Fort Lauderdale/Miami

[stargrl33]

(I know this section of the forum is for other Orlando attractions but I feel weird putting this in the Chit Chat thread - feel free to move if this isn't the ideal place for this thread)

We're thinking of taking a non-theme park vacation in September and going to Fort Lauderdale/Miami. Any recommendations for things to do/places to eat? We'd probably stay in Fort Lauderdale on the trolley route and just drive to Miami for one day for the Frost Science Museum. My husband wants to eat Cuban food and I want to go to tiki bars. And we like science museums so, is it worth it to go to both the one in Miami and the one in Fort Lauderdale? We'll probably have three or four days so there is definitely time to do both if they are worth it.

Also, if you could just offer me words of encouragement for going anywhere but Orlando, that'd be helpful too...I just love theme park rides so much, it's really hard to motivate myself to do anything but go to theme parks when we go on vacation.

 

[champdisney]

Hey there! Long time South Florida resident right here, well, actually born and raised. Anyway, allow me to guide you on what you can expect here. As you know, Miami is rich in Spanish culture. Please be aware that most residents speak Spanish as their first language. English can be a bit choppy for some, depending on the individual but you shouldn't have any troubles. I'm Cuban myself so I can vouch for my people when I say you'll be well taken care of.

As for Cuban cuisine, you'll find that in Calle Ocho AKA 8th Street in English which is located in Little Havana. Depending on when you arrive, every last Friday of each month, Calle Ocho hosts an Arts and Culture Festival:

http://viernesculturales.org/mainvc/
​

The atmosphere is nice, the art is unique and the food is fantastic. Speaking of food, you may want to give Versailles a try. It's known all throughout Miami, it's usually a hotspot when something regarding the Cuban government occurs. Yes, our Cuban people are very passionate, haha. Another well-known Cuban restaurant is La Carreta. Both of these restaurants are located in Calle Ocho of Little Havana.

As for attractions, we have quite a few. The main one is our beaches, of course. There is South Beach, Key Biscayne Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood Beach and Dania Beach. I personally prefer either Key Biscayne or Dania Beach. South Beach is overrated and it's always a hassle to get in and out, BUT, if you've never experienced South Beach and want to see what all the hype is about, check it out. There's also cool little restaurants and such. There's also the Miami Seaquarium that's essentially an aquarium and just that. No amusement park rides, just shows and a pricey ticket to get in. It's still a nice aquarium with shows that you will be sure to enjoy. ~ FUN FACT: The 1960's television series Flipper was filmed at the Miami Seaquarium and is still home to Flipper... Well, perhaps Flipper Jr. Jr.

I love the Seaquarium. I have been there plenty of times but for the price, I rather head up north and go to SeaWorld, where I can catch dolphin shows and hop on rollercoasters. Then again, this is your trip! I'm just a resident! Moving over to the Frost Museum of Science. I haven't been there yet, though, I have been meaning to. The museum is brand new and from what I hear, it's a museum like no other with an aquarium and a state-of-the-art planetarium. My family that have been there are raving about it, the only downfall is, that there are still sections of the museum that are still under construction including the parking lot. Besides that, they loved it.

There is also the Wynwood Art District, which on Sunday's they have every food truck in town available. Great art and local shops. Now, towards Fort Lauderdale. One cool tourist attraction there are it's casinos. Now hear me out, you do not have to be into gambling or slot machines to enjoy these establishments because each of these casinos I am about to name have incredible entertainment complexes attached to them.

#1: Hard Rock Seminole
Loads of restaurants, night life clubs, comedy shows, and shops. There's also Bongos Cuban Cafe if you want to have you're Cuban meal there and go dancing afterwards because there is a club on the roof.

#2: Gulfstream Park
Lots of restaurants, I believe one club, and horse racing. It's a beautiful property. Down the street from there is Aventura Mall that has everything you can ask for in a mall including an AMC theater.

Besides the things I have already mentioned, there is also Everglades National Park, where you can ride on an airboat across the swampy rivers and encounter a great amount of wildlife.

 

[stargrl33]

Hey there! Long time South Florida resident right here, well, actually born and raised. Anyway, allow me to guide you on what you can expect here. As you know, Miami is rich in Spanish culture. Please be aware that most residents speak Spanish as their first language. English can be a bit choppy for some, depending on the individual but you shouldn't have any troubles. I'm Cuban myself so I can vouch for my people when I say you'll be well taken care of.

As for Cuban cuisine, you'll find that in Calle Ocho AKA 8th Street in English which is located in Little Havana. Depending on when you arrive, every last Friday of each month, Calle Ocho hosts an Arts and Culture Festival:

http://viernesculturales.org/mainvc/
​

The atmosphere is nice, the art is unique and the food is fantastic. Speaking of food, you may want to give Versailles a try. It's known all throughout Miami, it's usually a hotspot when something regarding the Cuban government occurs. Yes, our Cuban people are very passionate, haha. Another well-known Cuban restaurant is La Carreta. Both of these restaurants are located in Calle Ocho of Little Havana.

As for attractions, we have quite a few. The main one is our beaches, of course. There is South Beach, Key Biscayne Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood Beach and Dania Beach. I personally prefer either Key Biscayne or Dania Beach. South Beach is overrated and it's always a hassle to get in and out, BUT, if you've never experienced South Beach and want to see what all the hype is about, check it out. There's also cool little restaurants and such. There's also the Miami Seaquarium that's essentially an aquarium and just that. No amusement park rides, just shows and a pricey ticket to get in. It's still a nice aquarium with shows that you will be sure to enjoy. ~ FUN FACT: The 1960's television series Flipper was filmed at the Miami Seaquarium and is still home to Flipper... Well, perhaps Flipper Jr. Jr.

I love the Seaquarium. I have been there plenty of times but for the price, I rather head up north and go to SeaWorld, where I can catch dolphin shows and hop on rollercoasters. Then again, this is your trip! I'm just a resident! Moving over to the Frost Museum of Science. I haven't been there yet, though, I have been meaning to. The museum is brand new and from what I hear, it's a museum like no other with an aquarium and a state-of-the-art planetarium. My family that have been there are raving about it, the only downfall is, that there are still sections of the museum that are still under construction including the parking lot. Besides that, they loved it.

There is also the Wynwood Art District, which on Sunday's they have every food truck in town available. Great art and local shops. Now, towards Fort Lauderdale. One cool tourist attraction there are it's casinos. Now hear me out, you do not have to be into gambling or slot machines to enjoy these establishments because each of these casinos I am about to name have incredible entertainment complexes attached to them.

#1: Hard Rock Seminole
Loads of restaurants, night life clubs, comedy shows, and shops. There's also Bongos Cuban Cafe if you want to have you're Cuban meal there and go dancing afterwards because there is a club on the roof.

#2: Gulfstream Park
Lots of restaurants, I believe one club, and horse racing. It's a beautiful property. Down the street from there is Aventura Mall that has everything you can ask for in a mall including an AMC theater.

Besides the things I have already mentioned, there is also Everglades National Park, where you can ride on an airboat across the swampy rivers and encounter a great amount of wildlife.

Thank you for the info!!!! The day we were planning on driving to Miami is a Sunday so I think we are going to park at the museum all day and maybe try the free metro train thing (cannot think of the name right now) up near Wynwood and Little Havana. One thing that bums me out is that it doesn't go to South Beach so maybe we'll drive through on our way back to Fort Lauderdale.

 

[champdisney]

Thank you for the info!!!! The day we were planning on driving to Miami is a Sunday so I think we are going to park at the museum all day and maybe try the free metro train thing (cannot think of the name right now) up near Wynwood and Little Havana. One thing that bums me out is that it doesn't go to South Beach so maybe we'll drive through on our way back to Fort Lauderdale.

The Metrorail. Yeah, you won't see any trains riding through South Beach (it's practically an island). What you will see is plenty of Uber and Lift drivers!