Outside the Box Daytrips & Getaways from Miami: Part 3
Off the beaten path places in Florida you probably haven’t been to
You don’t need to pack a suitcase, get on a plane or drive long distances to enjoy many of the benefits of travel. Just driving a little outside your zip code to soak in the change of scenery, smell different air, and take a break from the everyday routine will leave you feeling reenergized and smiling.
Check out some of my most recent far-enough-away adventures and don’t forget to pack a FujiFilm Instax Mini camera to capture your mini getaway!
KEY BISCAYNE
40 Minutes Away
So close, yet far enough:
Once you cross the Rickenbacker Causeway onto Key Biscayne, you are transported both physically and mentally. The views on both sides are spectacular and so relaxing with a small town feel, you’ll forget how close to home you really are. The beaches here are powdery white, and the kite surfing is great. There are 3 separate parks on this one small strip of land, each distinct from the other. Park your car just off the Rickenbacker and dip your feet into Virginia Key Beach Park’s clear waters, up close to the incredible mangroves. Here you can rent paddle boats or SUP boards. Then head to Crandon Park and explore the many trails by bike, or rent a kayak or SUP board. Last but not least, visit the Cape Florida Lighthouse, built in 1825, located in Bill Baggs State Park. If you’re in the mood to stay dry, the 163 acre Bear Cut Preserve offers great easy hikes with the chance to see a reef made from a fossilized 6000 year old black mangrove forest on the Fossil Reef Overlook. Peek into the water at this thriving intertidal zone to spot some resilient little creatures.
Work up an appetite before brunch at Rusty Pelican (their french toast is epic!).
Don’t forget to pack water bottles for everyone, especially as the days get hotter.
PALM BEACH
1 Hour Away
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and its neighbor, the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium make for the perfect double header. Buy the Dual Discovery Pass and spend a day immersing yourself in science and nature. You’ll get to feel like a tourist in your own backyard. Both the zoo and museum do a great job with less square footage so hitting both in the same day is totally doable. We loved the tigers, anteaters, carousel and water feature at the zoo and can’t wait to see the Dinosaur Revolution exhibit that just opened at the museum.
Ever wonder what it's like to walk into a catalog? Well this Restoration Hardware is like walking through the most beautiful catalog you’ve ever seen. Designed as a mansion from the outside, the entire building is dedicated to Restoration Hardware as a lifestyle- huge high ceilings, large open spaces, exquisite furniture with the most amazing chandeliers you’ve ever seen. Try the couches, sit on the beds. You can even touch and try out the myriad knobs and pulls. It’s very inspiring. Best of all, the rooftop houses a fantastic restaurant, it’s beautiful aesthetic rivaled only by its superb menu. So, walk around and pull up a chair for a delicious meal and make yourself at home!
Keep them from asking “Are we there yet?” and instead have fun asking “Would you rather…” with this fun game book for kids.
SAFARI WILDNERNESS RANCH
Lakeland
3.5 hours away
Add on an unforgettable adventure to your next Tampa or Orlando theme park trip with a stop over at Safari Wilderness Ranch! Conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa, it has been open for unique tours since 2012. Choose from special safari tours offered on open Jeeps, kayaks or even ATVs. They have over 500 animals on property— including some whose names I just cannot pronounce—coming from 4 continents. We saw zebras, barsingas, ostriches, lemurs, warthogs, ankole cattle, among others.
We were able to feed llamas (even a baby one), livingstone eland, and water buffalo. It was such a cool experience and I cannot recommend it enough— let them know Camp Lisa sent you. I know you’ll thank me later!
Get your kids excited for this Safari adventure with the cutest explorer costume.
How far are you willing to drive before it becomes an overnight destination? At what point does it become a road trip? I love road trips, because we stop at places we would have never visited otherwise and once in the car, driving a bit out of the way is no big deal. I hope these fun spots inspire you to pack your favorite snacks, gather the people you like most and hit the road!!!
Is this still a bit too overwhelming? Piecing small cute places together is “Camp Lisa's” specialty. Customizing the stops along the way or creating an itinerary just for you is what Camp Lisa’s all about.
Have you been somewhere in Florida that is totally out of the ordinary? I’d love to hear about it!