Key Biscayne Attractions

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is considered one of the best beaches in the US. Visitors will enjoy sunbathing, cycling and kayaking as well as swimming and fishing. The lighthouse, built in 1825, has withstood many years of storms and wind; in 1996 it underwent a major restoration.

Crandon Park is famous for its offshore sandbar that protects swimmers from a crashing surf. The beach is a low surf impact beach. Visitors to Crandon Park can explore the dunes, mangroves, and coastal hammocks as well as observe herons, ospreys and the many butterflies.

The Crandon Family Amusement Center includes a restored carousel with organ music and brightly painted horses, an outdoor roller rink, and a beachfront playground.

Cape Florida Lighthouse is Dade County's oldest structure. The first Cape Florida lighthouse was built at the southern tip of Key Biscayne and was destroyed in 1836 during a Seminole attack. The present tower, dating from 1847, was reinforced by George G. Meade in 1855.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew flattened everything in the area except the lighthouse.

The busy Port of Miami is built on a 300-acre landfill next to the ship canal. Cargo is shipped in and out to locations all over the world from the site, but the main destinations lie in the U.S. and Latin America. The massive and numerous cruise ships that stop in Miami also dock at this port.