For a family fun adventure, be sure to visit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park located at the tip of Key Biscayne, just minutes from downtown Miami. This historic multifaceted park offers just about every imaginable outdoor activity you could want. Visitors can not only sunbathe on the gorgeous mile of sandy beach, they can rent bikes, water bikes and kayaks, chairs, umbrellas, swim in the ocean, jog along the trails, bird watch and even fish from the seawall along Biscayne Bay. Keep an eye out for the wildlife such as monitors, rabbits and possums which wander freely around the park.
To get a spectacular view of the area, located at the south end of the park is a lighthouse, built in 1825 and after being attacked by the Seminole Indians, it was restored in 1846. As you walk up the 109 steps of this spiral staircased historical building, it can be a thrilling climb as the stairs tend to sway when a lot of people are climbing at once. When you get to the top you can walk around the entire outside and get a 360 degree view of the entire park. To learn more about its history, guided tours are offered twice a day, Thursday through Monday. In addition, the park tends to be more crowded on holidays and weekends so you might want to arrive early.
If you plan to make a day of your visit, there are picnic areas and pavilions where you can fire up a grill. Or, you can eat at their two restaurants, Lighthouse Café and Boater’s Grill, both of which offer delicious authentic Cuban cuisine. Another great thing about this park is if you don’t feel like sitting in the sun, there are plenty of trees available for lounging in the shade.
So, if you are looking for a small secluded park that has it all, this is one you should visit.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park location and hours
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.
Photo by ajsadeh on flickr
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