yet, even heaven bores sometimes. Where would people living in Miami go for a break from the city life, the clubbing and celebrity watching? Here are a few ideas to spend a day away from Miami in a different setting and rejuvenate your spirits.
Universal Orlando resort: This would be a day filled with adventure and excitement. There are two theme parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The top attraction is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure. The Forbidden Journey in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has won the award of best themed park ride in America this year.
What to do: Relive the magical world of Harry Potter created by Rowling. Go to Hogwarts, get surprised by the speaking portraits and join Harry and his friends on an adventure. In the Dragon Challenge roller coaster chase you will relive the Triwizard Tournament. There are also other attractions like Amazing Adventures of Spiderman. In Universal Studios, you can jump behind the screen of your favorite movies. There are also kid’s special rides like Flight of the Hippogriff, Cat in the Hat.
Hours: Opening hour is 8:00am to 9:00am and closing hour varies.
Tickets: Florida residents get a discount. It is better to buy the tickets with park to park access. There are also discounts for multiple days. One day park to park access ticket is $99.99 for Florida residents and $112.00 for others. You can also rent wheelchairs or strollers or a locker.
Parking fee: $15.
Where to eat:Mythos restaurant has the perfect setting and food that helps to continue the fairy tale feel of the theme park.
Everglades National Park: Unwind and fine tune your senses to the sights and sounds of nature. Spend a day in Everglades National park, the largest subtropical wilderness in USA. Choose from the main areas on the park: Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley and Gulf coast.
What to do: Go on one of the hiking trails like Anhinga, Snake Bight or Eco pond. You can also take ranger guided tours. Anhinga at the Royal Palm is the most popular of these tours as there is much wildlife watching opportunity on it. See the alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets and many other birds. Snake Bight and Eco Pond trails at the Flamingo are good for bird watching and looking for flamingos. Other activities include canoe trails, boat tours, bicycling, tram tours. Tram tours are available on the Shark valley Tram road. Bicycles can be rented from Shark Valley Tram Tour Company. All the trails are wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed on trails.
Hours: The main entrance (Homestead/Florida city) is open 24 hours a day. The Coe Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00 pm from mid-December to mid-April and from 9:00am in summer. Royal Palm is open from 8:00am to 4:15pm. Flamingo is open from 7:30am to 5:00pm.The gulf coast visitor center is open from 7:30am to 5:00 pm.
Tickets: Private vehicles pay $10 and individuals on bike or foot pay $5 for a seven day pass. Permanently disabled people enter free and seniors have discounts.
Where to eat: Bring your own food and water
Key West day Trip: Take a day trip to Key West. On this scenic route you will cross 42 bridges and 32 islands. Among these is the famous Seven Mile Bridge which you saw in True Lies, 2Fast 2 Furious and License to Kill. Key West is the southernmost tip of Florida Keys and it’s houses date back to Kings of Spain. It has a lot of Cuban influence in its culture as it is very close to Havana.
What to Do: Visit the Hemingway House and Mallory square at the historic waterfront. Add a glass bottom boat ride, a snorkel cruise or a hop on hop off tour with your trip. The 3 hour snorkeling cruise in a 65 foot catamaran to the coral reef also includes alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. These tours depart from Miami Beach and also downtown Miami Hotels. Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off.
Hours: Tours depart at 6:30am and return at approximately 9:30pm.
Tickets: Day trip tickets cost $74.99. An additional glass bottom boat tour makes it $108.99.An added hop on hop off bus tour makes it $114.99. A Snorkel Cruise makes it $118.99.
Where to eat: Key West has an abundance of restaurants. Eat at one of the oceanfront restaurants or rooftops. Commodore Waterfront, Turtle Kraals restaurant and Louie’s Backyard are some of the ocean front restaurants where you can have a seat with a view.
Day Cruise to Bahamas: Relax on a luxury cruise. There are one day cruises to the Grand Bahama Island which offer you all the luxuries and entertainments of a longer cruise in one day. The cruise includes two all-you-can-eat buffet meals and all-you-can-drink alcoholic (house brands) and non-alcoholic beverages on board. There is a swimming pool and sundecks. There are also bars, clubs, video arcade, slot machines, and a casino with live table games. Other entertainment opportunities include dancing, live music, shopping and more. Cruises are available on Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday. All travelers are required to show a valid passport or USA Alien Resident Card. Cruises depart from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
What to do: Soak up the Caribbean Sun, do some duty free shopping, swim with the dolphins or just relax. There is something for everyone in the Grand Island Bahamas. If you are in time for some of their festivals you can also get to know their culture and history that dates back to 7000 years. One such event is Junkanoo celebrated from mid-July to mid-August at Taino beach.
Hours: Cruises depart at 9:30am (check in two hours ahead; gates close at 8:00am). Cruises return at 10:30pm at Port Everglades.
Tickets: Tickets are $118 per person (including Bahamian departure and harbor fees and fuel surcharge) on weekdays and $138 on weekends. You can travel free on your birth month (for 6+ years old) if you buy one adult ticket. Children under 6 months are not allowed. Child fare is $98.99. Cars can be parked at the port for a fee of $15 for one day.
Where to eat: Food is included.
Biscayne National Park: So close to Miami and yet so far away. Biscayne national park protects a long stretch of mangrove forest around the mainland shoreline, the shallow southern portion of Biscayne Bay, the northernmost Florida Keys and a portion of the world’s third longest living coral reef.
What to do: Go for a glass bottom boat trip if you want to watch the coral reef and the colorful fish. Go on a snorkeling adventure with a ranger to explore an underwater shipwreck. This three hour snorkeling tour starts from May7 and is scheduled for every Saturday 10:00am to 1:30 pm. Reservations required. You can also go on the Boca Chita island adventure or scuba diving to explore the reef. You can go canoeing, kayaking or fishing. Pets are welcome on boats but need to be leashed.
Hours: You can book your tours or boats at their website. The time is set at your convenience. Two Boca Chita Lighthouse adventures are there every day. Scheduled departures are 10:00am and 1:30pm.
Tickets: Tickets for the Boca Chita adventure is $45. The snorkel adventure and glass bottom boat ticket is also $45. Scuba diving is $99.
Where to eat: It is advised to bring your food and beverages. Water and ice are provided on the boat rides and they can cater on request.
Sources:US National parks
Bahamas
Florida Keys
