Staycation in Miami

By Lucy Gonzalez 

Bummed you won’t be able to go to a foreign country for the next few months or visit a place you’ve never set foot on? Don’t fret: a vacation filled with loads of entertainment is in your own backyard, right in the state of Florida! There are plenty of places in the sunshine state with loads of activities, where tans can develop and summer smiles can beam. 

Although glorious beaches in Puerto Rico or Cancun aren’t at your reach this summer, water activities are only a drive away. Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park is a perfect spot to enjoy a nice day in the sun. Alongside the pleasant beach occupied by shallow sandbars, the park gives visitors access to many other enjoyable activities, such as shady picnic spots and rentable group bicycles.

There are even friendly, local iguanas and peacocks roaming around on all corners of the park waiting for their pictures to be taken. It’s the perfect spot to go and feel the rays without needing to hop on a plane. In North Miami, people are able to enjoy wildlife and freshwater while paddling in kayaks and paddle boards at Oleta River State Park. Renting these water vehicles allows access to nearby shores and small beaches surrounded by white, soft sand. Oleta is a great spot to bring your friends and your bathing suit to drift along the mangrove areas. 

Now, even though the water and sun part of your vacation is saved by going to local state parks, your staycation can also include visiting some city attractions. Malls like The Falls in Kendall and Brickell City Center can be awesome day locations to shop and dine. Nearby, the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a top-notch destination for museum lovers. 

If you’re looking to dive into something more creative, check out local artists and their work in places like the Perez Art Museum and The Miami Art Design District in Downtown Miami. There, you can stop for a bite to eat at the Gucci cafe, stroll through the Wynwood walls, and fill your camera roll with mesmerizing murals. 

Staycations are a great way to rediscover your city and state, and, who knows? You might find it wasn’t so bad being home for the summer after all!