Getaways

Interested in getting out of the city? There is a lot to see close by! Here are some ideas.

Miami -- check out South Beach, the Art Deco region, the Wynwood Walls, and the Design District. Also, the Miami Seaquarium is fun. Traffic is a beast, though, so be sure to avoid rush hour!!

Everglades -- I highly recommend a day trip to see the Florida everglades. Alligators are everywhere! We like Everglades Holiday Park. You can take an airboat ride out into the glades and see the wildlife, and then watch an real alligator wrestling demonstration. You can even eat alligator nuggets! https://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/
A more authentic way to see the Everglades is to visit Shark Valley park and rent bicycles, or take the tram. You will see alligators all along the trail.
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/svdirections.htm

Theme parks -- Most theme parks are about 2 1/2 hours away; sometimes we go and come home in the same day! Of course, all four Disney parks and two Universal Studios are the main ones, but there is also Legoland, Sea World, Wet 'n Wild, and Busch Gardens that are fun.

Bahamas -- The Bahamas are just a hop away; not a day trip, but it can make for an awesome weekend. We like to take the Balearia Fast Ferry from Ft Lauderdale to Freeport, Grand Bahamas, and stay at the Pelican Bay hotel. If you like scuba diving or snorkeling, go to UNEXSO for an adventure. Definitely plan on the pool and beach at Taino Bay; it's available for use if you're staying at most hotels in the area.

St. Augustine -- Also a weekend trip instead of a day trip, but a beautiful old-Florida town to visit for a taste of a different kind of Florida. Also, the beaches here are to die for.

The Keys -- A weekend in the Keys can be a lot of fun. The beaches aren't great but the scuba diving, snorkeling, and water sports are awesome. Bahia Honda and Key West are favorites, and the drive down through the islands is like nothing else.