Curious about the best things to do in Homestead Florida? We’ve got you.
Miami’s recent growth spurt has resulted in the city sprawling in all directions, including into its southwestern reaches and towns like Homestead and Florida City.
Once just a small town filled with verdant vegetable farms and fruit orchards, Homestead has become a hot spot for travelers and locals to find respite from the hustle and bustle of Miami and surrounds--not to mention the influx of year-round residents looking to stretch their dollars when it comes to South Florida’s spiking real estate costs.
Halfway between downtown Miami and the Florida Keys (or Key Largo, to be precise), Homestead has become a recreational destination of its own.
Here, we take a look at seven of the best things to do in Homestead Florida.
Palm Lodge House & Tropical Garden
This restored, registered historic home and garden once served as a vacation retreat for a wealthy Kentucky Colonial and his family and is one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida. Now an Airbnb and event venue, the historic site includes a spacious main house, lush gardens and a charming carriage house — all used on the regular for small-scale weddings and special events, as well as for photo shoots and as a film location.
The original owner, Colonel Henry Johnston Wallace, was known as the “Wizard of Palm Lodge Grove” for his ability to cultivate over 8,000 incredible specimens of tropical fruits and flowers — many not found anywhere else in America. The magical property hosts free open houses on Fridays, when the owners give private tours, making it one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida.
Coral Castle Museum
Before you roll your eyes upon entering this touristy spot that’s slightly in disarray, close those baby blues (or greens, or browns) and imagine entering a time machine that transports you back to the 1940s.
It’s there you’ll find a heartbroken Latvian immigrant named Edward Leedskalnin creating the ultimate tribute to his lost love. Leedskalnin hand-carved and sculpted more than 1,100 tons of coral rock without the use of any heavy machinery or any additional help.
A massive project, the final product took more than 28 years to create. Some even believe Leedskalnin may have had mystical powers that allowed for the 5-foot, 100-pound man to accomplish such a feat. Not only is this one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida, we think it’s one of the best thing to do in Florida overall.
Heritage Market
Owned by a young local family with deep, historical Homestead roots, this quaint farm stand, shop and restaurant is the epitome of farm-to-table dining. Pick your own wildflower bouquet from the beautiful field of flora or feed the market’s chickens — there’s really loads to do at this family-friendly locale. With themed dinners and special events, you’ll want to get on the email list to stay clued in to what this shop is up to next and see why the market is one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida.
Robert Is Here
Exotic fruits, local vegetables, fruity milkshakes and a unique mishmash of specialty food items has made this quirky South Florida outpost an area staple since 1956, and it’s been one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida ever since.
Shop for house-made favorites like honey habanero barbecue sauce, check out the creatures and critters at the animal farm or just take a load off on a picnic table and feast on your farm stand finds. The family-owned-and-operated fruit stand even has live music on the weekends and on holidays.
R.F. Orchids
Long before orchids were commonly available at every grocery store in the country, R.F. Orchids offered a vast selection of the alluring flowers, from exotic species to the newest hybrids. The nursery also creates exquisite arrangements for gifting and private events.
Tour the lush tropical garden (open Tuesday through Sunday) and learn about the beginnings of this pioneering floral business that’s been in operation for over 50 years and has won over 2,000 awards from the American Orchid Society. Definitely one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida–and for those who love orchids, one of the very best things to do period.
Everglades National Park — Homestead entrance
The Everglades span across 1.5 million acres that stretch over the southern part of Florida, including Homestead. In fact it’s easy to access the park’s southern section through the area. Start off at the Ernest F. Coe Visitors Center and visit its small museum and gift shop. Here you can also get real-time tips from knowledgeable and friendly park rangers. Bonus: they sell insect repellant just in case you left yours at home.
One of the best trails to see wildlife (and a great one for beginners) is the Anhinga Trail. At 0.8 miles, it’s short and sweet but filled with wildlife. A perfect little journey for those who are not accustomed to long hikes, the self-guiding trail winds through the lush, wet terrain of a sawgrass marsh, where you’ll likely see alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, egrets and more. The trail is a terrific introduction to the Everglades, which is continuously named as one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida.
Cauley Square
Feel all the old Florida vibes from this historic marketplace established around 1903. A former turn-of-the-century settlement for William Cauley and his produce empire, the property was saved from city demolition in 1949, when Mary Anne Ballard purchased it.
Having survived destructive hurricanes and near financial ruin, the twenty-five restored structures (including a small chapel) now house local businesses as unique as they are charming. From a storied Tea Room to a cafecito gazebo, the thriving square is a must-see when in the area and easily one of the best things to do in Homestead Florida. It also houses a sacred space for Miami’s spiritual community to hold special events.
