RIDING THE RAILS IN SOUTH FLORIDA!
Today we’re going on an adventure! I love an Adventure. Riding the train is an absolute passion of mine. Our local Tri-Rail runs from Mangonia Park at 45th street to the Miami International Airport. Furthermore, there are dozens of places to stop in between. You can check out train schedules at http://Tri-Rail.com. This origination station is on the north side of 45th street at the old Hi-Li Fronton. The trains are clean and, most noteworthy, all the cars now have wifi. Furthermore, you can sit upstairs and command a much better view. It’s a very economical and pleasant way to travel. For these reasons you’re sure to opt to leave your car in the garage. What’s more, for those of you here on vacation without transportation it’s a great way to get you around. Maybe you just didn’t feel like the added expense of a rental car and gas. Our local commuter train makes many stops in both directions and you can get to most any of the places you would like to visit. It takes a little patience and due diligence to figure out which bus will take you the rest of the way once you get to your train stop. That’s why I call it an adventure.
BEGINNINGS OF A LOVE AFFAIR
My love affair with trains started a long time as a young girl growing up in Germany. There has always been something special about a train for me. It took me to see my mom on the weekends when I was very young and she lived in a town about 30 minutes away where she had work. I lived with my Oma and Opa in a very small village and I would go visit my mom every weekend on the train. Then there is that wonderful thing called the Eurailpass which lets you travel in style to just about any country you’d like to visit in Europe, depending on what kind of pass you bought. They come in all sizes. Single country, two-three countries, 5 adjacent countries, senior, student, coach or 1st class, and they’re magical. You hop on in one spectacular place, find your nice cushy seats or sometimes even a cabin with windows and curtains you can close for complete privacy. This only happens if you buy the 1st class option though. Let me just say it is well worth the extra money to spring for 1st class. Especially if you’re traveling to multiple countries and riding long distances. Pick up some wine, bread, cheese and fruit on your way to the train station and sit back to watch the panorama of some of the most exquisite landscapes you’ll ever see.
EXCITING DESTINATIONS
There are dozens of South Florida attractions you can get to with our Tri Rail. Most probably, you will most likely have to catch a bus to get to your final destination. They’re waiting for you right outside the train station. Furthermore, many times your train ticket allows you to ride on the bus at no extra cost. The trains run every 15 to 30 minutes during the week and every hour on the weekends and holidays, with very few exceptions. Usually you will be able to get special weekend pricing with a $5 all day ticket. The Palm Tran Bus system picks up where the train leaves off, and very efficiently I might add.
You can get to South Beach, the Cruise Ship Terminals in Miami and Ft.Lauderdale, all three major International Airports, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach Intl. Coconut Grove, Bayside Marketplace in Miami on the water and many other attractions are also easily reached. Finally, it’s great for the environment. You do however have to give yourself some extra travel time as a trade off for not having to fight the traffic.
VISITING OUR WILD SIDE
Today I decided to take a trip to the Miami Metro Zoo. I will make a day of it. I will bring something to read for the train and sit back and relax and let someone else do the driving. My trip starts in the morning out of the 45th street station. As the train pulls out I settle into my seat on the top floor and watch the world go by. It takes approximately 90 minutes to get to the Miami Transfer Station. This is where you change over to the Miami Metro Rail. The Metro Rail takes you into the heart of the concrete jungle. Check out http://localtransit.net or http://metrotransit.co By Metro Rail you have access to a number of attractions which I will cover in future blog posts. We will go to Vizcaya, Parrot Jungle, Monkey Jungle, Little Havana, South Beach, and many more. To get to the Zoo you will hop on the Metro Rail Southbound down to Dadeland South. This takes approximately 30 minutes. It’s a great place to people watch. At Dadeland South you will exit the train station to the right. You’ll catch the Coral Reef Max #252 Bus just outside. This Bus literally drops you at the front gate to the Zoo. http://zoomiami.org is where you will find all the information you need. I bought my ticket online. Often times you can find reduced price tickets on http://groupon.com I walk right passed everyone to the gate and I am in. When it’s time to go you just hop back on the bus. Everyone else will be stuck in traffic trying to get out of the parking lot. There is much to be said for public transportation! Namaste!
