Weekend and Day Trips from Miami

Bahamas' loveliest island chains, located just 50 miles off of Florida's southern coast. The picturesque island destination, which is split into two main islands and a number of surrounding cays, is the closest Bahamian island to the mainland United States, best known for its unique underwater structure Bimini Road, which is said to be connected to the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Visitors can get to the island via plane, boat, or ferry from Miami and can enjoy opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, diving, or up-close underwater experiences with deadly bull sharks through the Bimini Bull Run cage experience company. Unique local foods such as conch salad are served up at a variety of regional restaurants on Bimini, which are also known for their drink specials and waterfront seating.

Blowing Rocks Preserve was originally founded in 1969 after the donation of 73 acres on Jupiter Island to the Nature Conservancy. Today, the preserve protects a one-mile section on the island spanning from its Atlantic Ocean coastline to the Indian River lagoon along its western shores. It has fully returned to the historic landscape of a south Florida barrier island a century ago, before the state's pioneer era. Visitors can explore an intact Florida dune habitat populated by sea oats, sea grapes, bay cedar, and beach sunflowers, which make a home for threatened species like green, leatherback, and loggerhead sea turtles. A native plant demonstration garden is also showcased, along with ?-mile interpretive trails spanning boardwalks and beautiful photo overlooks. Swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling are permitted throughout the park during select hours.

Address: Blowing Rocks Preserve, 575 S Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, Phone: 561-744-6668

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens preserve one of Fort Lauderdale's most beautiful historic homes, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. The home was originally constructed by Hugh Taylor Birch in 1895, named in honor of the Bonnet Lily and presented to his daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift. The home was used as a winter residence by members of the Birch family until 1997, when it was deeded to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation for use as a living history museum. Today, visitors can explore the home via guided tour throughout the year and learn about its legacy of creative expression and environmental preservation in the south Florida community. Annual special events include the weeklong Holiday Magic Festival of Trees and a summer concert series.

Address: Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, 900 N Birch Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, Phone: 954-563-5393

The Walt Disney World Resort is one of the world's most renowned theme parks, spanning more than 25,000 acres throughout Orlando, more than twice the size of the island of Manhattan. The resort, which was opened to the public in 1971, is home to four famed theme parks, including the original Magic Kingdom theme park, known for attractions like the futuristic Tomorrowland world and the famed Pirates of the Caribbean dark ride. Epcot, themed after a futuristic planned urban community, showcases pavilions and attractions related to world countries, while Disney's Hollywood Studios recreate the atmosphere of Hollywood's Golden Age. Newest park Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998, is home to zoological parks and high-thrill rides like the Expedition Everest roller coaster. 27 Disney-operated resort hotels are also located on the complex, along with attractions like the Disney Springs shopping and dining center.

Everglades National Park protects over 1.5 million acres of sensitive South Florida ecosystem, including pine flatwoods, sawgrass marshes, and coastal mangroves that provide a natural habitat for rare and endangered animals such as the Florida panther, West Indian manatee, and leatherback turtle.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site park attracts over a million visitors each year, known for its stunning opportunities for bird and wildlife watching. Visitors can observe the park's terrain at its two-story observation deck at the Shark Valley Visitor Center, explore sections of the Great Florida Birding Trail, or embark on eco-tours showcasing the park's alligator, shark, and crocodile populations. Sections of the park are also preserved for dark sky viewing, including regions like the Ten Thousand Islands and Flamingo.

Address: 40001 State Road 9336,Homestead, FL 33034, Phone: 305-242-7700

Fort Lauderdale is one of the world's top yachting tourist destinations, known for its stunning coastal beachfront and acclaimed Strip promenade, which showcases a wide variety of upscale boutiques, luxury high-rise hotels, and renowned al fresco dining destinations. Visitors can explore the city's beautiful Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk and enjoy Arts and Entertainment District attractions such as the Fort Lauderdale Historical Center, the family-friendly Museum of Discovery and Science, and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 90-minute amphibious tours traverse Fort Lauderdale's hip Las Olas Boulevard, known for its unique shopping and dining options. Along the city's beachfront, lovely Hugh Taylor Birch State Park stretches for 180 acres, known for its excellent canoeing opportunities and nature trails.

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve is a gorgeous natural refuge on Jupiter Island, originally established in 1969 on a 1,035-acre tract of land near the Indian River Lagoon. The preserve is split into two sections, including the 735-acre Jupiter Island tract, which is home to some of the nation's most popular sea turtle nesting habitats, and the 300-acre sand pine scrub mainland tract, which protects one of the state's few remaining sensitive sand pine scrub habitats. Visitors can view populations of endangered green sea and loggerhead turtles throughout the year or explore nature exhibits at the Hobe Sound Nature Center, which presents environmental education programming for visitors of all ages. The 173-acre Reed Wilderness Seashore Sanctuary is also located within the preserve, designated as a National Natural Landmark.

Homestead is a beautiful city in Miami-Dade County, located adjacent to Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. The city, which is located approximately half an hour south of Miami, was incorporated in 1913, making it the county's second-oldest existing town. Visitors can explore the gorgeous 172,000-acre Biscayne National Park, which is home to more than 20 endangered marine life species and offers opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, and water skiing throughout the year. Famed glass-bottom boat tours are also offered throughout the year, along with tent camping on beautiful island Elliot Keys. The Coral Castle preserves a unique structure by sculptor Edward Leedskalnin, considered to be "America's Stonehenge," while Fruit and Spice Park offers 37 acres of rare fruit, nut, and spice tree plantings. Each year, the city hosts the annual Homestead Championship Rodeo, known as America's southernmost annual rodeo.

Islamorada is a charming Florida Keys village stretching across six separate islands near Everglades National Park and the beautiful Florida Strait.

The village, which is commonly referred to as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World," is a hub for water sporting activities throughout South Florida, including opportunities to dive at beautiful coral reef sections within the Keys.

Islamorada visitors can get up close and personal with dolphins at the Theater of the Sea, learn about the technologies behind human diving techniques at the History of Diving Museum, or learn about the region's indigenous, pioneer, and industrial history at the brand-new Keys History and Discovery Center complex. Beautiful natural areas include the converted quarry site Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, the lushly-forested Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, and the archaeological remains at Indian Key Historic State Park.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park is named after the famed Quaker merchant of the same name, whose journal detailing his experiences with local indigenous populations following a shipwreck gained national attention in the 17th century. The park, which is located near the cities of Hobe Sound and Tequesta, is known for its excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities along picturesque rivers that meander through majestic forests. Visitors can enjoy opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking throughout the year or make use of the park's eight-mile equestrian trail system and facilities. Boating tours are offered aboard the park's lovely Loxahatchee Queen pontoon boat, letting passengers observe native and threatened Florida species. At the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center, visitors can learn about the region's ecosystems through nature exhibits or embark on ranger-led programming.