USA Trip

deafwish · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:02 am

Hey Team,

My wife and I are coming to the States in early October and we're hoping we can get some tips on what to do in Florida (Miami) and Vegas.
We've done Vegas before, so have a bit of an idea, but we're super keen to check out the aquatic culture of Florida.

Cheers!

Daz.

LVChris · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:15 am

Are you also going to check out the aquatic culture of Vegas? We have one of the greatest freshwater lakes in the US.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:49 am

I love Miami! I go A LOT (ex wife lives in miami beach). Miami is all about food, drinks, and shopping.

Biggest thing you need to know? The south beach neon lights tourist strip area at night is REALLY FREAKING EXPENSIVE FOR ANYTHING. If you're hanging out on the strip and want a drink? Expect to pay $30+ for a jack and coke at some piece of shit bar.

I'll add to this, but must do things?

Lincoln Rd. outdoor mall. Do some shopping and check out the interesting stores. My favorite place to eat on that strip is Sushi Samba. Tuna Tataki, grilled sea bass, chilean corn are good choices.
http://lincolnroadmall.com/

A chill lunch spot at the marina? Monty's. Also a cool little place to have a relaxed drink at night too without the south beach madness. It's a "locals" place.
http://www.montyssobe.com/

Bayside marketplace yep go.
http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

Lapis Spa at Fontainebleau is a MUST do. You'll never want to leave the rain tunnel.
http://www.fontainebleau.com/web/spa/la ... r_journeys

Also while you're there it's probably my favorite day spot to hang out at. Rent a cabana by the pool.
http://www.fontainebleau.com/web/recrea ... anas_beach

Go checkout the Wynwood Walls
http://thewynwoodwalls.com/

Other good places to eat?
http://katsuyarestaurant.com/southbeach/
http://www.runchickenrun.com/
All add more....

Good places for a drink that isn't crazy?
http://www.normans.biz/
Duffy's of North Miami Beach (people pull their boats up)

I don't know why, but this little hole in the wall spanish place makes a damn good breakfast:
Latin Cafe
7445 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33141

I'll add more

Want to dance the night away?
http://www.clubspace.com/ <--insane
http://www.livnightclub.com/
I'll add more.

Oh, boat culture? Hm, I'll check out where you can rent one.

rpengr · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2015 11:41 am

Within 1 hour south of Miami is the Florida Keys, with some of the worlds best boating. Ton's of charter boating and boat rentals available all up and down the 110 miles stretch of keys. The three keys with the most to do are Key West, Islamorada, and Marathon. Look up John Pennekamp state park at http://pennekamppark.com . Lots of incredible shallow reefs for snorkeling or diving, and reasonable cost boat trips from the park to get to them, including glass bottom boats.

ps, I'm about 1.25 hours north of Miami. PM me if you want to go on a Four Winns around West Palm Beach FL.

Ray

deafwish · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:36 am

Hey guys,

Ric - Thanks for all the advice and tips on where to hang out!
Chris - how far is the lake from the strip?
Ray - thanks a million for the offer! We'll see how our schedule goes and may accept your kind offer!

What licences/ accreditation do you need to hire a boat in the USA?
Is it expensive for something reasonable?

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2015 6:36 am

deafwish wrote:

What licences/ accreditation do you need to hire a boat in the USA?
Is it expensive for something reasonable?

You need picture identification and money. At my marina it's around $300 for a day.

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:07 pm

deafwish wrote:

Hey guys,

Chris - how far is the lake from the strip?

What licences/ accreditation do you need to hire a boat in the USA?
Is it expensive for something reasonable?

It's about 30 miles to the marina...renting a boat out here is much more costly I guess. You need ID and money and have to be over 18 years old to rent. We rented a 24' deck boat for a 6 hour day for around $600 plus around $200 in fuel...also it's restricted as to how far you can take it on the lake. That's the marina's fleet, I have seen some on Craigslist..but never did that before. So instead of doing that EVER again...we bought a boat.

If you're here at the right time, I may be able to take you out on my Vista

deafwish · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:13 pm

Thanks for the advice and the offer, fellas!

Not a cheap exercise to do, for a few hours! :shock:

We'll keep you in the loop with our plans, thank you!

p.s. We're also spending a week in Hawaii, if anyone has traveled there before?

tymorrissette · **Joined:** Tue May 31, 2011 10:03 am **Posts:** 225

I got married and honey mooned in Maui and it was amazing. If your going to make to there I have some places to go and things to eat for sure!

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 12:21 pm

deafwish wrote:

What licences/ accreditation do you need to hire a boat in the USA?
Is it expensive for something reasonable?

That can vary by state, but I think you already have the answer for Florida And Nevada (no boat license needed). The correct answer from Florida is: you do not need a boater ID if you were born before Jan 1 1988, or if you have one from another state. This rule was established in 2010.

In the Florida Keys, boats of all sizes are available for rent. To go to the reefs around John Pennekamp state park, many people go 2-3 miles out on the ocean in boats as small as a 13' Boston Whaler, because the Seas remain reasonably calm inside the reefs (usually). Rental prices for a 13 to 18 ft boats should be reasonable. I just read a blog where a guy rented a 20' boat for $190 a day (although that was 4 years ago).

ric · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 12:37 pm

People take pontoon boats to Bimini which is scary.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:26 pm

ric wrote:

People take pontoon boats to Bimini which is scary.

Crossing 50 miles of ocean accross the Gulf Stream is no comparison to the relatively protected shallow waters off Key Largo. Pontoons are very popular party boats down in the Keys, even in the salt water.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:39 am

deafwish wrote:

Hey Team,

My wife and I are coming to the States in early October and we're hoping we can get some tips on what to do in Florida (Miami) and Vegas.
We've done Vegas before, so have a bit of an idea, but we're super keen to check out the aquatic culture of Florida.

Cheers!

Daz.

How's your trip planning? Still coming to USA?

Ray

deafwish · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2015 4:05 pm

Hey Ray,

Yes - We're leaving in a week & have already started packing!
Are there any worthy Marinas worth visiting in Miami?

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2015 4:45 pm

deafwish wrote:

Hey Ray,

Yes - We're leaving in a week & have already started packing!
Are there any worthy Marinas worth visiting in Miami?

I don't go that far South because Fort Lauderdale and Miami are very crowded boating areas, and there are a many miles of no-wake zone for me to get there.

However, if you want to drive an hour north, you could join me in my boat. I'll PM my phone number.

Have a great trip.

Ray

www.iFourWinns.com

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