Visiting South Florida & the Keys

It is the season for Miami, Fort Lauderdale and all of South Florida. As much of the US begins to freeze, South Florida’s temperate winter climate beckons visitors and seasonal residents. The NFL Miami Dolphins entertain football fans at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens; anticipation is high for the pending NBA Miami Heat season at American Airlines Arena; Jai Alai season is in full swing - catch a game at “The Palace’ of Jai-Alai in Dania Beach. South Florida is ideal for sports fans. Enjoy an authentic Cuban meal at Café Versailles on Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana or some fine dining at The Palm on Bay Harbor Island – Enjoy a South Florida getaway this season.

Stressed? Miami’s Bayfront Park, downtown on Biscayne Boulevard, hosts Yoga in the Park. Relax with free yoga classes three times a week at the Tina Hills Pavilion at the south end of the park. Bring your own mat and re-energize at an outdoor class on the banks of Biscayne Bay.

Bayfront Park is also a wonderful place to enjoy lunch from a variety of Miami’s food trucks – Try a Latin Burger on Mondays, GastroPod Mobile Gourmet visits Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Dim Ssam A Gogo Food Truck on Wednesdays. With South Florida’s ideal weather lunch in the park is always nice.

Selection Sunday in early December, names picks for the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl match-up. A Miami and Fort Lauderdale tradition, the Orange Bowl and its associated festivities, liven up the South Florida sports scene, culminating in the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4th. Held at Sun Life Stadium west of Interstate 95 in Miami Gardens, the 2012 Orange Bowl kicks off at 8pm.

South Florida challenges runners early in the year with January’s ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon; February brings the Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon and Half Marathon; and the 13.1 Miami Beach comes in March. Miami’s 2012 ING Marathon weekend begins January 27th, with the Nissan Health and Fitness Expo presented by the Miami Herald. The Expo is held at the Miami Beach Convention Center with events including the Tropical 5K Saturday before the Marathon - a great fun run for family and friends of marathoners over Miami’s MacArthur Causeway.

Enjoy views of Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and coast as 2012 A1A Marathon and Half Marathon runners take to their course. With a start at the Museum of Discovery and Science, participants head down Las Olas Boulevard to the course along Highway A1A, Florida’s coast highway. Mark February 19th on the calendar to enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s amazing weather, Atlantic Ocean breezes and palm-lined coast for the Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon and Half Marathon.

A visit to South Florida isn’t complete without a getaway to Key West. The southernmost city it the US, Key West is an ideal spot to relax and kick back. Enjoy fresh local fare at the 7th Annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival January 14th, browse the 47th Old Island Days Art Festival February 25th, or test your talent at the 5th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest March 3rd – visit Key West, kick back and enjoy.

South Florida & the Keys Hotel Map