DirtyFilthy:

Something else. If you have time and a rental car go to Shark Valley Visitor Center in Everglades National Park
Shark Valley Linky
It is about 25 miles west of downtown Miami on US Route 41 called the Tamiami Trail.

A couple of years ago I was in Florida with my son. He had been down the previous year with his girlfriend. He was mad to get me to go to the Everglades. I wasn't that keen but went to humour him (readers with grown kids will understand). The kid was right. Great place to visit.

It is very hard to believe that you are still legally within the limits of Miami and Dade county. You can take a tram trip through the park and the driee tells you all about the wildlife. All kinds of snakes, birds, lots of alligators etc. At the turnaround point there is a observastion tower and when you go up you see about nothing made by man except the road you came in on.

The entry fee to the park is $10 per car. It was a couple of years since I took the tram tour but I think it was $15. You can hike the 15 mile road but do so only if you have no fear of gators and poisonous snakes, pythons etc. I think the tour is worth it.

Even if your not a fan, catching a game at the heats stadium is worth the ticket price too

Hire a car and buzz over the other side of Florida. The Gulf bit. Full of demented old hippies and guys who've 'Never been the same since Vietnam'. A bit more laid back than Miami or the Disney nightmare. And far less hassle if you're landing coke. Not that you are, obviously. That would be illegal. Just saying...

Sorry, just I'm struggling to think of another reason you'd go to Miami?

Dirtyfilthymech:

The Iron Duke has an excellent point if you have the time. West coast has a lot of nice places to vist. I have condo on the west cost i do not get to much but as of Feb 26th I am retired and will be there more.

Another thread on what is cheap/free with military ID has a lot of discussion on this. Check out Other thread linky

Another alternative is Key West. The southernmost point in the US. Lots of nightlife. People gather at the town pier at sundown to watch the snset and will applaud a particularly nice sunset. There is a USN base quite close to downtown. Key West is about 150-175 miles south of Miami and is a bout a 3.5 hour drive. For US military there is lots of MWR housing dirt cheap. Not sure about other military people using it, I think not unless you are in US on orders. The nice officers club at Key West os now open to all ranks I think (no idea what rank you are) and does a really great Sunday Brunch. Last time i was there the TV was a bit odd as you are closer to Havana than Miami and the only channel that came in well broadcast loooong speeches by Fidel. I presume they have cable down ther now.

Also, word of warning. For reasons that are totally unclear to me young US women seem to think a British accent is very sexy (probably Hugh Grant influence) and you may have a surplus. Being American I don't have this problem and any young woman is likely to think I remind her of her dear grandpa.

Edited to add: In Tampa, lots of nightlife in Ybor City section (pron: eeeBore) Being an old fart I just go there for excellent Cuban food at Columbia restaurant. (great place).

Also, wherever you go, I hope you enjoy your visit to the US.

Just a quick repost as Mrs PoGs has pointed out that it was on Palm beach not south beach!... either way keep your forces ID in your pocket as you never know when it might come in handy :D

PoGs
www.pocketcomms.com

After a fortnight travelling around Florida the other year, Hurricane chasing (or rather they chased us) Mrs Pogs and I decided to splash out for the last few days and stayed at The Colony Hotel in Miami on Palm Beach, it was brill, also having mentioned I was in the Armed Forces We got upgraded to a swanky apartment so even better!! a short stagger to bars and restaurants and just across the road from the beach.

see link

www.thecolonypalmbeach.com/Hotel/

PoGs

www.pocketcomms.co.uk

DirtyFilthy
PoGs was talking about Palm Beach. Much posher than Miami and about 65 miles to the north. Very pretty town. I have never seen so many Rolls and Bentleys parked at the kerb in my life. About 65 miles (hour to an hour and a half) north of Miami on route A1A. If you go take A1A along the coast. You can go inland and take the interstate but about the same time and A1A is prettier.

If you go Testa's is great for dinner. Testa's Linky A bit pricey but not exhorbitant Seafood and Italian. The veal is excellent but leave room for the fresh strawberry pie.

Testa's by the way is on same street and near "Au Bar" Ted Kennedy's favourite watering hole in Florida. Don't worry, he's dead so you won't meet him there.

Even if you are in Miami, Palm Beach is worth an outing for a chance to see where the very very rich live. Nice shops too.

if its the last weekend in May then you might want to book up quickly as its Memorial weekend and the whole strip turns into a hip hop and booty in bikini wonderland.. or you may want to avoid it if that's not your thing.

I'm off to Miami for a couple of weeks at the beginning of August. Apart from the imminent hurricane season are there any other things that are in season that are worth doing/visiting?

I'm visiting the local rugby club's pre-season training, we're planning a visit to Key Largo for the snorkling, and if the wife relents a trip to Ace's indoor shooting to let the kids play with some pistols.

When visiting the USA, always programme in a trip to a local rugby club. Bring beer in a coller in case they haven't achieved a club-house yet and be prepared to "go on" to either a bar they have adopted or somebody's house. Don't be surprised if you are the last man standing...

Chuckanut Bay RFC in WA is a fine place to visit as is the Norfolk Blues club in VA.