Miami - Attractions for Children

Lolita the Orca of Miami Seaquarium




 

Dylan and Josh at the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Miami Seaquarim

Four Great Reasons to Visit the Florida Keys

The Sea Wolf takes a sunset cruise in Key West, Florida

Image credit: americanspirit / 123RF Stock Photo

By Thom Sanders



While Orlando may be the centre for most family holidays in Florida, it doesn't mean you shouldn't consider visiting elsewhere in the state. This article takes a look at a few of the great reasons to consider taking one of the many Florida Keys holidays, as your next Florida holiday experience.

Bike riding in the Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is a great destination for anyone interested in the region's natural environment. Entering the park from the northern Shark Valley entrance gives visitors access to 15 miles of looped road with an observation tower set half way round, making it ideal for bike rides. The observation tower gives beautiful views out over the Everglades and the chance to spot some of the park's great wildlife, which includes deer, alligators, water birds and even wild pigs.



The Overseas Highway



Known more commonly as Route 1, the Overseas Highway is the marvel of engineering that connects the hundred or so miles of island chains that makes up the Florida Keys. Running from Key Largo all the way out to Key West, the road gives stunning views out over the surrounding ocean. The road is built on the same bridges and tracks that the Florida East Coast Railway was based on, with many of the bridges being converted railway bridges. The keys also have a number of great walks, for anyone who fancies getting out of the car to stretch their legs.



Visit Key West



This island town is best known for being the southernmost town in the United States. Key West has a very traditional American feel to it, with the town's wood panelled, tin roofed conch houses. Highlights in the area include the home of Ernest Hemingway, now converted into a museum, and the fascinating Shipwreck Historeum Museum, which delves into the town's wrecking past. Taking a stroll around the town is a great way to enjoy an afternoon.



BahiaHonda State Park



The final destination on our list is an easy stop if you've already travelled all the way out to Key West, the beautiful Bahia Honda State Park. The park is set on a small island between two of the key's deepest natural channels. The location means the island is a little different to others in the Key, with its sandy beaches and deep surrounding waters making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The Park is also well know for the Loggerhead Sea Turtles that visit it throughout the year.



This article was written by Thom Sanders on behalf of Vacations to America. They offer fantastic Florida Keys holidays, as well as other great California holidays.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Sanders

History of Key Biscayne, Florida

I go to Key Biscayne, Florida at least 4 times a month.  I usually go to Hobie Beach right next to Rickenbacker Causeway.   I take my two boys who also love the beach.  My youngest son loves fishing on the old Rickenbacker bridge and my older son enjoys swimming in the calm, crystal aqua water. 

I love Hobie Beach also because it is one of the only beaches in Dade County that allows dogs (it might be the only one).

Many times we go biking at Bills Baggs State Park which is a historic and gorgeous park with amazing beaches.  And I  bring my camera and take great pictures of the my kids, the sunset and people enjoying the beach.

Below is a brief history of Key Biscayne:

Key Biscayne is approximately 5 miles long, two mile wide barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. Bordered by Miami-Dade County Crandon Park to the north, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to the south, the atlantic ocean to the east and Biscayne Bay to the west.

FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA

1.  Several hundred years ago, Key Biscayne was an Eden-like island , a pre-Columbian heaven which was the center of civilization for the Tequestas, a small tribe of sea-savvy Indians who fished and whaled the crystal waters of the Florida Keys.

2.  Tequesta raised their villages on palm pilings, similar to the summer homes that currently line Florida's coasts They had to this because Key Biscayne is only about five feet above sea level.

3.  The Tequesta hunted sea turtles for their meat and harvested their eggs for valuable protein, this was before the sea turtles were endangered.

4. Ponce de Leon "discovered" the island and presented it to the King of Spain as Santa Maria in 1513.

5.  50 years later when the ruthless Pedro Menendez de Avila took refuge from a hurricane on Key Biscayne.  Avila had been on an expedition ordered by the King of Spain in which he was to found St. Augustine and massacre any French protestant "heretics" nearby.  Unfortunately, Avila established relations with the Tequesta and decided they should be good Catholics.

6. The Spanish built a mission managed by Jesuit priests and soldiers. to ensure the heathen Tequesta became proper Christians. This was a recipe for disaster for the Tequesta.

7.  Countless Spanish plate ships were destroyed on the treacherous shoals and reefs off Key Biscayne during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.  To this date,the treasure from these wrecks remain undiscovered.

8.  The island was named Vicaya (Biscayne) because a sailor for Iberian region was shipwrecked on the Key.

9.  The British attempted to bring in colonists and plantations to the vast wilderness, after Florida was transferred to British control in the mid 1700s.  However, this endeavor was short lived after the Revolution started and the British retreated to their homeland.

10.  Florida became a possession of Spain once and was called La Florida.  Then Spanish crown started giving land grants in South Florida,  especially in Key Biscayne.  Their goal was to bring Florida into a profitable standing.

UNITED STATES ACQUIRE FLORIDA FROM SPAIN

The Cape Florida Lighthouse was built in 1825. shortly after the US had acquired Florida from Spain, The Cape Florida Lighthouse is legendary landmark which is intact to this day.

Farmers from the north began arriving and setting up plantations as Key Biscayne grew and prospered.  The majority of the island's acreage was used for exotic fruit farms.

Naturalist came to Key Biscayne in droves because of Key Biscayne's isolated subtropical habitat and lush flora and fauna.  The area's gorgeous and scenic landscaped became renowned around the world which of course attracted countless adventurers and tourists.

The Matheson family established a huge coconut plantation on the Key for many years, up until just before World War Two.

Soon Key Biscayne became a magnet for wealthy.  Key Biscayne, like many Florida areas  became a favorite spot for the "Winter Elite" - a status it still enjoys to this day.

After the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami to Biscayne was completed in 1947 major residential development thrived.   Previously, the city experienced growth from tourism and land speculators.

After World War Two, Key Biscayne was still largely undeveloped.

In 1950's the Mackle Brothers began developing their Villages of Key Biscayne and typical houses sold for less than $10,000. These homes were concrete block houses of about 1200 square feet with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a small screened-in porch.

These original homes were primarily sold to retirees and young families headed by World War II veterans who purchased them with GI Bill financing with a $ 500 down payment.  

These homes were referred to locally as "Mackles", and are worth as much as one million dollars today.  Wealthy visitors buy them - many from South America - tear them down to build Mansions with room for large families and live-in maids.

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In 1969, Key Biscayne Florida saw dramatic presidential development as well when Richard Nixon purchased his winter retreat in the referred to as the "Florida White House". He wanted to be close to his old buddy, Bebe. 

Charles "Bebe" Rebozo, became famous as a friend of Richard Nixon. He founded the Key Biscayne Bank and Trust  in 1964. Bebe was of Cuban descent.

Key Biscayne FL suffered some damage when Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992, but luckily Bill Baggs State Park took the brunt of the storm's fury. The hurricane turned out to be a blessing as all the invasive species, such as Australian pines, in the park were wiped out by the heavy winds and rain.

As a result of storm, the Park Service restored the area with all native plants, and today Bill Baggs Park resembles what old Florida's wilderness might have looked like when the Tequesta thrived in the island.  

Recently, as s result of the economic meltdown, development has slowed which may keep Key Biscayne’s gorgeous beaches from being ruined by tons of concrete shopping centers and condos.

The Oceans's Astounding Medicinal and Emotional Healing Power

I love the beach (if you have seen my Flickr photos about 80% of them are at different beaches in South Florida.   Besides admiring the amazing beauty of South Florida beaches, going to the beach is therapeutic for me.   It melts my stress and worries.  Gazing at the sun's shimmering reflection on the crystal aqua water or seeing a scarlet sunset gives me hope and lifts my spirits when I am depressed.  Hearing the sound of the surf also relaxes me immensely.

Why does this happen?

The ocean is the greatest source of oxygen, food and medicinal elements and is home to 80% of all living organisms. The ocean plays a critical role in all of our lives especially we can be near the ocean.

The ocean offers many stress reduction benefits as the waves put us in a meditative state. 

By going to beach:

·         We feel happier and increase our peace of mind.

·         We significantly boost our concentration, spontaneity and creativity.

·         Also many people also report leaving the beach with a renewed sense of purpose for their lives.

When you are next to the ocean it is extremely difficult not to meditate and receive all of the astounding and wonderful benefits. And with our hectic lifestyle many of us seldom meditate on a regular basis

Other Significant and Amazing Benefits of the Ocean

 

1.  Scientific research has revealed that minerals in the sea air decrease stress and increase a sense of well being. 

2.  Salt in water preserves the melatonin, tryptamine and serotonin levels in your brain.  This helps fight off depression and improve your sense of well being.

3.  The sounds of waves crashing on the beach alter wave patterns in the brain resulting in a calmer state.

4.  Swimming in ocean water is also great for our mental health.  Why? The water temperature plays a significant role in your emotional health. Cool ocean water in the spring and fall months offer a soothing treatment for your nerves and warmer waters in the summer months relax your muscles

5.  Research indicates that ocean’s water contains minerals that help with depression, arthritis, and  psoriasis and depression.

6.  Spending time in the beach dramatically affects and offer positive results for skin diseases such as rosacea, eczema and rashes from plant allergies or heat.

7.  Ocean water contains iodine and that increases your thyroid function and improves the immune system. 

8.  When you are in sea water the amount of oxygen carried throughout your bloodstream is improved and more nutrients are carried through your bloodstream to fight off free radicals.
Ocean water also improves circulation of blood to organs.

One last fact about the amazing "feel good effect" of beach and why the ocean makes feel great and full of hope.

As the waves break on the beach shoreline, air particles break apart releasing ions into the atmosphere.  And many scientists assert that sea air contains an abundance of negatively charged ions.  In today’s society we have too many positive ions in our life.  You may know positive ions by another name – free radicals.  You get tons of free radicals from electricity, computers, TV and electronic gadgets in our lives.  It's is easy to see why we have a shortage of negative ions.  Increasing our exposure to negative ions has many health benefits including enhancing the immune system, increasing alertness and improving concentration.

KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA a Pristine Island Paradise

I go to Key Biscayne, Florida at least 4 times a month.  I usually go to Hobie Beach right next to Rickenbacker Causeway.   I take my two boys who also love the beach.  My youngest son loves fishing on the old Rickenbacker bridge and my older son enjoys swimming in the calm crystal aqua water.

I love Hobie Beach also because it is the only beach in Dade County (that I know of) that allows dogs.

We also visit Bill Baggs State Park frequently.  Many times we go biking at Bills Baggs State Park which is historic and gorgeous park.   I also love taking pictures of my boys, sunsets and people.  I have also taken pictures of Stiltsville -  Stiltsville is a group of wood stilt houses located one mile south of Cape Florida on sand banks of the Safety Valve  on the edge of Biscayne Bay in Miami Dade County in Florida. The structures stand on wood or reinforced concrete pilings, generally ten feet above the shallow water which varies from one to three feet deep at low tide.




Dania
www.2brothersebizblog.blogspot.com/
www.miamilocalevents.com

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