Sea of Grass and the Tamiami Trail Driving Tour 3 days - 270 miles
City: Miami
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Map: Miami
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Starting out at the Bayside Marketplace in Miami, take I-95/US 1 south for 22 miles. Turn right and head west on Hainlin Mill Drive/SW 216th Street. This is Homestead, and your first sight will be the Monkey Jungle. This is where humans are caged and 25 different species of apes run free. This attraction provides wonderful shows with the biggest star named “King”, the powerful gorilla.
Continuing west, turn left on Krome Avenue/SW 177th Avenue. Turn right onto Coconut Palm Drive which leads you to The Redland Fruit and Spice Park. This very unique spot will provide you with many different types of fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts and spices. As you come out, head east, then turn right onto Newton Road. The next attraction is Orchid Jungle, the world’s largest with over 9,000 species.
Now continue south to US 1 and turn left onto Biscayne Drive, which brings you to Coral Castle. This is where you can see many unique sculptures and carved buildings which were created by Edward Leedskalnin back in the 20’s and 30’s. The pieces were transported by railroad. If you head north to Cauley Square, you will find the small railway village dating back to 1904.
Next, head south to Coral Castle and go east to Biscayne Drive. Turn right onto Tallahassee Road. Then turn left onto North Canal Drive. This is your next stop, The Biscayne National Park. This is where you can enjoy canoe trips, ranger-guided tours and glass bottom boat excursions. Heading back west on North Canal Drive, turn left onto Tallahassee Road, and then right onto Palm Drive. Continue 1.5 miles to Tower Road. Turn and head straight through SW 376th Street. Arriving at the Everglades Alligator Farm, you can take airboat rides to explore the backwoods and existing wildlife.
Return north on Tower Road and turn left onto SR 9336 for 9 miles. Arriving now at the Everglades National Park Main Visitor Center, and short distance away to the Royal Palm Visitor Center you can enjoy informal studies about the area and wildlife preserves. Continuing on SR 9336 for another 38 miles, to Flamingo, which is a station for all Everglades travelers. There is an information center, museum, camping sites, marina and romantic bay cruises. Also, highly recommended are trips out to Cape Sable and Whitewater Bay.
Returning to Homestead on SR 9336 is about 47 miles, and then up to Miami on US 1 going north is another 75 miles. Turn left onto Tamiami Trail heading west out to Coopertown. This is where you can have a pleasant time enjoying 30-minute airboat rides. Now continue driving west along US 41 until you get to Everglades Safari Park. This attraction offers packages, which include jungle trails, alligator wrestling shows and airboat tours. Now heading west on US 41, go south to Shark Valley. Catch a two-hour tram tour to take you through the area wetlands. In winter months it is a good idea to reserve a spot.
At last, driving back to US 41, turn left into Miccosukee Indian Village. This old Indian village features cookery and craft demonstrations, airboat rides, a small museum and alligator wrestling. During the winter holiday months; catch the annual Indian arts festival where tribes gather for singing and dancing. The Miccosukee Restaurant serves Authentic American Indian dishes like catfish, frog’s legs, pumpkin and fry bread. This is a nice attraction to end your driving tour. US 41 east, takes you back to bayside, Miami.
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