10 hours in Miami - where to go?

[Bajansailor]

I shall have 10 hours to kill in Miami next Wednesday (8th) in between arriving from Barbados and leaving in the evening for Baltimore, where I am going sailing on the Chesapeake for a week with a fellow forumite.

I presume / hope that I will be allowed out of the airport once I have run the gauntlet of the various Customs and Immigration officers, hence I am thinking about hopping on a bus into town (is this feasible?) and having a wander round the waterfront, look at boats, perhaps have a look in a few boaty shops......

But I have never been to Miami before, apart from in-transit once for an hour 10 years ago, hence why I would love to receive suggestions re what to do and where to go.

 

[jonic]

Hi Bajan

Have a look at South Beach. It's one of the coolest places for people watching....not very boaty though. Great bars and restaurants and stunning art deco buildings. I'm sure you can hop on a low cost transit to get there.

We are half way up the Chesapeake so may see you when you get here...what's the boats name you will be sailing on (PM me if you prefer).

Oh and don't forget to have life jackets in your dinghy, a whistle, torch, holding tanks, throwing rings and whatever you do don't go fast. We were stopped yesterday for doing two kts in the dink in a no wake zone. Apparently ripples were seen hitting the bank (seriously). A friend was hit with a 400 dollar fine for speeding in a 6hp dink.

Apart from that the sailings been great

 

[jeremyshaw]

Miami is my least favourite airport in the world.

I am sure you will be "allowed out" (but check your status re visas) as one of the reasons it can take ages to transit (my 'record' is 3 hours) is because you have to go through customs and immigration twice - with retinal and fingerprint scanning coming in.

Afraid I can't recommend places to go - we've never left the airport except to get bussed to a HoJo after a missed connection thanks to those lovely queues.

 

[ChrisE]

I'd agree with South Beach and would add Biscayne Bay which is a bit further south.

Or you could always go to the marina just to starboard of Miami port. We moored there for a week a few years ago. Plenty of boats to look at and the odd chandlery or two. If you want more info PM me and I'll dig out the details.

 

[laurance]

Madam Georges, ask for Juanita.

 

[westernman]

My experience of transit in the US is that you will have to clear customs and immigration on arriving with all your baggage (carry on and hold).

To get your next flight, you then have to checkin again, and go through security and passport control.

Last time I transitted in Los Angeles it took me 3h30 to get from one Air New Zealand plane another Air New Zealand plane parked right next to it on the tarmac at the adjacent gate.

In your case as you are transferring to an internal flight, the departure checkin and security will be a bit quicker - but not much.

I doubt you will be able to check in 10 hours before your flight leaves. So I suspect if you want to pop out of the airport, you will have to take all your luggage with you - I am not sure if left luggage lockers exist anymore at airports!

A right PITA.

--

 

[ChrisE]

The OP said that he is flying onto another US destination. My experience is that once into the US (and yes this does take a while, although Miami seem to have sent their officials to charm school, relative to the rottwielers they used to epmloy)and flying internally you are then subject only to the same checkin process as a local and that it doesn't take that long

 

[Bajansailor]

Thank you everybody for the useful suggestions above!
South Beach sounds interesting (I like architecture), and I shall do a bit of googling to see if I can find a visitor's map to print.

The travel agent told me that even though I do not require a visitor's visa (UK passport), I do need to submit one of these ESTA forms beforehand, to warn the Department of Homeland Security that I am coming - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?...D4-53B52AAD57B2

Hopefully I will be able to check in my bag for the Baltimore flight after arriving in the morning - but I shall aim to travel light (just a small wheelie-bin type bag) in case we have to stay together.

Jon, I shall scribble an email to you re Chesapeake plans.

 

[Lizzie_B]

/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gifshame. I'm going out to the old tub for 4 weeks in august.... Wednesday evening at Pirates Cove, Galesville, West River is a great party night, if you can persuade your host to visit. Look for the crew of Bump...Pam, Noelle, Beth and Dale. Tell em I sent you. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Richard Shead]

Had this a few times myself, clear customs etc then head down to South Beach, grab some folding, sit in the News Cafe (yes I know its a tourist thing) and people watch (roller skating men in thongs are the best), then head back to airport taking traffic into consideration!

Have fun

 

[Jeannius]

[ QUOTE ]
I shall have 10 hours to kill in Miami next Wednesday

[/ QUOTE ]

Martin... 10 hours is plenty long enough to GET KILLED in Miami. Stay in the airport /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rum_Pirate]

[ QUOTE ]
Had this a few times myself, clear customs etc then head down to South Beach, grab some folding, sit in the News Cafe (yes I know its a tourist thing) and people watch (roller skating men in thongs are the best), then head back to airport taking traffic into consideration!

[/ QUOTE ] Is this a particular voluptuary hobby subject that tickles your fancy? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Richard Shead]

Nope but the more cocktails you have the more bizarre the scene...

I did think I may get a reaction after I posted that!

Still anything has to be better than 10 hours in Miami airport unless of course its Halloween when it can be quite fun with the entire airport dressing up!

 

[Bajansailor]

TNX for all the suggestions above!
ESTA form has been submitted, and approved, so just have to hope they like the look of me when I arrive.
South Beach or Biscayne Bay sounds like a plan, altho I am not too fussed about observing thonged roller bladers in action.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have heard that the crime rate in Miami is rather high, but I shall be careful - I have been advised not to use the buses in / out of town, will see what taxi fares are like.
And once I get up to the Chesapeake, I shall keep a weather eye out for Lizzie B's Bumpers if we get to Pirates Cove.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[chasroberts]

If you've a few hours and it's hot I can absolutely thoroughly recommend Coral Gables Venetian Pool possibly one of the best inner city swimming holes I've ever seen. Cheap(ish) and secure it's a little haven of tranquility away from the madding crowd and worth the entry fee just to see the place.

Enjoy whatever you decide.

Chas

 

[Ken_Irby]

Hooter\'s - South Marina

don't tell Kentrina
Chas

 

[BurnitBlue]

There is (or was) a yacht chandler in Miami called "Crook and Crook". Worth a photo of the shop if they are still in business.

 

[ColdFusion]

[ QUOTE ]
...sit in the News Cafe (yes I know its a tourist thing) and people watch (roller skating men in thongs are the best)

[/ QUOTE ]

Whatever turns you on Richard!
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif