Four Days in Miami on a Budget | My Second Solo Trip

This was my second trip alone, and it felt like the hardest.

The first morning I flew from New York into FLL, which is far out. The Tri-Rail will take you downtown, but tickets on site are cash or card only, so I missed a train and waited an hour for the next. In the afternoon I took a car to South Beach. The beach deserves its name. Oddly, boats towed giant screens of ads across the water. Walk south along the sand and you reach South Pointe Park Pier, close enough to watch huge cruise ships pass, and a good sunset.

The second morning I joined an Everglades tour: the famous airboat, wild alligators, water birds. Next to it a small zoo of lizards and snakes; you can hold a baby alligator. Afternoon at Bayside Marketplace, where I bought a sunset cruise ticket. Then the free Mover, a driverless train that often runs through buildings, like Chongqing. Then the free old-fashioned trolley to the Wynwood Walls. Traffic was bad, and once there it was only so-so — not worth a special trip. Back to Bayside for the Millionaire Row Cruise. I did not know any of the famous names the guide listed (except Jackie Chan), but the sunset from the boat was good. Cuban food at night; the seafood was excellent.

Day three, Bill Baggs State Park. Do not go without a car. The bus leaves you at the gate with another half hour to walk. It is beautiful, though, and close to animals: lizards, great egrets, hawks. A lighthouse looks over the beach and the Miami skyline; it was closed when I was there. Afterward Brickell City Center, which felt like a mall at home.

Day four, metro to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Greek sculpture in the gardens with an old elegance; overall good. Afternoon in Little Havana. The huge murals are handsome. I bought a Cuban ice cream. It tasted like ordinary ice cream.

Note: Miami’s sights are scattered. Bring cash and a card. Bring sunscreen or you will burn on the beach. Don’t ask how I know.