Miami is one of the iconic vacation spots in the south of Florida. Beaches, wonderful climate, historical and cultural attractions, sports and entertainment are the main reasons for the popularity of this sunny destination.
However, if you rent a car, you’ll find many other interesting places to visit because Miami is a great starting point for day trips in Florida. Indeed, there is a lot to see within driving distance of the city, and these places will be a great alternative to a beach holiday…
Orlando
Experienced travelers associate Orlando with Disney World. This is absolutely true, because Disney World is the most ambitious holiday complex, where everyone can find their favorite rides and activities, regardless of age.
In addition, the city also has Universal Studios Resort and SeaWorld Water Park, so children will especially enjoy this trip. It takes four hours to drive from Miami to Orlando in a rental car, which means you can easily make a round trip within one day. You will be happy to relax in the local theme parks with a full day ticket. Orlando theme parks will perfectly dilute your beach holiday in Miami, adding positive emotions to you and your fellow travelers.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The park is located in Florida, Key Largo, 68 miles from Miami. It will take you an hour and a half to get there by rental car. This is the first underwater park in America – it’s famous for its beautiful coral reefs.
The sight is suitable not only for diving enthusiasts, but also for those who just like to observe nature. You don’t need to be able to swim to enjoy the underwater beauty. You can order boat tours, and the bottom of the boat is transparent.
Therefore, the view under the boat will amaze you with its beauty. The park also houses a copy of the underwater statue ‘Christ of the Deep’. At a depth of eight meters, there‘s a bronze statue in the shape of Christ. Christ’s hands are raised up and it looks very impressive.
Fort Lauderdale
Traveling from Miami to Fort Lauderdale in a rental car will take you 35-40 minutes. This city may seem boring at first, but it’s not so. Beautiful beaches, many restaurants and bars are open to tourists day and night. The city is considered to be a major yacht center, and river walks there are simply unforgettable. The fort is called the Venice of America because it’s riddled with canals used for boat trips.
Also, Fort Lauderdale will be an equally great destination for road trips to Florida. Thus, you can pick up an Easirent Fort Lauderdale rental car, which is also a good way to spend your summer vacation.
Biscayne National Park
Usually a national park is many kilometers of land where wild animals live. Unlike other similar places, Biscayne National Park is almost one hundred percent water. The park includes Biscayne Bay in Florida and forty small streams.
On the territory there’s also a part of the Florida reef, where you’ll see a lot of living creatures and the most beautiful coral reefs. The east coast of the state is full of mangrove forests. The park is located 35 miles from Miami and is a great fishing and yachting destination. Scuba divers are also frequent visitors to this national park.
Key West
It takes three hours to get there from Miami in a rental car. Key West is located in southern continental America and has a fun atmosphere. Many celebrities have visited the city over the years, such as Ernest Hemingway. The city has a museum and an author’s house, where you can also go on a guided tour.
There are many restaurants, entertainment and fun in the city. Travelers go there for festivals, which mostly take place in June and October. The city is also suitable for a beach holiday – there’s always warm and clean water, so even scuba divers can do what they like.
Everglades National Park
The park is very large and occupies 20% of the area of Florida, which makes it the third largest national park in the United States. 86% of the park is wilderness area, and it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 1 million people visit Everglades National Park annually. Several highways are laid here, and it will be interesting for you to drive along them in a rental car, while admiring the beautiful landscapes.
The most famous hiking trail in the park is the Anhinga Trail. During the trip, you will see rare species of wild animals, including American alligators, long-eared cormorants and blue herons. Over 2,000 animal species have been registered in the park. The natural areas of the park are distinguished by the varieties of birds, animals and plants. The park is home to 36 species of animals that are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species. The main entrance is located 45 miles away from Miami.
