{"id":3277,"date":"2015-09-29T17:59:31","date_gmt":"2015-09-29T22:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=3277"},"modified":"2015-09-29T18:17:39","modified_gmt":"2015-09-29T23:17:39","slug":"key-biscayne-offers-great-scenery-fun-activities-for-a-relaxing-weekend-day","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=3277","title":{"rendered":"Key Biscayne offers great scenery, fun activities for a relaxing weekend day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted on September 29, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By\u00a0SIYUAN TONG<\/p>\n

Busy city life starts to fade away and a sense of peace and joy slowly rises inside your heart as you driving across the Rickenbacker Causeway and entering into the greater Key Biscayne area.<\/p>\n

Along the way, your sight lines open up and there is large chunk of blue water glistening under the sun on your left and right. All of the sudden, everything becomes quiet and time seems to stop at the moment. Being in the middle of a picture like that is even better than having a cup of hot coffee and a good book in a Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The picture goes alive when you see bikers riding by and hearing some of them humming. As their voices getting behind, your mood seems to be influenced by their happiness and your heart becomes lighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cDriving down that Causeway is one of my favorites,\u201d said Luis Walker, a resident in the area. \u201cThat\u2019s why I never complaint about driving out of the island to my daily work,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

Keep driving along and pass the Bear Cut Bridge, you get closer to the Crandon Park area. Water on the side is replaced by mangroves and other plants, and it feels like you are inside of a big park. All you can see is the blue sky, green trees and the road in front. The traffic sign with a lower speed limit tells you to slow down and gives you more time to enjoy the view.<\/p>\n

\"Crandon<\/a>

Crandon Park area.<\/p><\/div>\n

Though it is just a small island on the Greater Miami-Dade county map, Key Biscayne has a lot more to offer compared to its size.<\/p>\n

Beach is obviously one of the must-haves. Beaches are located inside Crandon Park and the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Compare to the famous South Beach, the ones in Key Biscayne seem to be preferred by locals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beaches here are awesome,\u201d said John Hamas from Kendall in Miami. \u201cThey are just so much quieter and cleaner. South Beach is more for shopping and dining, but here are the real beaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

You will get what he means after sitting on the white sand under a palm tree and hearing the waves coming up and down. Everybody has his or her own space and nobody will be bothered.<\/p>\n

Besides going to the beach, there are plenty of plenty of activities available in Key Biscayne. Tennis, golf, snorkeling and diving, biking, sailing, picnicking, camping, boating, kayaking, kite-boarding and hiking are all there for you to choose. It is hard to feel bored or not get your time filled up.<\/p>\n

Karen Miscale, who has lived in Key Biscayne for 13 years, said there is always something to do in Key Biscayne.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been here for a long time, and I can still find something to do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Therefore, simply call couple of your friends or family member, and take them to Key Biscayne for your gatherings. Nobody will be unsatisfied due to choice limitations, and you can have a happy day there.<\/p>\n

Most of the activities are provided in the parks, so it is super convenient to just go to either one and have fun there.<\/p>\n

\"Key<\/a>

A street in the Village of Key Biscayne.<\/p><\/div>\n

Something else worth noting is the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park\u2019s best-known feature \u2014 the Cape Florida Lighthouse.<\/p>\n

Completed in 1825, the lighthouse now remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.<\/p>\n

During the days it was in use, the lighthouse served as a guide light for runaway slaves and Black Seminoles to meet with sea captains to get to the British Bahamas. To help people appreciate the historical content behind, the park provides tours of the lighthouse and the keeper\u2019s house museum.<\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about nature instead of history, the Biscayne Nature Center is located in Crandon Park. Besides daily nature-related exhibitions, events like guest lecture and films, Restoration Saturday and many more are designed for visitors as well. No matter you are an adult or a child, Biscayne Nature Center has something for you.<\/p>\n

Dining options in the village of Key Biscayne have great variety and there are multiple choices for shopping as well. If you have time, try to stay there for a couple days and explore the area. It will not let you down.<\/p>\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visitor Center<\/strong><\/p>\n