24 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HOMESTEAD NEAR THE BASE

Introduction

Homestead ARB and the surrounding area of Homestead offers suburban Miami living! This culturally diverse community, above average schools, and tropical weather makes this a great place to live. Here, you will never be bored or run out of ideas for things to do in your downtime. So, whether you have just received your Permanent Change of Station Travel Orders (PCS), or are in the process of moving, check out our list of the top things to do near Homestead ARB.

Suggested read

: Homestead Air Reserve Base (Formerly AFB): In-Depth Welcome Center

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Many, if not all, of the ones listed here, are likely subject to such restrictions for the time being though new re-openings and closings occur all the time. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being. Check individual websites provided in each section or call to find out each place’s current hours and situation.

24 of the Best Things To Do in Homestead Near Base

Homestead ARB Outdoor Recreation

1. Homestead MWR Outdoor Recreation

Bldg. 164 Homestead, FL 33039

Phone

: 1 (786) 415-7092 The MWR (Morale, Welfare, & Recreation) offers kayak classes and tours to new bicycles and group riding tours. Homestead ARB's Outdoor Recreation office is focused on bringing new, exciting opportunities and changes to the ever-growing community of the base.

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2. Homestead Training Center

11700 SW 304th St. Homestead, FL 33033

Phone

: 1 (305) 224-1839 Homestead Training Center is South Florida's home for serious shooting, with 13 outdoor ranges that are tailored to foster professional training and sporting shooting events.

3. Homestead Air Reserve Park

27401 SW New York Ave. Homestead, FL 33032

Phone

: 1 (305) 257-0310 Homestead Air Reserve Park is a beautifully large park located right on the ocean. This park has so much to offer. Enjoy disc golf, walking trails, picnic tables, soccer fields and so much more.

4. Anhinga Trail

Homestead, FL 33030

Phone

: 1 (305) 242-7700 The Anhinga Trail is a short trail (about 0.4 miles) in the Everglades National Park. Located 4 miles from the park entrance, it starts at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. Abundant wildlife is visible from the trail, including alligators, turtles, anhingas, herons, and egrets. It is one of the most popular trails in the park.

5. Fruit and Spice Park

24801 SW 187th Ave Homestead, FL 33031

Phone

: 1 (305) 247-5727 37-acre botanical garden & park containing over 500 varieties of fruit, vegetables, spices & herbs. The Fruit & Spice Park was the realization of one woman’s vision to create a showcase for the rich agricultural bounty and heritage of the area known as Redland.

6. ​Henry's Sport Shooting Range

31810 SW 228th Ave. Homestead, FL 33030

Phone

: 1 (305) 394-2151 ​Henry's Sport Shooting Range is always open to the public. No reservations necessary, and always affordable. Stop in or call today for more information.

Cutler Bay

7. Black Point Marina Park

24775 SW 87th Ave. Cutler Bay, FL 33032

Phone

: 1 (305) 258-4092 Ideally located close to Biscayne National Park, Black Point Marina is a great starting point for fishing and diving expeditions. It has a dockside restaurant and bar, Ocean Grill Restaurant, large picnic pavilion and grill, bikeways, jogging trails, and a jetty which extends 1.5 miles into the Bay, enabling fishing enthusiasts to cast from shore.

Homestead ARB Pools

There are no pools on base, however, the base does utilize the local YMCA Pool listed below.

8. Homestead YMCA Family Center Pool

Harris Field Park 1034 NE 8th St. Homestead, FL 33030

Phone

: 1 (305) 248-5189 The Homestead YMCA Pool offers fitness classes, swim lessons, after school care, sports, and camp. The YMCA helps build healthy families.

Homestead ARB Golf Course

There are no golf courses located on base; below is a list of golf courses nearby.

Homestead

9. Redland Golf & Country Club

24451 SW 177th Ave. Homestead, FL 33031

Phone

: 1 (305) 247-8503 Homestead, Redland Golf & Country Club is the place to be for a beautiful, 18-hole round of Florida golf. The club features a full-service pro shop, full banquet facility, restaurant, Ladies' and Men's Leagues and so much more. They are the proud home of The Homestead Amateur Golf Classic and Redland Junior Golf.

Miami

10. Palmetto Golf Course

9300 SW 152nd St. Miami, FL 33157

Phone

: 1 (305) 238-2922 Palmetto Golf Course is a Par-70 Championship Miami course, built on 121 acres. The golf club features an 18-hole course, plus practice facilities, a pro shop & mini golf.

11. Briar Bay Golf Course

9373 SW 134th St Miami, FL 33176

Phone

: 1 (305) 235-6667 Briar Bay Golf Course is a par-31 executive golf course, built on thirty acres, designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge. The course ambles west, north, east, west, south and finally east again as it winds its way back to the clubhouse.

Homestead ARB Gym

12. Fitness Center

Bldg. 359 Homestead, FL 33039

Phone

: 1 (786) 415-7091 All are welcome at the Fitness Center! Enjoy a great workout solo or in a group. Join the sports program, get a personal trainer, or join a group class. Stop by to pick up the new class schedule for fitness center hours or call the number above.

Homestead ARB Movie Theater

There are no movie theaters on base; below is a nearby theater.

Homestead

13. ShowBiz Cinemas

100 S Krome Ave. Homestead, FL 33030

Phone

: 1 (786) 634-6404 ShowBiz Cinemas is a great place for friends and families! Watch the latest movies in a large spacious theater with recliner seating, have a cocktail at the bar, play games in the arcade before the movie, then head over to the bowling alley. This is a great spot to bring a date or have a party, too.

Nearby Attractions

14. Information, Tickets, & Travel (ITT)

Bldg. 164 Homestead, FL 33039

Phone

: 1 (786) 415-7092 For all your theme park, travel, and ticketing needs. Homestead ARB Information, Tickets, & Travel (ITT) has everything you need to plan your next vacation. For your discounted ticket prices stop by ITT located inside the Outdoor Recreation building or call the number above for more information.

Homestead

15. Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge

35601 SW 192nd Ave. Homestead, FL 33034

Phone

: 1 (305) 247-8000 The refuge has shows about Florida wildlife, including non-venomous snakes, and alligator feeding. They also provide educational opportunities, including field experience trips, for school groups and civic groups. Take guided tours during which you can meet the animals they have rescued and learn about their individual stories.

16. Homestead-Miami Speedway

One Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd. Homestead, FL 33035

Phone

: 1 (866) 409-7223 The Homestead Raceway is the ultimate place for NASCAR! You’ll have a blast at the container bar, pit box, infield beach party, champion’s club, you name it this speedway has it. Check out a race today!

17. Everglades Alligator Farm

40351 SW 192nd Ave. Homestead, FL 33034

Phone

: 1 (305) 247-2628 A trip to the Everglades Alligator Farm includes an exciting airboat tour of the surrounding river of grass, a walking trail around the farm to see the alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and wildlife, a great display of local and exotic snakes, and informational wildlife shows every hour.

Miami

18. Monkey Jungle

14805 SW 216th St. Miami, FL 33170

Phone

: 1 (305) 235-1611 Monkey Jungle is a one of a kind eco-show park and discovery center established in 1935 in a natural subtropical forest in southern Miami-Dade County. The Jungle wildlife live here much as they would in their native habitats, joining and interacting with their Guides during the regularly scheduled Eco-Shows.

19. Zoo Miami

12400 SW 152nd St. Miami, FL 33177

Phone

: 1 (305) 251-0400 Zoo Miami (also known as The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens) is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida and the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States.

20. Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel

401 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132

Phone

: N/A Towering almost 200 feet above Bayside Marketplace, Skyviews Miami offers unparalleled views of Biscayne Bay, Bayfront Park, and the iconic Downtown Miami skyline. There are 42 completely enclosed and climate-controlled Gondolas, including one VIP Gondola featuring leather bucket seats, a custom LED light show, and a glass bottom floor.

Key Biscayne

21. Cape Florida Lighthouse

1200 Crandon Blvd Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Phone

: 1 (305) 361-5811 As the oldest structure in Miami-Dade, the lighthouse is a time capsule containing an immense amount of Florida history.

Homestead ARB Nearby Museums

Homestead

22. The Coral Castle Museum

28655 S Dixie Hwy. Homestead, FL 33033

Phone

: 1 (305) 248-6345 The Coral Castle Museum invites you to tour the sculpture garden in stone, built by one man, Edward Leedskalnin. From 1923 to 1951, Ed single-handedly and secretly carved over 1,100 tons of coral rock, and his unknown process has created one of the world's most mysterious accomplishments. Open every day, the Coral Castle Museum welcomes visitors from around the world to explore this enchanting South Florida destination.

Miami

23. Gold Coast Railroad Museum

12450 SW 152nd St. Miami, FL 33177

Phone

: 1 (305) 253-0063 The Gold Coast Railroad Museum promotes historical trains and railroads. It houses over 30 historic trains including classic railroad cars like the Western Pacific "Silver Crescent" and engines like the Florida East Coast "113." The Museum strives to teach railroad history with the use of artifacts, movies, and railroading materials.

24. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

3251 S Miami Ave. Miami, FL 33129

Phone

: 1 (305) 250-9133 Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark preserving the Miami estate of James Deering to engage visitors in learning through the arts, history and the environment.

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Conclusion

Homestead ARB offers quality living in a suburban Miami style. The warm, tropical weather, abundance of outdoor recreation, and local culture flair will give you plenty of things to do in Homestead near the base. So go ahead! Invite your neighbor to the museum, take your kids to see the alligator farm, seize that opportunity to explore Miami and all it has to offer!