Just minutes from the sizzling scene at South Beach is one of Florida's most pristine tropical sanctuaries, where you can find a peaceful respite from the nonstop action on the strip. Biscayne National Park is a 700 square kilometer nature preserve that's comprised almost entirely of water, and its best attractions are viewed with a mask, fins, and snorkel. Of course, not everybody has access to a boat, so land-based travelers should make their way to Convoy Point, where the Dante Fascell Visitor Center provides an excellent jumping-off point for all sorts of tropical adventures. Visit an extensive museum that offers a virtual journey through the park's four ecosystems, peruse a gallery that highlights the work of local artists who find inspiration in the park, or browse a bookstore filled with educational materials. But if you're itching to get close to nature, book a trip on a glass-bottom boat or rent a canoe or kayak for some individual exploration. The park is filled with rare and beautiful wildlife, from sea turtles and spiny lobsters to the Schaus' swallowtail butterfly (pictured), an endangered species that lives only in Biscayne National Park and northern Key Largo. Speaking of the Keys, the park is notable for being the home of Elliott Key, the first island in the Florida Keys chain that extends all the way to Key West. That's a bit too far for a kayak, so don't get any crazy ideas. Starwood has hotels throughout the Miami area, including the stylish new W South Beach.
[image via nps.gov]
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