Exploring Homestead
To get to two of Southeast Florida’s national parks – Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park – you must come to Homestead. Founded along the Flagler Railroad in 1913, its compact downtown became a destination for regional farmers looking to ship their produce north. Now the Florida Turnpike ends just south of the city, steering motorists onto US 1 towards the Florida Keys.
Homestead is still surrounded by large farms and specialty growers. A drive north along Krome Avenue quickly gets you into the Redland, a vast agricultural region “reclaimed” from the Everglades long before the national park existed. Tropical fruit growing and orchid houses are a mainstay here.
Immediately to the south is Florida City, which has the earliest season in the United States for tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries grow. Driving to the main entrance to Everglades National Park on CR 9336, you’ll see these fields. Make a stop at Robert is Here, a well-known and popular fruit stand, for a tropical fruit shake and plenty of local produce to choose from.
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Featured Destinations
National Parks Near Homestead
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NEARBY: Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park, Coral Gables, Everglades National Park, Florida Keys, Key Largo | PART OF: Southeast Florida