8 Great Scenic Drives in South Florida Near Miami

On these spectacular scenic drives in South Florida, explore smaller roads with inspiring views and connect to popular destinations like Key West, Miami, and Naples. These spectacular South Florida road trips include Florida Keys Overseas Highway, Tamiami Trail, A1A, Ocean Drive Miami Beach, and some surprises.

As a third-generation Floridian and since learning to drive in Carol City—now called Miami Gardens—many years ago (do not ask how many!), I have explored and discovered hundreds of Florida scenic roads and in this article share local favorite road trips from Miami and South Florida scenic road trip drives.

view of downtown Miami across water framed by two trees
find out where to find this South Florida scenic drive view
These 8 best scenic drives in South Florida explore smaller roads and link popular destinations like Key West, Miami, Tampa, and Naples. #roadtrip #travel #Florida #Miami

McCool Travel tip: when possible, stay off the major roads in South Florida. Major roads in and near Miami are not scenic and do not represent the fun things to see in South Florida.

Most South Florida visitors miss transformational opportunities to experience natural Florida beauty, scenic views—plus less traffic congestion.

8 Best South Florida Scenic Drives Near Miami

1. Florida Keys Highway – Drive From Miami to Key West

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway is one of the world’s best scenic drives and the only road to Key West. The drive between Key Largo and Key West crosses 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Take time to explore the South Florida quirky shops and restaurants, natural areas, beaches, and other attractions in the Florida Keys.

Florida Keys Scenic Highway sign South Florida scenic drive
Florida Keys Scenic Highway sign

McCool Travel tip: I like to drive on Card Sound Road in one direction on the Miami to Key West road trip. Stop at Alabama Jack’s—for a taste of Old Florida, Conch Republic style—or Mrs. Mac’s for fresh fish and a key lime shake.

looking across Seven Mile Bridge and Old Seven Mile Bridge in Florida Keys
Seven Mile Bridge in Florida Keys

>>> For more Florida Keys road trip trips, see Places to Visit in the Florida Keys

2. Classic Scenic Drive Miami: Ocean Drive, South Beach (Miami Beach)

One highlight of world-famous South Beach Miami is seeing and being seen along Ocean Drive. Located between 1st and 15th Streets along the Atlantic Ocean in Miami Beach, Ocean Drive is the Miami scenic drive you see on TV (like Miami Vice) and in movies (such as The Birdcage and Scarface).

brightly color Miami Beach lifeguard stand
colorful Miami Beach lifeguard stand

The fitness path and beach on the ocean side is packed with models, sun bathers, skaters, walkers, and runners while the commerce side has art deco buildings, neon lights, shops, bars, and restaurants. On busy nights, it is faster to walk along Ocean Drive, as it becomes a virtual parking lot.

gated entry to Star Island mansion in Miami Beach, Florida
exclusive Star Island residence entry gate

McCool Travel tip: Visit Star Island off MacArthur Causeway—one of the best driving roads in Miami—entrance to Miami Beach from downtown Miami. Ask the guard if you can do a quick drive around the island; I have never been denied. If you want to buy one of the homes, prices start at $25 million.

funky giant hand mailbox on Star Island in South Florida
Quirky South Florida mailbox on Star Island

>>> See the McCool Travel article Fun Florida Scenic Drives

3. Florida Scenic Highway A1A

Growing up in South Florida, the tagline jingle for one of the radio stations was Jimmy Buffett’s “Strolling along the avenue that’s known as A1A.” Florida scenic highway A1A is usually the street closest to the water. A1A runs from Key West to the Georgia border, along the east coast of Florida, and is a wonderful coastal scenic drive.

A portion of A1A is a National Scenic Byway. In many places in Florida, US 1 and A1A are the same road. When they are separate roads, I almost always choose A1A. Some highlights north from Ocean Drive include Bal Harbour (where extremely wealthy South Americans shop on weekend visits), Haulover Beach (official public nude beach and fishing excursions), Aventura, and North Miami Beach.

Florida Scenic Highway sign on A1A
highway A1A sign, Miami scenic drive

Further north is Broward county (Lloyd State Park and Hallandale beaches are two favorites!), Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, and then the rest of Florida.

aerial view of Miami Beach Florida
aerial view of Miami Beach

4. Road Trip From Miami to Tampa: Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway

OK, there is more to South Florida than the ocean. Tamiami Trail—a scenic drive between Miami and Tampa—is a great scenic drive starting in downtown Miami on Brickell Key and soon becoming SW 8th Street (aka Calle Ocho); Calle Ocho is the heart of Little Havana and a definite must-see. Driving west on Tamiami Trail, after about 18 miles, you will pass Krome Avenue and enter the Big Cypress National Preserve (part of the Florida Everglades). Many attractions in this area are operated by the Miccosukee Indian tribe.

Cuban pastries at Versailles in Little Havana Miami
Cuban pastries at Versailles in Little Havana

Shark Valley Loop Road (at the Shark Valley Visitor Center) is part of the Everglades National Park and a great place to see gators in the later winter and spring. A little further west is a primitive road from the 1920s called Loop Road. Road conditions may be treacherous but I always see amazing wildlife (including giant gators) along it.

USA's smallest post office in Ochopee Florida
smallest Post Office in USA along Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway

The world’s smallest post office is a few more miles west in Ochopee. Side note, my grandparents lived near here (in the Big Cypress) for 20 years. Yes, many stories…

>>> See the McCool Travel article Fun Ways to See Tampa

5. Miami Scenic Drive: Rickenbacker Causeway

About the only nice thing I can say about I-95 is that it ends at the entrance to Rickenbacker Causeway. Ten times a week for four summers I traveled across Rickenbacker to my college internship at the Fisheries Center on Virginia Key.

Rickenbacker Causeway leads to Key Biscayne, Virginia Key (with Seaquarium), Cape Florida Lighthouse (at Bill Baggs State Park), and Crandon Park. I love the views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami, especially at night. Stiltsville can also be seen from Key Biscayne and Cape Florida.

Rickenbacker Causeway: scenic drives in South Florida
Rickenbacker Causeway connects Miami with Virginia Key and Key Biscayne

A special treat is eating a take out meal from La Carreta on the sand facing the twinkling lights of Brickell—or on the other side facing the vastness of Biscayne Bay. South Florida is not known for having hills and the highest natural point is only 40 feet above sea level. One of the highest points in South Florida (outside of buildings) is from the top of the bridge. At a whopping 78 feet, it is popular with cyclists.

6. Old Cutler Road in South Miami

Driving south from Rickenbacker Causeway, turn left (first left!) on S. Bayshore Drive, not US1. S. Bayshore Drive goes past Vizcaya, through Coconut Grove (both are worth a stop—or a whole week’s visit), and then turns into Old Cutler Road. This scenic drive in Miami is a treat.

You might get sick of seeing countless massive banyan trees, stone houses, and overall quaintness—but probably not. You will pass the exclusive Ransom Everglades School, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Matheson Hammock Park, and Charles Deering Estate but this is one of the best driving roads in Miami for me. There is even a surprise (sorry!) massive traffic circle that is almost reminiscent of a European city.

South Florida banyan tree along Old Cutler Ridge Road
banyan trees along Old Cutler Ridge Road Miami

7. Southern Everglades to Flamingo Visitor Center

The beauty of the everglades is that different areas have different personalities. A drive across Alligator Alley (between Fort Lauderdale and Naples) is different than Shark Valley (see #4 above). The southern Everglades drive between Florida City and Flamingo is like a tropical lunar landscape.

close up of wild alligator in swamp
wild alligators in Everglades

You will see pine trees, which is seemingly odd for the Everglades. This is the extreme southwest part of Florida and you will see unusual fauna like roseate spoonbills and maybe even crocs and gators together.

Most of the drive is simply beautiful and peaceful, as most visitors do not venture to this southern end. Be smart and do it! Also, bring bug repellent and sunscreen.

8. Explore South Florida Neighborhoods

OK, it is really difficult and unfair to pick only one more South Florida scenic drive. I could go with Krome Avenue which travels between the Everglades and the ever encroaching civilization, passing incredible produce stands. Or a boat tour, like of the Fort Lauderdale canals, Intracoastal waterway, or cruise to nowhere.

Krome Avenue drive in south Florida
scenic drives in South Florida along the Everglades

Instead, I will choose South Florida’s wonderful neighborhoods. Miami Beach has art deco and “old school” architecture, downtown Miami is now all glittery, the islands (Star, Hibiscus, Palm, Fisher) are where the wealthy live. Coconut Grove and Coral Gables are a couple of the oldest and most scenic areas. In Little Havana and Hialeah, you will see and hear more Spanish than English.

Arabian architecture of Opa-Locka Florida City Hall
Arabian architecture in South Florida

There are many others ethnic Miami neighborhoods, including Little Haiti, Little Tel Aviv, and Little Moscow. Explore the various Romanian restaurants and churches in greater Fort Lauderdale. It is fun to see older houses with fireplaces, like in Hollywood and Wilton Manors. Opa Locka has many Arabian themed buildings—but do not visit after dark! The relative spaciousness of Miami Lakes and Weston is among our favorite South Florida hidden gems.

colorful art murals at Wynwood Arts District in Miami
Wynwood Arts District in Miami

Even better, I certainly have not been to every cool place in Florida and things change over time. I, for one, miss the voodoo store in my childhood South Florida neighborhood but, thankfully, Cuban bakeries and bodegas remain.

girl riding horse on street in Davie, Florida
South Florida road trip: cozy street in Davie, just 1 mile from I-75

McCool Travel tip: when driving between South Florida and Virginia, I like to shop at Costco stores in South Florida. There I buy case of Materva (a Cuban soft drink) and other items only found in South Florida stores.

Do you have any favorite road trips in South Florida and Miami scenic drives?

If you visit South Florida during Christmas, see Fun Florida Tropical Christmas Decorations

Here is a Google Maps of our favorite scenic drives in South Florida.

 

See our tips for avoiding tolls on scenic drives in South Florida, especially when driving between Orlando and Miami.

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These 8 best scenic drives in South Florida explore smaller roads with inspiring views and link popular destinations like Key West, Miami, and Naples.

These 8 best scenic drives in South Florida explore smaller roads and link popular destinations like Key West, Miami, Tampa, and Naples. #roadtrip #travel #Florida #Miami

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68 thoughts on “8 Great Scenic Drives in South Florida Near Miami”

  1. Thanks for this! We’re planning a keys trip at the end of the year and I’m thinking we’ll have to add a few day for Miami and the Everglades now!

  2. i love Florida ! Im going there in a few weeks! the springs and universal are my faves! I had a lot of friends who would go to ifly every weekend for a while

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  4. Don’t you love the A1A signage? Or maybe it’s just comforting to me because I’ve spent so much time driving it. Haven’t been in a couple of years and need get down there. Also really need a Florida Keys road trip!

  5. I think everyone in the US needs to experience a drive through the Florida Keys and a key lime pie in Key West. I was lucky enough to have key lime pie in Key West on pi day last year! The nerd in me was a happy camper!

  6. I totally agree with your approach to road travel. I take the smaller side roads at every opportunity as staying on the larger highways cause you to miss the little gems you’ll find in the little places.

  7. I agree that lots of Florida is concrete and commercial, but there are many scenic areas if you get away from all of the development. I do love the drive to Key Largo, and beyond. Personally, I am not sure I would brave the traffic and crowds for a view of South Beach, although I have been there for business conferences over the years. The tip about the Star Island drive is a good one!
    We have done A1A many time, as my Dad lived off of A1A. There are stunning homes there! And we loved our drive to the Florida Everglades on the Tamiami Trail, but missed the Indian tribe attractions. The wildlife around the Everglades is definitely a sight to see.
    I will put the Flamingo Visitor Center on my list for next time we visit South FL – no plans at this time.

  8. We had the chance to sample most of these drives when our son attended the University of Miami. There aren’t all that many places in the US where you can get your scenic drive complete with alligators.

  9. Thankfully, south Florida still has many scenic drives (if you just know where to go, thanks!) and the Everglades hold a special place in my heart. Every time I drive past the Smallest Post Office, I’m amazed how many times I’ve done it but never stopped in to see it was actually a working US Post Office until several years ago. There’s a lot of cool Florida to see!

  10. We did first three in2010 and the Everglades one and some neighborhoods in 2011. Hope to go back to cover the rest!

  11. Great round up of scenic drives. My cousins lived in the Keys for many years and I can’t believe I never got around to visiting them there. I missed quite a ride!

  12. I’ve never been to Florida but I’ve always imagined it as a massive concrete jungle. So it’s good to see that there’s lots of countryside as well – I love the look of the Tamiami Trail. And I’d never have guessed that there were places like Opa Locka.

  13. Wow, guess we’ve spent more time in Florida than I thought. We have been on all of these. Got to say The Overseas Highway is an absolute classic. I’d say a must for everyone.

  14. There are so many beautiful things to see in Florida. I’d love to do the trip to the Keys again. So many spots to stop for grouper and key lime pie!

  15. I adore the road to Key West. Can’t wait to do that one again. Last time I did it with the Beach Boys blaring.

  16. We spent three winters in Florida, Nov 2009 to March 2012. We’ve been to most of those scenic drives but didn’t quite get the details” hand mailbox or that banyan tree! Guess we have to go back!

  17. Hi Charles,
    My travels in and around Florida span many decades, starting in the 60s when my grandparents retired to New Port Richey. (It was a sleepy little place back then!) I’ve taken road trips with girlfriends, returned to take kids to Disney, and made an opinion on my preference — Gulf coast. One memorable trip was for business when I attended a conference in Miami and booked a hotel that turned out to be a lovely Art Deco place on South Beach.
    Thanks for sharing your lifetime of experience there — I want to do the A1A. Great pics!
    Regards,
    ~Josie

  18. Love those scenic shots but gators and crocs scare the heck out of me! Florida does seem to have a lot to see 😉

  19. Wow, seems like you can take one weekend out and yet there is so much to drive around to. Nice

  20. Some of these have been in my grand Florida plans for some time, as my favorite author (Tim Dorsey) has written some awesome stories that trek across these.

  21. Anytime I can drive along the water, I’m there! Nice round up of drives in southern Florida.

  22. Thanks for this lovely post. When I think about southern Florida, all I think about is I-95. I think I’ve been taking the wrong route.

  23. Nothing for nothing but I grew up in North Miami Beach, and went to U of M, and I don’t find it all that scenic (just my 3 cents). I do appreciate the work and effort that went into this post for sure. I’ll give you Rickenbacker and A1A, and maybe that little patch of Fort Lauderdale beach…..

  24. Great roundup of drives and stops along the way in South Florida. I haven’t spent any time in South Florida but this makes ma want to go right now and rent a car. Am saving this for future use.

  25. One day I’ll get back down to Florida and drive around. i’ll be passing your blog onto a friend who spent Xmas and New Year’s there and is going back every weekend until February. Great ideas!

  26. I’ve spent quite a bit of time on some of these drives-especially AIA between West Palm and Vero Beach. It’s so scenic, I love it. Driving it for over 4 decades!! it’s amazing to see the changes that have taken place, but still a lot of preserved land and beauty. I also like the drive to the Keys and can’t say I agree with the first comment, I thought there was lots of green space along the way. Opa Locka city hall is quite a building-looks like a shot from Morocco!

    • Spent a week in the Art Deco district of Miami Beach. Now my son Sean yes The Sean, is now living just 3 miles south of Aventura the Johnson and Wales University. I’ll have to check out some of these with cool tips next time I’m in the area

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