Stiltsville and Key Biscayne: Tourist for a Day

Guess what. There are a lot of places in South Florida that I’ve never visited, even though I’ve lived here most of my life. Join me as I explore my beautiful hometown as a native tourist.

HistoryMiami Tours

Various locations

305-375-1492

www.historymiami.org/tours

For those South Floridians without access to a boat, Stiltsville is either unknown, an afterthought, or the stuff of legends. Luckily, HistoryMiami can take you there.

HistoryMiami is dedicated to preserving and sharing the best of Miami’s past. In addition to displaying exhibits at its downtown Miami museum, HistoryMiami runs biking, walking, coach, and boat tours around the city. Not only do they cover Stiltsville and Key Biscayne, but you can tour a host of other Miami neighborhoods.

At a Glance

Go about 10 miles southeast of Miami, and you’ll feel like you’re in another world. The tour, narrated by historian and Miami Dade College professor Dr. Paul George, takes you through Biscayne Bay and highlights  sites along the way. You’ll get the backstory on Tequesta Point, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, and more.

But the pièce de résistance is Stiltsville. Created in the 1930s, Stiltsville is a group of homes built on the shallow mudflats and seagrass beds in Biscayne Bay. What began as a gambling outpost during the Prohibition Era became infamous for its exclusive social clubs and over-the-top parties. At its peak in the 1960s, Stiltsville comprised 27 homes. Only seven structures remain.

Pros

• It’s great being out on the water and seeing beautiful sights, but Dr. Paul George really makes this trip worthwhile. He knows his stuff. And that’s how it is with HistoryMiami tours. You benefit from cool, local experts who are passionate about  Miami and can give you the inside scoop. In one tour, artist Serge Toussaint takes you on a walking tour of his Little Haiti murals; in another, Dr. George brings you to notorious spots of “mystery, mayhem and vice.” HistoryMiami tours give you a more nuanced view of Miami and will have you feeling like a native in no time.

Cons

• There are none. This is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning, for locals and visitors alike.

Tips

• Show up early and give yourself time to park and make it to the boat with at least 15-20 minutes to spare. We ended up leaving a few minutes ahead of schedule.
• For boat tours leaving from Bayside Marketplace, the closest and most convenient parking is at the Bayside garage. It cost $5 for the day, but be warned: The garage accepts cash only.
• If you miss breakfast, there’s a Starbucks at Bayside where you can grab a coffee and some pastries. There’s also snacks and drinks for sale on the boat.
• Small coolers are allowed on the boat, but they must be small enough to fit under the seat.