FLL and Miami pre-cruise 2 days best things to do?

[bluenoser2]

We'll be travelling as the Group of Seven (well, the 7th is a small stuffed zebra named Florence) and because Delta kept changing our flights, we're now scheduled to have 2 full days and parts of another before our cruise begins. We're renting a van, and we have some ideas of what we'd like to do, but would like to know from the experts if we're on the right track! We plan to do an airboat ride somewhere, somehow, not sure which one. I'm sure the teen girls would love a chance to shop at reasonably priced places (since we're from Canada and they love seeing stores they haven't seen before). We range in age from our 81 year old father, my DH and I (50s) and our 3 kids -15, 17, 23. We're staying in FLL , and thinking one day in the FLL area, and one day in the Miami area....looking for things that don't cost an arm and a leg! Any suggestions would be great!

[Shipcats6]

Water taxi in Ft Lauderdale is our favorite. Discounts can be found online.

[f7prez]

I can't help you out with the airboat ride (never done it) but my DW & DD love to shop. In Fort Lauderdale areaI have been dragged to the Sawgrass Mills Mall http://www.simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills (biggest selection of name brand stores in one area), Galleria Mall http://www.galleriamall-fl.com/(perhaps a better selection of upscale stores and dining) on Sunrise , close to the beach, and the independent shops along Las Olas Blvd, Downtown http://www.sunny.org/listings/index.cfm?action=display&listingID=1246

 

Miami Beach area favorites are the stores and boutiques along Lincoln Road http://lincolnroadmall.com/ , The Shops at Bal Harbour http://balharbourshops.com/ , and Bayside Marketplace http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

[miamiyogi]

It would be a looooooong day from Fort Lauderdale, but I'm just not familiar enough with FLL to give advice there.....

 

Wake up super early jump in the van and head over to Shark Valley, take the tram tour. On your way back stop at Cooperstown for the airboat ride, eat there, or even better just have a snak and eat at Palacio De Los Jugos for some cheap authentic Cuban fare. Then drive to Dolphin Mall. Its a smaller Outlet mall, but it also has a neat area out front for dining and people watching should the older folks need a break.

 

Note that these places are about an hour drive out of FLL

http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/

Yelp review for Palacios: Note there is another location at 14300 Southwest 8th Street

http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-palacio-de-los-jugos-miami-3

http://www.shopdolphinmall.com/

[FLAHAM]

Assuming you are going to ignore the world famous beaches in both locations.

[bluenoser2]

no...we're not ignoring the beaches - we're just not the kind of people that lie out on the beach ALL day and my DH is the one who needs plans. Needs schedules. Needs places to be. Things to do. Just wanted to know if there were things around that we hadn't thought of! He keeps finding museums, and I'm looking for other things - I have a feeling my daughters are going to be less than excited about museums! Thanks for the shopping tips too!