6 Sensational Miami Scenic Drives for Fun Florida Road Trips
These six sensational Miami scenic drives entice visitors and residents with South Florida’s best nature, waterfront views, beaches, and culture. Our favorite Miami Florida drives are ideal for relaxed outings or active day trips.
The following South Florida scenic drive destinations offer outdoor heart-pumping experiences, authentic Old Florida cuisine and culture, and chances to get away from it all and explore different and more naturally enjoyable environments than cruise terminals and traffic packed roads.
Plus I suggest where to find the world’s best key lime pie (you will be surprised).
South Florida scenic drives are welcome anytime during the year but are particularly appealing on crisp late autumn mornings before the snowbirds have arrived. Relax, take it slow, and enjoy the journey. Put down the convertible top, don your favorite sunglasses, and get rolling.
Here are a few tips about our Miami scenic drives:
- These scenic drives in Miami range from waterfront roads to long stretches without stoplights to dirt roads-really, we know some unpaved roads in South Florida! Some are loop drives and some are one way. Click the map link to see our suggested route and choose your starting point. McCool Travel tip: select the option to avoid Tolls.
- Distance and time estimates are from Google Maps assuming normal traffic. Adjust time for stops and serendipitous detours (highly encouraged!).
- Routes range from 8 to 81 miles but you can easily combine them for longer day trips.
- It is hard to reach all of the scenery without including some major roads but our routes minimize and avoid congested areas when possible.
- No drive is scenic during Miami rush hours. These drives are best enjoyed on weekends, early morning, evenings, or between 10am and 3pm on weekdays.
- See the last section below for tips to avoid tolls when driving around Miami.
1. South Florida Waterfront and Downtown Miami Views
This Miami scenic drive crosses overwater causeways, maximizing waterfront potential and views. It visits several of the islands in and near Miami-including Miami Beach, Virginia Key, and Key Biscayne. This drive is wonderful at night so you can see the twinkling Miami city lights and stroll beaches alongside shimmering moonlit water.
1. South Florida Waterfront and Downtown Miami Views
Map: Miami Waterfront Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 23 miles one way; 1 hour 20 minutes
Theme: Best Miami waterfront views
Activities: Driving on causeways, beaches, scenic views, walks, parks
This Miami scenic drive crosses overwater causeways, maximizing waterfront potential and views. It visits several of the islands in and near Miami — including Miami Beach, Virginia Key, and Key Biscayne. This drive is wonderful at night so you can see the twinkling Miami city lights and stroll beaches alongside shimmering moonlit water.
Things to Do on the Miami Waterfront Scenic Drive
- This drives starts at the southern end of I-95. Look for signs to turn left onto Rickenbacker Causeway (this is a toll road but there is no other road to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne).
- Stop along Rickenbacker Causeway and park among the beach pine trees. Great views of the colorful Brickell Avenue condos and downtown Miami. William Powell Bridge is one of highest spots in South Florida and popular with bicyclists. Hobie Island Beach Park and Rusty Pelican for more views and parking spots. McCool Travel tip: bring baby oil (buy a $1 bottle at Publix or Eckerd) in case you get oily sand on your feet (it happens maybe 1 out of 10 visits for me).
- Virginia Key Outdoor Center, Virginia Key Mountain Bike Park, and Virginia Key Beach Park are wonderful for hiking and playing. Miami Seaquarium is a popular attraction with sealife education and shows — I used to work at the NOAA facility across the street. Cross Bear Cut on the Bear Cut Bridge and turn around at Crandon Park Marina — but you can spend hours exploring Key Biscayne. Bear Cut Sandbar is cool for wading but watch out for sea urchins.
- Optional Key Biscayne: Crandon Park, Cape Florida (built in 1825), Nixon Florida White House, Stiltsville might be visible offshore.
- River Walk Trail between Brickell Key Drive north to Brickell Point and Miami River. Stop at Miami Circle, a historic landmark and archaeological site.
- This scenic drive bypasses downtown Miami but Bayfront Park, Miami Freedom Tower, and Maurice Ferré Park are nice highlights before heading onto Macarthur Causeway.
- Drive around Star Island and look at some of the world’s most expensive homes. Just ask the guard if you can drive around.
- Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is the cool place to be seen. During peak periods — like Saturday nights — it is faster to walk than drive. Between 5th Street and 14th Street is the best part of South Beach with no buildings on the ocean side. Colony Hotel and Crescent are two favorite buildings for art deco architecture. News Cafe is a local Miami Beach favorite for food and people watching.
- Drive back to Miami on Venetian Causeway and end this scenic drive at Margaret Pace Park on the water.
- Wynwood is very near — join drive #4 below.
To see this complete Miami scenic drives article—including all six itineraries with detailed descriptions and routing and stops AND our tips AND our suggestion for best key lime pie on the world please visit: https://www.mccooltravel.com/miami-scenic-drives/
