Key Biscayne

Sick of the slick hustle-bustle of Miami, but don’t want to battle traffic? Head south – five minutes south of downtown Miami, that is, to the lush island of Key Biscayne.

Key Biscayne was discovered in 1513 by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. He named it “the Cape of Florida,” a small island bursting with plants and aminals. Because the island had abundant fresh water reserves, De Leon thought he had found the mythical Fountain of Youth. Over the next 300 years, the land would change hands several times, but by the early 1800s, it became a stop on the Underground Railroad, a place where runaway slaves and Seminole Indians would escape to freedom. A lighthouse was built on the island in 1825, yet was burned during the Seminole Indian War. It was rebuilt in 1836 and still stands adjacent to a stretch of pristine beach.

Today, Key Biscayne is home to dozens of condos, small restaurants and a handful of stores. The island’s resort-like feel is not exclusive to the rich; visitors seeking a respite should head to Crandon Park, where a beautiful, white sand beach and a small, old-school amusement park awaits.

At the southern tip of the island is another gem: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

The nearly two-mile-long beach inside the park may be among the most stunning in all of South Florida -- the sand is sugary and white and the water is electric blue. Warning: you may feel as though you have been transplanted to a Caribbean island. If you actually make it off the beach, you can stroll the secluded, mile-long nature trail, which winds through palmetto thickets, palm trees and scrub brush. The sounds of the beach and city melt away on the path, which ends near No Name Harbor.

Other activities include fishing along the seawall on Biscayne Bay – many old Cubans pass the time here. Another popular spot is the lighthouse, which is reminiscent of the New England coast. Climb 109 steps to the top of the lighthouse, which is the oldest structure in Miami Dade County. Free tours of the lighthouse are available at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Thursday through Monday. There is a small restaurant and a bike rental shop within the park.

Admission to the park is $5 for up to eight vehicle passengers and $1 for bicyclists. A popular Sunday pastime for Miamians is to rent one of the park’s 18 pavilions and spend the day barbecuing with family and friends. The pavilions may be rented a day in advance; the price ranges from $100 to $150, depending on the size.

The park is open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. Address: 1200 S. Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, Florida 33149 Phone: 305-361-5811