2020 Blogs Featuring Destinations

Travel about 25 minutes west and north from Port Miami or about 25 minutes west and north from Miami International Airport and you will find the area of Doral and Sweetwater. This community is very diverse and offers activities for everyone from high-end shopping to parks and green spaces for relaxing.  There are festivals to attend, music performances to enjoy, and even comedy to revel in.  The downtown area offers shopping, restaurants, and entertainment in many forms. The most prominent…

The city of Miami Gardens is located about 30 minutes’ drive north and slightly east of the Miami International Airport and about 20 minutes north and slightly west of Port Miami.  Sports are the name of the game here, particularly football, tennis, and golf.  There’s also a horse race track and casino for those that prefer a little gaming.   Miami Gardens is home to the Hard Rock Stadium where the NFL Miami Dolphins play.  Since the 2019 debut of…

At only 15 minutes’ drive from Tampa International Airport and six minutes from Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal, downtown Tampa and the surrounding area is an activity-packed destination.  Restaurants and shops abound as well as museums and other interesting things to do.  Here are just a very few of these. You can view animals of all sorts at the Lowry Park Zoo.  The zoo also known as ZooTampa provides educational opportunities as well as hosts special events such as Creatures…

The city of San Francisco, California, is full of iconic images and places to visit.  Regardless of whether you like art, history, culture, cuisine, beaches, gardens, or science there is something for you to do here.  Why not try something new while you’re here as well? Golden Gate Park might be considered the Central Park of the West Coast.         It’s a huge expanse that contains not only green space, but such attractions as the Conservatory of Flowers, It…

Located nine miles from San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, or as it’s unofficially known San Juan Airport, is Old San Juan.  This area is also about a 9-minute walk from Port-O-Call, the cruise port in San Juan. This picturesque area is home to shops, restaurants, and loads of history!  There are even original cobblestone streets that are paved with blue stones.              You can check out not one, but two Spanish forts built to…

Situated about 20 minutes from SeaTac Airport and about 13 minutes from the Port of Seattle, you’ll find downtown Seattle.  The city is home to numerous attractions and there truly is something for everyone.  You can find interesting history, great cuisine, amazing museums, national sport teams, eclectic music, beautiful parks and other natural areas, and lots of coffee houses! For history, Pioneer Square is a must.  Here historic buildings house art galleries, shops, restaurants, hotels and other points of interest. …

Drive a half an hour southwest from Port Miami or the same amount of time due south from Miami International Airport and you will come to the Village of Palmetto Bay. The centerpiece attraction here is the Charles Deering Estate.  Mr. Deering, his brother James of neighboring Vizcaya fame, and their father were the founders and owners of Deering Harvester, which became International Harvester. The estate is a true treasure and has many opportunities to enjoy history, nature, music and…

The Town of Miami Lakes is found 20 minutes north of the Miami International Airport and about ½ an hour north and west of Port Miami.  The town was once part of a very large dairy farm and you will see cows in pastures right outside of downtown.  The animal is a very important part of the community and you will see them honored in many ways.  They even occasionally get loose and take a trek through town!         The…

Miami Springs is located approximately 20 minutes’ drive west and north of Port Miami and about 15 minutes north of Miami International Airport.  You will really get the small-town feel here.  The center piece of activity is the Circle which appropriately enough is in the middle of downtown and features a large gazebo.  The grounds play host to several festivals and events throughout the year including the Festival of Fine Arts and the River Cities Festival.               The City…

If you travel about 20 minutes’ drive south and east of Port Miami and about 30 minutes southeast from Miami International Airport, you’ll find the island village of Key Biscayne.  Located just across Biscayne Bay from Miami, Key Biscayne is home to current and past notables such as actor Brad Pitt, former President Richard Nixon (his “Florida White House”), singer and actor Cher, and actor Andy Garcia. Water sports and activities are king here as you can imagine.  There are…

The City of South Miami is located about 20 minutes south of Miami International Airport and about 25 minutes southwest of Port Miami.  This city has a number of parks and green spaces to enjoy such as Palmer Park, Fuchs Park, Dante Fascell Park, Van Smith Park, and All-American Park to name a few.  Some of these has basketball, soccer, and other standard park facilities and others are more natural or offer greenspace to relax and enjoy.  They are also…

Just over 20 minutes south of Miami International Airport and under 30 minutes southwest of Port Miami, you will find the Village of Pinecrest.  The village is home to a number of parks featuring tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic areas, green spaces, and lots more, but the crown jewel of the village is Pinecrest Gardens.  The Gardens feature over 1000 varieties of tropical plants and trees.  There is also a beautiful indoor space for parties and gatherings as well.  The park…

Approximately a 45-minute drive southwest of Port Miami and Miami International Airport you’ll find the area of Homestead and Florida City.  This area boasts a lot of history as well as exciting adventures!  Florida City is the southernmost municipality in the South Florida area. Stroll along the street of the historical downtown of Homestead and stop into the City Hall Museum to get an idea of what life was like for the founding fathers.  The antique fire truck provides a…

The City of Sunrise is located approximately half an hour’s drive northwest of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. The area boasts several large and small venues for entertainment.  The largest is the BB&T Center Arena, home to the NHL Florida Panthers hockey team.  You can also see concerts and shows of nationally and internationally known acts, such as Billy Joel, KISS, Bon Jovi, John Legend, comedian Joe Rogan, classical artists Il Volo, and Cirque Du Soleil have all…

The City of Wilton Manors is many things to many people, but above all else it’s about freedom.  The freedom to be oneself, the freedom to enjoy nature, and the freedom to enjoy and make art. The city is home to the second largest proportion of gay couples relative to the entire population in the United States.  As of the 2018 elections, the City of Wilton Manors became the first city in Florida and the only the second city in…

The City of Coral Gables is located about 20 minutes west and south from Port Miami and about 20 minutes south and east of Miami International Airport.  This city is vibrant with art, color, and history. The historic Venetian Pool was built in 1920 and is still is use today.  Originally carved from a coral rock quarry it features a waterfall, bridge and grottoes.               Also built in 1920, the internationally known Biltmore Hotel reflects the opulence of the period.  The…

Just over 15 minutes’ drive east from Port Miami and about 20 minutes’ drive east of Miami International Airport brings you to the barrier island which is home to Miami Beach and the southern area of Miami known as South Beach. As you can imagine, the beaches here are the stars of the show. However, there are many other things to do here some of which still incorporate the beach and the water.  You can find art installations on the…

The area of Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens is about 20 minutes north of the Miami International Airport and about 25 minutes north and west of Port Miami.  It is centered around a large Cuban community and features lots of parks, creativity, and art. Amelia Earhart Park is the largest in the area with five lakes, water skiing, wakeboarding, mountain bike trails, a petting zoo, boat rentals, a bark park, a farm, disc golf, a Tom Sawyer Island tree fort, and…

The area of North Miami, Biscayne Park, North Miami Beach, El Portal and Miami Shores is situated 15 minutes north of Port Miami and 20 minutes northwest of Miami International Airport.  You will find much more to explore here than just the iconic beaches. In the spirit of jigsaw puzzles, North Miami is home to one of the largest ever done in the form of an ancient Spanish Monastery, originally built in the 1100s and used for that purpose for 700 years.…

The City of Weston is located about 30 minutes by car west of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and just east of the Florida Everglades.  This area is known for its golf courses, tennis courts, and spas. The most famous of these is the Bonaventure Country Club.  The golf course is home to the nationally known #3 Waterfall Hole. If you aren’t much of a golfer, this course is a part of the Bonaventure Resort and Spa.  You…

The City of Pembroke Pines is located about a half an hour’s drive southwest from Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.  It’s also about the same distance northwest from Miami.  The City Hall is part of a larger complex named the Charles City Center.  It houses not only governmental offices, but also holds many events throughout the year. Another major attraction in Pembroke Pines is C. B. Smith Park.  The massive park truly offers something for everyone!  There are…

The city of Parkland is situated about 40 minutes northwest of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.  Nature and outdoor activities are on full display in this family-oriented community. Pine Trails Park is home to a vast array of activities and events.  The park features a large amphitheater that serves as a community gather place for performances, shows, festivals, and more.   Some of the events that are held here are the Eats and Beats concerts series, Family Fun…

The City of Oakland Park sits approximately 20 minutes north of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.  This city is about fun with friends and neighbors! Arguably the centerpiece of activity is Jaco Pastorius Park, named for the famous American jazz bass guitarist.  Many events are held here including Octoberfest, the Polynesian Cultural Festival, Latin Fest, Halloween Bash and many more.  Located about a half an hour southwest of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, the cities of…

Located about a half an hour southwest of Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, the cities of Miramar and West Park are focused on family fun.  There is an abundance of activities available that are suitable for every member of your family. One of the featured attractions in Miramar is the Miramar Regional Park.  It has amenities galore!  You can play a number of sports including volleyball, baseball, cricket, soccer, and football.  You can enjoy swimming and a kiddie…

The cities of Margate and North Lauderdale offer lots of family fun!  This area is approximately 30 minutes west and slightly north of Port Everglades and the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.  It’s also a less expensive place to use as a hub when exploring the greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas. One of the best attractions in the area is the Calypso Cove Aquatic Center. With a swimming pool, water slides, and huge kiddie splash area, there is something for…

Hillsboro Beach and Lighthouse Point are all about the long history of living on the ocean.  There are so many water activities to participate in that there is something for everyone.  You can charter a sailboat to get that “wind in your hair” feeling.  If you like the idea of catching your dinner, you can take advantage of one of the many fishing boat charters around.    There are lots of dive shops if you’d prefer to see the underwater…

The beach is where it’s at in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea!  Come spend a lazy afternoon enjoying the warm waters off the beach in this small community.  Take a stroll or try your hand at fishing on Anglin’s Fishing Pier. Scuba diving and surfing are popular sports here, too.  You can also find live music every weekend and fun shops to poke around in.  Restaurants and beach-side bars abound for your amusement as well!   Special Needs Group is pleased to service you…

Little Havana is the center of Miami's Hispanic culture and Cuban heart.  Calle Ocho (Eighth Sreet) is the main street of the neighborhood which is filled with art, spirit, walk-up cafes, cigar smoking and dominoes. Versailles, on of Calle Ocho's most popular spots since 1971, features a plethora of Cuban cuisine - ham croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja with yellow rice, black beans and sweet plantains to go along with Cuban coffee (cafecitos) and espresso (cortados) to drink.   Along Calle Ocho, you'll also…

Hallandale Beach and its iconic beach ball water tower beckons you to enjoy the warm sand and surf!  If the beach isn’t your thing, or you are looking for more excitement, check out Gulfstream Racetrack & Casino for the heart-pounding action wagering on "Sport of Kings" and gaming!  The track is a stone’s throw from the ocean making it one of the most beautiful in the country.  Gulfstream is home to premier thoroughbread racing and host of the annual Florida Derby. …

Bal Harbour Village is home to white sand beaches, deluxe oceanfront hotels, fine dining and upscale shopping.  Hotels include The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Quarzo Bal Harbour, Sea View Hotel, and St. Regis Bal Harbour.  The four hotels as well as internationally renowned Bal Harbour Shops offer plenty of stellar views and dining options. The Bal Harbour Shops’ two floors of boutiques surrounded by palm trees, founds and ponds attract shoppers from around the world. Special Needs Group is pleased to…