Opinions on a short trip to Miami

[I always rode the Southern]

Mr. never rode the southern wants to go see the coral castle which is located just north of homestead. so I am trying to plan a trip combining a ride on the star, a few sightseeing options, and a chance for a little poker in the south fl. casinos.

In reading old threads and no benefit to going through to Miami, I'm thinking tampa to Hollywood, renting a car and using that as our base. Take a trip to south beach for the duck tour and then driving to coral castle the next day. Next day, possibly a trip to the keys(have been to Key West, so going more for the drive), stay overnight and then return to Hollywood to catch the star home. Does this sound like a good plan? Or anyone have any suggestions for something i'm overlooking?

 

[Rail Freak]

Mr. never rode the southern wants to go see the coral castle which is located just north of homestead. so I am trying to plan a trip combining a ride on the star, a few sightseeing options, and a chance for a little poker in the south fl. casinos. In reading old threads and no benefit to going through to Miami, I'm thinking tampa to Hollywood, renting a car and using that as our base. Take a trip to south beach for the duck tour and then driving to coral castle the next day. Next day, possibly a trip to the keys(have been to Key West, so going more for the drive), stay overnight and then return to Hollywood to catch the star home. Does this sound like a good plan? Or anyone have any suggestions for something i'm overlooking?

Were you watching Florida On A Tankfull on the news? They did a segment on the Coral Castle last week. I had never heard of it before!!!!

 

[FriskyFL]

We last visted the Coral Castle about 13 years ago, we live in S Florida but rarely hear about it and constantly surprised that a lot of the native here have never heard of it. I recall learning of it when I was a kid, on the tv show "In Search Of". Supposedly the strange hermit that single handedly built the place used alien technology to lift the stones, sorta like the Pyramids. It's worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood, or if you're on your way back from the Keys, but hardly worth a special trip.

 

[chrsjrcj]

When are you planning on taking this trip? If you can wait until January 2014, you can take Amtrak to Miami which will use the new Miami Central station next to Miami Airport. The new station is next to Miami Airport's rental car facility, with 16 rental car companies to chose from! It will also connect to Miami's Metrorail which can take you to Vizcaya Gardens, which you also might be interested in.

 

[pennyk]

Mr. never rode the southern wants to go see the coral castle which is located just north of homestead. so I am trying to plan a trip combining a ride on the star, a few sightseeing options, and a chance for a little poker in the south fl. casinos. In reading old threads and no benefit to going through to Miami, I'm thinking tampa to Hollywood, renting a car and using that as our base. Take a trip to south beach for the duck tour and then driving to coral castle the next day. Next day, possibly a trip to the keys(have been to Key West, so going more for the drive), stay overnight and then return to Hollywood to catch the star home. Does this sound like a good plan? Or anyone have any suggestions for something i'm overlooking?

Were you watching Florida On A Tankfull on the news? They did a segment on the Coral Castle last week. I had never heard of it before!!!!

I have lived in Florida all my life and in Miami for the first 17 years and this is the first (that I recall) hearing of Coral Castle.

Sounds like a nice trip. I think taking the Star to Hollywood is a good choice.

 

[FriskyFL]

If you're planning to detrain and immediately rent a car, if you can find an agency that will be open ehen you arrive & pick you up, I'd recommend HOL. But if you have to cab it to the car rental places, FTL is closer to FTL airport, with plethora of car rental locations.

 

[I always rode the Southern]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I can't figure out how to use the multi quote correctly so will just respond to all;

He has been talking about the castle for a long time now, much earlier than last week so maybe that show was on before, or he was reading about it.

Figuring out how it was built, via alien technology or what, means he thinks it is worth a special trip. We plan on going next week, he is the impatient sort.

I was not impressed with FTL . Several years ago we were going on a cruise and got off there on a late arriving star. There were no cabs and they closed the station and left before any arrived. We were the only ones there waiting in the dark, I was very uncomfortable and will avoid that station if I can. So yes, if I can't get that rental there I may have to go to plan B-which at this point is really plan ?

We will look in to Vizcaya Gardens.

I am very partial to the star, it is my home train

 

[chrsjrcj]

I like the Star too, and would second/third/fourth the opinions of Hollywood. In fact, I believe the Fort Lauderdale station is being renovated anyway, so Hollywood is a good choice. It isn't too far from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport (if you plan on picking up your rental near there) either.

 

[RampWidget]

Here's the skinny on picking up a rental car at the FLL Airport:

Take Amtrak to HOL and from there catch the next northbound Tri-Rail train to the FLL Airport/Dania Beach Station.

At the Tri-Rail FLL Airport/Dania Beach Station look for the free Tri-Rail shuttle bus to FLL Airport.

Tell the driver you are going to the Rental Car Center at FLL.

Follow the signs at the FLL Rental Car Center to your particular rental car company.

 

[chrsjrcj]

You can also take Amtrak to Deerfield Beach (which in my opinion, has a nicer station than Ft. Lauderdale AND Hollywood), then Tri-Rail south to the Fort Lauderdale Airport station. Here is the shuttle bus schedule from the Fort Lauderdale Airport station. I believe the rental car center at FLL is next to terminal one.

If you do take Tri-Rail, do not buy an Easy Card, just purchase a paper ticket. The Easy Card system is too complicated (at least for me :giggle: ), and I always hear the fare inspectors complaining about them.

 

[I always rode the Southern]

Thanks RampWidget and Chris, appreciate the directions for tri-rail. Am going to call tomorrow, and if we need to go to the airport we will now know how to go

 

[I always rode the Southern]

Need a little more help please! I got a great deal and made reservations at the Hyatt Place, Dania Beach. It is only 2+ miles from the hollywood station, but when I called the hotel this AM for information was told it was a 15 min. ride from the station and cab fare would be around $20. Really? that much time and money for a little over 2 miles? She said there was no other transit option, but I assume I can get tri rail to sheridan ave, question is would there be cabs available there, and would that be a significantly lower cost.

Or should we just take the extra time and ride tri rail to the airport and wait the unpredictable amount of time for the hotel's free airport shuttle? ( We had decided not to get car till the next day to save a days rental charge)

I am also keeping in mind the hotel staffer might not have been the most reliable source of info and plan on calling back during afternoon/evening shift

 

[FriskyFL]

Yes, S Florida traffic can be a bear. 10-15 minutes seems reasonable. Would your hotel send a shuttle down to HOL?

 

[RampWidget]

There are usually cabs outside the Sheridan Street Tri-Rail station, although you might find more of them at the Dania/Fort Lauderdale International Airport Tri-Rail station, which is one stop north. It's the same distance to your hotel from either station.

 

[I always rode the Southern]

Thanks, both of you. I'm calling the shuttle owner in the am to see what he would charge from hollywood, but think we will likely add tri rail to our repertoire.

Hope 91 is on time this afternoon, I'm looking forward to the ride, hubbies looking forward to moving that 3,000 lb gate at the castle.