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Miami offers more than just beaches and nightlife. In this guide, we’ll explore the city’s eco-conscious side and find out how you can enjoy it through green destinations and sustainable activities.
The Carbon-Neutral Movement
As Miami continues to grow as a popular tourist destination, the need for green, eco-friendly tourism practices becomes more pressing than ever.
In fact, it is not just the local government pushing for this development. Did you know seven out of 10 travelers seek sustainable activities during their local and overseas vacations? Luckily, Miami boasts a wealth of green alternatives to cater to this growing demand.
In this guide, we’ll uncover activities in Miami for visitors who want to have as minimal a carbon footprint as possible. We’re also exploring eco-friendly destinations, transportation, dining options, and accommodations, so you can have a genuinely guilt-free vacation experience!
Green Destinations in Miami
From lively botanical gardens to peaceful nature preserves, Miami boasts an array of green destinations that showcase the city’s dedication to sustainability.
Here are the spots you need to stop by on your eco-adventure:
SHARK VALLEY VISITOR CENTER
Only 50 minutes away from downtown Miami, the Shark Valley Visitor Center’s walking and bike trail in Everglades National Park provides a remarkable 150-mile journey through Florida’s iconic River of Grass. You can choose between renting a bike or joining a two-hour tram tour led by a knowledgeable park-trained naturalist. Be sure to have your cameras ready, as you will likely spot alligators and wading birds during your exploration.
FAIRCHILD GARDEN
Fairchild Garden is crucial in conserving South Florida’s endangered plants through seed banking and reintroducing rare species. Their 83-acre facility is home to a diverse collection of tropical palms, cycads, flowering trees, petite waterfalls, a butterfly conservatory, and an edible garden.
They are open daily and even have an eco-friendly bookstore that offers fair trade products and books on tropical gardening and cuisine.
PELICAN HARBOR SEABIRD STATION
Another green destination in Miami is the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. This facility cares for over 1,000 injured birds and reptiles yearly, most of which were harmed by fishing activities. Visitors can take a self-guided tour, hop onto custom tours, or join a two-hour sunset birding cruise to spot brown pelicans, seabirds, raptors, songbirds, and reptiles.
DEERING ESTATE
Charles Deering’s 1920s estate is known for its appearances in “Miami Vice” and “The Amazing Race All-Stars.” However, it also boasts the largest virgin coastal tropical hardwood hammock in all of America. You can attend a sustainability film series and lectures, take Biscayne Bay cruises, explore the estate’s restricted natural areas, and join guided butterfly walks.
ZOO MIAMI
This green-focused zoo in Miami is perfect for families traveling with little children! Zoo Miami is a key player in global wildlife and environmental conservation efforts. Spanning 750 acres, its open-air living spaces are home to over 3,000 animals, including over 40 endangered species. Their dedicated staff vets monitor flamingos, Florida panthers, rare bonneted bats, and other threatened species while also caring for sick or injured animals.
Eco-warriors will be pleased to know that this zoo has a unique “Zoo Doo” program, wherein elephant and rhino manure and landscape debris are recycled and sold as high-quality natural fertilizers.
SOUTH FLORIDA BREADBASKET
One great eco-adventure in south Miami allows you to experience flavors straight from the farm. This Redland-Homestead area offers a rich agritourism experience where you can pick tomatoes or strawberries at Knauss Berry Farm. You can also enjoy mamey or mango shakes at Robert is Here, taste tropical wines at Schnebly Winery, and discover exotic fruits at Fruit and Spice Park. It’s a great — not to mention tasty — lesson on how important sustainable practices are in food production.
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
Miami is nicknamed the ‘Wreck-reational Diving Capital of the World,’ so your eco-tour wouldn’t be complete without an underwater adventure at the Biscayne National Park.
How do shipwrecks relate to conservation, you ask? Well, the shipwrecks have become artificial reefs that provide habitats for various marine life. By diving these wrecks — or simply paddling and cruising past them — you get to support the growth and maintenance of the artificial reef ecosystem.
Low-Carbon-Impact Transportation in Miami
In Miami, cars might be the go-to transportation method. Still, considering their environmental impact, it’s time to try green alternatives with a lower carbon footprint. Here are some eco-friendly options for getting around Miami:
BIKES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS & ROLLERBLADES
Take advantage of Florida’s beautiful weather and rent a bike, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblade to explore the city. Many rental services are available throughout Miami; some even offer guided eco-tours showcasing the city’s green spaces and attractions.
Citi Bike Miami provides nearly 2,000 bikes at 160 locations throughout the city. Join Miami Critical Mass, a monthly event where hundreds of cyclists explore neighborhoods together.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Several companies, such as Bird, Bolt, Jump, Lime, Lyft, and Spin, rent e-bikes and electric scooters. Lyft and Uber operate throughout Miami-Dade County. Electric car rentals are also available for those seeking green, eco-friendly transportation.
If you use your hybrid or electric vehicle, rely on Plugshare to plan your routes. Their comprehensive map highlights all available charging stations throughout Miami, making navigation a breeze.
METRORAIL & METROMOVER
The 25-mile elevated Metrorail system connects Miami International Airport to downtown and South Miami. The Metromover, a free service transport looping through the city’s downtown area, links to Metrorail and an extensive Metrobus system. Purchase tickets at stations or use the EASY Pay app.
TROLLEYS & TRAINS
There are free trolley services in Miami, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables. These provide a sustainable transportation option between popular areas and connect with Metrorail and Metromover.
For regional travel, the eco-friendly and high-speed Brightline train links West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami with plans to extend to Orlando. MiamiCentral Station, Brightline’s hub, is conveniently located near various attractions and serves as a major transit hub for Metrorail and Metromover connections.
Eco-Friendly Food & Dining in Miami
Complement your eco-friendly adventures in Miami with a meal at one of the city’s sustainable restaurants. These dining spots emphasize farm-to-table ingredients and responsible practices, making them the perfect choices for the environmentally-conscious traveler:
AREA 31
With so many issues in the fishing industry today, Area 31 is committed to making a difference. Here, you can indulge in yellowtail, swordfish, and other seafood dishes whose ingredients have been ethically sourced from Fishing Area 31, a UN-recognized sustainable fishery.
COCONUT GROVE FARMERS MARKET
Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Coconut Grove Farmers Market is the place to support the local community while you fuel up. One of our favorite establishments is vShops– a cozy vegan food hall featuring a bakery, pizzeria, smoothie counter, and “ice cream” parlor. Just around the corner is The Last Carrot, which has been the place to score fresh greens in Miami since the 1970s.
LOKAL
Lokal in Coconut Grove is an eco-friendly standout featuring a rooftop garden, a compost program, and up-cycled decor. Their delicious grass-fed beef burgers and local craft beers are all the more enjoyable when you know it’s from the first restaurant in Miami-Dade County fully powered by wind and solar energy.
KYU
KYU at Wynwood is a Miami hotspot famous for dishes like roasted cauliflower, avocado salad, Thai fried rice, and Korean fried chicken. It’s one of Miami New Times’ “Five Best Green Restaurants.” When you’re finished with your meal, ask your server how you can plant a tree by donating to “Trees for the Future.”
Finding Green Vacation Rentals in Miami with Rent By Owner
Maintaining sustainable practices while traveling to Miami is easy, what with its myriad of green options. However, it can be a challenge to find eco-friendly accommodations that align with your values. It’s not always easy to know which hotels and lodgings are committed to sustainability. Plus, sifting through countless websites and reviews can be time-consuming and overwhelming.
This is where Rent By Owner comes in. Our all-in-one portal lists eco-friendly, locally-owned vacation rentals, ensuring your support leaves a positive impact to the community during your stay. With easy-to-use filters, you can narrow your options depending on your taste, needs, and budget.
Save yourself time and energy; let us take the guesswork out of finding sustainable accommodations!
TLDR
Explore Miami’s green side with this guide to eco-friendly activities and attractions in the city. Visit conservation-focused destinations like Zoo Miami, South Florida Breadbasket, Shark Valley Visitor Center, Fairchild Garden, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, Biscayne National Park, and Deering Estate. Minimize your carbon footprint with transportation alternatives like bikes, scooters, electric vehicles, Metrorail and Metromover, trolleys, and trains. Indulge in guilt-free dining at Area 31, Lokal, KYU, and Coconut Grove Farmers Market. Support sustainable and community-centered accommodations through Rent By Owner.
