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Miami is just one of the many cruise port cities you can enjoy before or after a cruise.
Greater Miami CVB
Combining Land and Sea
Extend your vacation with pre- and post-cruise stays in the United States.
By Stacey Zable
Make the most of your next cruise by spending a few extra days in your domestic embarkation or disembarkation city. Arriving early helps ease the stress of potential travel delays and gives you a jumpstart on getting into vacation mode. Once the ship docks at your farewell port, keep the momentum going by tacking on a few more days of exploration before heading home. You never know what fun you might uncover in these popular U.S. ports.
Walk along Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and take a water taxi to reach shops, restaurants and museums.
ADOBE STOCK
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
Take a “mini cruise” before your big cruise with a Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi all-day pass along the Intracoastal Waterway of Greater Fort Lauderdale, known as the Venice of America. Hop on and hop off to explore the sights and attractions at more than 30 stops. The 15th Street Fisheries at Lauderdale Marina, for example, offers waterfront dining and great seafood. After your meal, pop into the marina store to purchase some shrimp to feed the giant tarpon living beneath the docks. Top museum choices among Fort Lauderdale’s many options include the immersive art museum Mad Arts, boasting more than 20 interactive exhibits, and the Museum of Discovery and Science, with hands-on exhibits galore and an IMAX 3D theater.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Fort Lauderdale with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
The trails at Venice Beach offer a great place to enjoy the coast of California.
Los Angeles
California
If it’s a beach you seek, you can find a couple within 30 miles of the Port of Los Angeles and within 20 miles of downtown L.A. Venice Beach, part of Venice, California, brings you sun, sand and surf with an energy-filled boardwalk. A few blocks from the beach itself, Abbot Kinney Boulevard tempts with boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Dine alfresco at Fiorelli Pizza. Or, head south about 10 miles to Manhattan Beach, where El Porto and the Strand beach areas welcome you to dip into the Pacific Ocean or appreciate the rolling waves from the sands. At the nearby Strand House, Southern California produce is on the menu along with views of the ocean. Back north in L.A., the new, 75,000-square-foot NHM Commons, an indoor-outdoor wing at The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park, features a more than 75-foot-long sauropod skeleton and the landmark mural, “L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective,” by L.A. artist Barbara Carrasco. Feast your eyes on more art—and stunning city views—at The Getty Center in Pacific Palisades.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Los Angeles with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
Don't forget to protect your cruise vacation investment with Travel insurance, even if you've already booked. Visit AAA.com/TravelInsurance for a free quote.
Posing for a photo at Wynwood Walls, Miami’s street art museum
GREATER MIAMI CVB
Miami
On your own or on a guided tour, stroll through Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District to admire the architecture of the 1920s and 1940s. The National Register of Historic Places district is home to approximately 800 designated historic buildings. Besides Art Deco, some of the buildings represent other modern architectural styles, such as Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (MiMo), as well. Discover the murals of Wynwood Walls, Miami’s street art museum. Get on the water with a Key Biscayne Kayak Adventure, or see local celebrity mansions and the Art Deco District while on a Thriller Speedboat Tour from Bayside Marketplace. Head to Little Havana, Miami’s Cuban neighborhood, to watch locals play a game of dominoes at Maximo Gomez Park (known as Domino Park) and to dine on Cuban fare at Versailles Restaurant.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Miami with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
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New York City
New York
Start with Manhattan’s must-sees, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty (click here for tickets). Be sure to also walk through Greenwich Village to browse boutiques and people watch from sidewalk cafes. Chinatown and Little Italy offer their own vibes and choice of excellent dining spots. See a Broadway show and listen to servers who could be future Broadway stars sing their hearts out at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim and a host of cultural museums paying homage to people from around the world are just the beginning of the museums to explore.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in New York with AAA.com/TripCanvas
The Spotted Cat Music Club video
New Orleans
Louisiana
Bourbon Street welcomes those looking for a party, but it’s also a culinary hub. Don’t miss Galatoire’s Restaurant, known for its upscale French Creole cuisine. Other restaurants relatively close to the Port of New Orleans include Brennan’s, Palace Cafe and Herbsaint. Try the beignets at Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter and the po’boys at Parkway Bakery and Tavern in the Mid-City area. Spend at least one night—or every night—listening to live music. Choices along Frenchmen Street include the Blue Nile and The Spotted Cat Music Club for jazz music. Hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to see beautiful homes, and then tour the Garden District to see more lovely historical houses.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in New Orleans with AAA.com/TripCanvas
RON JON SURF SHOP VIDEO
Port Canaveral
Located on Florida’s Space Coast, Port Canaveral sits near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island, one of Florida’s barrier islands. Here, immerse yourself in all things related to space exploration. For sand exploration, head to the beach at Jetty Park at Port Canaveral. Be sure to walk its 1,200-foot pier, from where you can fish, surf, kayak and watch cruise ships come and go. Seven miles south sits Cocoa Beach, home to the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop and the perfect place to outfit yourself for fun in the surf and sun. Dine at Coconuts on the Beach or Long Doggers while in the area. Disembarked in Florida and are wondering why Mickey Mouse isn’t there to greet you? Don’t worry. The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando is approximately a one-hour drive, so it’s easy to schedule a visit with Mickey and friends.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Orlando with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
For tickets to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Walt Disney World Resort, visit AAA.com/Tickets.
Mount Rainier National Park
Seattle
Washington
The city’s network of monorail, light rail and streetcars make it easy to visit the major sights, and Pike Place Market is a good spot to start. With its 9 historic acres in the center of downtown, it is known as the spot to shop, visit and eat to support local artisans, farmers and small businesses. A jaunt across the pedestrian walkway leads to the Seattle Aquarium and its new Ocean Pavilion holding 3,500 animals and plants. Keep out an eye for sharks and rays, plus nearly 30 species of coral. Several blocks north towers the iconic Space Needle. Go to the top for the best view of Seattle and the surrounding area, including mountains that are part of three national parks located within a 2.5-hour drive of the city. Olympic National Park encompasses nearly 1 million acres, with mountains, 70 miles of coastline and temperate rainforests to explore. North Cascades National Park has glaciers, alpine lakes and hiking trails. Mount Rainier National Park is home to the tallest mountain in Washington state (at 14,410 feet) and alpine meadows.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Seattle with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
Kumba high-speed coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
BUSCH GARDENS
Tampa
Stroll the 2.6-mile path at the Tampa Riverwalk located along the Hillsborough River for a choice of dining and sightseeing, including at the Tampa Bay History Center and the Tampa Museum of Art. Grab a bite at either Ulele or Sparkman Wharf. Also, stop at the Florida Aquarium, which boasts a 500,000-gallon Coral Reef habitat and a Wetlands of Florida exhibit among its attractions. Another option is to spend a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for family fun in the form of thrill rides and a top zoo filled with more than 16,000 animals, plus live shows, restaurants, shops and seasonal special events. For a look at the Tampa of yesteryear, visit the Ybor City neighborhood, eating lunch or dinner at Columbia Restaurant, which opened in 1905 and is said to be Florida’s oldest restaurant.
Discover the best activities and accommodations in Tampa with AAA.com/TripCanvas.
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