Visitor Information

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau, 701 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131 (tel. 800/933-8448; www.miamiandbeaches.com), is the best source for specialized information about the city and its beaches. Even if you don't have a specific question, you should request a free copy of Tropicool, the bureau's vacation planner for greater Miami and the beaches. And remember that just because information on a particular establishment you're inquiring about is not available, that doesn't mean the place doesn't exist: The GMCVB only endorses member businesses.

The Greater Miami and Beaches Hotel Association, 407 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139 (tel. 800/531-3553; www.gmbha.org), provides information on accommodations and tours.

Because Miami is such a vast city, some of the more popular neighborhoods have their own chambers of commerce that will provide you with specific information on events, accommodations, and attractions in their areas. Here's a partial list:

Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, 420 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139 (tel. 305/672-1270; www.miamibeachchamber.com)

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 2333 Ponce de León Blvd., Suite 650, Coral Gables, FL 33134 (tel. 305/446-1657; www.gableschamber.org)

Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 2820 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove, FL 33133 (tel. 305/444-7270; www.coconutgrove.com)

Florida Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce (representing Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, and Surfside), 1100 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154 (tel. 561/866-6020; www.flgoldcc.org)

For information on visiting the Fort Lauderdale area, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitor's Bureau, 1850 Eller Dr., Suite 303, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (tel. 954/765-4466; www.sunny.org), offers a 71-page vacation planner, as well as maps and other helpful information on the area and its beaches.

The Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (tel. 561/471-3995; www.palmbeachfl.com), offers maps, brochures, and, if you request it, a coupon book of over $500 in savings in the Palm Beach area. Ask for it!

Because there are so many islands in the Florida Keys, the best place for information is at www.florida-keys.fl.us/chamber.htm, where you can send e-mail requests to each individual Florida Keys chamber of commerce. To call, contact the chambers of commerce at the following numbers: Key Largo (tel. 800/822-1088 or 305/451-1414); Islamorada (tel. 305/664-4503); Marathon (tel. 800/262-7284 or 305/743-5417); Lower Keys (tel. 800/872-3722 or 305/872-2411); and Key West (tel. 800/527-8539 or 305/294-2587).

For the Everglades, the Tropical Everglades Visitor's Center, 160 U.S. 1, Florida City, FL 33034 (tel. 305/245-9180), will provide you with information on tours, sites, and parks in the area.

For information on traveling throughout Florida, including a calendar of events, a guide to accommodations, and a list of useful websites, contact Visit Florida, P.O. Box 1100, 66 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32302 (tel. 888/7-FLA-USA; www.flausa.com).

For Florida State Parks, see www.floridastateparks.org.