Homestead

Homestead has established itself as a destination for tropical agritourism and ecotourism. At the confluence of Miami and the Keys, as well as Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, the area is less than an hour from Miami and has the added dimension of shopping centers, residential development, hotel chains, and the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The historic downtown is a preservation-driven Main Street. Krome Avenue is lined with restaurants, an arts complex, antiques shops, and low-budget accommodations. West of Krome Avenue, miles of fields grow fresh fruits and vegetables. Some are harvested commercially, and others beckon with "U-pick" signs. Stands selling farm-fresh produce and nurseries that grow and sell orchids and tropical plants abound. In addition to its agricultural legacy, the town has an eclectic flavor, attributable to its population mix: descendants of pioneer farmers, professionals escaping the Miami mania, and retirees.