Situated in the northeastern portion of Florida, lies one of the gems of the state and a popular vacation destination: Jacksonville. Far from being just an urban destination, Jacksonville offers a unique vacationing experience complete with beaches, natural attraction, museums, wildlife exhibits and other tourist attractions.
Shimmering beaches, golf courses to die for, breathtaking state parks, intimate bed and breakfasts and enough shops to make even the most devout shopaholic faint, are some of the reasons that Jacksonville, Florida is a perfect vacation getaway. Whether you are looking to get away from it all or just want to soak up a few rays, Jacksonville has something to offer everyone.
Jacksonville is nestled in Florida's northeast region which is known for its diversity. Featuring cool mineral springs, breathtaking lakes, lush forests, and a string of beaches, the Jacksonville area is a beacon for those looking for a memorable vacation.
In Northeast Florida beaches stretch for more than 100 miles along the Atlantic Coast. Some of the most popular beaches are Amelia Island and Fernandina which consist of approximately 13 miles of stunningly beautiful beaches. If you enjoy surfing, windsurfing, fishing and camping, Huguenot Memorial Park is a great beach for these activities.
Here are just a few more of the many activities to be found in Jacksonville:
St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the oldest city in America and was founded in 1565 by Pedro Menendez. One of the main attractions of St. Augustine is the old for that sits near the bridge of the lions. This fort is centuries old and in great condition. While walking through the stone corridors and gazing the rooftop, which used to boast of powerful cannons used to protect the fort, one can get a glimpse of history and almost imagine what it was like to live at the fort during the height of its glory.
Guana River State Park. This 2,000 acre preserve is a perfect spot for your family to enjoy picnicking, biking, fishing and hiking.
Anastasia State Recreation Area. This bird sanctuary consists of 1,700 acres of ancient oaks, five miles of beach, spectacular sand dunes and tidal marshes which are a perfect backdrop for camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, swimming, windsurfing and fishing. Here you can learn to windsurf from the professionals and take a canoe trip along the banks of Salt run.
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. The Cummer museum features an award-winning collection of classical art, traveling displays, breathtaking riverside gardens and a children's learning center.
Downtown. Downtown Jacksonville boasts of the world-famous Landing, an intricate web of shops and eateries where local entertainment and special celebrations are held. Also downtown you will find Alltel Stadium, home of the Jaguars; Veterans Memorial Coliseum where many events such as circuses, concerts, and monster truck shows are held; Wolfson park, home of the Jacksonville Suns baseball team; and Met Park, an amphitheater that plays home to many concerts. Jacksonville also hosts the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Junior Orchestra. And at the Florida Theatre you can see many Broadway plays as well as shows from stars such as David Copperfield and the Nutcracker Ballet during the Christmas season.
As you can see from these few examples, there is no chance that you will get bored on your next vacation getaway if you choose Jacksonville, Florida as your destination. From a round of golf to lazing away on the beach or touring one of the many nature preserves, the Jacksonville area has something to please even the most finicky heart.
Source : http://www.topfloridavacation.com/
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Disney World Tips
10 Things to Know Before You Go to Disney World
Advice on making your trip to Disney World the best it can be.
Disney World in Orlando, Florida continues to be one of the most popular places for people to go on vacation. Here are some suggestions you may want to consider before your next visit.
1. Check out every nook and cranny inside the country pavilions at Epcot. If you just walk along the exterior path, you will miss out. There are crafts for kids at the China pavilion, a boat ride along the foot of a smoking volcano inside the Mexico pavilion, a Beatles band playing in the back of the UK pavilion, and a Viking sailing ship with swinging ropes and nets to climb at the Norway pavilion to name a few.
2. Animal Kingdom is the only park that is not open in the evening, with the exception of certain times of the year such as Christmas or if you are staying at a Disney resort and eligible for Extra Magic Hours. So if you are using a Park Hopper ticket, plan for Animal Kingdom in the morning or early afternoon, and another park in the evening.
3. Just because the line looks long for an attraction, doesn’t mean you won't get in. A lot of attractions are in large auditoriums, like Finding Nemo the Musical, that hold hundreds of people so even at the back of a long line, you will probably get in the next performance.
4. When you get to Disney World you will see a lot of little girls walking around in princess dresses, especially if they are attending Cinderella’s Royal Table. Princess dresses at Disney cost around $60 so you may want to buy your daughter one before you come if you want to save some money.
5. There is a process to getting autographs and pictures with the characters. Lining up for the ones in front of Cinderella’s castle will take the longest, and you cannot have family members holding a place in one line while you are in another. You will get in trouble from the attendants. Have your autograph book open to a blank page and your pen ready as some of the characters have paws for hands and cannot flip through pages and click a pen.
6. Rent a stroller if your kids are still young. It is worth it for around $8 a day. The parks are huge and your kids will get tired. There are stroller park areas at every ride and attraction and there is a name plate on your stroller so it doesn’t get taken by someone else by accident.
7. Take advantage of special offers such Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which starts around Thanksgiving and ends at New Year’s. When you buy a ticket for this event you are allowed into Magic Kingdom from 7 pm to midnight with only a select number of people. It means no waiting for rides, attractions or character signings.
8. Definitely use the Fast Pass, which means you can skip the line for a ride if you come back at a certain time and present your ticket. You can get one fast pass for every park pass you have. So, for example, if you are with your spouse and two kids and they have no interest in riding Expedition Everest, you can still insert their park passes and get four fast passes for you to ride Expedition Everest four times within the fast pass’ one hour time frame.
9. Be sure to pick up the daily Times Guide, which is at the entrance of each park. It is necessary as it outlines the park’s hours, parade times as well as times and places for character signings. Plus, the guide outlines if some attractions are only available on certain days, so you can plan accordingly. For example, if you want to see the Lightning McQueen car from the movie Cars, it usually only appears at Hollywood Studios on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
10. If you are staying at a Disney resort and you want to go to another Disney resort for dinner, you will have to take a bus to one of the parks and then grab a bus going to that hotel. Buses from the resort hotels only go to the parks, the water parks and downtown Disney, not to other resorts.
Source : http://florida-travel.suite101.com/
Advice on making your trip to Disney World the best it can be.
Disney World in Orlando, Florida continues to be one of the most popular places for people to go on vacation. Here are some suggestions you may want to consider before your next visit.
1. Check out every nook and cranny inside the country pavilions at Epcot. If you just walk along the exterior path, you will miss out. There are crafts for kids at the China pavilion, a boat ride along the foot of a smoking volcano inside the Mexico pavilion, a Beatles band playing in the back of the UK pavilion, and a Viking sailing ship with swinging ropes and nets to climb at the Norway pavilion to name a few.
2. Animal Kingdom is the only park that is not open in the evening, with the exception of certain times of the year such as Christmas or if you are staying at a Disney resort and eligible for Extra Magic Hours. So if you are using a Park Hopper ticket, plan for Animal Kingdom in the morning or early afternoon, and another park in the evening.
3. Just because the line looks long for an attraction, doesn’t mean you won't get in. A lot of attractions are in large auditoriums, like Finding Nemo the Musical, that hold hundreds of people so even at the back of a long line, you will probably get in the next performance.
4. When you get to Disney World you will see a lot of little girls walking around in princess dresses, especially if they are attending Cinderella’s Royal Table. Princess dresses at Disney cost around $60 so you may want to buy your daughter one before you come if you want to save some money.
5. There is a process to getting autographs and pictures with the characters. Lining up for the ones in front of Cinderella’s castle will take the longest, and you cannot have family members holding a place in one line while you are in another. You will get in trouble from the attendants. Have your autograph book open to a blank page and your pen ready as some of the characters have paws for hands and cannot flip through pages and click a pen.
6. Rent a stroller if your kids are still young. It is worth it for around $8 a day. The parks are huge and your kids will get tired. There are stroller park areas at every ride and attraction and there is a name plate on your stroller so it doesn’t get taken by someone else by accident.
7. Take advantage of special offers such Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which starts around Thanksgiving and ends at New Year’s. When you buy a ticket for this event you are allowed into Magic Kingdom from 7 pm to midnight with only a select number of people. It means no waiting for rides, attractions or character signings.
8. Definitely use the Fast Pass, which means you can skip the line for a ride if you come back at a certain time and present your ticket. You can get one fast pass for every park pass you have. So, for example, if you are with your spouse and two kids and they have no interest in riding Expedition Everest, you can still insert their park passes and get four fast passes for you to ride Expedition Everest four times within the fast pass’ one hour time frame.
9. Be sure to pick up the daily Times Guide, which is at the entrance of each park. It is necessary as it outlines the park’s hours, parade times as well as times and places for character signings. Plus, the guide outlines if some attractions are only available on certain days, so you can plan accordingly. For example, if you want to see the Lightning McQueen car from the movie Cars, it usually only appears at Hollywood Studios on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
10. If you are staying at a Disney resort and you want to go to another Disney resort for dinner, you will have to take a bus to one of the parks and then grab a bus going to that hotel. Buses from the resort hotels only go to the parks, the water parks and downtown Disney, not to other resorts.
Source : http://florida-travel.suite101.com/
Red Tide
What is a Florida red tide?
A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis. This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish, and even purple in color. The water can even remain its normal color during a bloom.
Is red tide a new phenomenon?
No, it is not a new phenomenon. Red tides have been documented along Florida's gulf coast since the 1840s and probably occurred much earlier. Fish kills around Tampa Bay were mentioned in the logs of Spanish explorers.
Can red tides be predicted?
Currently, red tides can’t be predicted, but researchers are investigating the possibility. The effects of a red tide (e.g., dead fish and respiratory irritation in people) depend on the location and concentration of the red tide microorganism at a given time. The effects also depend on wind speed and direction. It is important to realize that many people still enjoy the beaches during red tides. Respiratory irritation and dead fish are not always present.
Do red tides occur anywhere else?
Yes, red tide organisms occur elsewhere. Although the organism that causes Florida's red tide is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, blooms have been found off the east coast of Florida, and a bloom was detected off the coast of North Carolina in 1987. Scientists believe the Florida Current and Gulf Stream Current carried K. brevis out of the Gulf of Mexico, around South Florida, and up to the Carolina coast. Other types of microorganisms cause different kinds of red tides (now called harmful algal blooms) in other parts of the world as well.
How is red tide related to respiratory irritation?
People experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing, and tearing) when the red tide organism (K. brevis) is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol onshore.
CAUTION: People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema or asthma) are advised to avoid red tide areas. Generally, symptoms are temporary. Once exposure is discontinued, symptoms usually disappear within hours.
Is it safe to swim during a red tide?
Yes, swimming is safe for most people. However, red tide can cause some people to suffer from skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense. If you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out of the water and thoroughly wash. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria.
Does cooking destroy the red tide toxin?
No, cooking does not destroy the red tide toxin.
Is it okay to eat shellfish during a red tide?
No, shellfish should not be eaten during a red tide. If a shellfish-harvesting ban is in effect, it is not safe to eat mollusks (e.g. clams and oysters). However, edible parts of other animals commonly called shellfish (e.g. crabs, shrimp, and lobsters) are not affected by the red tide organism and can be eaten.
Which shellfish are included in a shellfish-harvesting ban?
Harvesting of bivalve mollusks such as clams, oysters, and coquinas is banned during red tides.
Is it okay to eat fish, crabs, or shrimp during a red tide?
Yes, fish, crabs, and shrimp can be eaten during a red tide because the toxin is not absorbed in the edible tissues of these animals. However, if a red tide is in the area, eating distressed or dead animals is discouraged because the reason for the animal’s strange behavior or death cannot be absolutely known. It could be something unrelated to red tide.
Is it okay to eat scallops during a red tide?
Yes, as long as you only eat the muscle of the scallop. Do not eat whole animals.
Source : http://www.southfloridaonline.com/
A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis. This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish, and even purple in color. The water can even remain its normal color during a bloom.
Is red tide a new phenomenon?
No, it is not a new phenomenon. Red tides have been documented along Florida's gulf coast since the 1840s and probably occurred much earlier. Fish kills around Tampa Bay were mentioned in the logs of Spanish explorers.
Can red tides be predicted?
Currently, red tides can’t be predicted, but researchers are investigating the possibility. The effects of a red tide (e.g., dead fish and respiratory irritation in people) depend on the location and concentration of the red tide microorganism at a given time. The effects also depend on wind speed and direction. It is important to realize that many people still enjoy the beaches during red tides. Respiratory irritation and dead fish are not always present.
Do red tides occur anywhere else?
Yes, red tide organisms occur elsewhere. Although the organism that causes Florida's red tide is found almost exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico, blooms have been found off the east coast of Florida, and a bloom was detected off the coast of North Carolina in 1987. Scientists believe the Florida Current and Gulf Stream Current carried K. brevis out of the Gulf of Mexico, around South Florida, and up to the Carolina coast. Other types of microorganisms cause different kinds of red tides (now called harmful algal blooms) in other parts of the world as well.
How is red tide related to respiratory irritation?
People experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing, and tearing) when the red tide organism (K. brevis) is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol onshore.
CAUTION: People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema or asthma) are advised to avoid red tide areas. Generally, symptoms are temporary. Once exposure is discontinued, symptoms usually disappear within hours.
Is it safe to swim during a red tide?
Yes, swimming is safe for most people. However, red tide can cause some people to suffer from skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense. If you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out of the water and thoroughly wash. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria.
Does cooking destroy the red tide toxin?
No, cooking does not destroy the red tide toxin.
Is it okay to eat shellfish during a red tide?
No, shellfish should not be eaten during a red tide. If a shellfish-harvesting ban is in effect, it is not safe to eat mollusks (e.g. clams and oysters). However, edible parts of other animals commonly called shellfish (e.g. crabs, shrimp, and lobsters) are not affected by the red tide organism and can be eaten.
Which shellfish are included in a shellfish-harvesting ban?
Harvesting of bivalve mollusks such as clams, oysters, and coquinas is banned during red tides.
Is it okay to eat fish, crabs, or shrimp during a red tide?
Yes, fish, crabs, and shrimp can be eaten during a red tide because the toxin is not absorbed in the edible tissues of these animals. However, if a red tide is in the area, eating distressed or dead animals is discouraged because the reason for the animal’s strange behavior or death cannot be absolutely known. It could be something unrelated to red tide.
Is it okay to eat scallops during a red tide?
Yes, as long as you only eat the muscle of the scallop. Do not eat whole animals.
Source : http://www.southfloridaonline.com/
Things to See and Do in Florida
Florida is almost as well known for its golf courses as it is theme parks and enthusiasts will not be disappointed along the Gulf Coast – Florida boasts over 1,000 courses and there are over 80 in the Naples area alone! Many hotels have their own courses and there are numerous golfing communities where you’ll find private villas to rent. The courses are open year-round but quietest during the summer months from May through to October.
The beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are known as the "Tarpon capital of the world" and fisherman flock here every spring to fish the Boca Grande Pass. The name of the game however is "Catch and Release" as there is a 50$ state permit fee to kill a Tarpon. For those interested in sea-fishing, there are many charters and fishing trips for all levels of angler – these are available from all along the coast, including Marco Island, Sarasota, Fort Myers Beach, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs. Try your hand at hooking shark, barracuda, black fin tuna and Spanish and king mackerel. There are also miles of shoreline, countless oyster bars and acres of sea grass beds that attract an abundance of salt water fish. For the fresh water angler, Rotonda has miles of canals and numerous golf course lakes offering some excellent bass and catfish. Other popular areas include the freshwater canals in Cape Coral and the Caloosahatchee River. Local freshwater fish include bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish. If you don't fancy bobbing about on the water, there are ample fishing opportunities from the piers and bridges. Popular spots in the St Petersburg/Clearwater area include Long Pier at Redington Beach, Pier60, St Petersburg Pier, Fort De Soto Park and The Friendship Trail Park at Gandy Bridge for Spanish mackerel, red drum, speckled trout and snook.
Many enthusiasts head for Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which encompasses 110,000 acres of uplands, islands, and estuaries from Gordon Pass at Naples to Everglades National Park. There is a visitor centre between Marco and Naples, south of US 41 on Tower Road. Fort Myers Beach & Sanibel are also known for good kayaking – paddle through Pine Island's aquatic preserves for a good look at the local birdlife
Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole, Pinellas County has nature trails as well as pedestrian and cycle paths. Sanibel island offers 17 miles of protected cycle paths, ideal for families. Local companies hire a range of bikes including tandems and accessories for children. Fort de Soto Park on the Pinellas Peninsula has a 7 mile recreation trail where visitors may run, bike, rollerblade or walk The Pinellas Trail is a unique linear park covering 50 miles from St Petersburg to Tarpon Spring with cycle and hiking paths Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva offers a 10 mile looped mountain bike trail over rolling terrain with the opportunity of spotting wild boar, deer and gopher tortoises. Bike hire is available in the park. Myakka River is one of Florida’s largest State Parks with ample facilities for walking and cycling. There are seven miles of flat, paved roads for cyclists as well as back-country dirt roads (depending on the weather). Cycles can be hired in the park. Many of the parks which offer cycle tracks have daylight hours of opening and regulations including wearing a helmet so it is always worth checking any local restrictions at the park information centres or cycle hire shops before you set off.
Florida attracts "twitchers" from all over the world, drawn by the vast array of migratory and resident birdlife.The South West Florida Birding Festival takes place on the 19-21 January 2007 providing an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich bird life of this region. There will be guided trips and expert presentations. Full details can be found on the Rookery Bay website (see below). The estuaries, inlets, back-waters and country parks provide many bird-watching opportunities along the Gulf Coast some of the most popular locations are listed here. Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota is one of the largest Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centers in the U.S., and home to over 70 species of Florida's native and migratory birds. The Rookery Bay mangrove estuary, just south of Naples, is home to over 150species of birds including bald eagles, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers, and least terns. The Sanibel Lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island is a prime viewing spot, particularly during the October migration. Birds spotted here include warblers and Peregrine falcons. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve near Fort Myers has a boardwalk trail and observation decks for visitors, where you can spy wild turkeys, blue jay, herons and woodpeckers as well as a variety of other wildlife.
Other visitors include bobcats, raccoons,deer and squirrel. The "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a hotspot for migratory bird populations and serves as a stopover for a number of species, including egrets and night herons. The riverfront at Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva is home to blue egrets and great blue herons as well as a vast array of other local wildlife and plant species. Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area, Dunedin has an Osprey trail for a rare glimpse of these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.
Source : http://www.southfloridaonline.com/
The beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel are known as the "Tarpon capital of the world" and fisherman flock here every spring to fish the Boca Grande Pass. The name of the game however is "Catch and Release" as there is a 50$ state permit fee to kill a Tarpon. For those interested in sea-fishing, there are many charters and fishing trips for all levels of angler – these are available from all along the coast, including Marco Island, Sarasota, Fort Myers Beach, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs. Try your hand at hooking shark, barracuda, black fin tuna and Spanish and king mackerel. There are also miles of shoreline, countless oyster bars and acres of sea grass beds that attract an abundance of salt water fish. For the fresh water angler, Rotonda has miles of canals and numerous golf course lakes offering some excellent bass and catfish. Other popular areas include the freshwater canals in Cape Coral and the Caloosahatchee River. Local freshwater fish include bass, crappie, blue gill and catfish. If you don't fancy bobbing about on the water, there are ample fishing opportunities from the piers and bridges. Popular spots in the St Petersburg/Clearwater area include Long Pier at Redington Beach, Pier60, St Petersburg Pier, Fort De Soto Park and The Friendship Trail Park at Gandy Bridge for Spanish mackerel, red drum, speckled trout and snook.
Many enthusiasts head for Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, which encompasses 110,000 acres of uplands, islands, and estuaries from Gordon Pass at Naples to Everglades National Park. There is a visitor centre between Marco and Naples, south of US 41 on Tower Road. Fort Myers Beach & Sanibel are also known for good kayaking – paddle through Pine Island's aquatic preserves for a good look at the local birdlife
Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole, Pinellas County has nature trails as well as pedestrian and cycle paths. Sanibel island offers 17 miles of protected cycle paths, ideal for families. Local companies hire a range of bikes including tandems and accessories for children. Fort de Soto Park on the Pinellas Peninsula has a 7 mile recreation trail where visitors may run, bike, rollerblade or walk The Pinellas Trail is a unique linear park covering 50 miles from St Petersburg to Tarpon Spring with cycle and hiking paths Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva offers a 10 mile looped mountain bike trail over rolling terrain with the opportunity of spotting wild boar, deer and gopher tortoises. Bike hire is available in the park. Myakka River is one of Florida’s largest State Parks with ample facilities for walking and cycling. There are seven miles of flat, paved roads for cyclists as well as back-country dirt roads (depending on the weather). Cycles can be hired in the park. Many of the parks which offer cycle tracks have daylight hours of opening and regulations including wearing a helmet so it is always worth checking any local restrictions at the park information centres or cycle hire shops before you set off.
Florida attracts "twitchers" from all over the world, drawn by the vast array of migratory and resident birdlife.The South West Florida Birding Festival takes place on the 19-21 January 2007 providing an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich bird life of this region. There will be guided trips and expert presentations. Full details can be found on the Rookery Bay website (see below). The estuaries, inlets, back-waters and country parks provide many bird-watching opportunities along the Gulf Coast some of the most popular locations are listed here. Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota is one of the largest Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centers in the U.S., and home to over 70 species of Florida's native and migratory birds. The Rookery Bay mangrove estuary, just south of Naples, is home to over 150species of birds including bald eagles, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers, and least terns. The Sanibel Lighthouse at the eastern tip of the island is a prime viewing spot, particularly during the October migration. Birds spotted here include warblers and Peregrine falcons. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve near Fort Myers has a boardwalk trail and observation decks for visitors, where you can spy wild turkeys, blue jay, herons and woodpeckers as well as a variety of other wildlife.
Other visitors include bobcats, raccoons,deer and squirrel. The "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is a hotspot for migratory bird populations and serves as a stopover for a number of species, including egrets and night herons. The riverfront at Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva is home to blue egrets and great blue herons as well as a vast array of other local wildlife and plant species. Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area, Dunedin has an Osprey trail for a rare glimpse of these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.
Source : http://www.southfloridaonline.com/
Inn and Out at Bay Harbor Islands
Bay Harbor Island is one of the many curious communities in South Florida with an interesting history. Until 1945, Bay Harbor Island was just a sandbar in the middle of Biscayne Bay, providing no other service other than being headaches to boaters. This is when well-known tycoon Shepard Broad stepped in, purchasing the islands for development. Within a few short years, shops, homes, and hotels sprang up, and the population has been growing ever since. The island’s close proximity to Miami Beach and downtown Miami have made it a popular residential spot for Miami’s up-and-comers. It isn’t just residences, however, there are also some nice little shops, and a great hotel that is the place to stay when you find yourself in Bay Harbor.
Bay Harbor Inn is, perhaps surprisingly, the only waterfront inn in the Miami area. It has two buildings - one, town-side is a restored hotel chock full of antiques and a classic ambiance, while creek-side the hotel is more contemporary in decor and atmosphere. In either building, the potted plants and bare floors definitely lend the building a tropical feel – a feel heightened even more by the swimming pool surrounded by dense foliage. The inn offers two different restaurants: The Miami Palm Restaurant (the Inn’s fine dining), and a very nice Chinese place that offers gourmet outdoor dining. The Miami Palm seems to specialize in choice aged beef and Maine Lobster at prices a bit under South Beach, while the Chinese restaurant seems to offer a nice mix of Szechwan, Cantonese, and Peking style dishes. There is also a bar (naturally), filled with interesting antiques from the Vanderbilt mansion in London.
As far as the rooms go, the suites are quite spacious (and include a fantastic balcony), while the individual rooms seem to be fairly standard. There is a staggering variety of leisure activities located near the hotel, including golf, fishing, art galleries, and betting (provided you like the ponies). Overall, the Bay Harbor Inn is well worth looking into if you are staying in the Miami area. And, it would pair perfect with a Millenium Limo for whatever special occasion you can dream up.
Source : http://www.miami-florida.com/
Bay Harbor Inn is, perhaps surprisingly, the only waterfront inn in the Miami area. It has two buildings - one, town-side is a restored hotel chock full of antiques and a classic ambiance, while creek-side the hotel is more contemporary in decor and atmosphere. In either building, the potted plants and bare floors definitely lend the building a tropical feel – a feel heightened even more by the swimming pool surrounded by dense foliage. The inn offers two different restaurants: The Miami Palm Restaurant (the Inn’s fine dining), and a very nice Chinese place that offers gourmet outdoor dining. The Miami Palm seems to specialize in choice aged beef and Maine Lobster at prices a bit under South Beach, while the Chinese restaurant seems to offer a nice mix of Szechwan, Cantonese, and Peking style dishes. There is also a bar (naturally), filled with interesting antiques from the Vanderbilt mansion in London.
As far as the rooms go, the suites are quite spacious (and include a fantastic balcony), while the individual rooms seem to be fairly standard. There is a staggering variety of leisure activities located near the hotel, including golf, fishing, art galleries, and betting (provided you like the ponies). Overall, the Bay Harbor Inn is well worth looking into if you are staying in the Miami area. And, it would pair perfect with a Millenium Limo for whatever special occasion you can dream up.
Source : http://www.miami-florida.com/
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