Top Rated Attractions in Homestead

Home to a seemingly endless labyrinth of subtropical wetlands, Everglades National Park shelters a peculiar ecosystem within its enormous expanse. Stretches of the park's lush swampland feature a network of mangroves and a robust breeding ground and habitat for an array of wading birds and varied wildlife. Its dark, tropical depths are shrouded in grassy rivers and dense marshes that are home to the famed American alligator, West Indian manatee, hundreds of aviary species, and the elusive Florida Panther. Tropical hardwood hammocks form ideal shelters for reptiles, while wet prairies with their brackish water support the growth of succulent plants like glassworts. While modern concerns like global warming and surging sea levels loom as considerable threats to the park's fragile ecosystem, the Everglades continue to be a constant source of beauty and wonder for all who visit.

The Fruit and Spice Park is a 37-acre (14.97-hectare) living plant park, offering tours of its lush surroundings on a daily basis. The park is noted for having some of the rarest fruit trees in the world. A gift shop is also located on the premises. You can sample and purchase some of the exotic preserves and jellies made from these locally grown fruits. Tours are included in the admission price.

For years this phenomenal work of art has fascinated people from all over the world. Coral Castle's creator carved his fantasy world out of stone using nothing but homemade tools. Latvian-American sculptor Edward Leedskalnin took more than two decades to create the Coral Castle. The castle is believed to be made out of coral, however, it is carved out of oolite limestone and there was no mortar used. The castle complex comprises a sundial, a polar telescope, furniture, etc. A major tourist attraction, this landmark is an example of the strenuous efforts of Leedskalnin.

Initially established as a movie theater, Miracle Theater is an impressive Art Deco building that now serves as the home of Actors' Playhouse. The theater is made up of three separate performance spaces of different sizes - the Mainstage Theater with 600 seats, the 300-seat Balcony Theatre and the 100-seat Black Box Studio. Miracle Theatre plays host to performances throughout the year, many of which are meant for children.

The picturesque Venetian Pool is truly a one-of-a-kind attraction. This public swimming pool, chiseled out of a coral rock quarry in the 1920s, looks like a natural rock formation, except that no natural rock formation could be so perfectly suited to human enjoyment. This historical landmark is a work of art with its gushing fountains, coral caves and waterfalls. The 820,000 gallons of cool, refreshing spring water are replaced daily. Tours are conducted here.

Matheson Hammock County Park is a 130-acre (254.95 hectare) beach park, located to the east of Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Here, you can picnic, sunbathe on the quiet beach, or explore trails that wind through thick mangrove hammocks. The park also features an artificial lagoon where you can enjoy a day collecting shells. Boating enthusiasts can launch from the park's marina into Biscayne Bay. The park's restaurant serves lunch and dinner.