Picture yourself on a secluded island, seventy miles off Key West at one of America’s most remote National Parks. You can be snorkeling, sunning, and swimming in the most inviting turquoise ocean. On land you can tour a 19th century fort, hike out to a bird sanctuary, or discover purple coral […]
South Florida
33 posts
The Florida Keys is an archipelago of over 1,700 islands connected by a series of bridges, including the southernmost part of the continental US. A trip to the keys is synonymous with day drinking and beach lazing – but if you’re feeling more active there is so much to see […]
The North entrance to Everglades National Park is Shark Valley, just under an hour from Miami on the historic Tamiami Trail. Here is a 15 mile paved scenic loop trail and there multiple means of exploring it. You can take the two hour tram ride, bicycle – bring your own […]
An hour south of Miami, but an entire world away, is the main entrance to Everglades National Park. A great place to start your exploration is at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center [40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034], grab a map and begin your journey. There is one […]
The Everglades is an expansive 1.5 million acres of wetland, the third largest National Park in the lower 48, and it’s only 20% of the original tract. At one point there was a plan to drain the entire swamp, which would have been devastating to the environment. It’s the largest […]
Florida isn’t the first state I think of when it comes to BBQ, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some seriously kickin plates in the state. When in the Miami area Shiver’s BBQ [28001 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033] is an institution for the cuisine. It gets packed […]
It’s funny how a huge international city can feel like a small town sometimes. I met a fellow birder at Fairchild Gardens who gave me a local tip when I lamented that I had not seen any hummingbirds in the wild. He said go to Castellow Hammock Park [22301 SW […]
I cannot pass up a quirky roadside attraction. Since the 1940s, right off U.S. Route 1 the Coral Castle [28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033] has been raising questions. How did one man build this structure and why on earth did he do it? We may never know, but […]
Everybody knows about the swampy gator filled Everglades National Park, but did you know there is another natural wonderland in the NPS, easily day-trip-able from Miami? Biscayne National Park is mostly aquatic, but you can take an amazing boat tour and hike around a little island – it’s a delightful […]
Orchids are among the most elegant and delicate of blossoms in our world. They can be difficult to grow, rare to see in the wild, and an absolute pleasure to witness thriving in a garden. R.F. Orchids [28100 SW 182 Ave. Homestead, FL 33030-1804] is the premiere spot in Florida […]
South Florida’s take on the Garden of Eden, Fruit and Spice Park is a paradise where you can forage for delectable exotic fruits. This is another dreamlike location for me, I love horticulture – must have been passed down from my grandma who worked at the NY Botanical Gardens. Start […]
Exotic fruit is my favorite thing to get at a foreign market, and this one has the craziest variety I have ever encountered! Robert is Here Fruit Stand [19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL 33034] is my dream come true. It’s a really cool learning experience, walk around to see […]
A seasonal farm whose cinnamon rolls are so sensational, lines queue up before 8AM! Hop right on, because Knaus Berry Farm [15980 SW 248th St, Homestead, FL 33031] is a South Florida tradition not to be missed. I arrived just past eight and waited for about twenty minutes, positively drooling. […]
Nestled between Miami and the Florida Keys is the city of Homestead, filled with an array of really eclectic things to do. You can… +Hop on line for a delicious cinnamon roll from Knaus Berry Farm +Discover exotic fruits and drink them in a shake Robert is Here +Forage for […]
I actually did some things in Palm Beach County other than hiking and bird watching, believe it or not! Hit the beach: Ocean Reef Park, 3860 N Ocean Dr, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 Free and spacious parking lot with a little boardwalk leading to a lovely beach and a cool […]