The Historical Museum of Southern Florida, based in Downtown Miami, offers a wide range of historical tours of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Their tours can be taken on foot, by bicycle, by coach, or by boat. Their best tour is the Stiltsville, Cape Florida Lighthouse & Key Biscayne Boat Tour, a 3-hour tour that departs from Bayside Marketplace. The tour is led by Dr. Paul George, the preeminent South Florida historian. He guides passengers through the past and present of Key Biscayne and surrounding areas, while they enjoy the fantastic views that only a boat tour can provide.
About the HMSF Key Biscayne Boat Tour
From start to finish, Dr. Paul George regales passengers with one historical fact after another about Key Biscayne and surrounding areas, and the people that made it what it is today. From Mary Brickell and other early pioneering families, to President Nixon and his now-demolished “Winter Whitehouse,” to celebrities like Madonna and Sylvester Stallone that have had homes here. See spectacular views of Brickell Key, Key Biscayne, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, and many gorgeous mansions along the way. Of greatest interest is Stiltsville – a group of homes built on stilts far out on the ocean. Twenty-seven homes were originally built here in the 1950s and 60s, but only 7 remain today. The boat takes you up-close for a rare view of these homes, which have survived many powerful hurricanes.The boat used for the tour is part of the Island Queen fleet, which are docked at Bayside Marketplace. These two-level boats are basic but comfortable. The lower level is enclosed and air-conditioned, and has snacks and beverages for sale. The upper level is open-air, with a roof that provides adequate shade.
The tour is a must for anyone interested in Miami’s history, and is a much better choice than the boat tours that focus solely on the glitz and glamour of the city. Three hours is a bit long, but that is what it required to reach all of the important spots. Young children may get board by the end.
Historical Points of Interest on the HMSF Key Biscayne Boat Tour
- Bayside Marketplace
- Bayfront Park
- The Miami River
- Brickell Key
- Mary Brickell and early founding families
- Rickenbacker Causeway
- Vizcaya (seen from a distance)
- Millionaire’s Row (seen from a distance)
- Key Biscayne Mangrove Preserve & Bird Habitat
- Stiltsville Homes
- President Nixon’s Winter Whitehouse (the former site)
- Cape Florida Lighthouse
- Fisher Island
Essential Information about the HMSF Key Biscayne Boat Tour
- Tour cost is $42 (HMSF Members pay $37).
- HMSF Phone: 305.375.1621.
- View a complete tour schedule on the HMSF Web Site.
- Tour departs from the Island Queen dock at Bayside Marketplace.
- Metered parking is available across the street from the N.E. 4th Street Bayside entrance. Cost is about $5.
- Parking is also available in the Bayside garage at N.E. 4th Street. Cost ranges from $5 to $20 depending on special events in the area.
- Bring your lunch, or dine afterward at Bayside Marketplace.
- Snacks and beverages are available for sale on the boat.
- The tour goes on schedule regardless of the weather.
- Advance reservations are required.
- They request for you to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Helpful Tips to Enjoy the HMSF Key Biscayne Boat Tour
- The upper level is the best place to sit for the full experience.
- Sit on the right side of the boat for the best view.
- The boat has a roof, but wear sunscreen anyway.
- Ask questions! Dr. George is very responsive and knowledgeable.
