Navigation:
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- Crandon Park
- Beyond Donuts
- Overwater Bungalows
- Virginia Key First
Key Biscayne is a part of Miami-Dade County in Florida. It rests east of Miami and south of Miami Beach, which connected Miami via Rickenbacker Causeway. Tequesta Indians first settled in Key Biscayne. In 1513, the Spanish explorer named Juan Ponce de Leon had the first record of the island. According to the 2010 US Census, Key Biscayne has a total population of 12,344 residents and among the first Miami, areas to be evacuated for any hurricane forecasts. The area has a very low elevation and faces the Atlantic Ocean directly which makes it prone to flash floods.
Tourist would come and visit Key Biscayne to cap off their Miami trip. The town is just a short enjoyable drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway. Sometimes the Miami gets too crowded and so mainstream if you want something different visit Key Biscayne. The area is lined with great beaches between two major parks, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and Crandon Park. This means, wherever you go, there exciting places to discover and new experiences waiting for you.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Located in the southern part of
the island, Bill Braggs Cape Florida State Park houses one of the most
photographed lighthouses in the world. You can visit the 19th century Cape
Florida Lighthouse for free or enjoy the narrow beaches in the area. The place
is as serene as it can be with calm and crystal clear waters. Climb up in the
tower to see the magnificent 360-degree view of the island. You can also rent a
bike, as Key Biscayne has a reputation for being bike-friendly. Bike trails as
long as 1.5 miles traverse through the state park passing through Biscayne Bay.
You don’t need to bring a bike as the park offers bike rentals.
Crandon Park
Another popular tourist
destination lies in the northern tip of Key Biscayne. Palm trees, sand dunes,
and sandy white beaches make Crandon Park as one of Miami’s best beaches. No
city lights or sky scrapers can ruin your tropical vacation as most of the
surrounding areas are designated parkland.
Beyond Donuts
It may not be a destination, but
it sure is a popular spot for locals. After an exhausting hike or looking for a
place to stop, refuel your body with some sugar. This 41-year-old Donut Gallery
Diner is a very popular destination for locals. In some days, the most
prominent people in the island would come here and talk about politics,
business, and other important gossips. The shop has a very old school vibe with
vinyl-covered bar stools and 1950s interior.
Overwater Bungalows
The world famous group of
tropical houses built on stilts is one of Key Biscayne prominent tourist spots.
Located on Biscayne shallow shoal channels, the place is accessible via a short
boat ride from Crandon Park Marina. Eddie ‘Crawfish’ Walker sold beer, bait,
and crawfish chowder on this stilt houses back in the 30s. The houses gathered
national attention when featured in films like Miami Vice.
Virginia Key First
Before reaching Virginia Key, you
will need to pass Rickenbacker Causeway. Built in 1947, the causeway was named
after Eddie Rickenbacker, a WWI veteran. Just after its constructions, the once
quiet island bursts into life as a popular tourist destination. It houses the Seaquarium where the TV series
Flipper was filmed. You can also swim with the dolphins and get to know other
marine animals.
However, the Virginia Key has a
dark past. The National Register of Historic Places listed Virginia Key Beach
Park is the only place in Miami-Dade County that African-Americans can freely
roam during segregation.
Travelling is a wonderful way to collect memories. Mark your trip to Key Biscayne by getting a collectible 3-D nautical wood art. Not into Maps? Try a Wood Topographical Coffee table, or custom clock.
