by DK
Gulf Breeze Cottages & Motel
Sanibel Harbour Marriott
Outrigger Beach Resort
Naples Beach Hotel
Port of the Islands Everglades Adventure Resort
Big Cypress National Preserve Campgrounds
Flamingo Campground
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Key Largo Grande Resort
Hawks Cay Resort
Gulf View Waterfront Resort
Bahia Honda State Park
Ambrosia Key West
Hyatt Key West Resort
Island City House Hotel
Ocean Key Resort
Practical Information
Miami
Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and around
Downtown, Little Havana, Vizcaya, and around
Miami Beach and around
The Gold and Treasure Coasts
The Gold and Treasure Coasts
Orlando and the Parks
Orlando and the Parks
The Space Coast
The Space Coast
The Northeast
The Northeast
The Panhandle
The Panhandle
The Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast
The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
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Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and around
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Practical Information
Getting around Hiring a car is the best way to get around Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, though traffic gets quite heavy. The Florida Turnpike (see inset map) is quickest when traveling to the southwest quadrant. Metrorail from downtown travels to both neighborhoods and beyond, but not as far as Homestead. However, bus 34 connects the Metrorail terminus with Homestead.
Visitor information Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 224 Catalonia Ave, Coral Gables 33134; 305 446 1657; coralgableschamber.org. Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 2701 S Bayshore Dr, 33133; 305 444 7270; www.coconutgrovechamber.com. Tropical Everglades Visitor Center, 160 US 1, Florida City, 33034; 305 245 9180; www.tropicaleverglades.com
Supermarkets Publix,14601, S Dixie Hwy, 33176; 305 255 8005 & 2270 SW 27th Ave, 33145; 305 445 9661; www.publix.com
Markets Saturday Farmers’ Market, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, 33134; also at 3300 Grand Ave at the intersection of Margaret St, Coconut Grove, 33133; every Sat
Festivals Redland Festivals at the Fruit & Spice Park (year-round). Coconut Grove Arts Festival, www.cgaf.com (Feb). Washington’s Birthday Regatta (Feb). Deering Seafood Festival (Mar). Youth Arts Day & Music Fest (May–Jun). The Goombay Festival, www.coconutgrove.com (Jun). International Mango Festival (Jul). Spooktober at Zoo Miami (Oct)
Pharmacy Walgreens, 3595 Coral Way, Coral Gables, 33145; 305 444 8427; www.walgreens.com; open 24 hours
Nearest playgrounds Salvador Park, 1120 Andalusia Ave, 33134; 305 460 5333 (see Coral Gables). Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd, 33133; 305 442 0375; daily
< Practical Information: Miami
Coral Gables
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Practical Information
Address Actors’ Playhouse: 280 Miracle Mile, 33134; www.actorsplayhouse.org. City Hall: 405 Biltmore Way, 33134; www.coralgables.com. Venetian Pool: 2701 DeSoto Blvd, 33134; www.coralgables.com. The Biltmore Hotel: 1200 Anastasia Ave, 33134; www.biltmorehotel.com. Lowe Art Museum: 1301 Stanford Dr, 33124; www.lowemuseum.org. Matheson Hammock County Park: 9610 Old Cutler Rd, 33156; www.miamidade.gov
Metro Metrorail to Douglas Road station, then bus 42
Visitor information Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 224 Catalonia Ave, 33134; coralgableschamber.org
Open Actors’ Playhouse: box office 10am–6pm Mon–Sat & noon–6pm Sun. City Hall: 8am–5pm Mon–Fri. Venetian Pool: 11am–5:30pm Mon–Fri & 10am–4:30pm Sat–Sun; closed Dec–Jan. Lowe Art Museum: 10am–4pm Tue–Sat & noon–4pm Sun. Matheson Hammock County Park: sunrise–sunset daily
Price Actors’ Playhouse: ticket prices vary. City Hall & The Biltmore Hotel: free. Venetian Pool: $42–52. Lowe Art Museum: $20–40; under 12s free. Matheson Hammock County Park: $5–7 per vehicle
Cutting the line Miracle Mile and the areas in its vicinity are quietest in the morning.
Age range 3 plus for Venetian Pool; 5 plus for other sights; all ages for Matheson Hammock Park
Activities Lowe Art Museum hosts Family Days twice a year.
Allow A day
Café Matheson Hammock County Park has a snack bar.
Restrooms In all commercial establishments
Good family value? Driving around Coral Gables’ streets is entertainment enough, besides visiting its superb attractions.
< Practical Information: Miami
Coconut Grove
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Practical Information
Bus 42 from Coral Gables.
Metro Metrorail from Coral Gables
Visitor information Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 2701 S Bayshore Dr, 33133; 305 444 7270; www.coconutgrovechamber.com
Cutting the line Visit on a weekday if possible, as the town gets crowded on weekends.
Guided tours Ghost Tours Miami (786 236 9979; www.ghostgrove.com) offers family-friendly historic tours of Coconut Grove. Reserve a month in advance.
Age range 5 plus
Allow Half a day to a full day
Festival The Goombay Festival celebrates Coconut Grove’s Bahamian heritage, featuring Junkanoo groups (Jun or Aug)
< Practical Information: Miami
The Barnacle Historic State Park
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Practical Information
Address 3485 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, 33133; 305 442 6866; www.floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle
Bus 42 from Coral Gables.
Metro Metrorail from Coral Gables
Visitor information Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 2701 S Bayshore Dr, 33133; 305 444 7270; www.coconutgrovechamber.com
Open 9am–5pm Wed–Mon
Price $4–8
Guided tours There are guided tours ($6–12; under 5s free) of The Barnacle house at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm & 2:30pm Wed–Mon.
Age range 5 plus
Allow 1 hour
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Peacock Park
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Practical Information
Address 2820 McFarlane Rd, 33133; 305 442 0375.
Bus 42 from Coral Gables.
Metro Metrorail from Coral Gables
Visitor information Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 2701 S Bayshore Dr, 33133; 305 444 7270; www.coconutgrovechamber.com
Open daily.
Age range All ages
Allow 1 hour
< Practical Information: Miami
Fairchild Tropical Garden
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Practical Information
Address 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, 33156; 305 667 1651; www.fairchildgarden.org
Bus Route 136 (weekdays only).
Car From Coral Gables follow LeJeune Rd to Old Cutler Rd.
Open 9:30am–4:30pm daily
Price $74; under 6s free
Cutting the line Check the events calendar online to avoid parking and admission lines when the gardens host art events and family programs.
Guided tours Narrated open-air tram tours depart on the hour 10am–3pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm Sat–Sun.
Age range 3 plus
Activities For identifying plants and wildlife, ask about activity sheets at the information desk.
Allow 2 hours
Festival The International Mango Festival features mango treats, a fruit market, mango experts, and kids’ activities (mid-Jul).
< Practical Information: Miami
Deering Estate at Cutler
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Practical Information
Address 16701 SW 72nd Ave, Miami, 33157; 305 235 1668; www.deeringestate.org
Car Ren
t a car from Coral Gables.
Open 10am–5pm daily
Price $38–48; under 4s free
Cutting the line Avoid visiting when school or other groups might be touring.
Guided tours Guides tour the homes 10am & 3pm daily, also Jun–Sep: 12:30pm daily.
Age range 6 plus
Activities Special canoe tours for kids 9 plus and other kids’ events.
Allow 1–2 hours
< Practical Information: Miami
Zoo Miami
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Practical Information
Address 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, 33177; 305 251 0400; www.zoomiami.org
Train Metrorail to Dadeland South, then bus 252
Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily
Price $72–80; under 2s free
Cutting the line The zoo is busiest on weekends.
Guided tours Various tours and programs including guided tram or walking tours and an elevated air-conditioned monorail tour
Age range 2 plus
Activities Family-friendly activities include giraffe and parrot feeding stations and meet-the-zookeeper talks.
Allow 2–3 hours
< Practical Information: Miami
Coral Castle
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Practical Information
Address 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, 33033; 305 248 6345; www.coralcastle.com
Train Metrorail to Dadeland South, then bus 34 or 35
Visitor information Tropical Everglades Visitor Center, 160 US 1, Florida City, 33034; 305 245 9180; www.tropicaleverglades.com
Open 8am–6pm Sun–Thu (till 8pm Fri–Sat)
Price $44–60; under 7s free
Age range 4 plus
Allow 1 hour
< Practical Information: Miami
Downtown, Little Havana, Vizcaya, and around
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Practical Information
Getting around Traffic in the downtown area is not only confusing but also frustrating during rush hour. The elevated Metromover and Metrobus (www.miamidade.gov/transit) vehicles make it easier to get around these parts of town.
Visitor information Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1601 Biscayne Blvd, 33132; www.miamichamber.com. Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Ave, Ste 2700, Key Biscayne, 33131; 305 539 3094; www.miamiandbeaches.com
Supermarkets Publix at Miami River, 311 SW 7th St, 33130; 305 860 9477. Publix at Mary Brickell village, 911 SW 1st Ave, 33130; 305 358 1575. Publix at Brickell Village, 1345 SW 13th St, 33130; 305 860 2280. Check www.publix.com.
Markets El Palacio De Los Jugos, 5721 W Flagler St, 33144; 305 262 0070
Festivals Miami International Regatta, www.miamirowing.org (Apr). International Hispanic Theatre Festival, www.teatroavante.com (Jul)
Pharmacy Walgreens, 1 SE Third Ave, 33131; 305 373 4320; www.walgreens.com; open 24 hours daily
Nearest playgrounds Bayfront Park, 301 N Biscayne Blvd, 33132; open 24 hours (see Miami Children’s Museum). Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, 1200 S Crandon Blvd, 33149; 8am–sunset daily. Crandon Park, 4000 Crandon Blvd, 33149; sunrise–sunset daily. Virginia Key Beach Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, 33149; sunrise–sunset daily
< Practical Information: Miami
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
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Practical Information
Address 3251 S Miami Ave, 33129; 305 250 9133; www.vizcayamuseum.org
Metro Metrorail to Vizcaya station.
Bus Metrobus 48
Open 9:30am–4:30pm daily, closed Tue, Thanksgiving Day & Dec 25. Gardens: till 5:30pm
Price $48–72; under 6s free
Cutting the line Arrive early to explore the site by audio tour or to join a guided tour.
Guided tours Vizcaya runs guided tours in English daily (schedule varies, call for timings) and in Spanish at 2pm Sat–Sun. Self-guided audio tours are available in five languages, but sell out quickly when the museum is crowded.
Age range 6 plus; not suitable for younger kids as the interior of the house is strictly hands-off.
Activities Special maps and guide sheets are available for young visitors.
Allow 2 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Café Vizcaya Café
Shop Vizcaya Shop
Restrooms Near Vizcaya Café and Vizcaya Shop, south of the house entrance, and southwest of the gardens
Good family value? Reasonable prices and impressive gardens and mansion interiors make this great value for money.
< Practical Information: Miami
Calle Ocho – Little Havana
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Practical Information
Metro Metromover from downtown.
Bus Metrobus 6 from downtown.
Visitor information Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1601 Biscayne Blvd, 33132; 3053507700; www.miamichamber.com
Guided tours LittleHavanaGuide (littlehavanaguide.com) offers themed guided tours on the arts, music, and local secrets.
Age range 6 plus
Allow Half a day
Festival Carnaval Miami celebrates Latino culture (Feb or Mar)
< Practical Information: Miami
Pérez Art Museum Miami
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Practical Information
Address 1103 Biscayne Blvd, 33130; 305 375 3000; www.pamm.org
Bus Metromover and Metrobus route 103/C are best for getting around downtown.
Trolley Biscayne.
Visitor information Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1601 Biscayne Blvd, 33132; 305 350 7700; www.miamichamber.com
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun (to 9pm Thu)
Price $40–50; under 6s free (free on 1st Thu & 2nd Sat each month)
Guided tours Available Tue–Sun year-round; check website for details.
Age range 5 plus
Activities Special hands-on art activities for kids; check website for details.
Allow 1–2 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
< Practical Information: Miami
Miami Children’s Museum
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Practical Information
Address 980 MacArthur Causeway, 33132; 305 373 5437; www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Bus Metrobus 113/M or 119/S from downtown
Visitor information Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Ave, Ste 2700, 33131; 305 539 3094
Open 10am–6pm daily
Price $72; under 1s free
Cutting the line Call ahead to check if schools or groups will be visiting.
Age range 2 plus
Activities Download kids’ activity sheets from the website.
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: Miami
Jungle Island
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Practical Information
Address 111 Parrot Jungle Trail, 33132; 305 400 7000; www.jungleisland.com
Bus Metrobus 113/M or 119/S from downtown
Visitor information Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, 701 Brickell Ave, Ste 2700, 33131; 305 539 3094; www.miamiandbeaches.com
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri & 10am–6pm Sat–Sun
Price $146–60; under 3s free
Cutting the line Book tickets online and save time.
Guided tours The park offers special tours, including Jungle Encounter, Lemur Experience, VIP Safari tours, and guided audio tours in English and Spanish.
Age range 2 plus
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: Miami
Miami Seaquarium®
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Practical Information
Address 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, 33149; 305 361 5705; www.miamiseaquarium.com
Car Route 102/B from downtown. Bridge toll $1.75 round-trip
Visitor information Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 88 W. McIntyre St Ste. 100, 33149; 305 361 5207; www.keybiscaynechamber.org
Open 9:30am–6pm daily
Price $160–80; under 3
s free ($8 parking)
Cutting the line Order tickets online and save $2 per ticket.
Guided tours Sea Trek Reef Encounter lets visitors walk through an underwater tropical reef wearing a special breathing helmet, while the staff feed the fish.
Age range 2 plus
Allow 4 hours
Festival Bunny Palooza has Easter egg hunts and rides (Mar–Apr).
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Virginia Key Beach Park
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Practical Information
Address 4020 Virginia Beach Dr, 33149; 305 960 4600; www.virginiakeybeachpark.net
Car Route 102/B from downtown Miami. Bridge toll $1.75 round-trip
Visitor information Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 88 W. McIntyre St Ste. 100, 33149; 305 361 5207; www.keybiscaynechamber.org
Open Sunrise–sunset daily
