Florida--Palmtree Road Trip
Date: 2004-11-15
If you are in the Miami area, the place to be is South Beach. With its
pastel, bright-colored, art-deco design buildings and ocean views, this
place is hot. At night, Collins Avenue is an eclectic mix of people and
spectacular neon-lit buildings. If you're hungry, stop at Balan's over
on trendy Lincoln Avenue for a wild salad or its famous lobster club sandwiches.
If you're into gazing at other sites, check out the planetarium and space
museum.
After leaving Miami, you'll head northwest and be quickly engulfed by the sights, sounds, and smells of the Everglades. While in this neck of the swamp, you have to take an airboat tour. Head into the tiny hamlet of Cooperstown and look up Cooperstown Airboat rides. Gliding over the sawgrass and water with the rush of air in your face, you'll experience a unique "hovering" sensation. Once back on Rte. 41, you'll head east a short distance to Rte. 27, and head directly south. You really won't find much entertainment until you reach Homestead. In town, you'll find a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment, including the Homestead-Miami Speedway, which hosts November NASCAR races.
Some other attractions include Biscayne National Park, with its mangrove shoreline, crystal clear waters, emerald isles and living coral reefs. You'll want to arrive at Convoy Point (follow signs off U.S. 1), the location of the park's headquarters and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Here, visitors can picnic, fish, canoe, explore the Visitor Center, or take one of the glass bottom boat or snorkeling tours offered by the park vendor. On your way to The Keys, you'll take in some fabulous scenery (especially at sunset), and do some island hopping. U.S. 1 is the only highway through the Florida Keys and contains the famous seven-mile bridge. Being completely surrounded by water for as far as you can see (in a car) is definitely an unforgettable experience. Once in Key West, search out the unique older parts that feature authentic cuisine and funky island architecture. The Northwest corner is the place to go to view the sunsets. Don't miss Hemingway's house on Whitehead Street.
Starting Point:
Miami, FL
Distance of Drive:
179 miles
Must Eat:
Louie's Backyard
700 Waddell Ave., Key West, FL 33040
Phone:� 305-294-1061
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For:Steaks and Seafood
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Spring and fall. Winter is peak season, and summer is brutally hot and
busy with families.
Points of Interest on Drive:
Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 S.W.152nd St, Miami (305) 253-0063
American Police Hall of Fame Museum, 3801 Biscayne Blvd. Miami (305)
573-0070
Miami Space Planetarium, 3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami (305) 854-2222
Museum of Science & Space, 3280 S Miami Ave., Miami (305) 844-4247
Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead (305)
242-7700
Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th St. Homestead (305) 230-1100
Dreamchaser Charters, 201 William St, Key West (305) 292-8667
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