Definitely go to miami beach and sit in the sun for a while. If your going to be in a hotel ask them where a few nice clubs are at. You really should need to take a few air boat rides. Try and go to the beach when the sun sets, its the best view ever. Also there is this one water park (I don t know if you want to travel over to West Palm Beach) it s called Rapids Water Park. Which if you are staying in a hotel ask them which is the best air boat ride you should take.
This probably will not make it to your Absolutely-Must-Do list, but you should do a self-guided art deco tour in Miami. If you feel like checking out South Beach in style--do it while riding a Segway. I found this tour at http://www.tours4fun.com/art-deco-segway��Good luck!
I would honestly say to stay in the Miami area for many reasons. One would be so you don t have to waste money on renting a car, and gas, etc. Two, so you can truly enjoy Miami (the only place in South Florida is the Miami area, the Ft. Lauderdale area is suburbs and boring, slow, old people, quiet and nothing to do). Three, everything you mentioned is in Miami, and everything else is in Miami so if your place is in Miami, you can do anything you want at any time and go back to your place when ever, you won t have to worry about leaving early, or driving drunk (it takes at least one hour to get from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, and there s always traffic, you wouldn t be the only person in Ft. Lauderdale going to Miami to enjoy life lol, and at this time of year there s even MORE traffic, so it takes even longer) and you won t have to waste money on renting a car because you are already in Miami, you could just take a bus, take a cab or even walk. You would waste so much time and money driving back and forth every day. Honestly I would recommend staying in Miami, it s the best thing to do in every way and for everything. As for things to do and see...there s too many, WAY too many. There s the infinity things in Midtown and Downtown Miami, from clubs, bars, parks, arts, beaches, Jewelery District (one of the 3 or 4 in the United States), Media and Entertainment District, Design District, Fashion District, Financial District, MiMo District, all the islands, Star Island (there s a boat ride that shows you this island and the mansions and all the celebrities that live there, it s worth it), Watson Island, Port of Miami (all the cruises there is), the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, there s way too much to do, I just mentioned actual places that have a TON to do in each. Like I said you HAVE to stay in Miami, staying in Ft. Lauderdale would ruin everything, and you will not be able to enjoy your vacation fully, and a vacation with no kids, you have to stay in Miami lol. Enjoy your trip.