Discovering Homestead, Florida: Top Things to Do While Exploring

 Between Miami and the Florida Keys is the often overlook town of Homestead, Florida. I know some people stop over for the night on the way to the Keys, but very few take the time to explore the area.

We were traveling from Naples to Key largo and had most of a day to do nothing, so we decided to take a look around Homestead. Our first stop was the Coral Castle. I had read where some people thought it was a waste of money, but we loved it. You can find my post about our visit here.

After leaving the Coral Castle, we headed to find a Buddhist temple that was hidden about eight mile out of town in the middle of a farming community. We passed so many crop farms. Once you get about a quarter of a mile from the main downtown area, farms are all you will see.

 A lot of the main houses are beautifully landscaped with flowers and palm trees. Running vines with bright orange flowers covered a fence running along the front of a farmhouse we drove past. We could not resist stopping for a pic!

The Wat Buddharangsi Buddhist Temple of Homestead,  Florida was even more beautiful in person! It is open to the public most of the time. They even hold festivals and events and invite the public. I have heard that the monks are welcoming and will instruct you on meditation if you so wish. We walked around without ever see anyone. I would love to go back during one of the events!

We wanted to visit Biscayne National Park Institute, but ran out of time. Hopefully we can get there on our next trip through.

Homestead is also a good place to stay as a cheaper alternative to lodging in the upper Florida Keys. It is only 30 mile from Key Largo.

Happy Travels! 

Discovering the Wonders of the Coral Castle in Florida

Often compared with the construction of Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid, Coral Castle is the mysterious work of a Latvian emigrant named Edward Leedskalnin. Ed built his castle to impress the love of his life (Agnes Scuffs), a 16-year-old who had left him on the day before their wedding.

Originally started in Florida City and later moved to Homestead, the mystery of how he single-handedly moved, carved, and erected millions of pounds of coral rock to build this place remains today.

To add to the mystery, Ed was only five feet tall and barely weighed a 100 pounds. He would only say that he knew "the secret of the pyramids.

Ed was a very secretive man. During the 28 years it took him to build the castle, no one ever observed him working on it. There is a book, "Mr. Can't is Dead by Orval M. Irwin", written by a friend that supposedly tells some of his secrets. It is sold in the castle gift shop.

Know Before You Go:

A full narrated tour is included in the price. The guided made it very interesting with his sense of humor.

The last stop of the tour is located outside of the wall. This is the perfect time to slip inside and grab some photos without a ton of people in them.

 You will be in full sun the entire time, but they do provide umbrellas.

Photography is allowed. No videos.

Interesting Fact:

I'm not sure why, but Billy Idol wrote and recorded the song “Sweet Sixteen” as a tribute to Ed and the Coral Castle. The song video was shot on location at the Castle.

The Coral Castle is located:

30 miles (30 minute drive) from the Miami International Airport
36 miles (45 minute drive) from Key Largo
172 miles (156 miles) from Fort Myers/Sanibel Island area

Address:

28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033

Happy Travels!