FUN IN THE SUN IN MIAMI
By Golda Turner
Already dreading the thought of shoveling snow? Are you a snow bird that wants to escape to the warmth of Florida? Planning to visit parents or grandparents that have retired to the Sunshine State?
Sunny Miami is a just a short plane ride south from the NY Tri-State area. But in the cold of winter it feels like a world away. The sun’s rays warm your heart. You can forget about coats, gloves, and shawls. Palm trees sway in the breeze. The ocean beckons with gentle waves lapping at the sandy beach.
Much of Miami is composed of islands bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is a common sight for traffic to be held up as a ship passes under a drawbridge. Water passes through the main business district, with yachts parked just a few feet from hi-rise office buildings. And large cruise ships dot the horizon as you serenely gaze at the ocean vista.
The main attraction of Miami is, of course, the two W’s---weather and water. They make it a great place to escape to when your home town is bathed in snow and ice. The temperate weather allows beach goers to revel in the ocean waves or sun bathe year-round. With miles and miles of pristine beach and a year-round water temperature over 70 degrees, the draw of the ocean is irresistible.
To make your trip easier, the Miami Trolley is a free service that runs along several routes in the Miami area. For more information or live tracking, see https://www.miamigov.com/Transportation-Roadways/Trolley-Information/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps or dial 311 when local. Wheelchair accessible.
Many types of water sports such as sailing, jet skiing and speed boating are available for your pleasure.
Miami is the perfect place to sail on a sunset cruise. There are many yachts for hire in the area. Take a water tour of Millionaire’s Row, Biscayne Bay, Port of Miami, the Miami Skyline, and more. Island Queen Cruises (Miami www.islandqueencruises.com 844-215-6546) offers a large fleet of yachts of various sizes available for public and private cruises. Miami Tour Company (Miami www.miamitourcompany.com/bayride-boat-tour 305-260-6855) provides a narrated tour of the area on a wheelchair accessible yacht. Or you can search for the perfect boat on www.Getmyboat.com.
If you love thrills, Thriller Miami (Miami www.thrillermiami.com/ 305-371-3278) is the speedboat for you. Enjoy a 45 minute water tour of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, Fisher Island, the Mansions of Star Island, and Downtown Miami.
Looking for a different kind of tour? Duck Tours South Beach (Miami www.ducktourssouthbeach.com 305-673-2217) runs amphibious buses which will take you on an unforgettable tour through the streets of Miami and splash into Biscayne Bay for a floating tour of the harbor.
Would you like to view Miami from up above? Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel (Miami www.skyviewsmiami.com) towers almost 200 feet above Bayside Marketplace, and offers unparalleled views of Biscayne Bay, Bayfront Park, and the Downtown Miami skyline.
Zoo Miami (Miami, www.zoomiami.org 305-255-5551) Open-air exhibits showcase more than 3,000 animals, spread across 750 acres. Climb aboard the air-conditioned monorail to discover experiences that include hand-feeding a giraffe, parrot, or even a rhino, cooling off on the Lostman’s River Ride, and learning about animals and the environment through hands-on creative play at the Animal Fun Factory. Wheelchair accessible. Other accommodations by request.
How about a trip through a jungle of moneys? At Monkey Jungle (Miami www.monkeyjungle.com 305-253-1611) the humans are caged in, walking on special pathways, while the monkeys swing freely through the trees and scamper about.
Miami Seaquarium (Miami, www.miamiseaquarium.com 305-361-5705) Enjoy amazing shows with dolphins and sea lions. Exhibits include flamingoes, manatees, sea turtles, penguins, stingrays, sharks, and more. Learn about animal conservation and rehabilitation. Extras include entering the water to interact with dolphins and seals or donning special gear to feed the fish in the 300,000 gallon reef exhibit. Wheelchair accessible.
Miami Children’s Museum (Miami www.miamichildrensmuseum.org 305-373-5437) Young children will learn about the world while playing. Exhibits include a castle, art, bank, construction, glass making, health & wellness, supermarket, cruise ship, music, pets, safety, and much more. The museum is wheelchair accessible, sensory friendly, and provides assistance for the visually impaired. Other accommodations by request.
Frost Museum of Science (Miami www.frostscience.org 305-434-9600) A multi-sensory museum where you will discover the secrets of our bodies, our world and our universe through the eyes of scientists. Expand your knowledge in the aquarium, planetarium, and other scientific exhibits. Wheelchair accessible.
I love the sight and smell of colorful flowers. Don’t you? At Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Miami www.fairchildgarden.org) you can stroll or roll through accessible gardens planted with thousands of beautiful tropical flowers including orchids and tropical fruit trees even in mid-winter. Aaaahhhh!
While at the Fairchild gardens, make sure to wander into the Wings of Tropics, a butterfly conservatory housing more than 40 species of colorful butterflies.
Do you miss the cold and ice? Then visit Kendall Ice Arena (Miami www.kendallicearena.com 305-386-8288) for a session of skating on the ice.
Is go-karting more your speed? Indoor Karting Miami (Medley www.k1speed.com/Miami 786-838-0612) features thrilling adult and junior electric go karts as well as an arcade and other games.
Are you a nature lover? While in the Miami area, take a trip to the nearby Everglades National Park (www.visitflorida.com/things-to-do/outdoors-and-nature/parks/everglades-national-park). This unique habitat is made up of forests and wetlands which are home to many types of wildlife including panthers, alligators, manatees, and more. You can tour the Everglades by foot or on an airboat which glides over the sawgrass and cattails. Both airboat rentals and group tours are available.
One place to visit is Everglades Alligator Farm (Homestead www.everglades.com 305-247-2628) where you can ride an airboat into the Everglades, see an alligator show, and even hold a baby alligator!
So be a snow bird this year. Leave the chill and ice behind. Spread your wings and fly south for a short break. Catch a flight to Miami and enjoy winter fun in the sun.