Girlfriend Getaway to Homestead
Travel to South Florida and Encounter Gators, Orchids and Wine
Travel to South Florida for a wild girlfriend getaway in Homestead. Traveling chicks will bond when encountering gators, orchids and sipping tropical wine.
Ditch shoe shopping and being pampered in some chichi spa. A girlfriend getaway is about bonding with gal pals and family. Get a little wild and head to South Florida’s Homestead. Located between Miami and the Florida Keys, Homestead makes an ideal girlfriend getaway either for a day or a weekend.
Girlfriend Getaway to Homestead: What to Do
Biscayne National Park – The park is 95% water and the best way to experience Biscayne is either on top of the water or under it. Glass bottom boats cruise Biscayne Bay daily (with the exception of February, call for details) offering a dry window into the amazing world of coral reefs. Adventure chicks on a girlfriends getaway will enjoy snorkeling. The trip’s ideal for beginners and takes mermaid-wannabes to the park’s gorgeous coral reefs where tropical fish make daily appearances. Call (305) 230-1100 for reservations.
Everglades Alligator Farm – Forget about having a good hair day after this adventure, not even Aqua Net will keep a hairdo in place following an airboat ride skimming and whipping across the ‘glades. It’s not all a wild ride, there’s time to spot alligators, birds and turtles. Stick around for the snake and alligator shows and take snapshots with one of the cool reptiles to remember this girlfriend getaway. Open daily (40351 S.W. 192nd Avenue, Florida City; Tel: (305) 247-2628).
R.F. Orchids – The orchid nursery and gardens pop with vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows. It’s free to browse and tours of the lush paradise are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., no reservations are required. An elegant orchid makes a great girlfriend getaway souvenir and the helpful staff will determine the best plant for you. Open Tuesday through Sunday. (28100 S.W. 182nd Avenue, Homestead; Tel: (305) 245-4570).
Girlfriend Getaway to Homestead: What to Eat & Drink
Cauley Square Tea Room Restaurant – This elegant tea room is made for a girlfriend getaway. Sip a spot of tea and enjoy a light lunch in a lace filled room reminiscent of old Florida. Save room for one of the generous sized homemade desserts. Plan some extra time to wander through Cauley Square’s antique shops and boutiques housed in cute cottages, unlike anything else in the Miami area. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (12310 S.W. 224th Street, Homestead; Tel: (305) 258-0044)
Robert is Here – Tropical fruits such as apple custard-like atemoya, sweet lychee and odd looking monstera deliciosa (tastes like pineapple and banana) are waiting to tantalize taste buds. Tangerines, coconuts and mangoes along with jellies, jams, honeys and sauces are sold, too. Sassy girls can’t leave without trying the tart key lime shake. Open daily November through August. (19200 S.W. 344th Street, Homestead; Tel: (305) 246-1592)
Schnebly Redland’s Winery – Currently the southernmost winery in the United States, Schnebly wines are made from culls, the tropical fruit not pretty enough to be sold commercially. Popular wines are Lychee, Passion Fruit and Mango. The perfect wine for a girlfriend getaway? Category 3 Hurricane Vino, a blend of carambola, guava and lychee. A wine tasting of five wines is $5 and the tasting glass gets to go home. Save the glass for a return trip and the tasting is free! (30205 S.W. 217th Avenue, Homestead; Tel: (305) 242-1224).
Girlfriend Getaway to Homestead: Where to Stay
Homestead makes a nice day-trip from the Miami area, just follow either U.S. 1 or the Florida Turnpike South until it ends. Make it a true girlfriend getaway by staying overnight. Budget travelers will appreciate the bohemian-type Everglades International Hostel (Tel: (305) 248-1122). The charming Grove Inn Country Guest House (Tel: (877) 247-6572) sits in the heart of the Redland agricultural district while the historic Redland Inn (Tel: (305) 246-1904) is in the epicenter of Homestead’s charming downtown.
After a girlfriend getaway to Homestead, plan the next Florida trip to Seaside to stay at Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley.
