Looking for a change of beach scenery? Have you taken that same trip to Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach one too many times? Or maybe you just want a day away from the beach-side resort, to enjoy some outdoor fun and recreation? If you are vacationing in the Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, or North Miami areas, then you will want to take a drive to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Cape Florida State Park is home to the oldest standing structure in South Florida, a historic lighthouse originally built in 1825 with remodel in 1846. Many visitors love to check out this Atlantic beacon by taking a guided tour of the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. These tours are conducted twice a day Thursday through Monday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. You will definitely want to check out this historic South Florida landmark.
Only about a 45-minute drive in your FL mini van rental from the Fort Lauderdale airport area, Cape Florida State Park is located on Key Biscayne just outside of the Miami area. We recommend that if you are flying into the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that you get a rental vehicle at one of the Fort Lauderdale car rental companies located nearby. Many of these FL car rental companies will pick you up, so you can get on your way to your hotel and then on to Cape Florida State Park.
And you will definitely want to get there! In addition to the historic lighthouse, you can find a lot to do at Cape Florida State Park. Two popular activities available within the park include bicycling and kayaking. You can rent a single, tandem, or quad bicycle from the park so you can enjoy the paved trails and other service roads open to cyclists. Single and double kayaks are also available to rent, so you can paddle along the bay and beach areas.
Other activities at Cape Florida State Park include swimming and sunbathing on the Cape May’s natural beach, which has been consistently ranked in the top ten beaches in the United States by beach expert Dr. Leatherman (a.k.a., “Dr. Beach”). You can also hike the nature trail that take you through mangrove wetlands as well as other unique Florida landscapes. Fishermen will enjoy casting a line off the shore of Biscayne Bay, considered one of the best shoreline fishing locations in the region; however, you will want to come prepared with a Florida fishing license.
At the end of a fun-filled day at Cape Florida State Park, you can refill and refresh yourself with a full meal at the Lighthouse Cafe that overlooks the Atlantic or the Boater’s Grill on No Name Harbor. Both restaurants are open-air and quite casual, but their Cajun-style cooking can be the perfect end to a day of Florida beach fun.
From its top-ranked beaches and fishing areas to one-of-a-kind historic landmarks, Cape Florida State Park makes a great day trip. You can easily get there from the greater Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Miami areas without too much hassle. If you need a change of beach pace or simply want to visit Florida beyond the tourist-filled beaches of Fort Lauderdale and North Miami, then consider a short trip to Key Biscayne’s Cape Florida State Park.
