Long layover at MIA, what to do?

We arrive in Miami about 2:00 p.m. and our flight to Lima, Peru does not leave until near midnight. We will not have luggage to hassle, what can we do for 8 hours? should be back at airport by 10:00 p.m.

Long layover at MIA, what to do?

Miami is working toward connecting its airport to the mass transit system but isn%26#39;t there yet. The airport area is astonishingly congested, especially the north-south LeJeune Road. However, you can reasonably take a taxi (or perhaps even rent a car) and drive south, preferably from the rental-car area on NW 37th (Douglas Road) south to Coral Gables, an independent city dating to the 1920s, a short distance south of the airport. Miracle Mile has fancy shopping and there%26#39;s an abundance of eating places.

Long layover at MIA, what to do?

The Gables is a good recommendation and the closest but I%26#39;d avoid renting a car. Just grab a taxi. Coconut Grove is another option which has nice tree lined streets and alot of dining/entertainment options(shopping there is not great). Finally South Beach, you could make it there but I%26#39;d spend no more than 4.5 to 5 hours there. Leaving an hour to/from the airport just to be safe, though it shouldn%26#39;t take that long. Cab to South Beach would also be a little pricer than one to the Gables or Grove.

Thanks for the input! We are anxious to start our trip.

About how much is the cab to south beach now?

Depends on zone in South Beach but it should be a flat rate between $28-$46

cab it to Joe%26#39;s stonecrab for some claws and a keylime pie to go for your flight of course!

You will probably find more of interest in South Beach than anywhere else. Cab from the airport to anywhere in SoBe will be $32.00 flat rate + tip. Same on return. Metered fare to downtown Coral Gables will be about $20.00 + tip.

$32.00 is not bad for 3 people. If we asked to go to Versaces(sp) mansion, which I believe is 10th and Ocean Drive would that be a good place to be dropped off. We also arrive in Miami at around 2:00 and leave for Peru about midnight. Would love to have a great place to walk around, shop and have a good dinner before we go back to Miami Airport for Peru. Any feed back would be truly welcomed. This is going to be a trip of my lifetime. Machu pichu here I come - let alone being able to visit Miami on the way there and back. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

DEnver --

Casa Casaurina (the old Versace mansion) is between 11 %26amp; 12 %26amp; Ocean Dr. Unless it%26#39;s an off hour, don%26#39;t ever take a cab to Ocean Dr. It%26#39;s one way %26amp; often jammed. Take the cab to the same cross street on Collins Ave %26amp; then walk the block to Ocean Dr. Both you %26amp; the the cab driver will appreciate the time saving.

While I wonder about traffic logistics of getting to and from South Beach, the former Versace mansion is at a central location. Lincoln Road is the local restaurant row.

The Versace building is distinctly not Art Deco, so it sticks out.