1. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
City: Key Biscayne, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 361-5811
Address: 1200 South Crandon Blvd.
Description: The highlight of this state park is the historic lighthouse dating back to 1825, which is Miami-Dade County’s oldest standing structure. Swimming and picnicking are favorites pastimes of the park and lighthouse lovers are invited to take tours of the structure itself and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage on Thurs and Mon. Park rangers also give tours of the landscape on Tues through Mon at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
2. Crandon Park
City: Key Biscayne, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 4000 Crandon Park Blvd.
Description: This is one of Miami’s favorite offbeat beaches. In addition to the two-mile beach itself, there’s the Crandon Park Amusement Center and Crandon Park Beach Gardens, with lush outdoor space. All of these areas play host to outdoor lovers who engage in water sports, walking, and sunbathing. Eco-adventure tours are available. Call (305) 365-3018 for schedules and more information.
3. Virginia Key Beach Park
City: Key Biscayne, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 960-4600
Address: 4020 Virginia Beach Dr.
Description: Established in 1945, this area was once the beach that black beachgoers were relegated to. It closed in 1982 and reopened in 2008 when the property’s development began. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a lush landscape, beach, and is home to some of Miami’s oldest surviving fauna and flora species. The website offers a self-guided tour from the downloadable guidebook.