Getting To Mt Dora

The drive to Mount Dora from Orlando takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic! Flying into the Orlando airport is most convenient, however we flew into Tampa airport and it took about an hour and 45 minutes. 

Once you’re in Mt Dora, everything in the downtown area is pretty walkable, but having a car is definitely helpful to visit other areas like Eustis and Tavares. 

Things To Do In Mount Dora

Although it is a small city, there is plenty to do! From museums, to shopping, to festivals, you’ll find plenty of fun things to entertain you, and keep your belly full!

Mount Dora Farmers Market

Every Sunday from 9am – 2pm, head down to Sunset Park to check out the Downtown Mount Dora Village Market. With everything from fresh produce, amazing kettle corn (seriously, I’m still dreaming about it), to plants and housewares, there are 50+ vendors for you to browse. Grab a coffee at Foxtail Coffee and enjoy your Sunday!

Modernism Museum

Lovers of modern art can visit the Modernism Museum Mount Dora on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-5pm. See the work of Wharton Esherick, Wendell Castle and others, including art from David Bowie’s personal collection.  

Shopping

I just love browsing local shops when I visit a new place, and there are plenty in Mt Dora. We loved St. Nick’s Holiday Shoppe, and the Mount Dora Olive Oil Company in particular. Park downtown and wander around, I’m sure you’ll find lots of stores you love too.

Mount Dora Historic Buildings

One of my favourite things to do when visiting a new town is to check out their historic buildings, and Mount Dora has plenty! Mt Dora’s historic district features many buildings from the early 20th century, so wander around the area bounded by 3rd Avenue, 11th Avenue, Clayton Street, and Helen Street.

Notable buildings include:

• Atlantic Coastline Depot – 341 Alexander Street
• Donnelly House – 535 Donnelly Street
• Lakeside Inn – 100 Alexander Street
• Witherspoon Lodge – 1410 N. Clayton Street

Palm Island Park

If you love to wander a boardwalk, this is the place for you! Palm Island Park is an 8 acre nature preserve with boardwalks, trails and picnic areas. It was very peaceful to walk through, although I was slightly nervous an alligator might be just around every corner, we didn’t actually see any. The native plants and trees are beautiful. The park is typically open from 7am-sunset each day. 

Mount Dora Lighthouse

The iconic Mount Dora Lighthouse is close to the entrance of Palm Island Park, and both are a short 5 minute walk from downtown Mt Dora. The lighthouse was built in 1988, and is the only in-land lighthouse in Florida that provides navigation!

Tours in Mount Dora

Boat Tours

If you’re looking to see Mt Dora from the water, there are a few boat tour options. Although I haven’t personally taken one, Rusty Anchor Boat Tours has been around a long time, and they offer a few different tour options. Learn about the history of the area, and you may even see an alligator!

Mount Dora Ghost Tours

We had a fantastic time with Mount Dora Ghost Tours. Their tours take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, starting at 8pm and ending around 10pm. Our tour guide Doc led us around known haunts in the city, such as Lakeside Inn, the old Simpson Hotel and the former jail. Armed with “Ghost Meters” we learned about the history of the city, and perhaps found some ghosts ourselves!

The company also provides haunted pub crawls, paranormal experiences inside the Donnelly House and more.

Mount Dora Restaurants

For a small town, there are plenty of eateries to choose from! Plus the city of Mt Dora has an open container policy, so you can always take your drink to go! Here are a few of the highest rates restaurants in Mount Dora:

The Goblin Market

Welcome to the Goblin Market, where they serve elevated American and international foods. 

• Wednesday – Sunday for Lunch & Dinner
• Gluten free & Vegetarian options
• Reservations for dinner recommended (lunch is first-come-first-served basis)
• $$-$$$

Magical Meat Boutique

Don’t let the name fool you, the Magical Meat Boutique serves British pub food, using imported British ingredients and featuring live music every weekend.

• Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Vegetarian options
• No reservations required
• $$

PizzAmore

Craving some pizza? Check out PizzAmore serving pizza, pasta and more! They focus on local ingredients, and unique offerings.

• Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner
• Vegetarian & Gluten Free options (including gluten free pizza)
• No reservations required
• $$

When To Visit Mount Dora

The best time to visit Mount Dora? Whenever you’re close by! In my experience, February temperatures are usually comfortable, and Mount Dora isn’t too crowded. May through September is the rainy season in Florida, and it could be quite wet. 

Mount Dora Festivals

Mount Dora is known as Festival City, and for good reason! They host more than 30 festivals every year – so there’s definitely something for everyone. Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce is the best place to stay up to date on all the festivals, but here are a few highlights.

Rennigar’s Antique Extravaganza – Takes place three times per year in January, February and November, and it’s an antique hunter’s dream! 

Annual Art Festival – 2024 celebrated the 49th annual art festival, showcasing 300 art vendors from around the world. Takes place in early February

Annual Sail Boat Regatta – Join in on the oldest sail boat regatta in the state! The regatta takes place in March, with 2024 dates being March 23-24th 

Mount Dora Bicycle Fest – Cycle Mt Dora and earn your medal! Choose from road biking or mountain biking. This event is in October and will take place October 4-6 2024.

Light Up Mount Dora – Kick off the Christmas season in November with Christmas lights, food vendors, entertainment, fireworks and of course a visit with Santa! 

FAQs

• Is Mount Dora a good destination for a day trip from Orlando?

Yes! Mount Dora is a great place to get out of the busy city of Orlando for the day. Being only 40 min- 1 hour outside of Orlando, you can go for a few hours or a whole day. 

• What is the weather like in Mt Dora?

The weather will vary throughout the year. January, February and December can be cool, with a high of 21-22C (70-71F) and a low of 10-12C (50-54F). March, April, October and November tend to be the most comfortable months with the least chance of rain. May- September are the hottest and wettest months of the year, and may not be the best for visiting!

• What are some other nearby places to visit?

Mt Dora is part of the “Golden Triangle” which also includes Eustis and Tavares. Eustis has a great waterfront where you can wander, plus conservation areas and museums. Tavares, known as America’s Seaplane City, also has a great waterfront, where you can of course book a seaplane ride. Also if you make it there, make sure to eat at BTW, I’m still dreaming about the chicken and waffles I had.  

Ready To Book Your Trip To Mt Dora?

Are you daydreaming about a trip to Mount Dora now too? It’s definitely one of my favourite places I’ve visited and a great place to leave the hustle and bustle of the larger cities in Florida. 

Want more Florida content? I have tons of Disney related posts, plus tips to help you plan your trip to Miami! 

Niagara Falls at a Glance

• Both sides of Niagara Falls have great views and things to do
• You’ll need a passport to go between the USA and Canada
• The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is busy, while the American side is much quieter

Niagara Falls, Ontario

In Canada, Niagara Falls is about an hour and a half from our biggest city, Toronto. If you’ve been to the Canadian side, you’ll know that there is a lot going on! It is a busy area with lots of places to eat, to stay and things to do.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls, Ontario

There are many hotels in Niagara Falls, Ontario, so it may be difficult to choose. We enjoyed staying at Vittoria Hotel & Suites, which is conveniently located close to Clifton Hill, the Hornblower Cruise, and Queen Victoria Park, where you’ll see the falls.

Niagara Falls, New York

On the United States side of Niagara Falls, things couldn’t be more different. The Falls are surrounded by a State Park with lots of green space, walking trails and a whole lot less flashing lights. There are restaurants and shopping in the town as well.

Going from Canada to the USA

If you want to travel from one side of the border to the other, you’ll have to cross a bridge! There are 3 bridges within 10 kilometres of the falls. The most popular (read: busy) is Rainbow Bridge, which does offer really great views. You can also walk across the Rainbow Bridge like we did.

It’s important to note that you will need a passport. It does seem like it’s all the same place, but you are crossing an international border, and you need a passport or a visa, depending on where you are from. You will also have to declare any purchases made when coming back to your home country.  

Niagara Falls USA vs Canada

To compare both places, you need to take a few things into account: Things to do, the view, and the overall feel.

Attractions

There are so many attractions on each side, but I’ll start with the one they have in common: a boat tour. In Canada, it’s called The Hornblower, and on the US side, it’s The Maid Of The Mist. They are both basically the same. We had a blast on The Hornblower!

The Canadian side has so many haunted houses, arcades, wax museums and other places to spend time (and money) if you’re into them! Which means it can be difficult to visit Niagara Falls on a budget. While you’ll find a few of these things on the US side, there are not as many. You’ll also find a very popular aquarium on the US side: the Aquarium of Niagara. 

On the Canadian side, you’ll find the Journey Behind The Falls tour, where you’ll be able to experience the falls from the tunnels behind and below the Horseshoe Falls. 

On the US side, you can take the Cave Of The Winds tour for a more unique look at the falls. With special shoes and a poncho, you’ll descend to walkways that are just feet from Bridal Veil Falls; there’s a reason it’s called the “Hurricane Deck”! This is definitely the closest you will get to the falls!

View of the Falls

If you’ve always heard that Canada has the best views of the falls, it’s because from the Canadian side, you’re looking straight at all three waterfalls, and there are so many places that you’ll be able to see them.

I believe that the US side also has a unique view of the falls; you’ll be able to stand at the top and look straight down. You really feel the power of the falls when the river is rushing beside you and then dropping 100 feet into the water below.

Overall Impression

It’s hard to pick a side, since they are so different, even though they are built around the same natural attraction!

The Canadian side is busy. If you want lots of things for kids to do, then the Canadian side is probably for you. It is very commercialized, but there are lots of activities. The views of the falls are amazing, but it can be very crowded. 

In the United States, the Niagara Falls State Park is much quieter. There is not as much to do, but you can still find lots of things to do. The views of the falls are interesting, but not quite as spectacular as the Canadian side.

Niagara Falls: Which Side Should You Visit?

Both! We enjoyed visiting both sides of Niagara Falls. I would stay on the Canadian side and walk across to the US for a couple of hours. Which side would you visit?

Read Also:

• Visiting Niagara Falls On A Budget
• Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
• 2 Days in Toronto

Niagara Falls FAQs

Niagara Falls USA vs Canadian side, which is better?

In general, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is better for views of the falls, access to restaurants, shops, and hotels. The American side is quieter and great for hiking.

Can you go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls without a passport?

Because you are crossing an international border, you will need a passport to visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls if you are coming from the USA, and vice versa. You can drive across the border, or opt to walk across Rainbow Bridge. No matter what route you choose, you will need to present your passport to border security.

Can you go behind Niagara Falls on the US side?

No, no tour takes you behind Niagara Falls on the US side. Tour options on the US side include the Maid of the Mist boat tour, which takes you close to the falls on a boat and the Cave of the Winds, which is a boardwalk taking you to the base of the falls. 

Do your clothes get wet on the Maid of the Mist?

Yes, it’s likely that your clothes will get wet on the Maid of the Mist or Hornblower tour at Niagara Falls. Both companies provide a poncho; however, your legs and shoes will likely get very wet on the tour. Wearing quick-dry clothing and shoes is a smart idea for your tour!

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Important Info

Pop Century is a value resort, meaning prices fluctuate between $175-$370 a night for a standard room, depending on the season ($370 is for the week between Christmas and New Years Day, it’s not usually that high).

Rooms sleep up to 4 people and are arranged motel style, meaning you enter your room through outside hallways.

Pop Century is located in the ESPN Wide World of Sports area, and like all Disney resorts there are buses to take you to and from the parks & Disney Springs area. The Skyliner connects Pop and Art of Animation with Epcot and Hollywood Studios with a gondola system.

Lobby / Main Building

When we arrived we went in to the main building to store our luggage. I would recommend checking in on the app, which can give you your room number when your room is ready and you can enter using your Magic Bands. The lobby area is nice and open with lots of memorabilia from different decades. When you head into Everything Pop there is a small gift shop which also has anything you may have forgotten at home like toothbrushes, aspirin, bandaids, etc.  

Pop Century Food Options

Everything Pop is also the food court for Pop Century. Open from 7am to 11pm (check the app for specific hours when you visit) so you can get breakfast before you go to the parks, or get a late night snack when you come back! There are 4 different options for quick service hot food, plus a cold section where you’ll find things like drinks, fruit, desserts and baked goods.

There are no table service restaurants at Value Resorts.

Want to know more about dining at Disney? Check this one out!

Pop Century Rooms

One of the best things about Pop Century are the rooms have been recently renovated. Each room has 2 queen beds, however one of them is a murphy bed that forms the table when in an upright position. Both beds have the same mattress, so no need to worry about quality. The bathroom has a tub and a toilet, and then there’s a separate sink area. The sink area has tons of storage and little cubbies to keep all your family’s things organized.

The room also has a coffee maker with takeaway cups, sugar and non dairy creamer and there is a mini fridge.

All in all we found the rooms to be very comfortable and a perfect size for the 2 of us.

Pool

Pop Century has 3 pools, all themed to their area. The main pool is the Hippy Dippy pool, near the main building, Classic Hall, and the 60’s buildings. It is the largest and also has a kiddie pool nearby.

The bowling pool is outside the 50’s buildings, it’s in the shape of a bowling pin! The computer pool is outside the 80’s & 90’s buildings. Both of these pools are a bit smaller and are just regular pools. There are deckchairs around the pool for lounging.

No pools at Pop Century (or any value resort) have slides.

Compared to All Stars Resorts

If you are choosing a value resort for your Disney vacation, then one of the most common questions is Pop Century vs an All Star Resort. Having stayed at all 3 of the All Star Resorts, and Pop Century I feel I can give you a good comparison.

Amenities

Overall these value resorts have very similar amenities. They all have food courts that are similar and serve similar food. No value resorts have table service restaurants. The layouts of the buildings are similar except that Pop’s main building is more in the center, so no matter which building you are in the walk to the main building is not too far. At the All Star Resorts, the buildings in the back will be a 5-10 minute walk to the main building. A bit of a pain in the morning to get breakfast!

Pop has 3 pools, and each of the All Star resorts have 2 pools. However they are all similar in size and none of slides. The 3rd pool at Pop simply accommodates the higher amount of people staying there.

Rooms

Since the All Star Resorts have recently had room renovations and upgrades (as of 2023) there is very little difference between All Stars and Pop Century. The rooms are almost identical with the same murphy beds, USB plugs, and bathroom layout.

All Star Sports photos from 2022

Transportation

Transportation is the biggest difference to me when comparing these resorts. Pop Century is in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports area of Disney. It is about 15 minutes to Animal Kingdom and 20-25 to Magic Kingdom. The All Star Resorts are in the Animal Kingdom area, so they are less than 10 minutes to Animal Kingdom, about 15 to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and 20-25 to Magic Kingdom. 

Pop Century has The Skyliner to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It takes approximately 12 minutes to get to Hollywood Studios and 18 minutes to get to Epcot. Add on the fact that you almost never wait to take the Skyliner it is a much better mode of transportation if you aren’t scared of heights!

Another thing to consider with transportation is the amount of people at each resort. The line for Pop Century buses can be quite long at peak times. Pop Century is a larger resort (2280 rooms at Pop, vs 1920 at All Star Sports/Movies, 1604 at Music) which means more people going to/from the parks. Contrary to popular belief, the All Star resorts do not usually share buses. The exception being during slow times usually mid afternoon when there are only a few people taking the buses. I have never seen them share at peak times in the morning/night.

Price

Sometimes the deciding factor may be price. On average Pop Century is $15-$20 a night more expensive than the All Star Resorts. This of course adds up if you are staying for a week or more. Usually both Pop Century and the All Star resorts are included in promotions like free dining or room discounts.

But What About Art of Animation?

The 5th Value Resort on Disney property is across Hourglass Lake from Pop Century. Art Of Animation is primarily made up of family suites, so most rooms accommodate 6 people and also have 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. However the Little Mermaid section of rooms in the back are regular value 4 person rooms and are very similar layouts to Pop Century. Art of Animation does have a biggest pool on Disney property, as well as 2 other smaller pools. The Little Mermaid rooms are quite far from the main building, so that is something to keep in mind. The Little Mermaid rooms are often (or always) excluded room discount promotions.

Final Thoughts

So which is better? I guess it depends. I enjoyed our stay at both Pop Century rooms and All Star Sports. The updated rooms with all the storage and the coffee maker are a big plus at both resorts. Either way, you’re at Disney so I don’t think you can go too wrong!

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Related: How To Choose A Hotel

Important Info

Address:
2905 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, Florida
33020
United States

Phone:
1 954 925-9100

4/5 rating on Trip Advisor

Location

Just about 10-15 minutes from the airport, so you won’t have to get up so early for that morning flight. It’s also close to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port.

The hotel has a shuttle that leaves for the airport every hour on the hour from 5am until midnight every day. It is free, although you need to sign up at the front desk of the hotel. If you need a ride from the airport to the hotel, call the hotel at (954) 925-9100. Usually the driver will stop by arrivals after dropping people off, so expect them around 20 past the hour. However if they didn’t have anyone signed up to go to the airport that hour they may send someone for you sooner.

They also have a shuttle to and from the cruise port in Fort Lauderdale. However there is a fee of $12USD per person and it is operated by a 3rd party. You can sign up and pay for it at the front desk of the hotel.

Want to hear more about our cruise? Check it all out here:

Where To Stay In Miami Before A Cruise

2 Days In Miami Before Cruising

Free Miami Art Deco Walking Tour

1 Day On Grand Bahamas

1 Day In Nassau

Room

After being in a cruise ship room, it was certainly a treat to spend our last night in a spacious room. Even with 4 people we did not feel cramped at all. We booked an executive room with 2 queen beds. The bathroom was large, and the sink area was great for getting ready. The beds were really comfortable and they even had different kinds of pillows so you could decide what works for you!

Our room also had a mini fridge, coffee maker with coffee and tea supplies, and of course cable TV, iron and ironing board, all the regular stuff!

The Pool

What really makes this hotel stand out from just being a regular ol’ hotel is the pool area. When we walked out we knew we had found a perfect place to relax before flying home the next day. The pool area has amazing landscaping so you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of a business park, but rather a lush tropical location. The pool itself was heated when we visited in January, and was the perfect temperature for swimming around lazily. There are plenty of deck chairs to relax on as well. We were happy to see a lift so the pool is accessible for people who need that option.

The pool area has a bathroom/ change room, and it’s nice not to have to run up to your room while you’re relaxing by the pool.

There is a small hot tub off to the side that was perfect for relaxing in the evening when the temperatures cooled off a bit. The pool area is also beautifully lit at night, and super relaxing.

Food

On Friday and Saturdays they offer a BBQ lunch by the pool. Mostly burgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs and chips. Our BBQ lunch was super enjoyable and not too expensive. They also have a restaurant inside where you can order their whole menu any day of the week. Although we did not eat in the main restaurant, the menu looked delicious. There is a breakfast buffet available for an extra charge, unless you book a package that includes breakfast.

Due to the location being in a business park, there are a few restaurants around. If you are just looking for coffee, Cali Coffee is right outside. Denny’s and McDonald’s are right across the street. There are plenty of other restaurants around if you have a car or decide to take an uber.

Overall Impression

I would definitely stay here again. The staff was amazing, and they really made our stay very comfortable. When we got to the hotel our room was not ready, they were able to store our luggage for us while we relaxed by the pool. They came and got us when our room was ready (earlier than check in time!), and gave us a room with a pool view. We left the next morning feeling relaxed and refreshed to fly home to Canada.

Location

Downtown Miami is home to the Port of Miami, the American Airlines arena and Bayside Marketplace, to name a few! The location of YVE Miami has perfect access to all of these. The Bayside Marketplace with plenty of shopping and restaurants is a short walk across the street. American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat play is less than a half a mile walk. We took an uber to the cruise port, it took less than 10 minutes and cost about $8 without tip! There is a CVS across the street incase you forgot anything, or just need some snacks.

Related: What To Do For 2 Days In Miami

YVE Miami Hotel

Checking In

The check in process was easy and quick. We arrived about noon, and were charged an extra $25 to get into our room early. The lobby is spacious with some seating to hang out in. There are elevators located in the lobby, however I would say the one downside of this hotel is the elevators are slow and small. You will usually have to wait a little while to get one and for this reason we took the stairs to/from our room fairly often.

The hotel charges a nightly “amenities fee” of $22.60. This covers your wifi in the rooms, free phone calls in the US and Caribbean, a coffee maker, 2 bottles of water daily, access to the fitness center and a drink ticket for a signature cocktail at the bar in the hotel.

Room

We had a Savvy double room, on the 6th floor. We had a small view of the bay, and cruise ships docked! Our room was spacious, we had more than enough room for 4 people. The two beds were comfortable. There was a small desk with the coffee maker, bottles of water, and a notepad. There was also a TV mounted on the wall. The bathroom was spacious enough to get ready in the morning, with enough counter space to store your things. The shower had bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash mounted on the wall.

Amenities

The hotel has a gym with treadmills, bikes, free weights and ellipticals on the second floor. Unfortunately, the hotel does not have a pool onsite.

The Biscayne Tavern is located just off the main lobby, and is open as a buffet for breakfast daily, and costs $16 a person. They are also open for dinner and drinks. 

Overall Impression

The location of YVE Miami is perfect for those looking for a place to stay for a couple of nights before or after a cruise. We had a comfortable experience, and I would stay here again.

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Where To Stay

We stayed in the Downtown Miami before our cruise, and it was a great location! Only a short uber drive to the cruise terminal. It’s also a great area to stay in for this particular itinerary because you will be able to walk a lot of places.

Check out my review of Hotel YVE Miami

Day 1 (Arrival Day)

If you arrive in the morning or around lunch time, you’ll be able to fit all of this in. We love checking out some history when we travel. So the first stop will be Miami Freedom Tower:

Freedom Tower

Open 1pm-6pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday, 1pm-8pm Saturday

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, $5 for students, free for children under 12 and for any Miami Dade College students.

I don’t think you’ll miss this building, because it certainly looks different from the ones around it. Built in 1925, it was originally the headquarters for the Miami News, but they moved out in 1957. In the 1960s the federal government took over the building to process, document and provide medical and dental services to refugees fleeing communism in Cuba. Because of its history, it is often called the “Ellis Island of the South”.

The building is now part of the Miami Dade College and is open to the public as an art gallery and museum.

After you check out the Freedom Tower, walk back along Biscayne Boulevard. You’ll see the American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat play. The next stop will be Bayside Marketplace.

Visiting Miami with kids? Check out this post from our friends at Globetotting.com!

Bayside Marketplace

Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm

Friday- Saturday 10am-11pm

Sunday 11am-9pm

Bayside Marketplace is an open air shopping mall located right on Miami’s waterfront. It houses almost 200 stores, kiosks and restaurants, so there is something for everyone! Shop around until you’re hungry, then check out one of the many restaurants or the food court upstairs.

At night the place comes alive with live music, so don’t miss that! The mall has an open container policy so make sure to grab a drink from one of the many stands around. The Conga Bar also has live latin music and dancing!

If you’re ready for bed at this point, you’re not alone! We were too. Get some sleep and get ready to tackle day #2.

Day 2 (Full Day)

Get up and get ready, but don’t eat breakfast because I promise there are better options where we are going! Take an uber over to South Beach and get dropped off around the Miami Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive). Make sure to pack your bathing suit & towel!

DIY Art Deco Walking Tour

Sure, you could pay for a tour, but I think it’s better to do it for free, at your own pace and stopping to eat and shop when you want!

South Beach area has the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, and I loved walking around and checking them out. The tour will take about 2 hours or longer depending on if you stop to eat or not.

My DIY (free!) Art Deco Walking Tour in Miami

Most of the hotels on the tour have amazing places for breakfast/brunch. Look at the menus and stop wherever looks delicious!

The Beach

After you’ve done the tour, I recommend grabbing some snacks at CVS or Walgreens and heading to what South Beach is famous for, the beach! Across from 14th Street on Ocean Drive is a public washroom where you can get changed and head to the beach. Lay on the sand and play in the waves for as long as your heart desires. If you want to be a bit more active, Lummus Park is right by the beach and you can bike their trails, play volleyball or check out the art displays.

Take an uber back to Downtown Miami, hopefully before rush hour because traffic can get crazy!

Miami Boat Tour

A boat tour is a great way to see Miami from the water. You probably noticed a lot of companies selling tours at the Bayside Marketplace. My suggestion is to check out Groupon and see if there’s any boat tours available on there, because it will save you a lot of money! We paid $62 for 4 people, instead of the regular price of $136.

We ended up booking a Houses of the Rich and Famous tour with Fiesta Cruises of Miami and had a great time. Although the Pirate cruise looked fun too! If possible I would book this tour while it’s still daylight. We took the tour after dark and it was a little harder to see the houses.

We found dinner in the Bayside Marketplace, and also had drinks at our hotel bar to finish the night.

You could head to the small islands of Bimini! They offer 1 day cruises from Miami. 

Only Have 1 Day?

If you only have one day in Miami before your cruise, I recommend the second day of the plan above. The Art Deco buildings and the beach are not to be missed while staying in Miami.

If you’ve cruised out of Miami, what did you do before sailing away, did we miss anything awesome?

Headed On your first cruise? Check out my tips.

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This tour will take 2-2.5 hours, but feel free to stop and shop or eat along the way, that’s the best part of a DIY tour! Bring some water since it’s usually hot and sunny in South Beach!

For a bigger version of the map, see here.

What Is Art Deco?

Art Deco style started in Paris in the 1920s. It is not a single style, but a collection of styles associated with luxury and modernity. Art Deco style took risks, and used colors like pastel blues pinks and yellows, and also some brighter oranges, yellows and greens. You’ll notice a lot of buildings have neon signs, and also dramatic lighting at night.

Art Deco Welcome Center – 1001 Ocean Drive

The welcome center seems like a great spot to start Art Deco walking tour. You can even go in the store and check out lots of cool items from the 1920s and 30s. This is also the spot where you can pay for a tour, but we aren’t doing that

The Miami Design Preservation League is responsible for preserving many of the buildings that you’ll see on the tour today. In the 1970s they fought against demolition of these historic buildings, and they were designated a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places.

Our first stop is basically across the street and a little North of the Welcome Center. For all the hotels on Ocean Drive, I recommend viewing them from the beach side of the street, as you’ll be able to see the big picture better!

The Clevelander 1020 Ocean Drive

This building was built in 1938 by famed architect Albert Anis and was renovated and restored in 2009. It features a lively patio bar that seems quite popular!

Turn around and head south 3 blocks to our next destination, you won’t miss it, it’s bright blue!

Park Central Hotel (The Celino) 640 Ocean Drive

The hotel certainly stands out. Built in 1937 this hotel was designed by Floridian architect Henry Hohauser.  In its heyday the Park Central Hotel at 640 Ocean Drive was a favorite Miami Beach destination for Hollywood royalty including Clark Gable, Carol Lombard and Rita Hayworth. It was bought and restored in the 1980s and is now under refurbishment and set to re-open in Spring 2019 as The Celino.

Keep heading south until you reach 6th street, walk up 6th Street and then turn north onto Collins Ave. Head north two blocks until you hit 8th Street.

The Hotel Of South Beach 801 Collins Ave

Just because it’s white, doesn’t mean it’s plain. It’s hard to miss the neon spire that says Tiffany, which is still used! It was built in 1939, designed by L. Murray Dixon. It was reimagined in the late 1990s by fashion designer Todd Oldham.

Keep heading North on Collins Ave, the next stop is on the opposite side of the street but very close.  

The Shelly 844 Collins Ave

This beautiful purple hotel sticks out right away. It was built in 1931, and is a great example of the colors and lines used in Art Deco style.

Continue North on Collins Ave, the next stop on our Art Deco walking tour is at the intersection of 10th and Collins.

Essex House 1001 Collins Ave

Built in 1938 by Henry Hohauser (he designed many of these buildings!), Essex house has one of the most unique shapes of all of them. It is designed to look like a cruise ship heading into the ocean. You’ll get the best view of the cruise ship shape, as you walk down 10th Street back to Ocean Drive.

Once you get to Ocean Drive, head North, passing the Clevelander once again.

Congress Hotel 1052 Ocean Drive

I love the look of this hotel. The font on the signs is so typical for the Art Deco area, as are the colors used in the motifs beside the door. Built in 1934, this hotel consists of suites so you can enjoy South Beach like you live here.

Continue north and pass 11th street to get to your next destination, you can’t miss it with all those palm trees out front!

Villa Casa Casuarina 1116 Ocean Drive

You’ve probably gotten pretty good at recognizing Art Deco style by now, but you’ll notice this one is a little different. The original owner of this property, Alden Freeman, was inspired by Alcazar De Colon in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Alcazar De Colon was built in the 16th century by Christopher Columbus’s son, Diego. Alden Freeman loved the architecture so much, he even bought bricks from the Alcazar De Colon and used them in the construction of Casa Casuarina when it was built in 1930. One of the bricks sits to the right hand side of the main entrance

In 1992 Gianni Versace, the Italian fashion designer bought the property and expanded it by destroying a hotel located next door. 5 years after purchasing the home, Gianni Versace was shot and killed on the front steps on the morning of July 15th 1997 by spree killer Andrew Cunanan. Casa Casuarina sat empty for 3 years before reopening as a hotel in 2001.

Continue North on Ocean Drive until you reach 12th street.

The Tides Hotel 1220 Ocean Drive

The Tides was designed by L. Murray Dixon in 1936 and was the first Art Deco Hotel he built on South Beach. At the time it was built it was the tallest building in the area. Right now the building is closed and under renovation because of damage that occurred during Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

Continue North on Ocean Drive, you won’t miss this bright yellow building!

The Leslie 1244 Ocean Drive

I think this one was my personal favorite on the tour! The yellow color really catches your eye. Built in 1937, designed by Albert Anis, this building was meant to be a combination of art deco and modern styles. It was renovated in 2014, but thankfully still has all the 1930s charm!

Continue walking North, but not too far! Our next stop is right next door.

Carlyle Hotel 1250 Ocean Drive

Built in 1939, this building is not actually a hotel anymore, but luxury condos. But if it looks familiar to you, it’s because The Carlyle has been featured in many films, such as Scarface, Bad Boys 2, The Birdcage, Pronto and Random Hearts.

Continue walking North until you pass 13th street.

Cardozo Hotel 1300 Ocean Drive

The Cardozo Hotel was named after, Benjamin Cardozo, one of the first Jewish jurors appointed to the US Supreme Court. It was built in 1939 and designed by Henry Hohauser. It has also been featured in films, such as There’s Something About Mary, A Hole In The Head, and Any Given Sunday. The hotel is now owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Our next stop is right next door!

The Cavalier 1320 Ocean Drive

The colors on The Cavalier really stand out. Designed by architect Roy F. France in 1936, this building focuses more on vertical lines rather than horizontal ones that were typical in the Art Deco movement. What’s lovely is that they kept the interior decorated in Art Deco style.

Walk North until you reach 14th street, the next stop is on the corner.

The Winter Haven 1400 Ocean Drive

Built in 1939 and designed by Albert Avis. The “snowbirds” from the North were looking for places to spend the winter, and The Winter Haven was clearly marketed toward them. You can see the similarities between Winter Haven and The Leslie, as it was designed by the same person.

At this point in the tour, you may want to use the public restrooms across from 14th street in Lummus park. Once you finish up there, walk up 14th Street until you reach the corner of Collins Ave and 14th.

FL Cafe & Former Commodore Hotel 1360 Collins Ave

Also designed by Henry Hohauser and in 1939, the Commodore Hotel was a 50-key hotel when it opened. Recently it has been longer-term rentals, however in 2022 redevelopment plans were approved and it will once again become a hotel. A reader let me know that they had a lovely meal in the FL cafe, if you’re ready for a bite to eat!

Walk North on Collins until you reach Espanola Way. You won’t miss the seafoam color of the next building!

Hoffman’s Cafeteria (Formerly Senor Frogs) 1450 Collins Ave

This building has been many things over the years. Built in 1939 and designed by Henry Hohauser. It was originally Hoffman’s Cafeteria, and it was used during World War II by the military as a mess hall for cadets. In the 1980s it was the famed gay nightclub the Warsaw Ballroom, and then it became a deli, and now Senor Frogs is there. Let me know if it’s different when you arrive

2023 edit: A reader let me know this building is boarded up and in disrepair! Hopefully someday it will be returned to its former glory.

Continue North on Collins until you are between 15th and 16th streets.

Shore Crest / Royal Palm 1545 Collins Ave

Built in 1939 by Russian Immigrants Joe Rose and Nat Hankoff. In 1941 the U.S. Army Air Force used the Royal Palm and Shorecrest hotel and 300 other properties around South Beach as military barracks, mess halls, and classrooms. It fell into disrepair, but has since been remodeled and is now a Marriott owned property.

The next property on this Art Deco tour is just passed 16th Street.

Loews Hotel 1601 Collins Ave

This building stands out as one of the tallest buildings in the area. This hotel is actually made out of 2 buildings. The old St. Mortiz hotel (the smaller of the two, in the right of the photograph above) was built in 1939, and designed by Roy France. It was restored by the owners of the Loews Hotel, which was built in the 1960s.

The last 3 buildings on our Miami Art Deco walking tour are just past Lincoln road and are right next to each other.

Sagamore Hotel 1671 Collins Ave

This beautiful hotel was built in 1948 by Albert Anis. It still serves as a hotel, it also houses an art gallery that is open to the public.

Walk a few paces North, and you’ll find the next destination.

National Hotel 1677 Collins Ave

This property was built in 1939 designed by Roy France, at the same time he was working on the St. Mortiz down the street. It was fully restored in 2014 and is now recognized as by the “Historic Hotels of America”. The tasteful paint job outside keeps the integrity of the Art Deco era.

The last stop on our Art Deco walking tour is right next door!

Delano 1685 Collins Ave

The Delano was built in 1947, and then restored and redesigned by Philippe Starck in 1994. When it was built the Delano was the tallest building in Miami Beach. It was one of the first hotels built after World War II. This hotel has hosted many celebrity guests like KIm Kardashian, Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio.

End Of The Tour

If you can believe it, we’ve just covered a lot of Miami’s Art Deco area! Of course these are not all of the Art Deco buildings in Miami, you’ve probably noticed a lot more along the way as you’ve learned more about Art Deco style.

This tour was one of my favorite things that we did in Miami. I love walking around and exploring a new neighborhood. Hopefully you’ve stopped along the way for a drink, brunch, or a snack. I recommend spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach, you’ve earned it after all that walking!

Do you have a favorite Art Deco building in Miami?

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Heading to Las Vegas on your honeymoon? Check out this post!

Fremont Street Experience

You absolutely can’t visit downtown Las Vegas without visiting the Fremont Street Experience. This 2km covered pedestrian area is larger than life. The focal point is the LED canopy above you, starting at dusk you’ll see light and sound shows on the screen. On ground level you’ll find a few sound stages with live bands, lots of street performers (including a few Chippendale’s men!), casinos, bars and restaurants. It feels like one giant party that you definitely want to be part of! If you’re feeling brave, you can zipline along the street on Slotzilla!

Visit Their Website

Fremont East

The Fremont East Entertainment District continues the fun of Fremont Street Experience without the LED canopy. You’ll find bars and restaurants – make sure to check out the Heart Attack Grill, you don’t have to go in, you can peek through the window! I love the retro feel of Fremont East.

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Wondering what else to do in Vegas? Read everything Vegas here!

Container Park

We stumbled upon Container Park purely by accident. It’s located in Fremont East, but it’s worth it’s own category here! A playground, which also has some retail spots and even a tattoo shop, is open late, usually until midnight or 2am, but after 9am it’s adults only! We stopped in later and we basically had the place to ourselves. There’s nothing like climbing a tree house and sliding down! It’s worth a stop in.

Visit Their Website

Headed to Las Vegas in the Summer? Here are my tips for surviving the heat!

Mob Museum

The Mob Museum, or to call it by it’s official name: The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is just around the corner from the Fremont Street Experience. The building is the old courthouse and it sets the mood perfectly! The museum has artifacts and goes in depth into the mob history in Las Vegas, and America. One of the highlights is a piece of the actual wall from the Saint Valentines Day Massacre. Make sure to visit the old courtroom on the second floor to hear actual recordings of court proceedings that took place there.

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Neon Museum

Visiting the Neon Museum in Las Vegas is like taking a throwback trip through Las Vegas history. The Neon Museum is most famous for it’s Neon Bone yard, which houses a display of retired neon signs. It makes for an epic photo-shoot location is often pictured in many an Instagram feed. There is an hour-long guided tour available of the bone yard or you can purchase a ticket for a self-guided tour. The Neon Museum is a non-profit organization and dedicated to preserving and studying the history of signs in Las Vegas, chronicling the trends in sign design since the 1930s. It’s a must-visit if you are passionate about commercial art or just need a super colourful photo for your Instagram feed!

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Thanks to Kaila for writing about the Neon Museum. Visit her site Nom List.

Chippora Photography www.chipporaphotography.com

Final Thoughts

You really need to check out Downtown Las Vegas on your Vegas trip! Did we miss something fun in Downtown Las Vegas? Let us know in the comments!

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Hotel Location

Located at the Northern end of the strip (further away from the famous Welcome To Las Vegas sign), Treasure Island is walking distance to many great shops and restaurants. It’s directly across from The Venetian. It was a great location for us; we enjoyed walking around the other hotels and along the strip.

Don’t miss these hotels while strolling along the Las Vegas strip!

Important Info:

Treasure Island Hotel & Casino
3300 Las Vegas Bvld S
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Reservations: 1-800-944-7444

Don’t forget to check the Deals & Offers page to save money on your stay!

Hotel Amenities

Hotels in Vegas are not just hotels! They have SO many other things going on it’s hard to keep track of everything!

• Casino – duh it has a casino, this is Vegas after all. It’s in the middle of the hotel, you literally can’t miss it.
• CVS – there’s a CVS right in the hotel! Tip: buy some booze here to avoid buying those $18 drinks at the pool.
• Mystére by Cirque Du Soleil – The theatre for this show is located at the back of the hotel.
• Olekasandra Spa – Full service spa and salon facilities. There’s also a fitness facility that is included in the resort fee.
• Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N – interactive exhibit to step into the Marvel universe.
• Pool and Hot Tub – The pool area has many loungers, as well as cabanas and day beds for rent. Live DJ’s liven up the pool from Thursday-Sunday!
• Shopping – several stores including The Lobby Store, The $10 Store, Siren’s Cove Shoppe and Perfume Eleven.

Thank goodness for this pool! It was perfect for cooling off. Check out my tips for surviving Las Vegas in the summer!

Restaurants

I was blown away by all the places to eat here! We didn’t even get close to trying them all, but really enjoyed Senõr Frog’s, and grabbing pizza at Pizzeria Francesco’s.

• Phil’s Italian Steak House – Steak, pasta and seafood specialties. Only open for dinner.
• Seafood Shack & Mojito Bar – Fresh fish and seafood inspired pasta and salads. Only open for dinner, the mojito bar is open at lunchtime.
• The Buffet – Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lots of options all day!
• Senõr Frog’s – A Mexican bar with a party atmosphere. We got really fun balloon animal hats here too!
• Gilley’s BBQ – A western saloon and dance hall. Serves lunch and dinner, and seasonal breakfast. There’s also a weekend champagne brunch.
• Pho-Vietnamese – The only Vietnamese food on the strip! Open lunch and dinner.
• The Coffee Shop – American food open 24 hours. Also served poolside.
• Pizzeria Francesco’s – New York style pizza. Open for lunch and dinner
• Richie’s SUB shop – subs, sausages, chicken wings and more. Lunch and dinner served.
• Starbucks – One outside and one inside! Open 24 hours
• Malena’s Yogurt Plus – Frozen yogurt, and other desserts 11am-midnight.

Rooms

We stayed in a deluxe room with two queen beds. Our room was a great size for 2 people (approx. 400sq feet) and included a mini fridge, TV, air conditioning, a generous sized bathroom and other amenities such as a hair dryer and iron. The floor to ceiling windows were a nice touch. We had a lovely view of Trump tower, and the mountains behind it. There are also suites available for those looking for more space.

Wondering what to do in Downtown Las Vegas? Check out my top 5 things!

Overall Impression

We had a really great stay at Treasure Island and I would stay there again for sure. The location is great and having restaurants like Senõr Frog’s right on site made it a really fun trip. I wish I was relaxing by the pool right now!

Have you ever stayed at Treasure Island Las Vegas?

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How To Get There

The west rim of the Grand Canyon is about a 3-hour drive from the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a fairly easy drive, but we opted to go with a tour group!

Want to stay a few days? Check out camping at Havesu Falls, it is absolutely beautiful!

Canyon Tours Review

We went with a company called Canyon Tours. I booked their West Rim Deluxe Tour with Hoover Dam Stop online before our trip.It was $128 (June 2018), the regular tour was $114. The day we landed in Las Vegas I called and confirmed with the tour company, and they confirmed our pickup time and location. We were picked up outside our hotel, and after picking up a few more passengers we were on our way right from the strip. This is a perk of booking a deluxe tour; otherwise you would get a bus to their depot and then get on the tour bus (I think this is worth the price of the deluxe upgrade alone). The bus was brand new and very comfortable, with a bathroom on board!

Our first stop was at the Hoover Dam for a quick photo op, and then we were given a boxed breakfast of a muffin, apple, crackers, orange juice and a bottle of water. We were shown a video about the formation of the Grand Canyon while we drove to the Canyon. Our guide Gerry was super knowledgeable, helping us decide where to spend most of our time while we were at the canyon.

Hualapai Indian Reserve

Once we arrived at the entrance to the Grand Canyon West Rim, which is located on the Hualapai Indian Reserve we started at a gift shop/ main office. You could book a helicopter tour here. There are buses from the main building to three stops along the Canyon.

The first stop is Hualapai Ranch, a replica village with shops and entertainment. You can also rent cabins here to spend the night. We don’t recommend spending too much time here if you’re on a tour. The other two stops are much more interesting!

Eagle Point

The second stop is Eagle Point, where you’ll find the Skywalk. The views of the canyon are beautiful here, but there’s not much hiking at this stop. The Skywalk is a glass floor horseshoe shaped bridge allowing you to see 4000 feet down to the bottom of the canyon. We opted not to pay the extra money for this. You can also dine at Sa’ Nyu Wa, a more upscale restaurant with a view.

Guano Point

The third, and best stop in our opinion is Guano Point. We spent the majority of our time here, as recommended by our guide Gerry! Our first stop was lunch at Guano deli. This lunch was included in our tour, and it was so filling! We had our choice of chicken or beef, with mashed potato, corn on the cob, a roll, a side salad and a cookie. I was actually impressed by the portions and it was delicious. After lunch we headed out to explore. We walked to the remnants of a tram that used to stretch 8800 feet over to a guano cave (guano is used as a fertilizer!).

We then did the “highpoint hike” up to see 360-degree views of the stunning canyon and Colorado River. There are a few spots here for “brag photos” It looks like you are in danger on the edge of the canyon, but really there is a ledge not far down. Canyon Tours guide Adam helped us get a lot of really funny photos. Plus he was super fun to chat with. Our guide Gerry took us to his secret spot to help us get some awesome photos as well.

After spending about 3 hours at the Grand Canyon we loaded back onto the bus to head back to Las Vegas. Our guide put a Jeff Dunham video on for the drive back. We arrived back at our hotel around 5pm.

All in all we had an amazing day with Canyon Tours, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone visiting Las Vegas. I know my best friend and I will remember this trip for the rest of our lives!

Do you have any advice for visiting the Grand Canyon West Rim? Let us know!

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