things to do in Miami?

Hey everybody,

I'm going to Miami for work the first week of August. I'm flying in Ft. Lauderdale, and have a conference in a hotel in downtown Miami for two full days.

I'm thinking of staying two extra days, Friday and Saturday, flying back on Sunday afternoon instead of Friday morning.

I've never been to Miami before. I don't really know much about it. What should I do at night during the conference (I won't have a car). are there other things I could go see on Friday without a car? What else could I do with my Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning if I do have a car?

I'll be traveling alone, I'm not much on going out on my own, so I don't think I actually need to see south beach on Friday or Saturday night. being a pretty laid back guy, would I better served making the drive to Key West? are there any easy recommended stops for wildlife viewing / things to see in the everglades?

I also have some logistical issues, assuming I fly into FLL, I found the GO shuttle to downtown Miami. I'm not entirely sure how to get back to FLL, it doesn't seem like I could rent a car in downtown Miami and return for a reasonable rate to FLL, so I'm not sure if I should shuttle back to FLL Thursday evening and rent a car from the airport, or if I should rent a car in downtown miami, and deal with returning a car Sunday morning (many of the places seem to be closed) and getting a shuttle to the airport then.

anyway, I still have no idea what I'm getting into here... somebody tell me something about Miami, please!

bath salts?

I went there for work once. Ate at Barton G's. THE MOST AMAZING DESSERT EVER. Just google some pics!

I was there for work, so I didn't really get to do anything I wanted. Had fun walking about south beach and people watching!

any reasonable places to stay on South Beach? maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't seem like there are many direct ways between downtown and south beach without a car?

mrlaugh --- I lived in Miami the last 4 years (went to college there). What type of activities are you in to? There is a lot to do there but I'd need to know what direction to send you in

I'm traveling alone and I'm into photography - I'm always up for things are interesting to shoot, decent people watching, things that show a little actual local culture rather than just being tourist hot spots.

About the only thing I know I want to do is tour Marlins Park, and probably drive out to see something in the everglades. I assume South Beach is a must see, but I don't know when or for how long. I'm a transportation geek, and the drive out to Key West intrigues me.

I was at the Ritz Carlton.

Here's a 1940's era hotel in Miami Beach. It's nothing fancy at all, but it's one block walking distance to the beach: Baltic Hotel [baltichotelmiamibeach.com]

Welcome some Cuban immigrants?

alligator pettin zoo?

Quote from w3kn : Welcome some Cuban immigrants?

That's not a nice statement!

Nude beach.

Quote from zzyzzx : Nude beach.

South beach eh

Quote from MIAMIGUY305 : That's not a nice statement!

Why not? Don't a lot of immigrants start in Miami?