Relax and Recuperate in Vibrant Miami

As you are recovering, you will want to be up and around as soon as possible without overdoing it. As you see daily improvement, why not enjoy some of the many attractions and activities that Miami has to offer. If your loved one accompanies you, they may enjoy some of the more rigorous activities on this list.

Sea and Sand

Enjoy the ocean by getting out on the water. Charter a boat:

Tropical Boat - Rents power boats in Bayside; Phone (786) 218-3030.
Fast Track - Rents power boats in Miami Beach and Bayside; Phone (305) 223-3488.
Miami Catamarans - Rents Hobie Cats in Key Biscayne; Phone (305) 345-4104.
relax in vibrant miamiSpot manatees in their natural habitat. Not too far from our Coral Gables office, at the intersection of Old Cutler, Sunset, and Douglas Road you may catch a glimpse. Other viewing spots are: Black Point Marina, Oleta Park, and Dante Fascell Visitor Center.

Experience Backcounty Flats Fishing -- Go fly fishing and light tackle fishing in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Try night tarpon fishing at secret spots in Downtown Miami.

Charter a Deep Sea Fishing Trip -- Book a private fishing charter at one of these locations: Crandon Park, Haulover Park, Bayside Marketplace, and Miami Beach Marina. Deep sea fishing charters are approximately $500 to $600 for a half day.

If you're on a budget, $30 will get you passage on a larger drift fishing party boat like Reward; Phone (305) 372-9470, or Sea Legs; Phone (954) 923-2109.

Picnic on the Beach -- There are over a dozen great beaches in Miami many with picnic areas, barbecue grills, and play areas for kids. Some noteworthy beach parks include: Sunny Isles Beach, South Pointe Park, Haulover Beach, Matheson Park, and Crandon Park.

Take a Snorkel Trip -- Eco-Adventure tours are a great way to explore Miami's parks and wildlife preserves. These narrated tours combine kayaking and snorkeling in the warm waters of Biscayne Bay. Tours are conducted in North Miami at Pelican Harbor Marina and Crandon Park’s Bear Cut Marine Preserve; Phone (305) 365-3018.

Swim with Dolphins at Miami Seaquarium or Theater of the Sea, located 80 miles south in Islamorada; Phone (305) 664-2431.

Rent a Wave Runner -- You can find wave runners for rent at Miami Beach Marina with American Water Sports; Phone (305) 538-7549, or take a Jet Ski Tour of Miami where you visit six nearby islands; Phone (305) 345-5770. Rentals are also available right on the beach behind some of the fancier hotels.

Rent a Kayak or Paddle Board -- Miami offers many places where you can have a back-to-nature kayak adventure:

North American Canoes, specializes in Everglades kayaking tours; Phone (239) 695-3299.
Inside Oleta State Park, Blue Moon rents kayaks by the hour. Phone (305) 957-3040.
South Beach Kayak has rentals and self guided tours where you can paddle around Key Biscayne, Star Island, Hibiscus Island, and Monument Island; Phone (305) 332-2853.

Land Activities in Miami

Pamper Yourself -- Miami is a great place to relax a stressed-out body and mind. While you're here, treat yourself to a day spa, or massage. Ask our staff about favorite spas near your hotel.

Walk down the Boardwalk -- Miami Beach's four mile boardwalk runs from 5th to 46th Street. The paved and wooded walkway runs along Ocean Drive providing views of the hotel pools on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. You can also find boardwalks near the beach in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale.

Take a Helicopter Tour -- See magnificent views of Miami's most exclusive locations. Helicopter tours depart from heliports at Tamiami Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Miami Seaplane Tours Are an Adventure -- Take off from the waters of Biscayne Bay and enjoy the sights as far north as Ft. Lauderdale and far West as the Florida Everglades. Tours last from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your selection. Phone (305) 361-3909.

Enjoy an IMAX movie at the Museum of Science in Fort Lauderdale; (Map); Phone (954) 463-4629.

Take in a Professional Sport -- Depending on what season it is, you can be part of the excitement at Dolphins Football, Marlins Baseball, Panthers Hockey, or Heat Basketball.

Go find some Gators on Everglades Airboat Rides -- The Florida Everglades are just 35 miles west of Miami.

Go Sightseeing -- Explore Miami on a guided tour of the city or the surrounding area:

Architecture Walking Tours -- Learn about South Beach hotels and other structures with a visit to a number of interiors.

Miami City Tours -- Experience all of Miami on these guided city tours. See Bayside, little Havana, Coconut Grove, South Beach.

Duck Tour -- An amphibious vehicle will tour South Beach landmarks, then drop into the water for a short cruise.

Take a Boat Cruise -- Island Queen offers a 90 minute guided cruise along Biscayne Bay.

Eco-Adventure Tours -- Miami-Dade County offers many different ways to see Miami by canoe. Paddle through canals on the Coral Gables waterway. Experience a nighttime canoe trip around the Deering Estate. Watch the sun set over Black Point or Crandon Park.

Miami Cultural Tours -- Uncover the cultural history of little Havana, Allapatah, little Haiti, Downtown Miami, Jewish Heritage, liberty City, Coconut Grove, and Miami Beach Art Deco District.

Take a Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise -- This 550 passenger riverboat offers guided tours up the New River where you can see Fort Lauderdale's famous waterfront homes, and a stop off at the Jungle Queen Indian Village. Afternoon and dinner cruises available.

Go to the Bahamas for the day -- Discovery cruise ship offers daily cruises to Grand Bahama Island. One-way Bahamas trips start at $39. Cruises depart daily from the Port in Fort Lauderdale at 7:45am, and return at 10pm.

Take a day trip to Fort Lauderdale by Water Taxi -- Broward County Transit provides water taxi service along the Intracoastal, connecting beach attractions and hotels with downtown Fort Lauderdale. Service is offered from 10:30am to 11:30pm. An All Day Pass is $11. On Tuesdays, the Water Taxi offers $19 round trip service to South Beach; (Map and Schedule); Phone (954) 467-6677.

Savor a Cuban Coffee -- This caffeinated blend starts with strong, sweet espresso. Add a little steamed milk for a cortadito, and a lot of milk for a café con leche.

Wander around Miami’s neighborhoods

Art Deco District -- Noteworthy Art Deco buildings include the Sherbrooke Hotel and the Miami Beach Post Office.
Ocean Drive -- This is the street that has made Miami famous.
lincoln Road -- The pedestrian only shopping area in South Beach is home to many restaurants, shops, art galleries, as well as retail outlets and a movie theatre.
Espanola Way -- Runs from Collins west to Pennsylvania, this area was modeled after the Mediterranean villages of southern Europe.

More Miami Landmarks to Visit

The Holocaust Memorial -- This memorial is a world famous sculpture garden honoring those who perished in the Holocaust. Holocaust Memorial is located at 1945 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach; (Map); Phone (305) 538-1663.

The Fairchild Garden -- The 83 acre garden contains an extensive collection of tropical plants. Visitors can enjoy tram, audio and walking tours, as well as a butterfly garden, a bird watching section, and a tropical fruit tree pavilion. Fairchild Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; (Map); Phone (305) 667-1651

The Charles Deering Estate -- The estate covers a 440-acre property and mansion. The grounds have the largest coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the United States. Guided day and moonlight canoe tours are available by appointment. Charles Deering Estate is located at 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 235-1668.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens -- "Hearst Castle of the East", Vizcaya is a 10-acre, Italian Renaissance-style mansion with gardens open to the public. Vizcaya is located at 3251 South Miami Ave., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 250-9133.

The Coral Castle -- Located near Homestead, the castle is comprised of numerous coral stones, each weighing several tons. Many of the castle structures are notable, including machines to tell time, home-made air conditioners, and a nine-ton revolving door. Psychic Day is the first Saturday of every month. Coral Castle is located at 28655 South Dixie Hwy., Homestead; (Map); Phone (305) 248-6345.

Miami Attractions

Miami MetroZoo -- 20 miles from downtown Miami, you'll find the largest zoological preserve in South Florida. From October to March, the zoo offers nighttime tours that start with a pizza dinner and last 2 hours. MetroZoo is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 251-0400.

Miami Seaquarium -- The first marine park attraction in South Florida. In addition to marine mammals, they house fish, sharks, sea turtles, reptiles and manatees. Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne; (Map); Phone (305) 365-2507.

lion Country Safari -- This drive-through safari-like park is 45 miles north of Miami. The first cageless zoo in the United States. lion Country Safari is located at 2003 lion Country Safari Rd., Loxahatchee; Phone (561) 793-1084.

Play the Odds

Seminole Hard Rock Casino -- Between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, this 86-acre resort has a Vegas-like casino, a tropical pool area with water slides, and a Hard Rock Cafe. Hard Rock is located at 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; (Map); Phone (954) 364-4140.

Horizon's Edge Casino Cruise -- Departs from Bayside Marketplace 7 days a week. Horizon's Edge features onboard gambling, gourmet buffet, and live entertainment; Phone (781) 581-7733.

Jai-Alai -- There are two jai-alai frontons in South Florida:

Miami Jai-Alai is open year-round from noon to 5pm (closed: Tuesdays). Evening matches start at 7pm Mon, Fri and Sat. They also have simulcast wagering, and a card room for poker & dominoes.
Dania Jai-Alai opens at 7pm Tues. - Sat. The poker room is open 12pm to 12am Tue - Sat. Dania Jai-Alai is set to open its slots room sometime in 2008.
Horse Racing at Gulfstream Park -- The track is open from mid-January through late March. Gulfstream Park is located at 901 South Federal Hwy., Hallandale; (Map); Phone (954) 454-7000.

Miami Area Parks and Nature Preserves

The Kampong Tropical Gardens -- Kampong is located at 4013 Douglas Rd, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; Phone (305) 442-7169.

Everglades National Park -- See alligators in their natural habitat. Everglades National Park is located at 40001 State Rd. 9336, Homestead; (Map); Phone (305) 242-7700.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park includes approximately 70 nautical square miles of Atlantic Ocean waters. The reefs can be viewed from glass-bottom boats, or by snorkeling or scuba diving. Other activities available in the park are canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing. The visitor center has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. John Pennekamp Park is located at 102601 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo; Phone (305) 451-1202.

Maximo Gomez Park, also known as "Domino Park", in little Havana is filled, almost all day with locals playing dominoes and chess. Domino Park is located at 801 SW 15th Ave., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 285-1684.

Fruit and Spice Park -- The park grows 125 varieties of mango (orange, green, purple, red, and yellow), 75 varieties of bananas, 70 varieties of bamboo, and many exotic edibles. They also offer a tram tour. Visitors are invited to the tasting counter inside the store. Fruit and Spice Park is located at 24801 SW 187th Ave., Homestead; (Map); Phone (305) 247-5727.

Museums and Art Galleries of Miami

Wolfsonian Museum -- The Museum explores the role of design at the height of the industrial age (1885-1945) in the context of social, political, and technological issues. Admission is free after 6pm on Friday. Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; (Map); Phone (305) 531-1001.

ArtCenter of South Florida -- This public art gallery exists to provide affordable workspace for outstanding visual artists. The gallery encompasses 2 buildings with 52 artists' studios, exhibition galleries, and art classrooms. Admission is Free. ArtCenter is located at 800 lincoln Rd., Miami Beach; (Map); Phone (305) 674-8278.

World Erotic Art Museum -- This museum houses an impressive collection of erotic art. Visitors can find 4,000 objects, and pop-culture fare, such as the giant rocking male member used in Stanley Kubrick’s film “A Clockwork Orange”. World Erotic Art is located at 1205 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; (Map); Phone (305) 532-9336.

Rubell Family Art Collection -- This contemporary art collection is owned by the Miami hotelier family, the Rubell's. The gallery is housed north of Downtown Miami inside a former Drug Enforcement Agency warehouse. The collection contains more than a thousand works of contemporary art, by artists such as Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Paul McCarthy, and Charles Ray. The gallery is located at 95 NW 29th St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 573-6090.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida -- This museum is one of the largest private history museums in the country. The Research Center includes 1,900 maps, and more than one and a half million photographic images. The museum also houses over 12,000 local artifacts, including a lighthouse lens, refugee rafts, a 1920s trolley car, shipwreck treasure, and artifacts from Pan American Airways. Much of the collection illustrates the main themes permeating South Florida history: environmental influences, immigration, maritime industries, aviation, and tourism. Historical Museum is located at 101 W Flagler St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 375-1492.

Bay of Pigs Museum -- This museum documents memoirs of the Cold War Era, the Bay of Pigs invasion, Operation Mongoose, the Missile Crisis, and contributions made by Cuban exiles. The collection includes artifacts used by brigade members, and secret pictures taken by CIA and foreign news persons stationed in Cuba at the time of the events. Bay of Pigs Museum is located at 1821 SW 9th St., Miami; Phone (305) 649-4719.

World of Bacardi Museum -- Bacardi's Miami site is home to two amazing structures: an 8-story tower with ceramic tile murals, and a square building with stained glass walls, raised 47 feet off the ground. The museum covers corporate and family history from 1862 through today. Call to schedule a Free Tour. Bacardi Museum is located at 2100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; Phone (305) 573-8511.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum -- This museum is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and operating historic railroad equipment. In addition to the railroad engines and cars permanently on display, the historic railroad "rides" are also working educational exhibits. Gold Coast Railroad Museum is located at 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami; Phone (305) 253-0063

Miami Art Museum -- This museum's art reflects the cosmopolitan makeup of Miami. Art in America magazine called MAM “the quintessential Miami collection”. Exhibitions are both original presentations and exhibitions from other museums. Miami Art Museum is located at 101 West Flagler St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 375-3000.

Bass Museum of Art -- Art is displayed from the Museum's permanent collection as well as compilations loaned from National and International exhibitions. Bass Museum is located at 12450 SW 152nd St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 253-0063

Miami Shops and Services

Bal Harbour Shops -- An exclusive outdoor shopping mall anchored by Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Fendi, Armani, Prada, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Tiffany. Bal Harbour Shops is located at 9601 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour; (Map); Phone (305) 866-0311.

Bayside Market -- Near the American Airlines Arena and Port of Miami, an open-air mall with shops, restaurants, a marina, rides, and entertainment. Bayside is located at 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 577-3344.

Coco Walk -- This open-air shopping mall houses 38 shops, a movie theatre, and restaurants. lively nightlife fills the courtyard with live entertainment. Coco Walk is located at 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove; (Map); Phone (305) 444-0777.

Las Olas Riverfront -- Las Olas Boulevard is a popular thoroughfare in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Trendy shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, hotels, and a 15 theatre cinema. Las Olas Riverfront is located at 300 SW 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale; (Map); Phone (954) 522-6556.

Sawgrass Mills -- Outlet mall featuring more than 350 name-brand stores and outlets; restaurants, cinemas and entertainment venues. This is the largest outlet mall in the world. Sawgrass Mills is located at 12801 W Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise; (Map); Phone (954) 846-2351.

Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) -- Showcases 150 showrooms of interior design, fine furniture, fabrics, flooring, lighting, kitchen, bath, art, antiques, accessories, appliances, window treatments, decorative hardware, paint, surfacing and much more. DCOTA is located at 1855 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach; Phone (954) 920-7997.