Destinations

Overview of Miami

Miami may be the retirement capital of the United States, but there is nothing old fashioned about this bright, brash playground city that shines under the sunny Florida skies. This coastal city was a sleepy holiday town until the 1920s, when the 'in crowd' decided to make it their own. The town bloomed into a fun seaside capital and was blessed with a legacy of Art Deco architecture, particularly along South Beach, which has been carefully preserved. During World War II the forces came to town when Miami was an important military base. Today, apart from being a favourite holiday Mecca and sunny spot for retirees, it is also the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.

Miami's large Cuban community add to the atmosphere in the sultry neighbourhood of Little Havana. Trendsetters hang out in Coconut Grove, while sunlovers strew the miles of white sandy beaches. For families there are entertaining attractions like the Seaquarium and Metrozoo. The nightlife is sophisticated and varied. The city also gives easy access to Florida's popular Gold Coast resorts and attractions, as well as the natural wonder of the Florida Everglades.

No wonder Miami is America's favourite holiday destination and the hub of a vibrant cruise ship industry, its port jammed constantly with sleek passenger liners. North of the city, miles of beautiful sandy beaches of the Gold Coast are hemmed in by southeast Florida's major tourist resorts: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach and Palm Beach.

Sunny Miami is a great holiday destination for families with kids. This exciting city offers a vast number of attractions and activities for children, many of which parents will enjoy too! From museums to parks and beaches, there is no shortage of places to take kids while on holiday in Miami.

Miami favourites for kids include the outer-space exhibits at the Miami Science Museum, as well as the entertaining killer whale performances at Seaquarium. Children also love seeing Jungle Island's exotic parrots, crocodiles and penguins. And that's just the beginning...

Summer tends to be a bit too warm and stormy for kids on holiday in Miami; most families prefer to go there in winter when the temperatures are a bit more comfortable, and off-season rates for accommodation and attractions are available.

Hidden Gems

Getting around Miami

The mainstay of the Miami public transport system is the Metrobus; however, the network is large, and it takes some time to get used to. The fare is standard to any destination. If you need to change buses, ask for a transfer when buying your ticket, which costs extra. There is also an elevated train service called the Metrorail, which connects North and South Miami with stations at one mile intervals, and an elevated monorail, the Metromover, which offers great views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay and connects with buses and trains. Most visitors, however, take taxis or hire a car. This can be more convenient, as the city is sprawled out over a large area. To rent a car, the driver must be over 21, have a valid credit card and, if from abroad, hold a passport and English language driving license. Local drivers can be aggressive.

Travel Info

Airports

Miami International Airport

Location: The airport is located nine miles (15km) west of central Miami.

Transfer Terminals:

City Transfer: The airport is well connected to the greater Miami area by numerous services offered by the Miami-Dade Transit Department. These include the scheduled, local Metrobus (the bus station is on Level 1 of Concourse E); a mass-transit Metrorail system; a fixed rail system designated specifically for downtown Miami and Brickell; and the TriRail commuter train, reaching Broward and Palm Beach Counties from the Airport Station to the east of the airport on NW 21st Street. Taxis and shuttles are available from the arrivals level, outside the baggage claim areas. Car rental agents operate outside the terminal building and can be reached on a shuttle service.

Facilities: There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes and fast food chains available 24 hours. Dozens of shops, including duty-free, are available. The airport also has ATMs, bureaux de change, barber shop/hair salon, chapel, a health club, an art gallery and a rooftop swimming pool. Facilities for the disabled are good.

Parking: Miami International Airport's long-term parking facilities consist of two multi-level parking garages. Short-term parking is available in the same area near the terminal. Short-term parking at Miami International Airport is charged at $2.50 per half hour up to a daily limit of $30; long-term parking rates start at $4 for the first hour, $8 for two hours, $10 for three hours, $12 for four hours, and $15 for 5 - 24 hours. Economy parking is $3 per hour with a daily rate of $8.

Fort Lauderdale International

Location: The airport is located 25 miles (40km) north of Miami and five miles (8km) from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.

Transfer Terminals:

City Transfer: Shared shuttle vans with GO Airport Shuttle & Executive Car Service can be booked at the transportation desks located in each terminal. They offer a door-to-door service from the airport to most local destinations. Broward County Transit (BCT) bus services and TriRail feeder buses operate from bus stops outside the terminal buildings. The TriRail train service connects the airport with Miami International (MIA). Taxis are available 24 hours a day from the lower level outside each terminal. All major rental car companies are located at the Car Rental Centre.

Facilities: There are ATMs, shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport. Each terminal has a business centre with fax and photocopy facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.

Parking: There is ample short and long-term parking available adjacent to the terminal. Hourly parking is charged at $1 every 20 minutes up to $36 per day, and daily rates are similar with a daily limit of $15. Economy parking goes up to $7.50 per day. The parking garages are serviced by free shuttles to all the terminals.

Activities

Biscayne National Park

The Biscayne National Park can be seen from downtown Miami but the two areas are completely different. The coral reefs and tiny islands of this water sanctuary are home to an abundance of wildlife for children to see, and even a couple of awe-inspiring pirate shipwrecks. This is a great camping, boating and swimming spot for families.

Opening: Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily 9am-5pm.

Admission: Entrance is free; Camping is $15 per night (up to six people and two tents), plus the cost of boat transportation.

Crandon Park Beach

A family holiday in Miami wouldn't be complete without spending some time on the beach. Aside from sand and sea, Crandon Park Beach also has the Amusement Center with a carousel, a roller rink, a splash fountain and a playground for kids to enjoy. The Crandon Park Gardens are beautiful to see, and there are a few picnic spots to enjoy as well.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Kids will be delighted by the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, which offers train rides, toy trains to play with and interesting model train exhibits. The museum's railroad car collection includes President Roosevelt's historic Ferdinand Magellan carriage. In March each year there are Thomas the Tank Engine rides for children. On Saturday and Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm kids can ride in the cab of a locomotive and get to operate some of the controls.

Opening: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am-4pm; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11am-4pm.

Admission: $6 (adult), $4 (children 3-12).

Miami Children's Museum

The child-sized exhibits at the Miami Children's Museum are both colourful and interactive. Kids can explore the museum's simulated hospital, supermarket or fire station, playing with and moving anything they like. The Mt. Michimu rock-climbing wall offers a fun, physical challenge for older children.

Opening: Daily 10am-6pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission: $15, free for children under 1 year.

Pinecrest Gardens

Take the kids to play at the Pinecrest Gardens - its banyan trees and abundant vegetation are just crying out to be explored! Other highlights of the gardens include a fun playground, a petting zoo and the 'Splash 'n Play' water area, as well as a couple of tabled picnic spots.

Opening: Daily 9am-6pm (Spring and Summer), and 9am-5pm (Fall and Winter).

Admission: $3 (adults), $2 (children 2-17).

Miami Science Museum

Nothing is staid or boring in Miami, least of all its museums. The Miami Science Museum, north of Coconut Grove, contains more than 140 exhibits, all designed to be hands-on and interactive, coupled with live demonstrations and collections of rare natural history specimens that make discovering and learning a great deal of fun. The Wildlife Center boasts more than 175 live reptiles and birds of prey, and the adjacent Space Transit Planetarium provides more thrills with projected astronomy and laser light shows.

Opening: Daily 10am-6pm (box office closes at 5:30pm); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Admission: $14.95 (adults), $10.95 (children 3-12), Free for children under 3. Other concessions are available. Prices include entrance to all museum galleries, planetarium shows and the wildlife centre

Miami Seaquarium

At least a half a day is required to fully enjoy south Florida's premier attraction. The Seaquarium is world-renowned for its marine life shows and attractions, including performing killer whales and television aquatic star and dolphin, Flipper. Another favourite star is the sea lion Salty and his colleagues, who amuse and amaze with their antics.

Opening: Daily 9:30am-6pm.

Admission: $39.95 (adults), $29.95 (children 3 to 9).

Miami-Dade Cultural Centre

The outwardly unattractive complex of the Miami-Dade Cultural Centre, in the rather unsavoury area of West Flagler Street, is worth a visit because it houses a plethora of interesting artistic and historic exhibits. The Centre contains the Miami Art Museum ( www.miamiartmuseum.org), featuring a collection of modern and contemporary works by American, Latin American and Caribbean artists. There are also themed exhibits, which bring art and artists to life, as do the twice-monthly 'happy hour' parties, organised to highlight a particular exhibit. The Cultural Centre also contains the Historical Museum of Southern Florida ( www.hmsf.org) with exhibits that relate to the fascinating history of the area and the culture, folklore and archaeology of South Florida and the Caribbean.

Opening: Art Museum: Tuesday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm-5pm. Closed on Monday. Historical Museum: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Closed Mondays.

Admission: $8 (adults), $5 (children 6-12) to each museum. Free for children under 6.

Transport: Government Center metrorail station

Vizcaya Villa

Lovers of antiques revel in visiting the magnificent 34-room Vizcaya bayfront villa, built in the Italian Renaissance style in 1916 as a winter retreat for wealthy industrialist, James Deering. The grand mansion took hundreds of artisans five years to complete, and the formal gardens, which surround the villa fronting on Biscayne Bay, took even longer to lay out. Today visitors can tour the villa and grounds, enjoying the original furnishings and décor in a variety of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococco and Neoclassical styles.

Opening: Daily (except Tuesdays) 9:30am-4:30pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Admission: $15 (adults), $6 (children 6-12). Free for children under 5. Other concessions available.

Transport: Metrorail to Vizcaya station

Spanish Monastery

Miami boasts the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere - but there is a catch. Dating from 1133 the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux in North Miami Beach is a hugely popular tourist attraction, although not quite indigenous to the area. The monastery stood originally in Segovia in Spain, but in the early 1950s the medieval building was bought by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, disassembled, shipped to Miami and rebuilt on its present site. Guided tours are available for groups of 15 or more.

Opening: Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 11am-4pm.

Admission: $8 (adults), $4 (children 6-12), Free for children under 5, other concessions available.

Coral Castle

Legend has it that unrequited love led a Latvian immigrant to spend 25 years single-handedly carving a castle out of rock between the Florida Keys and Miami, on the South Dixie Highway. The amazing monument to the man's determination has been called America's Stonehenge and has been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles. Visitors are awed by the castle, which also contains affidavits from neighbours testifying to the fact that the builder had no assistance with his mammoth task.

Opening: Sunday to Thursday 8am-6pm, Friday and Saturday 8am-8pm.

Admission: $15 (adults), $7 (children 7-12); free for children under 6.

Everglades National Park

The vast Everglades National Park that spans the tip of the Florida peninsula, 35 miles (56km) southwest of Miami, has been described as a 40-mile-wide (64km) slow-moving river of grass, interspersed with shallow wetlands. It is the only subtropical preserve in North America, containing temperate and tropical plants. It also boasts dozens of endangered species that find a home in this natural habitat, like the swallowtail butterfly, American crocodile, leatherback turtle, southern bald eagle and West Indian manatee. The best way to explore the Park is by canoe; private operators however run rapid air-boat tours, which are popular with thrill-seeking visitors. The Park has been accorded several honours including its designation as a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International Importance.

Opening: Open year round; the main park entrance (near Homestead and Florida City) is open 24 hours a day. Hours vary, see the website for specific dates.

Admission: $10 per vehicle, or $5 per pedestrian/cyclist. Passes are valid for seven days.

Transport: Greyhound buses service Homestead, but no public transport is available from there to the park entrance. There is no public transportation within the park, but canoes and kayaks can be rented in the park.

Lincoln Road Mall

A pedestrian promenade lined with palm trees and colourful art deco buildings, Lincoln Road Mall is a great haunt for locals and foreigners. Once called the 'Fifth Avenue of the South', this lively seven-block shopping district serves up big name labels like G.A.P. and Banana Republic but also houses the renowned Regal Movie Theatre and the Lincoln Theatre, home to the New World Symphony. Considered one of the best people-watching streets in South Beach, take refreshment at one of the string of sidewalk cafés or soak up some local culture at the many art galleries along the mall. The Farmers Market on Sundays is the best place for fresh vegetables, fruits, juices, homemade breads and flowers and on weekends Antique vendors display their wares along the sidewalk. At night, street performers take to the mall, entertaining passersby.

Opening: Most shops are open daily 9am-6pm, as is the Sunday Market.

Wolfsonian Museum

A vivacious collection of art and design pieces depicting popular culture from 1885 to 1945, the Wolfsonian is the amalgamation of a long-term pursuit by eccentric heir and collector, Mitchell Wolfson Jr. Housed in the original warehouse used as a storage facility for the 70,000 pieces, visitors can pick through the origins of graphic and industrial design in the hotchpotch of distinctive propaganda art from Germany, Italy and the United States, and the remarkable industrial design pieces from modern German design to Bauhaus. Not to be missed is the über cool Dynamo café and museum shop.

Opening: Thursday to Tuesday 9am-6pm. Open until 9pm Fridays, closed Wednesdays.

Admission: $7 (adults), $5 (seniors, students and children). Free admission after 6pm on Fridays.

Jungle Island

An offshoot of Parrot Jungle, which was established in 1936, Jungle Island is a new complex offering an exciting array of wildlife from parrots and macaws to crocodiles and penguins. You can witness over 200 parrots at the Manu Encounter, the world's only aviary replicating the clay cliffs of Manu, Peru and at the Parrot Bowl, a gaping amphitheatre, you can be entertained by the clever antics of cockatoos, parrots and macaws. Look out for the rare albino alligator and 21-foot crocodile at the Serpentarium. A new addition to Jungle Island is the waterpark featuring the 168-foot Hippo Slide, with an exhilarating 40-degree drop.

Opening: Weekdays 10am-5pm, Weekends 10am-6pm.

Admission: $32.95 (adults), $24.95 (children 3-10). Other concessions available. Ticket prices do not include tax.

Transport: But routes C, K, M, and S all provide service to Jungle Island.

Biscayne National Park

The Biscayne National Park can be seen from downtown Miami but the two areas are completely different. The coral reefs and tiny islands of this water sanctuary are home to an abundance of wildlife for children to see, and even a couple of awe-inspiring pirate shipwrecks. This is a great camping, boating and swimming spot for families.

Opening: Dante Fascell Visitor Center is open daily 9am-5pm.

Admission: Entrance is free; Camping is $15 per night (up to six people and two tents), plus the cost of boat transportation.

Crandon Park Beach

A family holiday in Miami wouldn't be complete without spending some time on the beach. Aside from sand and sea, Crandon Park Beach also has the Amusement Center with a carousel, a roller rink, a splash fountain and a playground for kids to enjoy. The Crandon Park Gardens are beautiful to see, and there are a few picnic spots to enjoy as well.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Kids will be delighted by the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, which offers train rides, toy trains to play with and interesting model train exhibits. The museum's railroad car collection includes President Roosevelt's historic Ferdinand Magellan carriage. In March each year there are Thomas the Tank Engine rides for children. On Saturday and Sunday between 11.00am and 4.00pm kids can ride in the cab of a locomotive and get to operate some of the controls.

Opening: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am-4pm; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11am-4pm.

Admission: $6 (adult), $4 (children 3-12).

Miami Children's Museum

The child-sized exhibits at the Miami Children's Museum are both colourful and interactive. Kids can explore the museum's simulated hospital, supermarket or fire station, playing with and moving anything they like. The Mt. Michimu rock-climbing wall offers a fun, physical challenge for older children.

Opening: Daily 10am-6pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Admission: $15, free for children under 1 year.

Pinecrest Gardens

Take the kids to play at the Pinecrest Gardens - its banyan trees and abundant vegetation are just crying out to be explored! Other highlights of the gardens include a fun playground, a petting zoo and the 'Splash 'n Play' water area, as well as a couple of tabled picnic spots.

Opening: Daily 9am-6pm (Spring and Summer), and 9am-5pm (Fall and Winter).

Admission: $3 (adults), $2 (children 2-17).

Miami Beaches

The beaches in Miami are world-famous; some for their stunning settings and some for their stunning sunbathers. Crandon Park Beach is good for children, with the playground and carousel as well as picnic areas and restrooms. Haulover Beach Park also has good facilities like volleyball and tennis courts, a golf course, concession stands and picnic tables, but parents should be aware that the northern end allows nude sunbathing. Hobie Beach is the best place for windsurfing in Miami, while the sandy beach in Oleta River State Park is popular for boating and kayaking. The central Miami beaches have good facilities, like concession stands, showers, lifeguards, walking trails and beach chair and umbrella rentals, but tend to be the most crowded at peak times. Topless sunbathing is allowed in Miami Beach.

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Travel guide content from www.wordtravels.com, copyright © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media nor Specialist Holidays Group Ireland can accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.