Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Homestead (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Coral Castle, Fruit & Spice Park, and Florida Pioneer Museum. Also, be sure to include Florida City in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Homestead (Florida).
Table of Contents
Coral Castle
Outdoor sculptures carved from coral. Coral Castle is an oolite limestone structure created by the Latvian-American eccentric Edward Leedskalnin. It is located in unincorporated territory of Miami-Dade County, Florida, between the cities of Homestead and Leisure City. The structure comprises numerous megalithic stones, mostly limestone formed from coral, each weighing several tons. It is currently a privately operated tourist attraction. Coral Castle is noted for legends surrounding its creation that claim it was built single-handedly by Leedskalnin using reverse magnetism or supernatural abilities to move and carve numerous stones, each weighing many tons.[1]
Address: 28655 S Dixie Hwy, 33033 Homestead
Fruit & Spice Park
Park in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Fruit & Spice Park, formally known as the Preston B. Bird/Mary Heinlein Fruit & Spice Park, is a 37-acre park located in the heart of Redland, Florida and is the only botanical garden of its kind in the United States. This park is operated by Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Spaces Department. The park in itself attracts more than 50,000 visitors a year because of its unique agricultural environment. The garden features more than 500 different types of international exotic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Visitors are allowed to sample fallen fruits, enjoy lunch at the Mango Cafe, or schedule a tour of the park.[2]
Address: 24801 SW 187th Ave, 33031-1708 Homestead
Florida Pioneer Museum
The Florida Pioneer Museum is a historic site in Florida City, Florida, United States. It was founded in 1962 with the donation of Indian artifacts by Dr. Herbert S. Zim and tools by a group of civic minded women. On August 14, 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Museum's building is located in the old Homestead Florida East Coast Railroad station agent's home that was built in 1904. The house was moved to the current location in the mid-1960s to serve as a museum about the local area. The land the building sits on was donated by Henry and Jacqueline Brooker. Henry was an early settler, homesteading west of the present city of Florida City in 1907. His wife, Jacqueline, was the daughter of Bryan H. Edwards, an early mayor of Florida City. The depot building behind the museum was saved by Jack Levy and other local history buffs as the bulldozers were starting to tear it down where it was originally located on N. Flagler Ave. in Homestead. The FEC and the City of Homestead had gotten into an argument over grounds maintenance so the FEC proceeded to demolish the building. It was then moved to its present site in Florida City in 1976, on land donated by the Torcise family. The building was leveled to the platform by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the Museum aided in the reconstruction of the building by supplying copies of the original drawings from the Florida East Coast Railway. The Depot is not part of the Museum; it is owned by the City of Florida City.[3]
Address: 826 S Krome Ave, 33034-2420 Florida City
Florida City
City in Florida. Florida City is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States and is the southernmost municipality in the South Florida metropolitan area. Florida City is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area.
The city lies to the south and west of, and is contiguous with, Homestead. Both cities suffered catastrophic damage in August 1992 when Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida.
The city originated as a land promotion named Detroit. There were no buildings in the area when the first thirty families arrived in 1910, and they had to stay in Homestead until their houses could be built. The name was changed to Florida City when the town incorporated in 1914. It has a small historic area, but much of the city is hotels and other tourist facilities.
The city is at the eastern end of the only road running through the Everglades National Park, which terminates at Flamingo. Florida City is the southernmost city in the United States which is not on an island. It is also the last stop on the mainland north of the Florida Keys. The southern terminus of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike where it ends at its junction with U.S. 1 is located in Florida City. Homestead is immediately north and east of Florida City, and these two cities comprise the greater Homestead-Florida City area. Some of the notable unincorporated communities in the area are Redland, Leisure City, Naranja, and Princeton.[4]
Everglades Alligator Farm
Nature and wildlife, Park
Address: 40351 SW 192nd Ave, 33034 Homestead
Anhinga Trail
Walkway near alligators and other wildlife. The Anhinga Trail is a short trail in the Everglades National Park. Located 4 miles from the park entrance, it starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. The trail is a paved walkway and a boardwalk over Taylor Slough, a freshwater sawgrass marsh. Abundant wildlife is visible from the trail, including alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, and egrets. It is one of the most popular trails in the park. On November 5, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In 2003, tourists witnessed a fight between an alligator and a Burmese python which went on for 24 hours, until a larger alligator joined the fight and the snake escaped. Video and news coverage of the fight was widespread and brought attention to the spread of the python, an invasive species, in the Everglades.[5]
Homestead Town Hall
Museum in Homestead, Florida. The Homestead Town Hall, also known as the Redlands District Chamber of Commerce, is the original town hall for the Town of Homestead, built in 1917 Homestead, Florida. It is located at 41 North Krome Avenue. On November 7, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The building was originally two separate buildings that date to 1917 and 1924, which were subsequently connected. It was the first municipal building in Homestead. This property is part of the Homestead Multiple Property Submission.
The Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum is located in Homestead Town Hall. The museum features photos, artifacts and films about the city's history.[6]
Lily Lawrence Bow Library
Library in Homestead, Florida. The Lily Lawrence Bow Library is a historic library in Homestead, Florida. It is located 212 Northwest 1st Avenue. On August 5, 1996, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was named after Lily Lawrence Bow, Homestead's first librarian.[7]
Address: 212 Northwest 1st Avenue, Homestead (Homestead)
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Car racing track in Homestead, Florida. Homestead–Miami Speedway is a motor racing track located in Homestead, Florida. The track, which has several configurations, has promoted several series of racing, including NASCAR, the IndyCar Series, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series, and the Championship Cup Series.
From 2002 to 2019, Homestead–Miami Speedway had hosted the final race of the season in all three of NASCAR's series as Ford Championship Weekend: the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The races currently have the names Dixie Vodka 400, Contender Boats 250, and Baptist Health 200, respectively.[8]
Address: 1 Speedway Blvd, 33035 Homestead (Homestead)
Homestead Multiple Property Submission
The following buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Homestead Multiple Property Submission.[9]
Homestead Historic Downtown District
The Homestead Historic Downtown District, is a U.S. Historic District located in Homestead, Florida, United States. It is bound by Northwest 4th Street, South Railroad Avenue, Southeast 1st Road and North Krome Drive.[10]