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The best day trips from Miami
Alluring and well-known attractions – from island escapes to refined gardens to mysterious swampland – are just a short hop from Miami.
On a trip to Miami, some of the most exciting things to do in Florida could be mere steps from your hotel, but Magic City is also a great base for exploring the Sunshine State's top places to visit.
Maybe a unique experience in a charming town will take your fancy. Or you are seeking out wide open spaces for a break from the hustle and bustle of all the activities in Miami and its thumping nightlife (especially if you visit around spring break). Perhaps you've already hit all of Miami's beaches, or you're looking to stretch a long weekend in South Beach for a few extra days.
While you may spot the occasional gator wandering out of a canal or have a muscovy duck pester you at a local park, much more impressive wildlife encounters extend beyond the boundaries of Miami's diverse neighborhoods. No matter what you want out of a day trip from the city, we've got you covered.
1. Meet sea turtles in Juno Beach and Jupiter
Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
For one of the best family experiences near Miami, venture north to Juno Beach and visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles. It's a great space to see these magnificent creatures up close.
At Jupiter's Loxahatchee River Center, interactive exhibits, touch tanks and live aquatic tanks teach visitors about local marine ecosystems. You can also head to Blowing Rocks Preserve to see the largest Anastasia limestone shoreline on the Atlantic, blasting salt water upward of 50ft in the air.
For family-friendly eats, stop at Juno Beach Cafe or Jetty's Waterfront Restaurant (the latter has a fantastic view of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse), and don't miss Jupiter Donut Factory for a tasty treat.
How to get to Juno Beach and Jupiter from Miami: It's possible to take Tri-Rail from Miami to West Palm Beach and make the rest of the journey in a rideshare or cab. But the most convenient option is driving.
2. Have an all-day date in Fort Lauderdale
Travel time: 45 minutes
North of Miami, Fort Lauderdale manages to pack in a romantic getaway in less than an hour's ride.
Start with a stroll through the lush grounds of Bonnet House, a quiet sanctuary complete with a butterfly garden. From there, whisper sweet nothings to your beau aboard the Las Olas Gondola before sneaking in a lingering lunch at Burlock Coast or the Katherine.
Finally, choose your own afternoon adventure: heart-pumping fun at Xtreme Action Park (complete with go-karts, laser tag and escape rooms), live entertainment at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (musicals, plays, ballets and then some) or a bit of gambling, comedy or music at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
How to get to Fort Lauderdale from Miami: As is often the case for getting around Florida, having your own vehicle gives you the most flexibility. However, you can take Tri-Rail or a Brightline train from Miami, then use a rideshare service for transportation within Fort Lauderdale itself.
3. Explore coral reefs three ways in Key Largo
Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (driving), 3 hours (public transportation)
Key Largo, the first stop on the island necklace that is the Florida Keys, is also the first stop for snorkelers. Its John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a mostly underwater park of brightly colored coral reefs. Get a glimpse via the underwater cam that live streams into the nature center (and online) or book tickets for one of the renowned glass-bottom boat tours. (These sell out quickly, so if you are shut out, other glass-bottom boat tour providers operate near the park.) Those who prefer an up-close look at the reefs can snorkel or even scuba dive in the park.
You can easily spend a full day in Key Largo, and if you do, grab a seafood meal at a waterfront spot like Sundowners or Snooks Bayside, or slide into something tucked away from the crowds like the quirky Mrs. Mac's Kitchen.
How to get to Key Largo from Miami: If you're anywhere near the Metrorail in Miami, it's possible to take it as far as Dadeland, board the southbound Route 38 bus, then transfer to the 301 (which can take you to Key Largo). If you're short on patience, buses from Greyhound and Flixbus can take you south slightly faster. Driving yourself is the quickest option for getting to (and around) the Keys for those short on time.
4. Get away from it all, Everglades style
Travel time: 60 to 90 minutes
The massive Everglades National Park extends far west of Miami-Dade County's limits. For the full experience, you'll need at least a day. Start at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center to learn about the park, then walk along some of the nearby paved trails. (Make sure to try a milkshake from Robert Is Here or some bites at Everglades Gator Grill along the way.)
Shark Valley Visitor Center is another beginner-friendly spot – you can rest your legs on a tram tour, rent a bike and explore the area on two wheels, or opt for an airboat ride (try Miccosukee Airboats).
You'll get plenty of opportunities to see alligators, anhingas and other waterbirds, turtles and more at either center, but if you want a more immersive experience, drive south to Flamingo for hiking trails, kayaking, boating, camping and even on-site dining and accommodations (Flamingo Lodge, should you feel so inclined).
How to get to Everglades National Park from Miami: There are no public transit options to get from Miami to the Everglades visitors centers. To reach the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, drive west on FL-836 to State Hwy 9336 south.
5. See a Bahamian island from a golf cart in Bimini
Travel time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
At some point when making travel plans, perhaps you considered Florida and the Bahamas as an either-or option, and visiting one necessarily meant saving the other for another trip. It is time to think again. The journey from Miami is a bit longer than the rest of these day trips, but after the short hop north to Fort Lauderdale and a ferry ride across open water, you can disembark in Bimini.
Once you arrive, spare no time in renting a golf cart so you can explore widely during your full day on the island. Snorkel around the wreckage of the Sapona (a concrete ship built during WWI), dine on conch at Joe's Conch Shack or grab a slice at Edith's Pizza, appreciate the art at Dolphin House, and bask in the sun at Radio Beach.
You can also rent a day pass at Resorts World Bimini to try your luck at the casino and enjoy the other on-site amenities (but be warned, this might make you want to extend your trip for another day or two).
How to get to Bimini from Miami: If you own a boat (or know someone who does), it's possible to sail to Bimini. If not, take the Brightline train to reach Fort Lauderdale in 40 minutes and then board the Balearia ferry service for easy passage to the island (don't forget your passport).
