Your guide to tours in Miami, Miami Beach and South Florida

Tours

There's so much to see in Miami! By air, by land and, of course, by sea, Miami's tour operators can give you the best views of the Magic City however you like. From a leisurely hot air balloon ride, a paddleboat cruise down the Intracoastal waterway, or a bike ride on South Beach, adventures ratchet up to ultralights, thrilling speedboats, and Zodiacs like those used by the FBI!

AquaWorld Miami/Xtream Parasail

Experience the ultimate high-flying thrill ride! Xtreme parasailing features gentle dry take off and landings directly from our parasail boat, to fly single, double or triple, plus an option to stay totally dry or get a refreshing dip! Digital photo packages and logo wear available. Flights available from 10 am till sunset 7 days a week, weather permitting. U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captains and Equipped.

Art Deco District Tours

Guided Walking Tours: Local historians and architects introduce Miami Beach's architectural history. 90-minute walking tours depart from the Art Deco Gift Shop (1001 Ocean Drive, corner of 10th Street & Ocean Drive, Miami Beach): Tue., Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun., 10:30am; Thur., 6:30pm, $20 adults; $15 seniors, students (must present ID). Children under 12 free. No reservations necessary. Self-Guided Audio Tours: Hear about architectural history in English, Spanish, German or French. Audio Tours are available at the Gift Shop 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm; Shop is open until 7pm. $15. Information and private tours: 305-672-2014.

Bike & Roll

Join Bike and Roll for a fun and easy riding bike tour of South Beach or for an Art Deco Segway glide. Bike tours ($39, students $29)) depart daily at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm ; Segway tours ($59, students $49) depart at 10am and 2pm. Bikes are available by the hour, half-day, day or week. Bike rental rates start at $8 per hour and $25 per day. We carry all-new bikes including cruisers, mountain, hybrids, fitness, and road bikes. All bikes come with locks, helmets, bags and a free map with suggested places to ride. Bike across the Venetian Islands and visit Bayside Marketplace, Vizcaya and Coconut Grove or ride to Key Biscayne Island and enjoy a great day outdoors. See special offer on page 30.

Billie Swamp Safari

Explore 2200 acres of untamed Everglades on the Seminole Tribes Big Cypress Reservation via swamp buggy eco-tour and airboat ride. Snake and alligator show, swamp critter show, boardwalk nature trail, animal and reptile exhibits and Swamp Water Cafe. Day/overnight packages in an authentic thatched roof chickee avail. Ask about the new Exclusive/VIP Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour.

Everglades National Park

With 1.5 million acres of watery wilderness, Everglades National Park is the third largest national park in the lower 48 states of the U.S. This river of grass is home to wading birds, alligators, fish, turtles, snakes and other wildlife, including endangered species such as the manatee, the wood stork and the Florida panther. A good way to visit the Everglades is to walk the boardwalks and trails along the main park road and join in ranger-led events. There are multiple entrances to the park: see below. Biking, fishing and boating are popular park activities. Check at visitor centers for regulations and license information. At Flamingo and Everglades City, there are boat tours in addition to canoe rentals. Bike rentals are available at Shark Valley or bring your own to any entrance of the park. Camping sites are available at Long Pine Key (first come, first served) and Flamingo (reservations suggested between October-April). Admission is $10 per car at the main entrance (open 24 hours), or Shark Valley. $5/person fee for individuals 17 years of age or older when entering by foot, bicycle or motorcycle. Good for 7 consecutive days. There is no admission fee at the Everglades City Visitor Center. For more information, please call 305-242-7700, Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm, or check the park's website: http://www.nps.gov/ever/

Entrances and Directions

Homestead: The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: 8am-5pm daily. Entrance located at 40001 Palm Road (344th St.), Homestead. 305-242-7700- Flamingo: The Flamingo Visitor Center: 9am-5:30pm Nov. to mid-April; until 4:30 the rest of the year, depending on staff. Enter park at Ernest F. Coe entrance and drive south 38 miles. 239-695-2945 for info.

Shark Valley: daily, 8:45am- 5:15pm (Dec.-April); until 6pm otherwise. The Visitor Center is open daily 9:15am to 5:15pm. Take the Florida Turnpike to SW 8th Street (also known as U.S. 41 and Tamiami Trail). Travel 25 miles west on U.S. 41 to signs marked Shark Valley. Tram schedule: December-April, 9am-4pm on the hour, every hour. May-December, 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm; Reservations: 305-221-8455. Everglades City/Gulf Coast Visitor Center: 9am-4:30pm daily; opens at 8am in winter. 5 miles south of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29. From Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), take exit 80 (State Road 29) south and proceed 20 miles to Everglades City. No entrance fee. Hours subject to change.

Everglades Safari Park

Airboat tours, eco-adventure tours, alligator and wildlife nature shows. Take an airboat ride through nature's wildlife. See alligators, crocodiles and other exotic wildlife. Jungle walking trail, observation platform and exhibits; restaurant, souvenir-gift shop. $23 adults; $10 children ages 5-11; children under 4, free. Admission includes Eco-Adventure Airboat ride, Alligator Wildlife Nature show, jungle trail, observation platform and exhibits.

Go Car Tours

This custom narrated tour, guided by GPS, takes you around Miami Beach - with you in the driver's seat! Directions are clear, concise and informative. Tour highlights include Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road Mall, downtown Miami, Holocaust Memorial, Botanical Gardens, South Pointe Park, exclusive residential areas and more. Tours in English and Spanish. Open daily 9am to dusk.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Discover the past and present of South Florida and the Caribbean through permanent and changing exhibits. Visit the Research Center: prints, antique maps, books and over one million historic photographs. Free, year-round, cultural programs for all ages. Special walking, bike, coach and boat tours. Now Showing: Black Crossroads, a history of the African-American experience in Miami. Monday CLOSED, Tuesday - Friday, 10am-5pm, weekends, noon-5pm. Third Thursdays until 9 pm Adults, $8, children 6-12, $5; free for members and children under 6; Contribution Sundays.

Island Queen Cruises

Enjoy a 90-minute, narrated, sightseeing cruise along scenic Biscayne Bay. Relax in an air-conditioned salon or on the open, upper deck with a protective awning. See the downtown Miami skyline, the Port of Miami, Fisher Island, Miami Beach and "Millionaire's Row." Light snacks and beverages available for purchase. Please arrive at the ticket booth 30 min. prior to departure (every hour from 11am-7pm).

Jungle Queen Riverboat

World Famous BBQ Ribs and Shrimp Dinner Cruise departs 6pm nightly. Cruise up the New River to our tropical isle for an 'All You Wish To Eat' dinner and variety show, $39.95 adults and $21.50 for children 2-12. Fully narrated 3-hour Sightseeing Cruises up the historic New River past Millionaire's Row with a stop-off at our tropical isle to see rare birds, monkeys and an alligator exhibition. Cruises depart daily at 9:30am and 1:30pm, $17.50 adults and $12.75 for children 2-12. All cruises require reservations. Bahia Mar Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale,

Miami Balloon Rides

Enjoy breathtaking views of Miami, Biscayne Bay, the Miami Redlands and the Everglades from a majestic hot air balloon!

Miami Beach Visitor Center Tours

Explore Miami Beach by land, sea or air through a variety of sightseeing tours. MB Visitors Center offers over 15 tours du jour and is open Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Miami Dade Parks Eco-Adventures

Experience an adventure on a kayak, canoe, snorkel, bike or nature excursion. Tours and excursions are available for all levels. Explore unique natural areas, and be on the lookout for native wildlife. Even wilder offerings include naturalist-guided marine wading tours and hiking trips into some of the best wilderness areas of the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve, and coastal parks.

Miami Duck Tours

Amphibious vehicles take you on a tour for 90 minutes of sightseeing and lots of fun. Tours start on land, go through South Beach and downtown Miami, then splash into beautiful Biscayne Bay and ride by homes of the rich and famous. 7 days a week, rain or shine.

Miami Seaplane Tours

Buckle your seatbelt, adjust your headset and feel the sensation as we skim across the wave tops and become airborne. See Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and the Everglades as never before! Flying Tues.-Sun., 10am - 5pm. For tour reservations and pick-up service, call 305-361-3909. Reservations required. 24 hour notice recommended.

Parasail Miami/ Baywatch Parasail

Experience the thrills of parasailing, hang gliding and sailing! No experience necessary thanks to Professional U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captains. Take-off and land from the platform of state of the art winch-boats for your safety. T-shirts and digital photo packages available. Mention this ad and receive a free double dip!

Sawgrass Recreational Park

Feel the excitement and learn the history of Florida's most remarkable treasure: the Everglades. As a rare subtropical ecosystem, the Everglades holds spectacular mysteries. Renew your spirit as you glide across miles of river at speeds up to 35 mph, and get up close and personal with native wildlife, many of whom are endangered in this fragile ecosystem. See special offer in the magazine! Airboat rides 9am-5pm daily. www.evergladestours.com.

Signature Car Rental

Rent daily or weekly, from economy to luxury, mini-vans, SUVs. Free pick up from Miami Beach hotels and Miami Airport. English, spanish and french are spoken here.

Thriller Speedboat Adventures

Take a thrilling high-speed tour past some of Miami's most famous locales! The Northern trip takes passengers to see the Port of Miami, Miami Beach, Fisher Island, Biscayne Bay and mansions of some of Miami's most famous (and infamous!) residents. For a peek at more of Florida's natural beauty, take the Southern trip to Key Biscayne, Virginia Key, Stiltsville, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, No Name Harbor and more. Tours depart at 10am (call for early bird specials!), 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, sunset. Call for reservations and more info. Please note that some tours may be dependent on number of passengers. Tours leave from Bayside Marketplace.

TourHelicopter.com

South Florida’s most thrilling attraction! Experience a freedom others only dream about flying above beautiful sights and attractions of the Miami area. A variety of tour packages allow you to see as little or as much of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale as you want. Featured sites include the New River, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Isles, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Dania Beach, Hollywood Beach, Hallandale Beach, Golden Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Haulover Beach, Bal Harbour, Surfside, South Miami Beach, Fisher Island, Virginia Key, Downtown Miami, Port of Miami Cruise Ship Terminal, Biscayne Islands, Indian Creek Island, Aventura, Miami Dolphin Stadium, Ocean and Intracoastal areas. Hotel transportation available; call for details and reservations.