Miami and Key West offer a variety of activities.
Miami and Key West are Florida vacation destinations. While Miami is a major city, Key West is an island at the southernmost tip of the state. The cities are linked by a 127-mile road known as the Overseas Highway. Regardless of where you begin your vacation, there are many things to do in and between Miami and Key West.
Beaches
Miami is home to one of the most noted beaches in Florida, South Beach, which attracts many locals and tourists alike. It is a wide beach area surrounded by a multitude of restaurants and shops. South Beach also offers several concession stands, beach rentals and trails for walking, biking and rollerblading.
For a more family-friendly beach, visit Sunny Isles Beach, also in Miami, which offers white sand, snorkel rentals, a fishing pier, picnic tables and concession stands.
Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and fishing are some of the activities you may also enjoy at the beaches in Key West. Unlike Miami, clothing is required at all Key West beaches. Higg's Beach in Key West offers raft and watersport rentals, picnic tables, a playground, restroom facilities and a full-service restaurant.
Nearby Smathers Beach is a man-made beach offering windsurfing, jet skiiing, parasailing, volleyball nets, watersports rentals, bike paths, picnic tables and concession stands.
Museums
Get a dose of culture and entertainment by visiting one of the many museums from Miami to Key West. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, located in Miami, is a National Historic Landmark that is open 364 days per year. At the Vizcaya, visitors learn about art, architecture, interior design, landscape design and horticulture. The Vizcaya also hosts group tours in 10 different languages, private events and photo shoots.
Also in Miami is the Miami Children's Museum. This museum offers families a chance to play, learn, imagine and create with over a dozen permanent galleries and exhibits. Families can climb through a two-story sandcastle at the "Castle of Dreams," learn about good nutrition at the "Health and Wellness Center," or explore Miami's different cultures in the "Meet Miami" exhibit.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West gives visitors a chance to learn about the author's life in and out of Key West. Guided tours feature stories and anecdotes about the writer and his family, and a look at the artifacts and furniture in his home as he left them.
Zoos and Aquariums
Spend your day visiting some of the exciting land and sea animals at the zoos and aquariums located in Miami and Key West. Located in Miami is the Miami Metro Zoo. This zoo offers more than 2,000 animals and features a multitude of exhibits, gardens and attractions. Included are camel rides, a wildlife carousel, butterfly garden, meerkat exhibit and a children's zoo where families can pet small animals.
Jungle Island, also located in Miami, gives visitors a chance to mingle with monkeys, birds, kangaroos, orangutans, a 900-pound liger and several rare creatures. Visitors can also enjoy tiger and alligator shows or take a 90-minute guided safari tour.
Visit the indigenous sea creatures of Key West at the Key West Aquarium. This aquarium showcases daily shark and turtle feedings, as well as a touch tank that gives guests hands-on experience with a wide variety marine life including tropical fish, barracuda, eels, grouper, tarpon and parrotfish.
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