Pre-Cruise Activities in Miami

[jfogle2017]

Hi! We are leaving out of Miami in a few weeks on the Celebration but are coming in a few days before - what are some fun and safe places to go in Miami? We aren't familiar with the area other than the cruise port so we want to make sure we stay out of the "not so great" areas. We were thinking of renting a car and doing an everglades tour but not sure we want to do that as it's a little pricey by the time we rent the car, pay for the overnight parking and all of that......not sure how much there is to do around our hotel though- we are staying in the Brickell area. 

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions! 

[dmet0225]

We’ve stayed in the Brickell area previously before a cruise, and are staying there again for the Celebration 2 weeks from tomorrow.   I know there are a lot of bars and restaurants in the area.   We are getting into Miami at about 5:00pm on the 24th, so not a lot of time for sightseeing for us.

[Crusin Hogs]

We stayed in Key Largo the night before the cruise ,, We were right on the water , great music and food ,  It is 1 hr to the cruise port from Key Largo , Lot nicer and safer than Miami  , and cheaper to stay there We stayed at Snappers   Restaurant  and motel very nice place  

[TrqoisWtrs]

You can walk over to Bayside Market, nice place with restaurants, shops etc.  Its on the marina and you can see the cruise ships there too.  Its over by the Ferris wheel for reference.  :)

[staceyglow]

3 hours ago, Crusin Hogs said:

We stayed in Key Largo the night before the cruise ,, We were right on the water , great music and food ,  It is 1 hr to the cruise port from Key Largo , Lot nicer and safer than Miami  , and cheaper to stay there We stayed at Snappers   Restaurant  and motel very nice place  

How did you get to Key Largo and then to the cruise Port? 

[klfrodo]

I agree with downtown or Brickell area. Brickell area has been “gentrified” if you will. Upscale clubs and restaurants.

We take the Metro Mover over to the stop near Bayside Market. Great tourist place to spend a few hours and have dinner. You can take a cab or Uber or Lyft to South Beach and walk up and down Ocean Drive.

The Everglades airboat your company has a deal where they pick you up at the hotel and then bring you back.

 

Renting a car would not be my advice UNLESS you took a day trip down the Keys.

[silvercrikhix]

Lots to do in Miami. We’ve taken a boat tour around the area a couple of times, There’s a fun small bus tour that takes you to several Miami neighborhoods with a stop in little Havana, we bought yummy food & drinks there. Cigars and baked goods also. There’s a twister boat tour. There’s an electric boat tour/rental to explore the area waters.  The Big Bus tour was nice. We took 2-3 different loops available.  South Beach has Great beaches, restaurants and shops galore. We did the “duck” tour from SB. Fun times! 

Check the owl travel site under Miami things to do.  Something for everyone. We had hotel pickup and some out of Bayside Marketplace. No issues there. Enjoy. 

[Crusin Hogs]

11 hours ago, staceyglow said:

How did you get to Key Largo and then to the cruise Port? 

we drove down 

[Flymia]

Miami is a safe city. As with any City anywhere that is actually dangerous likely has very little things to do. 

 

As for things to do that all depends on what you like and want to see. The Everglades in the Summer does not sound like fun. If you want to do a National Park, do snorkeling in Biscayne National Park.

 

If you don't rent a car you will be a little bit more limited as Miami does not have great public transport. Though the Metromover (which is free) is great to get around Downtown and Brickell. In that area you have the Modern Art Museum, lots of great restaurants and bars, and Brickell City Centre for an upscale mall. You may be able to find a walking tour in Downtown. There is also Bayside Marketplace for a place to walk around and catch a boat tour. Vizcaya is also near by. 

 

Wynwood is a nice spot for an evening for dinner, drinks and if you are interest in the art scene You'll need to take an Uber there and back. Most people use rideshare apps. Taxis used to be all over the place, but now they are mainly at the port and airport. The taxis of hailing a taxi, except for maybe in South Beach are gone. 

 

You can also use an hop on and off bus to get around so you can see other areas easily like Little Havana, Miami Beach, Coral Gables etc.. Ultimately, while traffic can make it seem like it is, Miami is a fairly small city in land size, so getting around is not too difficult. But again, using a rideshare app like Uber is the way to go if you don't rent a car. 

 

Renting a car will give you a lot of freedom to do as you please. Which is also nice given the weather can be great at 12:00 p.m. and then a tropical downpour with lighting at 12:45.