Looking for "hidden" South Florida sightseeing off the beaten path

There is a book out there called "Hidden Florida Keys & Everglades" by Candace Leslie which may be a big help. I use it almost every time I go down to the Keys. I love this place - www.nonamepub.com -http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/

How about going further down the Keys? Maybe stay at Marathron? http://www.floridakeys.com/marathon/hotels.htm and then drive to Key West for a day? Also, there are a lot of cheap cruises for a couple days that leave from the port of Miami.

I like the Morikami Museum and Gardens in Delray. There's space for the kids to run around and there are often exhibits designed to be interesting to them. Their restaurant is quite good and very inexpensive.

About 76 miles north (1,5 hours) is Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound (between Tequesta and Stuart). They do have a couple of cabins. Rather remote and it feels like old Florida. But, at the same time you will be close to stores and restaurants. The kids can rent a small boat and paddle Loxahatchee River which is great fun. Or, you can take a tour. If time permits, you can drive to Jupiter Island (beautiful) and while there check out the Blowing Rock park area. If calm, you can snorkel.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson/

How about the Miami area?

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens - there will be plenty of things blooming (south of Coconut Grove area)
http://www.fairchildgarden.org/
or:
The Deering Estate http://www.deeringestate.org/ (on Biscayne bay south of Fairchild)

My tip right now is Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. The downtown area has developed into the nicest downtown to visit in south Florida and the historic neighborhoods give this area a unique character which you don't find anywhere else in South Florida...and a canoe trip on the Loxahatchee River is unforgetable...there is nothing like it in South Florida because most of the Everglades is canals of grass...the Loxahatchee is a swamp. Beautiful...and only 15 minute drive north of West Palm.

Rick Rose,

while Palm Beach is definitely classy, it is not off beaten path. There is however a nice green market on Clematis Street in West Palm every Saturday until 1 pm. Not big, but cute. The entire area is very pretty, I agree 1000%.

Not sure, which part of Loxahatchee River you are referring to? River Bend Park? If so, note that this area is NOT for beginners (regardless of their age) and I would definitely not take my ailing mother there. This is why I recommend Jonathan Dickinson Park where everyone should be comfy and yet the college kids could go on and explore the river. But again, you may know of another area (15 min away?) I am just not familiar with. Can you be a little more specific? I'd like to know.

I also love Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Morikami and the American Orchid Society could be a worth visit for some. But not many teenage boys are interested in flora and we do not know if grandma is fit to walk long distances. It is a difficult balance for Aliska.

I think I know what she is gong thru, ‘been there done that’. So, for Aliska I think: easy-quiet–quaint-nature-family picnics. But, I may be wrong.

Yes, many of us have dealt with elderly parents with Alzheimers. But not all Alzheimers patients are the same, so the more suggestions aliska gets, the more she'll be able to find the appropriate ones for her group. BTW, I didn't see anything in her post about teenage boys. Did I miss something?

Have you been to Corkscrew Swamp, Audubon sanctuary? It has a raised platform that goes through the cypres swamp. Very nice wildlife.

One addition to the very good suggestions already offered: The Fruit and Spice Park south of Miami near Homestead. See: fruitandspicepark.org

We went to Corkscrew swamp one year, and there was little water! One thing to consider. We saw no wildlife.

Please keep all the wonderful suggestions coming. Grandma can walk, but not long distances (she is 80). No teenage boys, 2 girls - 18 & 22. The Alzheimer's diagnosis is very new, haven't seen her since the summer. Will have to assess the situation before we can make any decisions. That's why day trips are appealing. Great suggestions so far, she loves nature, we are game. Thanks!

Consider the FT, Myers area for the Edison winter home and Laboratories, close to Sanibel for day trips, ride out to Pine Island, Bokeelia, hire a boat to explore the area, drive up to Venice beach and hunt for fossil shark teeth, down to Everglades city for the NPS boat ride out into the mangroves on the gulf side.

We used to do that area every year for Christmas too, but now are over in the Naples area.

The Flamingo Gardens place is nice for a few hours and very close by:

http://www.flamingogardens.org/Default.htm

And at Christmas, in Miami there is a Christmas themed amusement park, kind of like a fair that was fun. Good food too:

http://www.santasenchantedforest.com/

Regarding the Palm Beach area, if you're looking for things to do with your mother together, in addition to the hiking around the Loxahatchee River (River Bend Park), Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Morakami Gardens, it's definitely worth mentioning that the Palm Beach area has the richest variety of cultural activities in the state....which tends to cater in particular to a mature crowd. The Norton Museum of Art (the state's largest fine art museum), Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with major productions, Flagler Museum in Palm Beach...just to name a few....I suppose it's the variety in the Palm Beach area is what makes the area so appealling.

This may be slightly too north and west for you, but we used to go to Naples every summer and some years, on our way down, we would take side trips. Two of my favorites were to Tarpon Springs, which had great Greek restaurants and bakeries, and to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. The museum is nice and the house, Ca d'Zan, was restored a few years ago, and is very interesting to tour.

Everglades City, about 45 min. south of Naples, is a true throwback to Old Florida. On the western edge of the Everglades, it is a real "time warp" town, and easy to get around in. Have lunch at the Historic Rod & Gun Club, sit on their veranda overlooking the fishing canal, and pick up some right-off-the-boat fresh stone crab to take home from one of several local fish markets...

donnawho,

Whoa, I love the tip on fresh snow crabs. Am going to Everglades City in mid Dec.

Somebody mentioned Flamingo Gardens.

However, if you cross Flamingo Blvd (at Flamingo Gardens - don't know the street but it's that corner)and go west on that street for a block, there's a county nature park (no charge, lot's of parking and few cars).

If you go there mid-morning you'll see hundreds of different birds and maybe 3-4 photographers. The walk from the parking lot to the viewing spot that's right at the entrance is quite short. There are a couple of benches along the way in case you want to sit.

I took a granddaughter there yesterday. Unfortunately, by the time week got there it was after noon and only a few birds flying around.

My favorite place in South Florida is Vizcaya in south Miami.
http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/ A visit there, maybe a walk around Coconut Grove, a visit to the Venetian Pool http://www.coralgablesvenetianpool.com/ makes a nice day trip. Key Biscayne is also not far.

If you go to Palm Beach, the Norton Museum is worth a visit along with the Deering Estate mentioned above.

How about a boat ride? http://www.carriebcruises.com/cruise-schedule.htm

Stephany-
I think Snow Crab and Stone crab are two different types. The stone crabs are found in south FL...season is fall/ winter, I think. Snow crab is from Japan, no ? Anybody know for sure?

Donna,
sorry a freudian slip, I had 'snow crab legs' for dinner. (from Alaska).