Tag: tips
Florida was once known for its roadside attractions such as Six-Gun Territory in Ocala, which featured shootouts at high noon on its dusty main drag. Winter Haven also had Cypress Gardens, known for water-ski shows and young women dressed in floral-colored southern belle costumes. Many of them went by the wayside after Walt Disney World opened in the Orlando area in 1972. But this weekend, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Hernando County will celebrate 75 years. The park draws hundreds of thousands of tourists each year for kayaking, to see manatees, and, of course, the live mermaid shows. “The park itself that the underwater theater that visitors when they go see the mermaid shows live is the only theater of its kind in the entire world,” said John Athanason, a tourism marketing specialist for Florida’s Adventure Coast. “It’s a 400-seat theater that was submerged. So the mermaids do not perform in a tank or an aquarium. They’re actually performing in a first-magnitude spring. And all the visitors able to see the magic they perform via this underwater theater.” Thursday at 10 a.m., the park will unveil 28 mermaid statues to celebrate its anniversary, in an exhibition called “Destination Mermaid: The Tail Trail.” The original anniversary observance was to be held on Oct. 13, 2022, but it was pushed back after Hurricane Ian ravaged the southwest Gulf Coast near the end of September. Athanason said the park will bring together mermaids from over the decades, including 92-year-old Diane Wyatt McDonald, one of Weeki Wachee’s first “Aquabelles.” McDonald was the co-creator of a certain pose that is depicted in “Adagio,” one of the statues that can be seen in front of the park. And there’s “legendary siren” Vicki Smith, now in her 80s and who, Athanason said, swam for Elvis Presley when he visited the park in 1961. Athanason said Weeki Wachee Springs is Hernando County’s biggest tourist draw. And after this weekend, most of the mermaid statues will be moved to different spots throughout the county. One of them will be moved to its permanent home at the Visit Florida Welcome Center at the Florida-Georgia line in Jennings, Florida. “We’re going to create a trail with a map where people can go and see these beautiful works of art, and maybe discover pieces of Hernando County that it didn’t know existed,” Athanason said. Later this month, Weeki Wachee will be holding auditions for new mermaids. Athanason said first and foremost, they are athletes. Those who wish to become a Weeki Wachee Springs mermaid have to be strong swimmers. “Someone who looks comfortable underwater or someone who doesn’t look panicky … when you’re underwater and you’re breathing compressed air, it can become dangerous,” Athanason said. Font: https://news.wfsu.org/
Settled in 1825, Miami is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States and the second most populated in the state of Florida. It is known as the ‘Magic City’ because it’s massive and seemingly overnight growth, and has a reputation around the world for its beautiful beaches, stunning ocean views, incredible nightlife, and a culture that differs from everywhere else in the country. This is a large part of the reason that the best areas to stay in Miami have become a playground for the rich and famous. Countless celebrities flock here on both a permanent and part-time basis, to make the most of the exclusive destinations in a luxurious tropical paradise. It is also a major contributing factor to why Miami is the second most visited city in America, behind only New York City, with around 80 million tourists making the trip each year. Unfortunately, this reputation has led to prices in many parts of the city skyrocketing, with everything from food and drink to accommodation and tourist attractions costing significantly more than they do elsewhere. That’s why, in today’s article, I am going to give you our 15 top tips to visit Miami on a budget, which should help make your dream holiday just that little bit more affordable – especially if you are backpacking Miami. (Psst. if this is your first visit to Maimi, take a peek at our top things to do in Miami – perfect for first-time visitors) Disclaimer: Almost all posts on this site contain affiliate links, and this one about 15+ Top Miami Travel Tips for Visiting Maimi on a Budget is no different. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (and make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Each post is carefully crafted to (hopefully!) answer all your questions and recommendations are made where we believe they will improve your trip and help with your planning. As such we thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy. Read my full Disclosure here. In This Post [show] GENERAL TRAVEL INFO FOR VISITORS TO THE USA Visa: Travelers from countries that are members of the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) do not require a visa when visiting the USA. However, it is recommended to check up-to-date visa entry requirements before your visit regardless of what country you are coming from to avoid issues and concerns on the date of your travel. Currency: The official currency in Miami Florida is the U.S. dollar or American dollar ($, USD, US$). You can withdraw currency from ATMs using your local bank card or a designated travel card. If you are visiting from another country, be sure to check any fees and charges from your bank prior to using it and carry a second source of payment/cash in case your primary card gets ‘eaten’ by an ATM. Language: English is the primary and most widely spoken language in the USA (although not the official one at the Federal level!) There are 350 other languages spoken, the main ones being Spanish, Chinese, French, and Vietnamese. WiFi/Internet Access: Depending on your length of stay, you can either purchase a local sim card (in advance or on arrival) – to swap out with the one in your own phone to avoid roaming charges. OR, grab a pay as you go portable Wifi Devices which means you can keep your sim active and connect wirelessly. Just remember to turn off data roaming so you don’t incur any hefty charges. OUR NO.1 TIP FOR VISITING MIAMI ON A BUDGET: AVOID MIAMI BEACH & SOUTH BEACH! Most visitors to the city will have heard of both Miami Beach and South Beach and will probably have fond opinions of them. I’m sure we have all seen countless movies and tv shows set here over the years. With guests lazing in luxurious, beachfront hotels, sipping drinks in private cabanas and generally living the high life, it paints a picture that this is what Miami is all about. However, while this will surely seem like a dream getaway, the price that accompanies it will be more like a nightmare for most. While many people may think you get what you pay for, there is also an element of paying simply for name recognition of the area here. These, and many of the similar beachfront locations, know that people will pay exorbitant fees to stay here, so have no need to offer any deals. If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no need to blow everything on accommodation and then end up struggling for the rest of the trip. With plenty of great options further inland, as well as along less popular sections of the beaches, you will still be able to find a hotel that adds the finishing touches to your dream vacation, without breaking the bank. DON’T GO TOO CHEAP THOUGH While the desire to find great value accommodation will be immense for those on a budget, you need to be careful about what deal you decide to go for. If something looks too good to be true, chances are it probably is. While Miami is widely known for its beauty and exclusive resorts, it also has a darker side as well. Many of the cheapest options for accommodation in the city will be in areas like Overtown, Hialeah, or the Golden Triangle. Unfortunately, these are affordable for a reason, as many are among the most dangerous in all of America. That is why it’s always incredibly important to research the area you’re looking at, to make sure you don’t end up booking somewhere you regret. LEAVE THE CAR AT THE HOTEL While there are plenty of great places to see in Miami, exploring the city by car is often not the most cost-effective way to do it. Prices for parking in the more popular, built up districts is not only hard to find but also extremely expensive, with prices averaging around 7 dollars an hour. Luckily, Miami has plenty of great public transport options, such as the Metrobus,