Fort Lauderdale + Miami post cruise

[sailor1362]

Hello, we will stay in Fort Lauderdale for six days after our cruise, we will also rent a car. We want to drive to Key West on Jan-29, stay one night, and drive back on Jan-30, I have also tickets for NBA game at AAA on the way back. As it will be our first time with a car in the USA , I am a little bit worried, and precisely about:

1 - Traffic entering Miami

2 - Parking at AAA

At what time we have to be at AAA if the game is at 8.00 PM? Will it be easy to arrive in Miami by car? Will it be easy to park the car near the AAA or it is better to leave the car not near the Arena and get there without it (taxi, bus, train)?

any suggestion is welcome!

[Keith1010]

If you should drive I would arrive into Miami by 6:00 PM to park.

 

This will provide some options for transportation but I think the locals can give you good advice. I would not drive if you can avoid it.

 

http://www.aaarena.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking

 

If you do drive, this would give you options for parking.

 

http://aaarena.s3.amazonaws.com/img/Event-Parking-Map-7-29-14.JPG

 

The doors to the arena open at 7:00 PM and it's fun to get settled early. You can watch the players practice and get something to eat and just get settled.

 

Keith

[BlueHerons]

Hello, we will stay in Fort Lauderdale for six days after our cruise, we will also rent a car. We want to drive to Key West on Jan-29, stay one night, and drive back on Jan-30, I have also tickets for NBA game at AAA on the way back. As it will be our first time with a car in the USA , I am a little bit worried, and precisely about:

1 - Traffic entering Miami

2 - Parking at AAA

At what time we have to be at AAA if the game is at 8.00 PM? Will it be easy to arrive in Miami by car? Will it be easy to park the car near the AAA or it is better to leave the car not near the Arena and get there without it (taxi, bus, train)?

any suggestion is welcome!

 

Leave Key West by about 11AM on the 30th. It is a holiday week and what is normally about a three and a half hour drive can easily run you 6+ hours. Even though traffic will be heading into the keys, do not underestimate this drive. If you find yourself ahead of the game, stop in Key Largo for a nice, leisurely, late lunch/early dinner. Do not stop before because you don't know what you could find ahead of you traffic wise.

 

BTW, I didn't think the Heat play on the 30th. Are you sure you have your dates correct?

 

Agree to be at AAA by 6PM for an 8PM game. Downtown will be crazy busy.

[sailor1362]

I would not drive if you can avoid it.

Thank you Keith, but you get me more scared than I am! Is it really so bad?

 

 

 

BTW, I didn't think the Heat play on the 30th. Are you sure you have your dates correct?

 

Agree to be at AAA by 6PM for an 8PM game. Downtown will be crazy busy.

I do agree, too, My plan was to leave not later than 12 to be in Miami not later than 6.00 PM

On my tickets I read

Jan 30 Fri 08:00 PMMiami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks

Thank you!

[BlueHerons]

Thank you Keith, but you get me more scared than I am! Is it really so bad?

 

 

 

 

I do agree, too, My plan was to leave not later than 12 to be in Miami not later than 6.00 PM

On my tickets I read

Jan 30 Fri 08:00 PMMiami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks

Thank you!

 

Don't leave later than 11. You'll start to run into heavy traffic by noon.

 

Edited to add, I didn't realize it was the Mavericks game. I'm sure it is already sold out. That said, leave Key West by 10AM. It will be a zoo trying to get to AAA. Downtown/Brickell traffic is a nightmare as it is.

Edited November 21, 2014 by BlueHerons

[fireofficer5]

Parking at the Arena is very limited.

Unless your tickets include parking, you are going to have to park off site.

 

If you are not averse to using public transportation, Metro Rail is an option.

 

This is what I do for Heat games.

 

I go to Hialeah Park Race Track and Casino.

Park for free at the south side of the property near the Metro Rail station.

Take the train to the Overtown station.

Its a three block to the AAA.

You can see the arena from the station.

 

The trains run till midnight.

The casino is open 24 hours.

[sailor1362]

Thank you BlueHerons, Luckily this time I was able to do most things well in advance, I already have tickets, but not on the front rows, I will be up up there with the pigeons...

 

Parking at the Arena is very limited.

Unless your tickets include parking, you are going to have to park off site.

 

If you are not averse to using public transportation, Metro Rail is an option.

 

This is what I do for Heat games.

 

I go to Hialeah Park Race Track and Casino.

Park for free at the south side of the property near the Metro Rail station.

Take the train to the Overtown station.

Its a three block to the AAA.

You can see the arena from the station.

 

The trains run till midnight.

The casino is open 24 hours.

Thank you fireofficer5, that's a good alternative. It is not possible to book the parking at AAA? If it is full, can I park on the side of the street or it is not possible?

[fireofficer5]

There are private lots all around downtown Miami.

Two or three blocks away from the arena.

Hence, the train ride I take.

 

Unless the tickets you have are in the first ten rows, the parking pass is usually

brought with those tickets. The reason I know, my girl friends boss has row 10 midcourt seats. I have used them.

 

And parking for the high rollers is under the arena.

On game nights the area round the arena is really crowded.

 

Good luck getting that underground parking spot.