Just an hour's drive from downtown Miami, where you'll experience one of the country's most important (and fragile) habitats, and the country's largest subtropical wilderness. Consisting almost entirely of swampland and marshes - which in turn serve as the state's reservoir - here wildlife enthusiasts are drawn for the chance to spot animal species such as egrets, manatees, alligators, and crocodiles, as well as rarer beasts including Florida panthers.

Moreover, one of the top things to do in the Everglades is to take a high-speed airboat tour. These thrilling vessels can whisk you deep into the wilderness. One of the best such tours for those traveling from Miami are the shared (and therefore less-expensive) Florida Everglades airboat tours for small groups. These fun family-friendly private adventures last anywhere from one to two hours and include the airboat ride, the services of a professional guide, and plenty of wildlife spotting. To sum up, exploring Everglades National Park is one of the best day trips from Miami.

Address: Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, Florida

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

Phone: 305-242-7700

Entrance fee: $10 per private vehicle

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

One of the top day trips from Miami for outdoor enthusiasts is Biscayne National Park. It's located a fun boat ride away from downtown Miami, and although it's only accessible by water, it's close enough that you can view the city from here. The park covers an area of over 173,000 acres and is home to a series of small islands that protect important mangrove forests and coral reefs. It also harbors diverse species of wildlife, including turtles and pelicans, along with larger creatures like dolphins in Biscayne Bay Lagoon itself.

The park is also a popular spot for divers, drawn by the excellent opportunities along the Maritime Heritage Trail. This underwater adventure involves a number of excellent dive sites around old shipwrecks. Other highlights include the Dante Fascell Visitor Center gallery and museum, which offers a variety of programs, including guided eco-tours and art workshops, and the historic (and picturesque) Jones family home. Also of interest are the raised homes (they're built on stilts over the water) in Stiltsville, and camping on and hiking around the park's largest island, Elliott Key.

Address: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead, FL.

Official site: www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm

Phone: (305) 230-7275

Entrance fee: no entrance fees

Google rating: 5.0/5.0

The drive along the Overseas Highway to Key West – a journey of some 113 miles, much of it on spectacular stretches of bridges – is definitely worth the 3.5 hours it takes, and only makes the time spent in the final destination all the more memorable. There are of course a variety of other great ways to get from Miami to Key West, including by boat or by plane, or as part of an organized tour of this popular destination.

Start your Key West adventure by exploring the quirky delights of Duval Street and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants and food shacks along this famous stretch of road. Other fun things to do in Key West include visiting Ernest Hemingway's former home (now a great museum), the Key West Aquarium, the excellent Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, or possibly even spending time at one of the many great beaches close by. Best of all, it's possible to catch each of these top points of interest on foot, with the added benefit that you'll find yourself exploring the colorful Caribbean-inspired architecture that dominates Key West.

Address: 1901 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, United States

Official site: theparadiseinn.com

Phone: 609-822-8449

Entrance fee: $2.50 - $6.50

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

An hour's drive due north of Miami (a little longer if you take the A1A scenic route and linger a little at any of the viewpoints along the way), Palm Beach makes a fun day trip. Although home to many of America's social elite – at last count, some 43 or so billionaires own leisure properties here, including a former President – there's no end of fun things for the rest of us to enjoy (including gawping at their ultra-luxury vacation homes).

For starters, the beaches here are superb, stretching for miles along the Atlantic. Lined with great resorts and hotels (as well as an excellent promenade), there's plenty of space to stretch out and claim a spot for yourself. After getting your fill of the seafront and attractions, such as Ragtops Motorcars, exploring the nearby Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve, or taking a DivaDuck Amphibious Tour, it's time to explore the great shopping and entertainment available here. Be sure to also spend time exploring West Palm Beach. Fun things to do at night in West Palm Beach include exploring CityPlace, a vast tourist attraction that is home to great entertainment opportunities, including live music, great dining, and plenty of places to shop. There are also plenty of great West Palm Beach hotels to stay in, too.

Address: 2700 N Ocean Dr, Riviera Beach, FL 33404, United States

Official site: www.ritzcarltonclub.com

Phone: +1 561-259-2700

Entrance fee: N/A

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

For those prepared to spend a full day (or possibly an overnight stay) on a tropical island, an expedition to Bimini is a superb option. One of the top places to visit The Bahamas, the Bimini Islands are just 50 miles off Miami – closer, in fact, than they are the Bahamian capital of Nassau – and can be reached in just under two hours aboard a high-speed Bimini ferry from Miami. It's a delightful journey that's certainly affordable and allows for a full day’s exploration and is well worth it for the fun that awaits when you arrive at the docks at Resorts World Bimini. This site promises to be one of the best day trips from Miami.

Highlights of a visit to Bimini include getting in some deep-sea fishing, something the islands have earned a reputation for among sport fishermen, drawn here from afar for international tournaments. Other fun things to do include joining a guided snorkeling adventure or honing your diving skills, with the chance to observe sea life such as dolphins up close. Another interesting attraction is the fascinating Bimini Sharklab, a marine biology facility that provides public access through guided tours.

Address: Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort, West Bay Street

Official site: rwbimini.com

Phone: 239-404-1413

Entrance fee: N/A

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Another extremely popular diving spot, Key Largo is just over an hour's drive south of Miami at the north end of the Florida Keys. The big draw for divers here are the extremely shallow waters and the abundance of coral reefs to explore, many within easy reach of the shore, with some area resorts having direct access to prime diving spots (and offering diving instruction packages). And it is one of the best day trips from Miami.

One of the top points of interest for serious divers is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Along with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it offers numerous old wrecks and plentiful sea life to experience (these locations are also good for snorkelers, too). If you're making a day of it, take a picnic lunch and spend some time on dry land enjoying the pleasant beaches, as well as the visitor center with its interesting displays related to area fish habitats. For those who prefer keeping dry, glass-bottom boat tours are also available from Key Largo.

Address: 106240 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037-3129

Official site: www.keylargochamber.org

Phone: 800-822-1088 & 305-451-1414

Entrance fee: $8.00

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Whether you travel a little farther south during your Key Largo day trip or squeeze in a visit on your way to Key West, Marathon in the Middle Keys is worth a stop. In fact, it'd be easy to spend the best part of a day exploring its top wildlife-related attractions: the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital, and Aquarium Encounters. And exploring Marathon and the Middle Keys is one of the best day trips from Miami.

The Dolphin Research Center is probably the facility you'll want to spend the most time at as there's so much to see here. In addition to its importance as a rehabilitation center for injured Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the center does a superb job of educating the public about these incredible creatures through informative talks, question-and-answer sessions, and, perhaps best of all, unique opportunities to interact with them through feedings and even swim sessions. Marathon is also a popular sport fishing center, so consider booking an excursion while here. If possible, pay a visit to Bahia Honda State Park for its spectacular natural beaches.

Address: Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050

Official site: fla-keys.com

Phone: 305-743-0033

Entrance fee: Children · $19.50 · Adults · $27.50 · Annual Pass · $75

Google rating: 5.0/5.0

Like Palm Beach on the Atlantic side of Florida, the Gulf Coast town of Naples has made a name for itself as a center of luxury lifestyles. An easy two-hour drive through the Everglades from Miami, its beaches, though, are certainly less busy, but equally attractive. Top things to do on the many excellent beaches in Naples include sunbathing, swimming, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, or simply walking along the golden sands. A variety of parks (with parking) provide change facilities, picnic areas, and, in some cases, pleasant gardens to explore, and the town also boasts a nice pier.

The real fun, though, is dressing up a little as night falls and heading to fancy 5th Avenue. The town's downtown strip, 5th Avenue is a delight to explore as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. You'll find many fine designer clothing stores, boutique shops, art, and home décor galleries, and plenty of excellent al fresco dining options.

Address: 735 8th Street South, Naples, Florida 34102

Official site: www.naplesgov.com

Phone: 239 213 1015

Entrance fee: Average Ticket Price ($27), Minimum Price ($16)

Google rating: 5.0/5.0

Located just 23 miles to the north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale makes a pleasant day trip from always busy Miami. Part of the attraction here is the unique network of waterways and canals that dissect the town, which can be explored simply by hopping aboard one of the water taxis that regularly ply the waters, moving people from place to place – a particularly fun experience at nighttime.

The city's beaches, though, are the big draw. All told there are some 14 beaches to explore and enjoy in and around Fort Lauderdale, including the main beach with its wonderful promenade. And, having shed its one-time reputation as a place for college students to congregate during Spring Break, you're now more likely to bump into families and retirees as you wander the superb (and lengthy) boardwalk. Also, fun to explore on foot is the trendy Las Olas area. This attractive neighborhood is known for its art galleries, museums, boutique shops, and galleries. Exploring Fort Lauderdale promises to be one of the best day trips from Miami.

Address: 100 N. Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Official site: www.fortlauderdale.gov

Phone: 954-828-8000

Entrance fee: $3/hour, maximum $15 per day

Google rating: 4.5/5.0