What to do in Key Biscayne/Miami in January?
November 28, 2005 2:30 PM Subscribe
What's there to do during the day in Key Biscayne/Miami in January?
I'm headed to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in mid-January for a three-day-long conference. My mom, who rarely travels outside of the 30-mile radius surrounding my childhood home, is coming with me. I'll be occupied during the day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and I'm looking for things that she can easily do with minimal cab fare from our hotel (under $20). She's 60 years old, somewhat conservative, interested in shopping and sight-seeing. She's also a HUGE fan of CSI:Miami (which I think is the sole reason she wants to accompany me). If you have nighttime suggestions, let me know, too.
I'm also staying two days after the conference for some "down time". I'd appreciate any suggestions for things my mom and I can do together, too. I'm not a big clubber, but I am much more adventurous than my mom is alone. I can generally convince her to go along with my zany plans, but she won't be adventurous on her own.
I'm headed to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in mid-January for a three-day-long conference. My mom, who rarely travels outside of the 30-mile radius surrounding my childhood home, is coming with me. I'll be occupied during the day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and I'm looking for things that she can easily do with minimal cab fare from our hotel (under $20). She's 60 years old, somewhat conservative, interested in shopping and sight-seeing. She's also a HUGE fan of CSI:Miami (which I think is the sole reason she wants to accompany me). If you have nighttime suggestions, let me know, too.
I'm also staying two days after the conference for some "down time". I'd appreciate any suggestions for things my mom and I can do together, too. I'm not a big clubber, but I am much more adventurous than my mom is alone. I can generally convince her to go along with my zany plans, but she won't be adventurous on her own.
Best answer: You're screwed.
Or at least she is during the day. Key Biscayne is an island connected to the mainland by a single bridge which terminates more or less close to nothing, at least as far as affordable cab fares go. You're even down on the 'wrong' end of the key, and I expect the 6 miles just to get to the mainland will cut into that $20 number. The Seaquarium is nice enough but little better than the Chicago Aquarium and not as new and pretty. Just over the bridge is the Museum of Science which was impressive when I was a kid but had largely fallen into disrepair by the time I left Miami four years ago. I doubt it's gotten any better. Viscaya, on the other hand, is a must-see.
What she sees on CSI: Miami is largely Miami Beach and Coral Gables and if you want a good laugh go compare their digs to what the government buildings really look like :). If she's interested in shopping she probably should get herself over to Coconut Grove; she can easily spend the day walking around there and it might marginally be within a $20 cab ride. Getting to Miami Beach will be more but if she gets them to deposit her on Ocean Drive and 7th she can walk up the beach, see a lot of Deco architecture and pick from a variety of restaurants. The two of you can go repeat that in the evening since it's a whole different scenery at night. Cocowalk has a nice vista in the evening and lots of shopping but it's really just a standard mall. Also in the downtown area and worth going to is Tobacco Road, South Florida's first bar. They've got liquor license #1 and if you look you can see where the hidden door used to be leading up to the 2nd floor where the booze was during prohibition. Food's pretty good too.
Back on Miami Beach - If you go over to wander Lincoln Road on Miami Beach I encourage you to stick your head in Lincoln Furniture & Lighting at number 629. My buddy Victor stocks it primarily with things that amuse him and there's always fun stuff, not just lamps and desks, and the prices are reasonable. Jazid is a nice little jazz bar and you can peek next door and see the folks from the show Miami Ink on TLC. It's also close to Espanola Way, a picturesque little street. Not something you should go out of your way to see but nice if you're there. Your mom probably won't be a fan of the Deuce but right across the street used to be a great little burrito place. If it's still there I highly recommend it, I think it's named San Loco. Ditto Gino's Pizza - a great slice. Somewhere around 9th and Ocean Drive is one of those fruity blender drink places whose name escapes me. They have a 2nd floor deck that's a nice place to view the ocean in the evening.
If you get ahold of a car I'd encourage you to go see Coral Castle - it's pretty neat. Everglades National Park is great too. Last time I was there almost two years ago I saw about three dozen gators less than 10 feet away (not all at once :). And the Everglades are a uniquely SoFla experience. I have not been to the new Parrot Jungle but it used to be a fun and corny experience, particularly the shows. Right near its new location there's usually a few places offering helicopter rides. I've never taken one but I've spent a lot of time in the air over Miami in small planes and it's beautiful.
Feel free to drop me a message if you have a question about anything specific, I'll be glad to try to answer.
posted by phearlez at 3:19 PM on November 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
Or at least she is during the day. Key Biscayne is an island connected to the mainland by a single bridge which terminates more or less close to nothing, at least as far as affordable cab fares go. You're even down on the 'wrong' end of the key, and I expect the 6 miles just to get to the mainland will cut into that $20 number. The Seaquarium is nice enough but little better than the Chicago Aquarium and not as new and pretty. Just over the bridge is the Museum of Science which was impressive when I was a kid but had largely fallen into disrepair by the time I left Miami four years ago. I doubt it's gotten any better. Viscaya, on the other hand, is a must-see.
What she sees on CSI: Miami is largely Miami Beach and Coral Gables and if you want a good laugh go compare their digs to what the government buildings really look like :). If she's interested in shopping she probably should get herself over to Coconut Grove; she can easily spend the day walking around there and it might marginally be within a $20 cab ride. Getting to Miami Beach will be more but if she gets them to deposit her on Ocean Drive and 7th she can walk up the beach, see a lot of Deco architecture and pick from a variety of restaurants. The two of you can go repeat that in the evening since it's a whole different scenery at night. Cocowalk has a nice vista in the evening and lots of shopping but it's really just a standard mall. Also in the downtown area and worth going to is Tobacco Road, South Florida's first bar. They've got liquor license #1 and if you look you can see where the hidden door used to be leading up to the 2nd floor where the booze was during prohibition. Food's pretty good too.
Back on Miami Beach - If you go over to wander Lincoln Road on Miami Beach I encourage you to stick your head in Lincoln Furniture & Lighting at number 629. My buddy Victor stocks it primarily with things that amuse him and there's always fun stuff, not just lamps and desks, and the prices are reasonable. Jazid is a nice little jazz bar and you can peek next door and see the folks from the show Miami Ink on TLC. It's also close to Espanola Way, a picturesque little street. Not something you should go out of your way to see but nice if you're there. Your mom probably won't be a fan of the Deuce but right across the street used to be a great little burrito place. If it's still there I highly recommend it, I think it's named San Loco. Ditto Gino's Pizza - a great slice. Somewhere around 9th and Ocean Drive is one of those fruity blender drink places whose name escapes me. They have a 2nd floor deck that's a nice place to view the ocean in the evening.
If you get ahold of a car I'd encourage you to go see Coral Castle - it's pretty neat. Everglades National Park is great too. Last time I was there almost two years ago I saw about three dozen gators less than 10 feet away (not all at once :). And the Everglades are a uniquely SoFla experience. I have not been to the new Parrot Jungle but it used to be a fun and corny experience, particularly the shows. Right near its new location there's usually a few places offering helicopter rides. I've never taken one but I've spent a lot of time in the air over Miami in small planes and it's beautiful.
Feel free to drop me a message if you have a question about anything specific, I'll be glad to try to answer.
posted by phearlez at 3:19 PM on November 28, 2005 [1 favorite]
A couple of (pretty obvious) suggestions for an older lady:
- Vizcaya museum and gardens is not far, and is open daily. Beautiful house and grounds, which she can tour with a guide or wander at will. Sustained some damage from Wilma, apparently, but you can check upon arrival.
- Your hotel has a huge health spa and two oceanfront pools. Services at the spa include "over 60 natural therapies that consist of luscious botanicals including bay rum, coconut, mango, honey, lime...." (Sponge-baths in asses' milk by muscular deaf-mutes may need to be arranged in advance, however.)
posted by rob511 at 3:22 PM on November 28, 2005
- Vizcaya museum and gardens is not far, and is open daily. Beautiful house and grounds, which she can tour with a guide or wander at will. Sustained some damage from Wilma, apparently, but you can check upon arrival.
- Your hotel has a huge health spa and two oceanfront pools. Services at the spa include "over 60 natural therapies that consist of luscious botanicals including bay rum, coconut, mango, honey, lime...." (Sponge-baths in asses' milk by muscular deaf-mutes may need to be arranged in advance, however.)
posted by rob511 at 3:22 PM on November 28, 2005
Best answer: Bill Bagg State Park is really beautiful on Key Biscayne - she could walk around, look at the lighthouse, and enjoy the unbelievable scenery. For a fairly short cab ride you could try the Rusty Pelican on Virginia Key (you drive through Virginia key to get to Key Biscayne). I've heard the food is really good (but pricey), but the view is what you really come for - gorgeous view of downtown, the water, etc. I also second the Vizcaya rec.
I also second the cab to the Grove - it will probably be more than $20, but it would entertain her all day. There are several great places to eat. Sandbar has awesome fish tacos, Senor Frogs has IMO the best mexican in Miami, there's a bunch of hole in the wall places, and there's the obligatory Cheesecake Factory. Bacio is an awesome gelato place that is a can't miss. Some of the stores are typical mall stores (Limited, Victorias Secret, Gap), but the atmosphere is really fun and the people watching is great.
Depending on how much she likes to spend or drool, she might enjoy the Villiage of Merrick Park. It's a little further than the Grove, but it is a really fancy and stunning outdoor mediterranean-style mall. Very decadent and what a tourist would want to see. The cool thing about going there also is that the Coral Gables trolley can pick her up and take her down the road to Miracle Mile (SW 22nd St), which is another awesome area that has probably been on CSI. The trolley is really nice public transportation, so don't worry about your mom riding it - it runs back and forth through one of the nicest parts of the city. Its cheap so she would get the best bang for her cab buck, and she would see some of the most interesting shopping and sites in town.
Feel free to e-mail me if you want any specific recs! gatorae @ gmail.
posted by gatorae at 5:35 PM on November 28, 2005
I also second the cab to the Grove - it will probably be more than $20, but it would entertain her all day. There are several great places to eat. Sandbar has awesome fish tacos, Senor Frogs has IMO the best mexican in Miami, there's a bunch of hole in the wall places, and there's the obligatory Cheesecake Factory. Bacio is an awesome gelato place that is a can't miss. Some of the stores are typical mall stores (Limited, Victorias Secret, Gap), but the atmosphere is really fun and the people watching is great.
Depending on how much she likes to spend or drool, she might enjoy the Villiage of Merrick Park. It's a little further than the Grove, but it is a really fancy and stunning outdoor mediterranean-style mall. Very decadent and what a tourist would want to see. The cool thing about going there also is that the Coral Gables trolley can pick her up and take her down the road to Miracle Mile (SW 22nd St), which is another awesome area that has probably been on CSI. The trolley is really nice public transportation, so don't worry about your mom riding it - it runs back and forth through one of the nicest parts of the city. Its cheap so she would get the best bang for her cab buck, and she would see some of the most interesting shopping and sites in town.
Feel free to e-mail me if you want any specific recs! gatorae @ gmail.
posted by gatorae at 5:35 PM on November 28, 2005
I'll give yet another endorsement of Vizcaya, though I'm not a big fan of the Grove it's basically a big open air mall (no, I'm not just talking about CocoWalk), the whole grove is just a mall with somewhat eclectic stores and mostly crappy mostly chain bars.
At the MAM there will be an exhibition of Ana Medietta (who was awesome). The show ends Jan 15 so it's a bit touch and go with your schedule. At the Ft. Lauderdale art museum the King Tut exhibition will be in town.
posted by oddman at 7:04 PM on November 28, 2005
At the MAM there will be an exhibition of Ana Medietta (who was awesome). The show ends Jan 15 so it's a bit touch and go with your schedule. At the Ft. Lauderdale art museum the King Tut exhibition will be in town.
posted by oddman at 7:04 PM on November 28, 2005
seaquarium, maybe? Right next Key over.
I think Key Biscayne is very nice. But I am partial, I used to work there a few years back and I love the place. She can spend some time at the beach right on this key. There is also a bus line that can take her to/fro the metrorail fairly easily. Make sure to check the little cuban restau-stand on the right just as you enter Key Biscayne.
And what, no-one suggested yet Miami (South) Beach? Lincoln Road? Clearly a suggestion for the both of you.
posted by carmina at 8:28 PM on November 28, 2005
I think Key Biscayne is very nice. But I am partial, I used to work there a few years back and I love the place. She can spend some time at the beach right on this key. There is also a bus line that can take her to/fro the metrorail fairly easily. Make sure to check the little cuban restau-stand on the right just as you enter Key Biscayne.
And what, no-one suggested yet Miami (South) Beach? Lincoln Road? Clearly a suggestion for the both of you.
posted by carmina at 8:28 PM on November 28, 2005
Best answer: If it's still there I highly recommend it, I think it's named San Loco.
Wow, you have no idea how much I miss San Loco (I left Miami in 2000). Also, the fruity blender bar is Wet Willies.
Re: restaurants to try, if you like mid-eastern food, El Manara on Sunset Drive is, imho, the best mid-eastern restaurant in the country. Their meatless stuffed vine leaves are the greatest thing in the world. It's in South Miami and not super close to key Biscayne, but not too far, either.
I'm going to agree with the Viscaya recommendations. It is definitely worth a visit, however, I'm not sure it will take up more than two hours of her time. South Beach is a lot of fun, day and night. Also, the Grove isn't an awful place to kill some time. The Parrot Jungle is also a good recommendation and not too far from Key Biscayne.
I'm going to have to disagree about Coral Castle. It is really far and won't be worth the cab fare/traffic hassle to get there. However, the Monkey Jungle is nearby and if you do visit Coral Castle, do check out the Monkey Jungle, as well. But, really, neither is worth the trip all the way out to south dade.
At the end of the day, your best bet is to call the hotel concierge and ask about the best transportation methods between the hotel and places like the Grove and South Beach. If there are options other than cabs, I'd highly recommend looking into them. Cabs are expensive and with tons of back-street options once you get off the Key, it is very easy for cabbies to inflate the price. Some out-of-town friends once paid over 40 to get from downtown the Grove and it isn't a very long journey.
Good luck and have fun (and have a mojito for me)!
posted by necessitas at 8:40 PM on November 28, 2005
Wow, you have no idea how much I miss San Loco (I left Miami in 2000). Also, the fruity blender bar is Wet Willies.
Re: restaurants to try, if you like mid-eastern food, El Manara on Sunset Drive is, imho, the best mid-eastern restaurant in the country. Their meatless stuffed vine leaves are the greatest thing in the world. It's in South Miami and not super close to key Biscayne, but not too far, either.
I'm going to agree with the Viscaya recommendations. It is definitely worth a visit, however, I'm not sure it will take up more than two hours of her time. South Beach is a lot of fun, day and night. Also, the Grove isn't an awful place to kill some time. The Parrot Jungle is also a good recommendation and not too far from Key Biscayne.
I'm going to have to disagree about Coral Castle. It is really far and won't be worth the cab fare/traffic hassle to get there. However, the Monkey Jungle is nearby and if you do visit Coral Castle, do check out the Monkey Jungle, as well. But, really, neither is worth the trip all the way out to south dade.
At the end of the day, your best bet is to call the hotel concierge and ask about the best transportation methods between the hotel and places like the Grove and South Beach. If there are options other than cabs, I'd highly recommend looking into them. Cabs are expensive and with tons of back-street options once you get off the Key, it is very easy for cabbies to inflate the price. Some out-of-town friends once paid over 40 to get from downtown the Grove and it isn't a very long journey.
Good luck and have fun (and have a mojito for me)!
posted by necessitas at 8:40 PM on November 28, 2005
I'm late to this local party, but I'll throw in a plug for Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, if you are into that sort of thing. There is a Chihuly installation/exhibit opening in a couple of days and running through May, and it looks like it will be amazing.
I'll second the votes for a walk around Lincoln Road, a trip to Vizcaya, drinks and bar foor at Tobacco Road, and a visit to the Everglades if you can manage it. I'll also offer a vote against the new Parrot Jungle, as it is now utterly charmless. Coral Castle is good cheesy fun, but probably too far to go unless you are renting a car and going to the 'Glades, too.
Also you can add me to the list of people to e-mail if you want more specific advice, mkhall at gmail.
posted by mkhall at 7:28 AM on November 29, 2005
I'll second the votes for a walk around Lincoln Road, a trip to Vizcaya, drinks and bar foor at Tobacco Road, and a visit to the Everglades if you can manage it. I'll also offer a vote against the new Parrot Jungle, as it is now utterly charmless. Coral Castle is good cheesy fun, but probably too far to go unless you are renting a car and going to the 'Glades, too.
Also you can add me to the list of people to e-mail if you want more specific advice, mkhall at gmail.
posted by mkhall at 7:28 AM on November 29, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Coconut Grove isn't too far away and has some fantastic restaurants.
posted by neilkod at 2:45 PM on November 28, 2005