What to do for 3 days in Miami for 6 from UK

Hi, we are spending 3 days in Miami 1st week of April between Las Vegas and Islamorada and wondered what are the must sees/dos in Miami as this is our first time. We already have tickets for ice hockey on the Saturday night but that is all we have planned. Many thanks.

What to do for 3 days in Miami for 6 from UK

chippers! ahoy!

Directly across the street from the ice hockey arena is THE BIGGEST and BEST DISCOUNT SHOPPING MALL in South Florida. You might literally spend the day there buying everyone on your list prezzies galore. There is an adjacent area with restaurants and bars and if you%26#39;re not in Miami to bask in the sun - it%26#39;s a must-see- shopping paradise.

Check out:

http://www.sawgrassmillsmall.com/

Where will you be staying in Miami?? - knowing the general location will help determine where to go and what to see.

On South Beach, you%26#39;ll want to check out the Beach (imagine?!) from 5th -11th on Ocean Drive. Lincoln Road pedestrian mall due west of Washington Avenue at about 17th Street for shops, sidewalk cafes, people watching, movies and bowling of an evening, casual Miami Beach style living...

Miami tourist attractions like Vizcaya, Parrot Jungle, a few nice museums perhaps? Bayside Marketplace on Biscayne Blvd.

Islamorada is a great deal of fun. The drive down is divine. Please check out Alabama Jack%26#39;s en route, the Islamorada Fish Company for lunch, Holiday Isle Tiki Bar for a rum runner, Casa Morada...

You%26#39;re in for a great adventure.

Did I mention the weather is DIVINE???

What to do for 3 days in Miami for 6 from UK

Thats brilliant Advisorgirl, we are staying in the Century hotel in Miami (think is is 2 blocks from Ocean Drive)then we are staying at the Caribean Resort in Islamorada. Thought about going to the Dolphin Research Centre whilst in Islamorada. But have no ideas about what to do in Miami. Thanks for the help.

One thing many people like to do when they come here to visit us is go on an airboat ride out where the Miccosukee Indians are. There%26#39;s also the alligator farms/wrestling. You can find coupons to save money. There%26#39;s also a site down towards Islamorada as well.

On your way down to Islamorada you may want to stop by Knauss Berry Farm:

http://www.redlandriot.com/Knaus.html

People come from all over to stop there and it%26#39;s on the way there, just a short hop, skip and a jump from US1. Be aware, Saturdays they get swamped. Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., November through April. Cash only.

Nice place near there for lunch, Tiffany%26#39;s Tea Room aka Tiffany%26#39;s Cottage Dining. Other places down in the Redlands:

http://www.redlandriot.com/Dining.html

Chips!

The Century Hotel is on Ocean Drive south of 5th Street. Great choice. There is a lovely park leading to the beach just across the street. There are quiet sidewalk cafes (yes, Starbucks too) nearby. You will be close enough to the epicenter of Ocean Drive%26#39;s busy section but a safe enough remove to ACTUALLY sleep.

Leaving the hotel and turning left - northbound - and again left at 2nd Street, you will find a quiet sports pub called Ted%26#39;s for a drink and a game of pool or a glimpse of the sports on TV if you find one or two of you need a break from the group. Further along at the end of this block, check out Big Pink at 157 Collins for a casual breakfast or a reasonable bite until 5am weekends. The place is family friendly and has indoor %26amp; outdoor seating.

Back on Ocean, walk due north from your hotel all along the beach front to see what all the fuss is about. Ocean Drive is lovely and some of the hotels have maintained the glorious Art Deco styling that makes Miami famous. You will hear Mangos before you get there - it%26#39;s an outdoor cafe with loud Latin music and often dancing on the bars. It%26#39;s touristy but - after all - you are tourists! Check out the News Cafe for round the clock snacks at 8/Ocean, the Clevelander pool bar at 10/Ocean.

It seems you have rented a car if you%26#39;re venturing up to a hockey game (give yourself an hour to drive there from your hotel). My suggestion is you travel by taxi or a 25 cent shuttle to get around South Beach rather than fuss with parking:

www.miamibeachfl.gov/newcity/sobe_local.asp

20 blocks north of the Century, you%26#39;ll find Lincoln Road pedestrian mall - a nice spot for a stroll any time of day or night. There are countless cafes, bars, shops, a movie theater and a posh adult bowling alley featuring cocktail waitresses and bar snacks brought right to the lanes (in the event of rain)... This is a 5 minute/ $5 cab ride from your hotel.

Quick Picks for easy sidewalk dining:

*For casual Cuban Dining, try Lincoln Rd Cafe (943 Lincoln).

*Crispy pizza and amazing fried calamari at SPRIS (731 Lincoln).

*Upscale Italian at Da Leo (819 Lincoln).

*Thai %26amp; Sushi at World Resources or Sushi Siam (647 Lincoln).

*Just a slice to go at Pizza Rustica (667 Lincoln).

*Pub? Finegan%26#39;s 2 (corner Lincoln %26amp; Michigan)

3 Days?

Enjoy at least one full day all around Miami Beach, Saturday at Sawgrass Mills for shopping and an early dinner at the Oasis, then the hockey game is right across the street...

Finally, try something touristy like Villa Vizcaya in Miami and lunch in Coconut Grove at Scotty%26#39;s Landing outdoor cafe - 3381 Pan American Dr, Coconut Grove, 33133 - (305) 854-2626

The drive to Islamorada is picturesque and should take at least half a day with stops as suggested at the Berry Farm and perhaps snorkelling at Pennecamp Park if you get an early start.

www.pennekamppark.com

Don%26#39;t miss Alabama Jack%26#39;s for a beer and some fried snacks (follow the signs in the upper Keys to Card Sound Road and drive and drive til just before the toll plaza... that ramshackle place? That%26#39;s Jack%26#39;s!)

You%26#39;re going to have a wonderful adventure!

Enjoy!