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After driving about 45 minutes from Miami, you’ll find Homestead at Mile Marker 116.
If you keep going, you’ll reach the start of the Florida Keys in about another 40 minutes, but it’s worth marking a stop here to see some of the Homestead area’s unique sights.
Coral Castle Museum
It’s not the Egyptian pyramids, but Coral Castle Museum continues to baffle and awe the world in a similar manner. Located on S. Dixie Highway in Homestead lies a massive all limestone-built castle. It includes a nine-ton gate, a Polaris telescope, and completely functioning rocking chairs — all made of stone. The craziest part? It was single-handedly built by one man.
Everglades National Park,
You’ll want to make a stop at Everglades National Park, one of Florida’s most renowned national parks. It’s on your way from Miami to the Keys, so there’s no excuse to not stop and enjoy this wonder of nature.
Because the Everglades National Park is best known for its wildlife — from alligators to eagles and even panthers and dolphins — a nature tour is one of the best ways to experience the park.
An airboat tour is a fun way to see wildlife from the water. If you’re into photography, a birding, wildlife, and photography expedition is the perfect way to capture amazing shots of animals in the wild with the help of a master naturalist guide.
Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Known as the first undersea park in the U.S., this place deserves all the praise it receives.
To experience all of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park’s 70 nautical square miles of wonder, going underwater is the way to go. A half-day snorkel trip will let you take in the best of the fascinating reefs of the Keys.
However, if you prefer to keep your head above water, you can also take in magnificent views of the wildlife and reef life from a kayak or with a glass-bottom boat tour. The mangroves of the Florida Keys are spectacular, and I highly recommend taking a guided eco tour through the mangrove ecosystem to get the best experience.