Reached by the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell, Virginia Key and Key Biscayne feel far from the city even though Downtown Miami's skyline is right across the water. They offer calm, family-friendly beaches, nature trails and some of the best paddling in the Miami area.
What to see
Crandon Park on Key Biscayne has a long, calm beach protected by an offshore sandbar, making it popular with families. At the island's southern tip, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park has quiet beaches, trails and the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County.
On Virginia Key, the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, mountain-bike trails and calm lagoon water make it a good place for kayaking and paddleboarding. Our beach planning guide compares Key Biscayne with Miami's other beaches.
Getting there
Drive or take a rideshare over the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell; the causeway has a toll. Most visitors come for the day, as parks charge per-vehicle entry and close in the evening. Bring water, sunscreen and snacks, as facilities are spread out.
