Miami, Florida is one of the biggest cities in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year to its white sand beaches and exciting nightlife! While there is plenty to do in Miami, there are also a lot of unique nearby attractions and cities that are sometimes overlooked by visitors. These nearby cities and attractions offer a different view of Florida! Here are the best day trips from Miami, FL!
1. The Everglades National Park
Miami visitors likely won’t think about the fact that the majority of the state used to be swampland and marshes. The Everglades National Park, located a short distance from Miami, is 1.5 million acres (600,000 hectares) of preserved Florida wetlands. It’s home to endangered wildlife such as the manatee, American crocodile, and the Florida panther. Spend a day hiking or kayaking through these untouched marshes!
The Everglades National Park
Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL
Website: The Everglades National Park
2. West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach is just under a two hour drive north of Miami, and it offers some of the best beaches in South Florida! This large city is home to the Palm Beach Island where visitors can window shop on Worth Ave, one of the wealthiest streets in the world. Enjoy the tourist-free Juno Beach and take a water taxi from downtown City Place to untouched Peanut Island.
West Palm Beach
Address: West Palm Beach, FL
Website: West Palm Beach
3. Naples
Explore the Gulf Coast of Florida by visiting Naples, home to some of the best shopping, dining, and beaches. Be sure to check out the Naples Pier, home to beautiful views of the sunset in the Gulf of Mexico. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Botanical Garden offer visitors the chance to take in the beauty of Florida.
Naples, FL
Address: Naples, FL
Website: Naples, FL
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4. Theme Parks in Orlando, FL
It’s no secret that Florida is the world’s major theme park destination. Orlando, FL, about three hours north of Miami, is where visitors can find some of the most thrilling attractions. The most popular parks are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Enjoy a day (or a week!) in these magical worlds!
Orlando, FL
Address: Orlando, FL
Website: Orlando, FL
Miami Tour Guide
Alexander Gorn
I was born in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, in the Soviet Union, and left for the USA when I was 23 years old, just out of college. Leningrad was and still is a city with great cultural traditions. I fell in love with its world-famous museums, art galleries, theaters, and other attractions. I have been guiding tours for most of my life and began while still in high school. During the summer, Leningrad was visited by numerous youth groups from the UK and USA and English-speaking students were recruited to show them around. That is how I got my first taste of being a tour guide. I continued guiding through college and often worked with young adults. After leaving the USSR, I settled in New York City, went to graduate school, and started my own travel company in 1985. We primarily worked with international visitors showing them famous places of interest all over the country, from coast to coast. Though I had other tour guides working at my company, I continued to guide because it was rewarding and enjoyable. I traveled extensively throughout the country and that's how I first became acquainted with South Florida. I instantly fell in love with this beautiful place and eventually moved to the Miami Beach area. I love South Florida and want my tourists to feel the same way. I am exhilarated by its nature and history and I promise to get you excited as well. See you in Miami!
Tours by Alexander
5. The Bahamas (from USD 169.0)
Though a separate country, the Bahamas are only a short distance away from Miami, FL. Flights or cruises between Miami and The Bahamas are easy to find, and the journey should only take a few hours. The Bahamas are home to bustling port cities and beautiful beaches, as well as a relaxed island vibe only found in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas
Address: Nassau, Bahamas
Website: The Bahamas
Bimini North Bahamas Day Trip from Miami with Hilton Day Pass
Duration: 17 hours
6. Biscayne National Park
Between Miami and Key West is Biscayne National Park, a protected area of land and sea home to coral reefs, islands, and mangrove forests. The best way to explore this National Park is by boat or kayak, and day trips from Miami are popular. Visitors can see Florida wildlife and sea life up close, and experience a park like no other! 95% of this park is covered by water, and it truly is a Florida gem.
Biscayne National Park
Address: 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL
Website: Biscayne National Park
7. Key West
This small island off the coast of Miami is the southernmost point of the United States. Located 90 miles (144 km) north of Cuba, this island is known for its world renowned snorkeling, diving, and boating. Its downtown streets are characterized by brightly colored homes, shops, and markets. Key West is also where visitors can tour Earnest Hemmingway’s home where he wrote many of his classics. Though small, Key West is not to be overlooked as a Florida destination!
Key West, FL
Address: Key West, FL
Website: Key West, FL
8. Ochopee
Ochopee, FL is a small unincorporated territory near the Everglades. It’s a nature lover’s dream, home to many wildlife tours and research centers. Visitors can take airboat rides through the swampy terrain and get up close and personal with alligators. Ochopee also offers a glimpse into what small town Florida was like before the tourist boom, with side of the road businesses and the smallest post office in the country.
Ochopee, FL
Address: Ochopee, FL
Website: Ochopee, FL
9. Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Just north of West Palm Beach, about a two-hour drive from Miami is Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This wildlife preserve encompasses both land and sea, with several protected beaches. Unlike most of the beaches in Miami, those within the Jonathan Dickinson State Park are free of hotels and tourists. Visitors can even camp in one of the many designated areas and enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Address: 16450 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL
Website: Jonathan Dickinson State Park
10. Fort Lauderdale
Bordering Miami is Fort Lauderdale, the infamous Spring Break destination of college students everywhere. Fort Lauderdale attracts more than the Spring Break party crowd, however, as it offers a stunning beachfront boardwalk and plenty of shopping and dining. The beaches are always bursting with life, and there is always something to do in this popular town! Visit Las Olas Boulevard for a more local feel and Hollywood Beach for great nightlife!
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Address: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Website: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Explore a different side of Florida
Miami is known as one of the nightlife centers of Florida, and sometimes it’s worth taking a break from the nonstop southern city to experience what else Florida has to offer! Luckily, Miami is located close to some of the other top Florida destinations, and there are an endless number of day trips for all different types of travelers!
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