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4+ hour layover @ MIA

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Old Apr 19, 2017, 8:02 am
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4+ hour layover @ MIA

I have a 4 and a half hour layover in MIA, first time at the airport and never been to Miami. Will be flying Delta domestic-domestic. Is there enough time to go see Miami? And if so, what would be the best option? Any info regarding public transportation and what I can do with a few hours in Miami will be appreciated
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 8:15 am
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I'd say you have 2hrs of downtime. I'd stay downtown and not try and cross Biscayne.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 8:25 am
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Originally Posted by Crossinator
I have a 4 and a half hour layover in MIA, first time at the airport and never been to Miami. Will be flying Delta domestic-domestic. Is there enough time to go see Miami? And if so, what would be the best option? Any info regarding public transportation and what I can do with a few hours in Miami will be appreciated
Bank time to visit the Centurion Lounge MIA (in AA concourse) if you have AMEX Platinum card. If not, lurk outside downstairs elevator and ask to be guested in by anyone on way up.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 11:57 am
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Take a cab and watch Jai-Alai.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 12:19 pm
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You have plenty of time, especially if you are flying Delta since there is rarely a backup at H concourse security. Here is a good link.

Here is the Metrorail link, Government Center is close to Miami downtown, Brickell is the Financial Center. There is a new mall open or about to be opened in Brickell.

Here is Airport transportation to Miami Beach, I have never taken this bus.

Have fun! You'll need to be back at security at least 45 minutes before flight time.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 1:33 pm
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Originally Posted by JesseRohr
I'd say you have 2hrs of downtime. I'd stay downtown and not try and cross Biscayne.
I kind of want to go near the Miami Beach area (which is across the Biscayne). What do you think I should do?
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 2:56 pm
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Where are you connecting from in MIA? Miami is not a DL hub so not a lot of connecting flights...
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 4:14 pm
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Originally Posted by hi55us
Where are you connecting from in MIA? Miami is not a DL hub so not a lot of connecting flights...
DTW-MIA-MCO
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 4:34 pm
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Honestly I wouldn't go to the beach. Depending on the time of day you can find yourself in some nasty traffic trying to get back to MIA.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 5:08 pm
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Not sure the times of your flights, but just a heads up for the traffic in Miami, its awful. Theres not a whole lot near the airport worth going to. If you have the Amex Platinum card go enjoy a manicure or massage and some food/drink in the Centurion lounge.
I will say that if you do end up leaving ive always flown through precheck so dont really have to worry about getting back too early
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 6:45 pm
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Originally Posted by bstv69
Not sure the times of your flights, but just a heads up for the traffic in Miami, its awful. Theres not a whole lot near the airport worth going to. If you have the Amex Platinum card go enjoy a manicure or massage and some food/drink in the Centurion lounge.
I will say that if you do end up leaving ive always flown through precheck so dont really have to worry about getting back too early
That would be my worry. Getting stuck in some terrible traffic and not make it back.

Just to the Centurion lounge.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 7:55 pm
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Two suggestions, doubt you could do both:

1. The political center of Cuban Americans is the Versailles restaurant on Calle Ocho. The food is authentic comidas de Caribbean. The cab ride will be less than 20 minutes, the storefronts in the area feature bold, colorful designs and you will feel as though you've had a get away far from the USA.

2. Spring for a cab ride over the Rickenbacker Causeway, grab some coconuts from the ground around the public parking lots to take home and see the vivid aqua water and the resorts.

Hope you get to do something dramatic and memorable...
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 8:12 pm
  #13  
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Originally Posted by dinanm3atl
That would be my worry. Getting stuck in some terrible traffic and not make it back.
The Metrorail is above ground and will not get held up by traffic. See my previous post with links.

If the OP has 4+ hours in the airport, it would be a shame for him/her to stay in the airport.
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Old Apr 19, 2017, 10:49 pm
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Highly recommend Versailles Restaurant as others have posted. It is a must every time I'm in Miami. If all was on time, I'd say you could probably make it. I would not recommend going over to the beach side. Traffic is crazy.
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Old Apr 20, 2017, 2:45 am
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Originally Posted by RRDD
Take a cab and watch Jai-Alai.
+1

I used the people mover to get out to the bus/rail station east of the airport, and then walked from their to Miami JaiAlai (which has a sizeable slot machine casino and poker/domino club attached to it). It was too far to walk in a short period of time because of a northwest-southeast waterway (possibly the Miami River) which you have to take a circuitous route to cross; I'm guessing it is a $10 cab ride from in front of the Delta baggage claim.

Flagler Dog Track (now known as Magic City Casino) is close to equidistant to the south. I went there a couple of years ago; Cuban people operate the dining room there, and I had a great meal for less than $20.
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