Taking off Travel blog

Partial aerial view of Miami

I first went to Miami more years ago than I care to remember. I’d landed my first job and was struggling to extricate myself from the penury of being a student. There was a deal on, and off I went. In those days I didn’t have to worry about Miami airport parking, as we traveled around by public transport or on foot. It was more of a shopping trip than a sightseeing one, but I made up for it on subsequent visits.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is a hub. It’s bursting with people and very busy. It’s among the world’s busiest international airports. If you have a layover in Miami, it’s probably better to escape the hubbub and take a short trip to a local attraction. Here are a few to choose from.

Racing And Sports

Less than three miles away from the airport is the 7,000 seater Flagler greyhound racing stadium, which is perfect for those who want a flutter. With a sports bar, daily races, a poker room and a weekend flea market, there’s something to do no matter which day of the week you land.

Eco-Friendly

We’ve already highlighted some Florida eco-tours, but you can add to the list of eco experiences by traveling less than four miles to a Dragonfly Expedition. Join up with a group of 12 and you can do the Everglades all day tour for $130 a person, with a three course gourmet lunch thrown in. This is perfect for a corporate get together or conference jaunt, as going it alone will cost you $960. The tour is available mid-September to mid-May.

South Beach

Still within the four mile radius is Miami’s South Beach. This is a great place to spend a day in the sun, do some shopping at the local boutiques, enjoy great food of all cuisines at the restaurants and cafes in the area, or pamper yourself with a spa experience. South Beach is the place to go for atmosphere, so don’t miss it.

Coral Gables

One sight worth seeing is the home of Coral Gables founder, George Merrick. Merrick House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored to its 1925 splendor. On Wednesday and Sunday afternoons you can explore the family’s memorabilia, artwork and other treasures. The Merrick House brochure gives more information.

These are only a few of the great things you can do near Miami Airport. I’ll be revisiting this destination later in the year.

Tags: Attractions, layover in miami, MIA, miami, miami airport parking, miami attractions

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 4:39 am and is filed under Attractions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.