While Miami has more than enough culture, beaches, and nightlife to keep you busy on vacation, one of the city’s best features is its access to incredible day trips. Nestled near the Everglades and within driving distance of several major cities, Miami is a great home base for exploring the rest of the Sunshine State. Within a short drive, you can go from Miami’s skyscrapers to the prehistoric swamps of the Everglades or the sleepy Gulf Coast of Naples.
If you’re planning a trip to Miami, here are five incredible day trips to maximize your stay.
Fort Lauderdale
About a 45-minute drive north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale offers a more laid-back vibe than its neighbor to the south. The family-friendly beach town is great for museum visits, canal boat cruises, and trendy dining. Known as the “Venice of America” because of its canal system, one of the best ways to explore Fort Lauderdale is on the water. For a quintessential Fort Lauderdale experience, book a boat tour on The Jungle Queen, which has been around since 1935. Hop on the 90-minute daytime cruise option to glide past mega-yachts and the towering mansions of “Millionaire’s Row” while learning about the city’s history from the captains.
Another option is the LauderGo Water Trolley, a complimentary water trolley that operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and allows you to hop on and off at various points throughout the city. When hunger hits, hop off at the Riverfront Plaza stop and grab a table on the waterfront patio at Boathouse on the Riverside. If you prefer an artsy detour, head to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, where you can tour the historic art-filled estate and 35-acre garden.
Everglades National Park
Florida’s Everglades National Park is one of the largest national parks in the U.S, spanning 1.5 million acres. From Miami, it’s about a 50-minute drive to the park, which is great for wildlife viewing, outdoor adventures, and family outings. This unique park ecosystem is also home to an array of wildlife, from herons and manatees to alligators.
One option for exploring the park is to visit the Shark Valley Visitor Center, where you can rent a bicycle or take a two-hour guided open-air tram tour along a paved 15-mile loop. At the halfway point, there’s a concrete observation tower that offers panoramic views of the sawgrass marsh. If you prefer a faster-paced adventure, check out one of the local airboat tour operators, such as Everglades Safari Park, which offers exhilarating rides that skim across the water’s surface. Be sure to pack heavy-duty bug spray, especially if you’re visiting during the humid summer months.
Key Largo
An hour and 15-minute drive south of Miami lands you in Key Largo, which is the very first island in the chain of the Florida Keys. Key Largo is great for snorkeling, kayaking, and tasting fresh seafood, and offers the perfect slice of the Florida Keys without the four-hour trek down to Key West. One of the main attractions here is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the United States, and here you can book a glass-bottom boat tour to see colorful corals and sea turtles.
But the best way to experience the coral reefs is to jump in. Key Largo offers great snorkeling and scuba excursions through companies like Key Largo Snorkel Tours that depart daily for shallow reef sites. After drying off, skip the tourist traps and head to Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen. This legendary local has been a favorite since 1976 and serves up world-class conch fritters and key lime pie that are worth the drive alone.
Palm Beach
If Miami’s fast pace leaves you wanting something a little quieter, head north to Palm Beach Island. Leave early for the hour-and-15-minute commute to the glamorous island known for luxury shopping, historic architecture, and serene beaches. Palm Beach has been the winter playground for America’s ultra-wealthy since the railroad and hotel magnate Henry Flagler established it as a resort town in the late 1800s. Today, travelers come here to relax and enjoy the historic attractions and fine dining.
Start your day at the Flagler Museum, Flagler’s 73-room Gilded Age estate. Afterward, take a stroll down Worth Avenue, a street filled with luxury boutique stores and restaurants. Even if you aren’t looking to buy luxury goods, the avenue’s Mediterranean Revival architecture and hidden courtyards (called vias) are incredibly photogenic. When you’re ready for lunch, head over to The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach’s charming pink hotel that’s been around since 1947. Order the crab cakes or club sandwich from the poolside Swifty’s and end your afternoon with a walk on the beach just a few blocks away.
Naples
To experience a completely different side of Florida, take the straight shot west across the state via Interstate 75 (nicknamed”Alligator Alley”) to Naples. Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, two hours from Miami, Naples trades Miami’s high-energy for calm, turquoise waters, powdery white sand, and a relaxed pace of life. Beyond the soft white sand, Naples’ beaches are a dream for shelling enthusiasts, thanks to unique Gulf Coast currents that cover the shoreline in a variety of shells. Whether you are walking the main city beaches or exploring the wilder shores of Keewaydin Island, you’re guaranteed to head home with a pocketful of coastal souvenirs.
Off the beaches, spend time wandering through the lush gardens of the Naples Botanical Garden, a 170-acre paradise showcasing plants from around the globe. As evening approaches, make your way to Fifth Avenue South, the town’s premier dining and shopping district. Dinner at Osteria Tulia or Cafe Milano Naples is a must. Just make sure to finish your dinner in time to walk back to the beach, as Gulf Coast sunsets are famously dramatic and colorful.
