The tropical metropolis of Miami is a fun, vibrant and exciting place to explore. The Magic City has some of the USA’s best beaches, lively neighbourhoods and world class dining. But what about the areas that surround Miami? Well, these are awesome too. There’s the unique ecosystems of the Everglades, the island paradise of the Florida Keys and the more unusual activities too, such as sampling the tropical fruit wines at Schebley’s. So this guide will detail all of the best day trips from Miami, including what to expect and how to book them!
Day trips less than 2 hours from Miami
The Everglades
Did you know the Everglades near Miami is one of only two places in the world with this unique ecosystem? The Florida Everglades dominate a huge 1.5 million acres of the southern portion of the state.
The Everglades are a wetland preserve, and is one of Florida’s most important ecosystems. Not only are the Everglades home to alligators, but several endangered species too. For example, the West Indian manatee, the leatherback turtle and the Florida Panther.
Offering a day trip like no other, you’ll be able to get up close to alligators at the Everglades Alligator Centre, through an entertaining and educational show.
The day trip also includes an awesome airboat tour on the water, amongst the mangroves. The guide will point out alligators and share information on the fragility of the ecosystem here in Florida.
It’s a fascinating day trip and gives visitors the chance to stop at a Native American island village too. Visiting the Everglades is definitely one of the best day trips from Miami and should be on your USA bucket list!
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
- Distance from Downtown Miami: 45 mins driving
- Cost: £35 (USD $44)
- This price is inclusive of transport to the Everglades, and hotel pick up in Miami. No meals are not included.
Book your day trip to the Everglades from Miami here!
Schnebly Redland’s Winery and the Fruit and Spice Park
Both of these attractions are located in southern Miami, in an area called Homestead. They’re perfect for food and wine aficionados, and for anyone passionate about sampling local foods.
Schnebley’s is a wine estate with a difference! This winery is located in gorgeous countryside and has the USP of creating its wine from tropical fruits, such as lychee, guava, mango and passionfruit. It’s also the southernmost winery in the USA, so it makes for a very unusual outing from Miami.
It has a huge Grand Tasting Room, with wine tasting tours every day. Schnebly’s unique and novel approach to winemaking is pioneering, and the day trip experience is not one to miss! Make sure to also leave enough time for brunch, lunch or dinner, as many of their dishes incorporate locally grown fruit. Delicious!
- Duration: Approximately 2-3 hours for walking around, longer if staying for a meal
- Distance from Downtown Miami: 50 minutes
- Cost: Tastings are $12.95 per person (£10.50) and tours are $8 (£6) per person
- Guided tours run Saturday and Sunday, every hour from 1-5pm
Redland Fruit and Spice Park is another must-visit destination in Homestead. It’s located just a short drive from Schnebley’s, meaning the two can be easily combined into one trip.
Its founder, Mary Heinlein came from a family who pride themselves on self-sufficient lifestyle. Mary found the sheer abundance of tropical fruits in the Redlands area inspirational, and she went on to create this beautiful 37 acre subtropical paradise. There are more than 500 varieties of tropical fruits, nuts, herbs and spices from around the world.
- Duration: Approximately 2-3 hours for walking around
- Distance from Downtown Miami: 45 minutes
- Cost: $10 per adult (£8), $3 (£2.40) per child and children under 6 are free
- Guided tours run everyday at 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm, weather permitting.
Naples
Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, it’s around a 1.5 hour drive from Miami to Naples. Route 41 goes from Downtown Miami to Naples, directly through the Everglades!
The beaches in Naples are absolutely gorgeous, and it’s not uncommon to see dolphins whilst sunbathing. Considered a preferred hideout for wealthy Americans year-round, and particularly during the brutal winter months, nearly everything in Naples is premium.
A walk down its main street, Third Street South, and you’ll stroll by an eclectic mix of modern boutiques, art galleries, tea room and antique stores. Make sure to check out this great guide to shopping in Naples here!
That being said, an arts and culture scene is emerging, including the popular rise of craft beer breweries in Naples. So there’s plenty more to offer in Naples than just fine dining and luxury shopping.
The sunsets on the Gulf side of Florida are mesmerising, in fact they’ve got to be some of the best sunsets in Florida!
I highly recommend staying into the evening for dinner and drinks under the setting sun.
Day trips 2-4 hours from Miami
A Day Trip to Bimini in The Bahamas
Fancy a day trip to another country? That happens to be tropical Caribbean islands? Well, why not!
Daily tours run from Miami to Bimini in the Bahamas, taking around 16 hours in all. Following complimentary pick-up at your hotel in Downtown Miami or Miami Beach, you head to PortMiami to jump on the high speed ferry. It takes about 2 hours to arrive in Bimini.
As part of the tour, you receive a day pass to the Hilton at World Resorts, where you can make full use of all the amazing facilities at the resort. From enjoying the pristine beaches, renting a jet ski or dining at their beachside restaurant, it’s the perfect day in paradise. And you don’t have to fly!
You get to spend around 7 hours or so at the resort, with a brief stop at Bimini Road which is thought to be home to a section of the “Lost City of Atlantis”.
- Duration: Approximately 16 hours
- Distance from Miami: 2 hours ferry
- Cost: £144 (USD $180)
- This price is inclusive of all port fees and taxes. Lunch and drinks are not included.
- Watersports are an additional cost.
- Essentials to take: Your passport! Plus seasickness tablets if you get sea sick.
Book your day trip to Bimini from Miami here!
Key West and the Florida Keys
This is another amazing day trip that feels like you’re visiting another country, but it is in fact still Florida. The Florida Keys are a chain of paradise islands stretching from the very south of Miami Dade County for 150 miles. In fact, Key West, which is at the southernmost point, is only 90 miles from Cuba!
After a beautiful drive along one of the most scenic routes in the US, you arrive in Key West. The Highway 1 connects to the mainland by an impressive 43 bridges, the longest of which is seven miles long! There are also 31 islands to pass by, some of which are beautiful places to stay if you visit the Florida Keys for longer than a day trip.
Once in Key West, you’ll have around 5 hours to explore this quaint city. From strolling around its Old Town and visiting Ernest Hemingway’s House to snorkelling in the crystal clear waters at Key West’s beaches.
Mallory Square is at the heart of Key West, and is the central hub of all commercial activity. Make sure to have a delicious al fresco lunch in one of Key West’s high end restaurants!
All tour companies are different, but the one I’ve linked below offers an inclusive option of either a glass-bottom boat tour, or dolphin-watching and snorkelling trip!
- Duration: Approximately 14 hours
- Distance from Miami: 3 hours 30 (164 miles)
- Cost: £80 (USD $100)
- This price is inclusive of transport to the Keys, and hotel pick up in Miami. Lunch and drinks are not included.
- One additional tour in Key West is included (glass-bottom boat tour, or dolphin-watching)
- Other watersports in Key West are an additional cost.
- Essentials to take: Car sickness tablets, if you get car sick!
Book your day trip from Miami to Key West here!
Best Day Trips from Miami
So there’s my guide to the best day trips from Miami. South Florida is an amazing part of the world, and there’s simply so much to do.
The weather is amazing, the beaches are beautiful and there are so many interesting places to explore, especially in Miami which can be explored in a long weekend. If you do have longer in Miami, then I would definitely including some of these days trips!
Feel free to drop me a line if you would like any advice or further recommendations for planning a trip to Miami and southern Florida. I’ve also written a guide to the best neighbourhoods in Miami, as well as the best dates ideas in Miami. If you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best day trips from Miami, then please do share using the below links!
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Disclaimer: I paid for my own visits to the above. There was no involvement from the tourism board or a local partner. This is an independent guide.
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