Summer is always a special time for families with teenagers and young children. South Florida still offers the best weather for beach goers, sun-bathers, shoppers, excellent food, and an exotic culture. For travelers undecided in where to enjoy their vacation, South Florida offers a wealth of places for the outdoor types as well as excellent shopping for the professional shoppers, and one can’t beat the weather.
For those interested in natural beauty in a resort environment with access to the ocean, Key Biscayne, Florida offers the most pristine beaches in the U.S. As one travels to the Key on the Rickenbacher Causeway, there are beaches that are accessible on both sides of the highway with no fees except the $1.00 fee to get on the Causeway. There are barbecue pits accessible to the public on the beach which also has some palm trees for shade and cover. On this stretch of beach, dogs are allowed as long as you have them on a leash.
As one continues towards Crandon Park further south on the Rickenbacher Causeway one reaches another two mile stretch of beaches that are beautiful with picnic tables, concession stands, and life guards. It cost $4.00 to enter this park which is open from sunrise to sunset although the lifeguards are on duty in the summer from 9:15am until 6:45pm.
There is also an Amusement at the Crandon Beach Park which has an outdoor carousel, a skating rink, a splash fountain, and a playground. The amusement park is open at the same time the lifeguards arrive which is 9:15 am until 6:45pm. Continuing through the amusement park one reaches the Crandon Park Beach Gardens which looks like a tropical forest surrounded by lakes. One can see many tall ferns, palm trees, and tall vines.
As one continues down the Rickenbacher Causeway until the end of the road, one enters one of the most pristine and beautiful parks in the country, Bill Baggs Florida Cape State Park. At the end of the park is the oldest lighthouse in the South (1825) where tourists can get tours. Park visitors have a wealth of activities to do. They can rent bicycles, in-line skates, ocean kayaks, wind surf boards, chairs, and umbrellas. There are grassy shaded regions for picnics as well as stretches of beaches with perfect sand. This is one of the prettiest beaches in the U.S. Usually the park is not overcrowded except on week-ends—get there early.
