Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne refers to both a tropical island just southeast of Miami and a village on that island. The Village of Key Biscayne, incorporated on June 18, 1991, is in the center of the four-mile-long, two-mile-wide barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. The wonderful tropical island is very quiet and mostly residential. Key Biscayne Island, which is south of South Beach, is the first island of the Florida Keys. Beaches are spectacular, the landscaping is lush and waterfront activities are plenty. Some consider it the best area to feel like you are in the islands while being in Miami.
Get in
The island is connected via causeway to the city of Miami on the mainland, approximately 7 miles away.
See
- 🌍 Crandon Park. A laid-back park in the northern part of Key Biscayne, popular with families due to its 3.5-mile soft sand beach and calm waters. It was named “Best Beach,” by South Florida Parenting Magazine. Parking is inexpensive and plentiful at Crandon, and the park also has a marina, Miami golf course, tennis courts and a children’s play area with a restored carousel.
- 🌍 Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Occupies approximately the southern third of the island of Key Biscayne. Has beautiful beaches, turquoise blue water, great sunsets and a lighthouse. Tours of the lighthouse and the park’s Cultural Center are available. This park offers rentals for beach chairs, umbrellas, rollerblades, ocean kayaks, windsurfers, bikes and hydrobikes. The park is home to the Cape Florida Light, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. In 2005 it was listed as having the 8th best beach in the country. It has over a mile of sandy Atlantic beachfront, where snorkeling and swimming is possible. Besides the beach and tours of the lighthouse and keeper's quarters, activities include boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing from the seawall along Biscayne Bay, bicycling, hiking and wildlife viewing. The park has such amenities as picnicking areas and youth camping. It also has a visitor center, a museum with interpretive exhibits and concessions.
Do
Key Biscayne has long, winding roads that are great for biking and rollerblading.
Parks occupy much of the key, providing facilities for golf, tennis, softball, swimming, sunbathing and picnicking.
- At 9.5 acres in size, the village green contains multi-use open fields, a half-mile jogging course, a tot lot with interactive splash fountain, a community bandstand, restrooms and small shade pavilion.
- The Lake Park, nearly one acre in size, features a small shade pavilion overlooking the lake.
- East Enid Linear Park, a 1/2 mile in length, contains a ten-foot wide, bricked walkway leading to Ocean Park. The Ocean Park, recently completed, features native landscaping, a palm plaza, a large shade pavilion, and restrooms with shower facilities.
- Calusa Park, a 7.5-acre area at the south end of Crandon Park, abuts the village and features four public tennis courts and a multi-purpose recreation building. The playing fields and basketball courts at St. Agnes Academy are used by the Village under a shared-use agreement.
Buy
The village of Key Biscayne is full of Miami shopping, Miami restaurants and lodging, all in a lush, lazy setting that is a nice escape from the crowds and buzz of nearby Miami Beach.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 🌍 Ritz Carlton. An upscale hotel