Miami Marine Stadium and Park on Virginia Key is at once a dream and nightmare venue for the Miami International Boat Show. On the dream side of things, having boats in the water within short walking distances of indoor exhibits featuring engines, accessories and more is as good as it gets. On the other hand—as attendees and exhibitors learned last year at the then-new venue—having the nation’s largest boat show situated on a tiny island served by a single causeway creates a transportation nightmare.
Hot tip for getting to and from the 2017 Miami International Boat Show? Avoid peak arrival and departure times. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
While significant numbers of water taxis and shuttles reportedly have been added for the 2017 Miami Boat Show, which runs Feb. 16-20, long waits during peak arrival and departure times will be inevitable. So coming and going at “off hours” is a good strategy for those who’d like to at least try to minimize waiting time for transportation. Regardless, based on last year’s show anyone who goes will want to bring plenty of patience.
Here’s a quick look at the transportation options for this year’s event from the Miami International Boat Show website:
Shuttle Buses
•Hyatt Regency, Downtown, hub for Epic, JW Marriott Marquis, James L. Knight Center and Marriott Courtyard. 400 S.E. 2nd Ave.
•Bayside Marketplace (Strictly Sail Miami) 401 Biscayne Blvd.
•American Airlines’ Arena
601 Biscayne Blvd.
•Marlins Park
501 Marlins Way
•Yachts Miami Beach (Collins Ave., South Beach)
Note: Shuttle buses will depart from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on all show days. Last outbound from Miami is 4:30 p.m. Last outboard from Yachts Miami Beach is 5:30 p.m.
•W Hotel (formerly Viceroy), hub for all Brickell Hotels, 485 Brickell Ave.
•Hyatt Regency Miami/Downtown, hub for Intercontinental and YVE Hotels and SS Miami Bayside, 100 Chopin Plaza.
•American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd.
Note: Water taxis will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on all show days. Last outbound from Miami is 4:30 p.m. Water taxi customers must have an admission ticket and/or an exhibitor/trade credential to board. Tickets can be purchased by credit card at all water taxi locations.
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