Top Things to Do in Miami: Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours, Everglades, Boat Rentals
With its mild weather, ocean setting, and extensive resort facilities, Miami is one of the greatest tourist centers of the world.
According to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), more than 23 million tourists visited the Greater Miami area in 2018. In 2021, 15.9 million overnight visitors and an additional 8.3 million day visitors totaling 24.2 million came to the area, which essentially matched the total volume of tourists seen in 2019.
Tourism is Miami’s number one job creator, historically supporting nearly 144,800 jobs annually.
What is the best way to explore Miami? There is so much to see and do in Miami that there isn’t an exact answer to that question, but at Island Queen Cruises & Tours we have quite a few options that let you see all parts of the city in a variety of different ways.
Do you want to explore downtown and visit some of the best shopping you’ll find anywhere before heading off to the beach? Island Queen Cruises & Tours’ Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours are a perfect choice.
Are you intrigued by the Everglades? Over one million people visit the Everglades each year, the draw being that it’s an opportunity to see a pristine stretch of Florida that is unrivaled by any other area in the world. The Everglades is a large section of wetlands that is home to several unique species of birds, reptiles, and fish. While a lot of the area is grassy, slow-moving rivers and sawgrass marshes create a diverse ecosystem. The entire area spans 734 miles or 1.5 million acres. Island Queen Cruises & Tours offers a Big Bus and Everglades package with transportation in Miami that gives you an up-close look at the Everglades that is unmatched.
Everyone needs to visit Key West at least once in their lives. Aside from the fantastic year-round weather, Key West has fantastic beaches, incredible restaurants and shopping, exciting nightlife, and perhaps the most beautiful sunsets you can find on the planet. Island Queen Cruises & Tours offers daily bus trips to and from Key West that allow you to escape the hassle of driving and let you take in magical sights along the Overseas Highway – a one-of-a-kind experience that you’ll treasure forever.
Maybe you’re more of a DIY vacationer. Or perhaps you’re looking to throw an epic private party for a birthday, graduation, or just looking to create a lasting Miami memory. Island Queen Cruises & Tours offers boat rentals that are perfect for group outings for celebrations, parties, or just a day of living the high life out on the water.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
Island Queen Cruises & Tours Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a unique and very popular sightseeing tour and is a favorite of visitors because it provides the most convenience while visiting Miami because, as the title suggests, you can hop-on and hop-off anywhere that suits you!
If you want to do a little shopping in the morning, spend the afternoon napping on Miami Beach, and then watch the sunset on a boat in the early evening, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus day tour is for you.
Miami’s only Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour enables the total flexibility to create your own itinerary and see the sights that are of interest to you. If you hop off the bus and get caught up in some of the incredible shopping, no worries! Shop as long as you’d like and simply catch the next bus that comes by – it’s straightforward and easy.
The Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour gives you the flexibility to get around the city without renting a car. It offers a fantastic tour of Miami from the city’s only open-top, double-decker sightseeing bus.
The tour route is designed to feature the best of Miami with sightseeing, attractions, art, architecture, museums, shopping, and plenty of dining opportunities at every stop. Every main area, district, and must-see location is covered in the route, with the main hubs being in South Beach and downtown Miami.
Each bus trip provides a one-of-a-kind narration by live guides – this entertaining tour introduces the magic city with facts and fun tidbits. Miami’s international flavor, natural beauty, celebrity intrigue, cultural depth, iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and rich history all come alive as we blend the past, present and future on our tour.
Visit Key West
Key West, the southernmost point in the United States, is known for its beaches, watersports, historic sites, its pastel, conch-style architecture, exciting nightlife, and its laid-back vibe.
Located nearly 160 miles from Miami, Key West is part of the Florida Keys, which is made up of nearly 1,700 small islands that extend south from the southern tip of Florida. All of the islands are amazing and the trip down to Key West is just as exciting and exhilarating as spending time there. On the way to Key West, you’ll cross the famous “Seven Mile Bridge” which is featured in movies like True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, License to Kill, and the hit Netflix show Bloodline.
Key West has a rich history, beautiful ecosystems, and exciting nightlife on the world-renowned Duval Street. There is an endless array of water activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and parasailing. History buffs can take a narrated journey through Old Town Key West on the Conch Tour Train. You can also explore Old Town by foot or bicycle to get a real sense of the character of the town and those that inhabit it. The island is full of unique stores, restaurants, bars, museums, and private homes.
Many visitors to Miami tend to skip Key West because they don’t want to take on the additional driving. Island Queen Cruises & Tours offers transportation to Key West by bus, which makes the experience much more enjoyable – passengers are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery without having to pay attention to traffic.
Yacht and Boat Rentals
Like we said above, if you’re more of a DIY vacationer, Island Queen Cruises & Tours has got you covered with our Yacht and Boat Rentals. If you are looking to host a fantastic birthday party, bachelor or bachelorette party, family party, or just want to celebrate in style while you’re in Miami, a private boat rental is just what you’re looking for.
The Beach Lady is a 40-foot catamaran that accommodates up to 40 passengers for sightseeing and transport, and comfortably holds 25 passengers for beach parties or celebrations on the water. Hourly, half-day, and full-day rates are available.
Amenities on the Beach Lady include a wide-step, drop-down swim ladder and drop-down bow ladder for beach access, water toys (paddleboards, water mats, noodles, snorkeling, and a floating lounge), partial sun cover with protected enclosure, one unisex bathroom, and a licensed crew and experienced staff.
The Recess is a 41-foot Sea Ray Sundancer yacht that accommodates up to 12 passengers and is perfect for small celebrations and parties, and is also available at hourly, half-day, and full-day rates. The Recess has an air-conditioned interior, a bathroom, and an interior lounge. The deck in the front of the Recess is perfect for lounging. It also comes with a licensed crew, experienced staff and a gourmet catering service. The Recess is a perfect choice for small parties – it lets you experience the Miami high life at a reasonable rate!