The Sunshine State has many attractive places for tourism. Among them, Florida’s parks are ideal for enjoying incredible natural landscapes. Discover which ones are not to be missed near the city of Miami.
Florida Parks: where nature is the protagonist
Undoubtedly, Florida is famous for its water, theme and amusement parks. However, there is also a lot of nature to see.
There are them in beach places, such as the Dry Tortugas National Park, on the coast of Key West. This place offers beaches and a historic fort of the nineteenth century. There are also others even more pristine, such as Gulf Islands National Seashore. This park, located in the southwest of the state on the Gulf of Mexico, is the largest protected coastline in the United States, with beaches, islands, flora and fauna not to be missed (Westgate Resorts, 2021).
Historic sites also abound, such as Castillo de San Marcos and Fuerte Matanzas national monuments, both in St. Augustine. They are Spanish military constructions of the seventeenth century (Florida Trippers, 2020).
These sites are an important tourist attraction and source of income. According to the National Park Service, 13.4 million people visited Florida’s national parks in 2021. These travelers spent $855 million in the surrounding area (Montgomery, 2022).
You don’t need to go to faraway corners to visit some of Florida’s most renowned parks . It is possible to enjoy with the family in Miami and its surroundings. In addition, these places bring visitors and a lot of value to their surroundings, including the residential areas in the vicinity.
These are the most outstanding nature-filled parks in the area (Civitatis Miami, n.d.; Gross, 2021; National Park Service, n.d.; Westgate Resorts, 2021):
Everglades National Park
It is the largest natural site on the east coast of the country, with 1.5 million acres of extension. It has mangrove forests and dense tropical forests. Its most recognized animals include crocodiles, panthers, manatees, dolphins and herons. It can be toured by boat or on foot, as it has dozens of trails. The areas near the Everglades can perceive the benefits of valorization of its great tourist attraction and its economic activity.
The months between November and April are the best to visit, as it is the dry season. It brings lower temperatures, fewer mosquitoes and plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife. It can be entered from Miami, Homestead and Everglades. A car is necessary, as there is no public transportation within the park.
Big Cypress National Preserve
This vast swamp in South Florida offers tropical vegetation and temperate climate. Its 729,000 acres can be traveled by car, boat and even swamp buggies. There is a lot of local wildlife, including the Florida panther, which is on the way to extinction. Being an isolated area, if you camp in the park you can see an unparalleled star show.
The dry season between November and April is ideal for experiencing the reserve. You can get there by road from Miami or Naples. Properties in both cities can boast of their proximity to Big Cypress, even perceiving an increase in value as a result.
Biscayne National Park
Despite being close to Miami, this park will transport you to another world. More than 90% of its 172,000 acres are water. Boat trips and diving excursions are popular. There are also ideal picnic spots and historical attractions such as a shipwreck and remains of a prehistoric community. In addition, it is a leading destination for sport fishing. Thus, Biscayne is an attraction that positively impacts its surroundings, such as the city of Homestead and the south side of Miami.
In general, it has good weather throughout the year. If you are looking for a drier environment, visit during the winter. Keep in mind that the period between June and November is hurricane season.
Jungle Island
In the heart of Miami, this is a zoo where you can interact closely with its inhabitants. It is a simulation of a rainforest, where you find reptiles, birds, fish and exotic mammals. This place contributes to the real estate appeal of the sought-after and influential area of Downtown Miami.
It can be reached by car or using public transport, as it is within the city. The best period to visit is between March and May, when summer and the rainy season have not arrived.
The Value of Nature in Florida’s Parks
These nature-filled parks attract visitors constantly. Thus, the areas in which they are located see the valorizing effect of this interest. The center of Miami is one of these places, where it is not only possible to disconnect from the city in a natural environment but also to find cutting-edge real estate projects. Other areas benefited by these parks are Miami Beach, Homestead and South Beach.
Miami is a vibrant city full of opportunities. An example of this are the multiple Florida parks that it houses.
References
Civitatis Miami. (n.d.). Jungle Island.
Florida Trippers. (2020). 12 Best National Parks In Florida To Explore.
Gross, B. (2021).National parks in Florida: 11 treasures, even some you haven’t visited. FloridaRambler.com.
Montgomery, B. (2022). Florida’s national parks bring in $855 million in visitor spending. Axios.
National Park Service. (n.d.). Everglades.
National Park Service. (n.d.). Florida.
National Park Service. (n.d.). Big Cypress.
Westgate Resorts. (2021). The 10 Best National Parks in Florida.
