15 Best Day Trips from Miami - The Crazy Tourist

Dreamy Miami is a welcoming and relaxed city to explore. The jewel of Florida has long been the dream holiday destination for sun worshippers and lovers of the finer things in life.

With its inspiring Art Deco neighbourhoods and Cuban influences Miami is a joy to explore.

When you have had your fill of the VIP nightclubs and sandy shores of world famous Miami Beach it is about time to explore outside the city lines.

Let’s take a look at the best day trips from Miami:

1. Everglades

The Everglades are on of Florida’s most important ecosystems.

Home to dozens of endangered species such as the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee and the leatherback turtle this is an incredible eco-experience not to be missed.

The Everglades span 1.5 million acres and are a wetland preserve that lie to the south west of Miami city.

You can glide across the mangrove tunnels on an airboat joined by an expert guide who will offer you fascinating insights into the fragile structure of this ecosystem.

It is possible to tie in a visit to the Alligator Park and watch an educational show featuring the jagged-toothed reptiles themselves.

2. Key West

Palm Trees On The Beach In Key West, Florida.

To get from Miami to Key West you must drive across a staggering 43 bridges and across 31 islands.

This picturesque journey takes 4-hours if you don’t stop to snap all the scenery.

Did you know that Key West is the only frost free city in the United States of America? Key West brings together Caribbean vibes, luxury dining and high end shopping.

This lively and thriving city has inspired hundreds of artists and authors over the years; you can even visit Ernest Hemingway’s House.

During the course of the day find time to visit Mel Fisher Museum, the Light House Museum, or Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.

Before you head home have an al fresco dinner at one of Key West’s high end restaurants.

3. Bimini

If you are up for an adventure, and a rather long day, then you can head all the way out to the Bahamas, to Bimini on a day trip from Miami.

Jump aboard the high-speed ferry in the morning and dock in to Bimini before lunch.

From the top deck you can see the Bahamas appear from the horizon, it really is the stuff of dreams.

Once you dock the day is your own and you should make the most of every moment.

Take a stroll along the creamy white beaches and even take a dip in the crystal clear ocean.

You can hire snorkels, jet skis and paddle boards from beach front vendors to help you explore the Bahaman coast to the full.

4. Disney World

A trip to Florida would surely be incomplete without a visit to America’s greatest theme park, Disney World.

Whether you’re travelling with children or not a visit to Disney World is undeniably magical.

There are a number of shuttle services that ferry visitors to and from Miami and Disney World so as to make the day trip as stress free as possible.

Make a beeline for Magic Kingdom or perhaps Animal Kingdom.

Be sure to find time to explore Cinderella’s Castle and stop by the amazing gift shop before you head back to town.

5. Kennedy Space Centre

For anyone interested in aerospace, rocket-ships and stars, a truly valuable and inspiring place to visit is the Kennedy Space Centre.

The Kennedy Space Centre is home to NASA and has seen the launch of dozens of rockets and spacecraft since the 1960s.

This amazing museum and fully operating facility features dozens of interactive exhibits that will open your mind to the wonders out outer-space.

Get to learn more about your heroes at the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

There are regular micro-documentary showings at the Kennedy Space Centre IMAX theatre too.

6. Palm Beach Outlets

If you want to fit in with the it-crowd in Miami then you have got to look the part.

Take a day trip to Palm Beach Outlets to get amazing bargains and crazy discounts on all the leading designer brands.

With both boutiques and big brand labels housing their outlet stores at Palm Beach Outlets you are spoilt for choice and will have a tough time choosing where to start.

You will find family stores and shops catering specifically for women, men and children separately.

There is a wonderful collection of restaurants and diners at Palm Beach Outlets for when you need a moment of respite from the shopping frenzy.

7. Universal Studios

Universal Studios is one of the most popular family days out in the United States of America, if not the world.

There is so much to see, do and explore.

Fans of J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter book series will feel like they’ve landed in paradise at Universal Studios for there is a whole park area dedicated to the fictional Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Take a sip of your first butter beer or perhaps find yourself the perfect wand.

Away from Harry Potter World you can experience the adrenaline thrill of the Fast & Furious Supercharged adventure or if your blood pressure can’t take it, the Despicable Me – Minion Mayhem is good, honest fun.

8. Little Havana

For decades there has been a thriving Cuban community in Miami who have bought from the islands many of their traditions and cultural quirks.

Stepping foot in Little Havana will feel like you are walking the streets of Cuba itself.

With the Miami sun beating down and the smell of cortadito in the air you’ll feel like you have ventured into the Caribbean, without even leaving the mainland.

Take time in the afternoon to visit the cigar factory and learn the fine art of cigar rolling from master artisans.

Throughout the day you can chat to locals, learn about their life in Little Havana and even hear about the stories of the first-generation immigrants who created this vibrant neighbourhood.

9. Wynwood

The Wynwood neighbourhood of Miami is one of the most arty and trendy there is.

This hipster district is modern and buzzing and home to more shabby-chic and minimalist coffee shops and bars than you can shake your hook at.

Now the new home of craft beer, you can easily spend an afternoon sampling what each innovative brewhouse has to offer.

Walking through Wynwood is a wonderful experience.

Sauntering past the murals, vibrant graffiti and delicate mosaics, this is a photo-a-minute kind of place.

Art lovers will easily fall in love with Wynwood and will thoroughly enjoy visiting the hundreds of galleries this little district houses.

10. South Beach

For decades South Beach has been a neighbourhood in flux, home to immigrants from Cuba, Haiti and other Caribbean nations.

South Beach has a vivid history and a vibrant present and is something of a hipster hotspot, popular with local youngsters and tourists alike.

You will find countless family run restaurants to enjoy serving up mouth watering traditional Caribbean Island dishes.

There is no shortage of bars offering up authentic mojitos in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the Art Deco architecture and chat to locals about their stories and their locals-only hidden gems of South Beach.

11. Key Biscayne

For avid anglers, while in Miami you have to treat yourself to a day out on the water at Key Biscayne.

This abundant key sits 20 miles into the Florida Straits and is one of the best fishing spots in all of the state.

There are a wonderful array of fish species to catch in Key Biscayne, from Sailfish to Mahi Mahi, from Marlin Shark to Swordfish.

There is a strong fishing community here and there are a heap of experienced boatmen and women who run fishing tours of the area.

No worries if you have not bought your gear with you for many of these companies offer you complimentary use of their high-tech angling gear so you can focus on the task in hand.

12. Palm Beach

Although it is near impossible to tire of Miami Beach if you fancy a change of coastal scenery then take a day trip to the quiet and charming Palm Beach.

Best known for its millionaire row and lavish mansion homes, Palm Beach is a lovely town to visit, if only for the day.

Home to just 10,000 people throughout the year there is a welcoming, open minded, island-like feel to Palm Beach that makes visitors fall in love.

Before you set up the deck chairs take a stroll around Whitehall and the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.

13. Orlando

Although the main attractions in Orlando are Disney World and Universal Studios the city itself has a lot to explore.

There are other big theme parks to visit like Epcot and the Holy Land Experience, a Christian themed park.

Orlando has an incredible selection of golf courses to try and many of the greens have day-rates for visitors.

The Harry P. Leu Gardens are a 50-acre botanical garden complex that sit on the shores of Lake Rowena.

If you seek a gentle, low key day trip from Miami then a visit to the Harry P. Leu Gardens will be the welcome rest you so seek.

There is a beautiful, fragrant rose garden and a quaint butterfly garden too.

14. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Whether you want to get your hike on or simple have a picnic in the pines the Jonathan Dickinson State Park is an easily accessible and super cheap day trip from Miami.

There is a great selection of walking and hiking trails in Jonathan Dickinson State Park that are suitable for every fitness level.

Popular spots include the Blowing Rocks Preserve where you can swim in the ocean and Riverbend Park where you can kayak and camp should you wish to stay overnight.

The waters around Jonathan Dickinson State Park are becoming ever more popular with paddle boarders, if you think you have the core strength why not give it a go?

15. Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge — Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve

The Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve is one of Florida’s best kept secrets and is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature.

Being a natural turtle habitat you have to watch your footing, particularly in hatching season.

Don your snorkel and head out into the shallows to see if you can see some of your leather-backed friends nonchalantly riding the waves.

In the cool of the afternoon head out along one of the many walking trails in Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve looking out for birdlife above and insects and tiny reptiles on the forest floor.