We fly into Maimi often, usually on our way to visit Jeff’s mom, who is just a 70-minute drive away. Each visit gives us a chance to see somewhere new and over the years, we’ve discovered that there are so many incredible day trips from Miami.
From pristine beaches to lush national parks, the best day trips from Miami generally keep us outdoors, enjoying the endless sunshine of Florida (I know, endless is an exaggeration).
Let’s take a look at some of the best day trips from Miami that you can add to your itinerary too.
Best day trips from Miami
- Key Largo, Florida Keys
- Everglades National Park, Homestead
- Fort Lauderdale, Broward County
- Palm Beach, Palm Beach County
- Biscayne National Park
- Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County
- Hollywood Beach, Broward County
- Boca Raton, Palm Beach County
- Delray Beach, Palm Beach County
- The Bahamas
- Naples, Collier County
Some details on each of the Miami day trips
Below we add some detail to each of our favorite day trips from Miami.
Key Largo, Florida Keys
Distance from Miami: 1 hour 30 minutes
Key Largo is the first of the fabulous Florida Keys after crossing the bridge. A diver’s paradise, it’s one of nine places that call themselves the “diving capital of the world.” It boasts the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States.
Out of the water, the stunning sunsets and laid-back atmosphere make it one of our perfect escapes. It’s even better when we sit at a waterfront table and enjoy fresh seafood while overlooking the tranquil waters.
If you want to venture out farther along the keys, we have headed all the way to the end, and we love Key West which sits at the southern point of the continental US. But, at a 3.5-hour drive from Miami, we go for days to enjoy a tropical paradise located at the southernmost point of the United States.
Everglades National Park, Homestead
Distance from Miami: 1 hour
Everglades National Park is a unique and expansive wetland that offers a glimpse into a truly distinctive ecosystem.
When we visited, we took an airboat tour, which was an exhilarating way to explore the vast sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests. The park is home to an array of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, a variety of bird species, and even the Florida panther (but we didn’t see one).
Although kayaks were an option for exploring the waterways, we were a bit leery of paddling around with alligators in the wetlands. The airboat felt like a safer choice and allowed us to cover more ground.
Fort Lauderdale, Broward County
Distance from Miami: 35 minutes
Fort Lauderdale is often called the “Venice of America” due to its extensive and picturesque canal system.
This vibrant city is known for its stunning beaches, lively arts scene, and upscale shopping and dining options along Las Olas Boulevard. The beachfront promenade offers a perfect place to relax, stroll, or enjoy water sports.
When our girls were younger, the Museum of Discovery and Science was our family’s go-to destination in Fort Lauderdale. If you have kids and need some time out of the sun, this is one of the best day trips from Miami for families. The museum offers interactive exhibits, live animal displays, and an IMAX theater.
The Bahamas
Did you know that you can hop on a ferry and be on Bimini Island in the Bahamas in 2 hours? This neighboring island nation is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches.
While this sounds great, and it is, reaching any of the other islands will take longer. We opted to fly when we went to Nassau.
And then there is the issue of customs on both ends, which is more time-consuming than just stepping on a boat. For us, we would rather go for several days.
Naples, Collier County
Distance from Miami: 2 hours
Naples is a charming Gulf Coast city with an old-world vibe, famous for its art galleries, world-class shopping, dining, and beautiful white-sand beaches.
One of the must-see attractions, Naples Pier, is a popular spot for fishing (currently restricted) and watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Another highlight is the Naples Botanical Garden, which features 170 acres of tropical plants and flowers.
Biscayne National Park, Miami-Dade County
Distance from Miami: 50 minutes
Biscayne National Park is a stunning marine preserve with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the opportunity for snorkeling or scuba diving. The park is primarily underwater, protecting a portion of the Florida Reef, one of the largest coral barrier reefs in the world.
Another highlight is the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, which provides information about the park’s ecology and history. The park also includes a number of small islands, such as Boca Chita Key, which features a picturesque lighthouse and beautiful picnic areas.
Palm Beach, Palm Beach County
Distance from Miami: 1 hour 10 minutes
A bit more than an hour’s drive from Miami and across a bridge, Palm Beach is a ritzy beachfront town with upscale shops, restaurants, and historic mansions.
One of the must-see attractions is the Flagler Museum, which features the former residence of Henry Flagler and showcases the Gilded Age in Florida. Another highlight is the Worth Avenue shopping district, which offers luxury brands and designer boutiques.
Delray Beach, Palm Beach County
Distance from Miami: 1 hour 10 minutes
Jeff’s mom lives in Delray Beach, and we spend enough time there that we wrote a separate article on all the things to do in Delray Beach. We find it a charming coastal town and enjoy its stunning beaches, vibrant art scene, trendy restaurants, and coffee shops.
You can also find us strolling down Atlantic Avenue, browsing the shops and galleries, or enjoying the peace and serenity at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. If it’s early in the morning, we are most often walking the boardwalks at Wakodahatchee Wetlands.
As we stay for days, for us Delray Beach is more than one of our day trips from Miami.
Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County
Distance from Miami: 15 minutes
Coral Gables is known for its Mediterranean Revival architecture, tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and amazing swimming spots.
Two favorites include the Venetian Pool (a historic public swimming pool carved from a coral rock quarry), and Matheson Hammock Park (a scenic park known for its unique man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of Biscayne Bay)
Coral Gables is also home to the famous Biltmore Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the country.
Hollywood Beach, Broward County
Distance from Miami: 30 minutes
While Hollywood Beach is famous for its broadwalk, a 2.5-mile oceanfront promenade that is perfect for walking, biking, or rollerblading, to Jeff it will always be the town where his grandmother lived.
It’s a laid-back town with beautiful sandy shores, clear waters, and plenty of charming cafes around the boardwalk.
Boca Raton, Palm Beach County
Distance from Miami: 1 hour
Called “Boca” by locals, this up-scale community is best known for its luxury shopping, and world-class golf courses. Personally, I prefer to spend my Boca time either on the beach or at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
What makes this beach special is Red Reef Park, as it provides excellent opportunities for snorkeling and observing marine life.
A bit far for Miami day trips
Florida is rich with fascinating destinations, and there are a few that we consider must-sees for visitors that are too far to do as day trips from Miami.
- Sanibel Island Distance from Miami: 2.75 hours
Perhaps we love Sanibel Island for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundance of seashells. More likely, it’s because this is where we got married, a small wedding on the beach at sunset. We ignored the mosquitoes but remind you to bring bug spray if you are visiting. - Kennedy Space Center Distance from Miami: 3.25 hours
The launch site for NASA’s space missions and a must-see attraction for space enthusiasts. Visitors can tour the facility, view actual spacecraft and equipment, and watch rocket launches. One of the highlights is the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, which features the actual spacecraft and interactive exhibits. One day I hope to watch a rocket launch from the visitor center. Reserve your Kennedy Space Center admission here. - Orlando Distance from Miami: 3.5 hours
At 3.5 hours each way, a Miami to Orlando day trip is just out of reach, especially if you want to visit Disney World and/or Universal Studios. Only 30 minutes from Kennedy Space Center, it’s a trip we combine.
Read next: Unique Things to do in St Augustine from Ghosts to the Fountain of Youth
Which are your favorite Miami day trips?
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Anda
We’ve seen some of these places in Florida, but to my regret we never made it to Key Largo. I heard it’s has some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and great scuba diving also. I wasn’t particularly impressed with Hollywood Beach, but I found the Everglades very interesting. Great roundup, Rhonda!
Linda (LD Holland)
Miami is often the gateway to the Caribbean or cruising for us so we have visited often. We usually stay close to the city but I love the large number of good day trips you can do from Miami. Although I am not sure I would go to the Bahamas for just one day! We really do need to plan to visit the Everglades National Park on one future visit.
Sonia
As a Miami native, I’ve done quite a few of these day trips, and you’ve included some great choices. We used to sail or fly the seaplanes over to Bimini when I was growing up. It’s changed a lot, but great to be able to take such a quick ferry ride over.
Alex+J.+Cavanaugh
Been to Miami and Sanibel Island!
Definitely the airboat rather than a canoe or something. Never been to the park but I’ve driven Alligator Alley and seen many alligators.