Miami - Further Afield
No trip to Miami should be complete without a visit to the Everglades - a unique, watery eco-system of silent reed beds, subtropical wetlands and wildlife habitats of global importance. The southern reaches of the Everglades are within an hour’s drive of Miami - and you can visit on a 4x4 safari, an airboat ride, sea-plane, or even a kayak. Just watch out for the alligators!
Opa Locka is home to the largest collection of Moorish architecture in the Western hemisphere. Known originally as Opatishawockalocka by the Tequesta Indians who once called this corner of the US home, the area was developed in the 1920s by Glen Curtiss into an Arabian Nights-meets the USA fantasy of domes, Arabesque forts and elaborate minarets, and makes for a fascinating change from the Art Deco stylings of South Beach.
Delray Beach is a handsome, self contained beach community, which makes for a refreshing change from the sceney and occasionally cool-handed nightlife of Miami - and its bars and clubs are a whole lot friendlier. A good choice for an overnight trip from South Beach.
Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the States: a watery wonderland of submerged reefs, sleepy hinterlands, and dog-toothed, estuarine coast lands. There are several pristine, undeveloped islands, and mile upon mile of beach, breezy coastline and lush woodlands to explore. But it’s the coast’s world class diving opportunities that makes Biscayne a tourist hot-spot, and Miami has plenty of PADI approved diving schools enabling you to experience it for yourselves.