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Homestead is a city of about 80,000 people at the southern end of mainland Florida, about 35 miles south of Miami, and it is the gateway to two national parks. Founded in the early 1900s as a farming town at the end of the Florida East Coast Railway, it is surrounded by tropical fruit groves, nurseries and farm fields that grow much of the country's winter produce.
Historic downtown Homestead has the restored 1940 Seminole Theatre, old storefronts and the former railroad station, and a free trolley loops through town in season. Robert Is Here, a legendary roadside fruit stand, serves fresh tropical fruit milkshakes, and the quirky Coral Castle, carved single-handedly from coral rock by a Latvian immigrant, is just north of town.
Everglades National Park begins a few miles west, with the Anhinga Trail, Royal Palm and the road down to the Flamingo Visitor Center on Florida Bay. Biscayne National Park, mostly underwater, protects coral reefs and islands just to the east. The Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts NASCAR races, and the Florida Keys begin just south.
Everglades National Park begins just west of Homestead, where the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and the Royal Palm area are the main entry point. The nearby Anhinga Trail boardwalk is known for alligators, turtles and wading birds. Go in the dry winter season, and bring water and bug spray.
Biscayne National Park protects a bay, coral reefs and keys east of Homestead. The Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point has exhibits, a jetty walk and boat tours to the islands. Most of the park is water, so book a boat, snorkel or paddling trip in advance.
Coral Castle is a strange stone garden built single-handedly by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin from over 1,000 tons of coral rock between the 1920s and 1950s. It includes stone furniture, a moon fountain and a heavy rotating gate. Take the guided tour to hear the stories of how he built it.
Historic Downtown Homestead centers on Krome Avenue, with early 1900s buildings, the old town hall museum, Mexican and Latin restaurants, and the restored Seminole Theatre. It is quieter than Miami. Walk Krome Avenue in the evening, and try a local taqueria or bakery for an inexpensive meal.
The Seminole Theatre is a restored 1940 Art Deco theater on Krome Avenue in downtown Homestead, damaged by Hurricane Andrew and reopened in 2015. It hosts concerts, films, plays and community events. Check the calendar for shows, and admire its neon sign at night while walking downtown.
Robert Is Here is a famous fruit stand near Homestead, open since 1959, selling tropical fruits like mango, lychee and dragon fruit, along with famous fresh fruit milkshakes. Kids enjoy the small animal farm out back. Try a key lime or mamey milkshake, and stop on the way to the Everglades.
Knaus Berry Farm is a family farm in the Redland area known for its sticky cinnamon rolls and u-pick strawberries in winter. Lines for the rolls are long on weekends. Go early, bring cash, and check the season, as the farm is only open from about November to April each year.
Schnebly Redland's Winery is a winery and brewery near Homestead that makes wines from tropical fruits such as lychee, guava, mango and passion fruit. It has a tasting room and a garden with waterfalls and tiki huts. Book a tasting on weekends, and choose a designated driver.
Fruit and Spice Park is a 37-acre botanical garden in the Redland with hundreds of tropical fruit trees, spices and nuts from around the world. Visitors may taste fallen fruit and join guided tram tours. Visit in summer for mango season, and bring sunscreen and water for the walk.
Homestead Bayfront Park is a Miami-Dade County park on Biscayne Bay with an atoll pool beach, a marina, picnic areas and a fishing area. It is next to Biscayne National Park's visitor center. Swim in the calm atoll pool with kids, and pay the parking fee at the entrance on weekends.
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a large motorsports track that hosts NASCAR races and other events, with a 1.5-mile oval and grandstands. Race weekends bring large crowds and camping. Check the event schedule, buy tickets ahead, and bring ear protection, sunscreen and a hat.
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