Miami boasts an extensive public transport system, making it easy (if a little slow) to explore without a car. You can catch a bus or train 24/7. A single trip on Metrorail and Metrobus is just AU$2. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are available. In downtown Miami you can ride the futuristic Metromover – an elevated electric bus system – for free.
Blessed with a gorgeous sunny climate and flat topography, going by bike in Miami is a delightful and eco-friendly option. Cycling along the boardwalk with its colourful, skimpily clad characters is a must-do. You can hire a bike from several rental shops in South Beach and on Key Biscayne for about AU$20 a day. Make sure you buy a sturdy lock – thieves are rife.
Taxis offer a quick, hassle-free way of getting around the city. Some charge a flat fee but most are metered. The fare is AU$2.50 for the first sixth of a mile and goes up by 40 cents each additional sixth of a mile. Provided it’s been a pleasant, non-hair-raising journey, you should tip your driver between 15 and 20 per cent.
Miami is easy to navigate by car and gives you the option of exploring further afield. Beware of rush hour on weekdays and traffic is always pretty heavy on Ocean Drive. An hour on a parking meter will cost around AU$1-$2 an hour. Rental rates vary, so book well in advance. Christmas time is particularly painful on the pocket.
Americans really know how to do theme parks, and this is no exception. Home to a host of intriguing creatures, including orangutans, prairie dogs and Hercules, a 900lb liger (a lion-tiger cross), this zoological paradise has open aviaries to meander through, lemurs to cuddle and even a private beach. It costs around AU$34 for adults and AU$26 for children.
Immerse yourself in the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades on a safari in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. The adventure comes complete with exhilarating airboat rides over alligator-filled waters (hold on tight), swamp buggy tours, nature walks and reptile shows. For an adult safari package, which includes rides, animal exhibits and more, you’ll pay AU$50. Children’s tickets are AU$40.
Explore the best of Miami’s cultural, historic, culinary and commercial hotspots on this narrated bus tour. Jump off at Bayside Marketplace for a spot of shopping and dining in the sunshine. Sink your toes into the sand at Miami Beach and sample Cuban culture in Little Havana. Buses depart daily from Central Station and cost AU$37 for adults and $28 for children.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this shining hub of technology offers a fascinating glimpse into the US space program. Experience space flight on a simulator, see awe-inspiring rockets up close, enjoy live shows and meet real astronauts. For this genuinely out-of-this-world experience, adults pay around AU$44 and children AU$34. Tickets include entry into the nearby US Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Buy an all-day pass for a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour of the city. In downtown, jump off at the vibrant Bayside Marketplace for a spot of retail therapy and then reward your exertions with a steak at Prime 112 on Ocean Drive. Next head off to Coconut Grove and enjoy a walk in the glorious Kampong tropical garden, followed by a trip to the nearby Science Museum. Finish off the day with seafood and sundowners at South Beach.
Head off early for a day exploring the fascinating flora and fauna of the Everglades on a Billie Swamp Safari. See alligators, turtles, fish, birds and racoons in their natural habitat. Then, if you’re brave, sample native Seminole delicacies such as gator tail nuggets and catfish at the cafe. Back in the city, refresh yourself with some sea swimming at 85th Street Beach before donning your glad rags and making your way to Nikki Beach Club for a night of dinner, dancing and decadence.
Grab your swimsuit, towel and camera for a morning of people watching, sunbathing and cycling at South Beach. After lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab, make your way to Jungle Island for an afternoon spent marvelling at a host of exotic animals, reptiles and birds. Take in Miami’s ever-growing skyline while sipping champagne on a sunset cruise. Then prepare yourself for a night of glitz and glamour at the Delano Hotel’s FDR room.
Spend a fascinating morning at the Kennedy Space Center and nearby Astronaut Hall of Fame before heading back into the centre of town for a meal at Michy’s on Biscayne Boulevard. Later that afternoon continue the morning’s airborne theme with a scenic afternoon flight over the city. Relax and unwind with a late afternoon walk down the boardwalk at South Beach, then head off to Coral Gables for a laidback night of board games and beer sampling at the bar.
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Expedia Holidays > Miami Holidays
