Itinerary At-A-Glance
Location: Florida
3-Day Itinerary for BISCAYNE NP AND MIAMI
Timeline: Saturday, April 13 to Monday, April 15, 2019
I visited the Florida Keys for 6 days in mid-April 2019, a two-part trip which included: (1) a drive down and back from Miami to Key West along the “Overseas Highway”, a day trip by seaplane from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park, and an extra day to explore Key West; and (2) a day trip to Biscayne National Park coupled with “36 Hours in Miami”. I highly recommend the March/April timeframe for this trip before the heat of summer and stormier fall weather. Below is the itinerary for Part (2); the itinerary for Part (1) is found under “Dry Tortugas”.
Ranked #39 Visitation Rank and #35 for Size
What’s Special at Biscayne National Park
- Snorkel/Scuba – third largest barrier reef in the world with more than 50 shipwrecks
- Kayak – the bay area is calm and the mangrove forest along the shoreline is scenic and moody
- Activities with Biscayne NP Institute – this concessionaire offers a wide range of activities out on the water including sailing, paddle-boarding, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba.
What’s Special at Miami
- The Beach: sunbathe, swim, wander, people watch; photograph it all. The world’s your oyster.
- Art Deco Architecture: the epicenter of this design craze of the 1920s-30s was Miami Beach and it is visually stunning, particularly the stretch along Ocean Drive in the South Beach area.
Lodging in Miami
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club Autograph Collection (3929 Collins Avenue, 305-538-3373): an excellent deal and very nice oceanside property in Mid-Beach; jazz saxophonist in lobby bar is a very nice touch.
Restaurants
- Stiltsville Fish Bar (1787 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach, 786-655-4365)
- 11th Street Diner: opens 7am (1065 Washington Avenue, South Beach, 305-534-6373)
Visitor Center and Other Sites
- Dante Fascell Visitor Center (9700 SW 328th Street, 305-230-1144): Check out the exhibits and film on local ecosystems
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: (1200 South Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne 786-582-2673)
- World Erotic Art Museum (1205 Washington Avenue, 305-532-9336)
Daily Itinerary
Day 4: The Overseas Highway to Biscayne NP (Saturday, April 13)
- Drive from Key West to Homestead, FL (near Biscayne NP) visiting points I missed on the drive down (see Dry Tortugas and Key West Itinerary)
- Seven-Mile Bridge – it’s all water for miles and miles along this Bridge! A stunning part of the drive.
- The Turtle Hospital – a rapid response, surgical and rehabilitation center for injured turtles. The 45-minute tour is terrific and should be booked in advance.
- Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary – dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured birds.
- John Pennekamp State Park – considered a Top 10 U.S. state park. Swim, kayak or snorkel; take a coral cruise on the glass-bottomed boat but reserve in advance. Great visitor center.
Day 5: Biscayne NP and Miami Beach (Sunday, April 14)
- 09:00 AM: Arrive at Dante Fascell Visitor Center, and sign in for the outing with Biscayne NP Institute. Reserve in advance via their website.
- 10:15 AM – 04:15 PM Full Day with “Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Venture”. Highly recommend using an outfitter for an adventure at Biscayne. Drive to Miami Beach.
- 05:30 PM: Check in: Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club Autograph Collection, Mid-Beach Dinner: Stiltsville Fish Bar/Miami Beach for terrific fish and cocktails in an upscale environment with a casual vibe.
- Late Night Fun: World Erotic Art Museum – open until midnight!
Day 6: Exploring South Beach and Key Biscayne (Monday, April 15)
- 06:00 AM: Arise for Sunrise (06:58 AM; 06:35 AM first light): photograph lifeguard stations and beach at sunrise.
- Across the street, start the self-guided Art Deco walking tour in the beautiful soft morning light
- 08:00 AM: Breakfast: 11th Street Diner. This diner is situated in a classic dining car restored to its original Art Deco style on a Miami Beach street corner. Enjoy the ambience!
- Afternoon in Key Biscayne (the southern tip of Miami Beach)
- 12:00 – 04:00 PM: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – explore trails, sunbathe on the beach, summit the lighthouse (I did this instead of the overrated Crandon Park)
- Head back to MIA and return the rental car before the flight back home
RESOURCES
Books
- Lonely Planet, Miami & the Keys, 2018. I find the Lonely Planet travel series provides both well-organized information and interesting ideas, for example, a walking tour of Art Deco Miami Beach. I used this guide more for Part (2) – Miami and Biscayne.
- Karuna Eberl and Steve Alberts, Key West & the Lower Keys, 2017. Winner of “Best Travel Book” at the American Book Festival. Having read a half dozen of these, this is the one, hands down, for spot-on insights delivered in a humorous, irreverent style. Great pics, great writing. My idols.
Websites
- biscaynenationalparkinstitute.org (786-335-3644). This is the concessionaire offering a wide range of day outings in this Park. I had a terrific experience with their “Sail, Paddleboard & Snorkel” full-day outing.
