Dear Village of Key Biscayne,…read more You are truly an amazing paradise for those who can afford to call this home. An island just southeast of Miami, you can be reached via the Toll Road Rickenbacker Causeway. It's $1.50 to access your beauty, so readers take note. The island is quiet and laid back, with your own vibe to it. I swear that somewhere along the lines, someone sold their soul, because it, HONESTLY, hardly ever rains here. The weather always seems to be perfect, the sun shining, the birds chirping, and the nannies roaming around with the children. Truly, a paradise on earth. There's the Village Community Center, which offers activities for the young and old. There's the Yacht Club for nice dinners and a boat ride. The Ritz Carlton of the Key has a great outdoor rum bar that always has something happening. There's definitely not a lack of activities when stranded out of the mainland! Thank you Key Biscayne, for sharing your wealth and beauty with the rest of Miami. It's a BLESSING to work on this island. Kind Regards, SabrinaAnna*

always a raucous symphony, giant toads hop across pseudo…read morecoral paths, and the balmy rustle of night wind constitutionals. the moon is a glimmer this night as frogs begin their percussion a dog barks, a baby cries, the blue lit t.v., computer evening drones until the wee hours, the time of night where even the most unimaginative and vapid would feel that twinge of lonely unearthly, fugue state. during morning ablutions when the mud hens waddle, heliconia flaunts her showy blooms, there is a wafting of cortadito and and cuban toast, an untousling of the landscaping militia. the village green is so verdant that one might believe it to be that imposter astroturf,until upon closer inspection it is found to be the real mccoy. the librarians feed the menagerie of ducks and terrapins before bookworms take residence in the hallowed land of tomes. the staghorn finds solace in the lantern trees embrace. in the swampy heat of midday iguanas sun unnoticed by tennis racquet wielders loafer polo shirted tanned buffed and coiffed and polished. butterflies and skippers dot the sky like flowers in flight. gliding dragonflies propel unseen by the metallic sheen of corvetted and jaguared conveyances, some leaving this sanctuary past the sea grapes, past the banyan, the royal palms beribboned with turquoise water and white sands.

There is no doubt this library is lovely. However, I was stunned when I asked the lady working the…read morecheck out desk about a quiet place to work. She simply told me there is no quiet space in the library. As she said this kids were going back and forth and I suddenly felt a flashback to my elementary school library. I think the pond is wonderful and the kids activities are to be applauded however, I think every library should have a designated quiet room, area, zone, whatever they want to call it. Just a quiet space where patrons can step in, work, and step out. I was really surprised about this place and I hope that it is better during the week.

i love this place! it has character and characters! it is the only library i know of where one can…read moresee the librarian feeding the library fauna! there's a lovely little pond in the library garden where they make way for the ducklings and one can have a staring contest with an insolent iguana or observe the sunning terrapin. it is a lush garden, as tropical gardens should be. bottle brushes wave cheerfully and brown anoles play hide and seek in the sunlight. it's lovely to read a lupe solano mystery while from the corner of my eye i see a butterfly emerge from the cobalt sky and the single minded ants march towards the staghorn. * of course you can find books here as well.

The seven remaining structures can be seen in the park I was walking at…read more Stiltsville is a group of wood stilt houses located one mile south of Cape Florida, on sand banks of the Safety Valve on the edge of Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The structures stand on wood or reinforced concrete pilings, generally ten feet above the shallow water, which varies from one to three feet deep at low tide. View from the Cape Florida Light History Most sources claim the first stilt shack was built in the early 1930s, but some Dade County historians say that there were a dozen shacks in "the flats" as early as 1922. Crawfish Eddie "Crawfish" Eddie Walker built a shack on stilts above the water in 1933, toward the end of the prohibition era, allegedly to facilitate gambling, which was legal at one mile offshore. Crawfish Eddie sold bait and beer from his shack and was known for a dish he called chilau, a crawfish chowder made with crawfish he caught under his shack. Thomas Grady and Leo Edward, two of Eddie's fishing buddies, built their own shack in 1937. Shipwrecking and channel dredging brought many people to the area and more shacks were constructed, some by boating and fishing clubs. Local newspapers called the area "the shacks" and "shack colony". Crawfish Eddie's original shack was destroyed by the late-season Hurricane King of 1950. Calvert Club at Stiltsville Calvert Club The first social club built at Stiltsville was constructed during the late 1930s and named the Calvert Club. The Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club was organized in 1929 and held its first official outing at the Stiltsville Calvert Club in August 1938. A club picture was taken in front of the club, which was popular enough to have picture postcards printed with its image. Quarterdeck Club The Quarterdeck Club, built on a barge by Commodore Edward Turner, opened in November, 1940. The club gained popularity after an article about the club appeared in Life magazine on February 10, 1941. The article noted that this was an "extraordinary American community dedicated solely to sunlight, salt water and the well-being of the human spirit." The club was described as "a $100,000 play-palace equipped with bar, lounge, bridge deck, dining room and dock slips for yachts". The local newspapers began running stories and photographs of parties with celebrities. The Quarterdeck Club was viewed by tourists as a "must see" attraction at Miami Beach, Florida. Rumors of gambling persisted, and the club was raided in 1949, but no evidence of gambling was found. Hotelman Warren Freeman purchased the club in 1950 and envisioned it as a high-class operation. The structure was renovated and expanded, only to be heavily damaged by Hurricane King late in the season. Dejected and broke, Freeman sold what remained. The club was rebuilt, but never regained the popularity of its early years. Hurricane Donna in 1960 damaged most of the structures in Stiltsville, including the Quarterdeck Club, then the building was completely destroyed by a fire in 1961 that burned all the way to the pilings. The rumor was that the owner's wife set fire to the club after a jealous fit. Karl Mongelluzzo, the last owner of the Quarterdeck Club, was denied a building permit in 1967. Party Central Stiltsville may not have looked like much, but in the 1940s and 1950s, it was a popular place where lawyers, bankers, politicians, and other moneyed, well-connected Miamians came to drink, relax and kick back. Law enforcement periodically visited the area, looking for vice activities.

A boat or watercraft is needed to reach Stiltsville as it is 1 mile due south of Key Biscayne…read more Hurricane Andrew destroyed must of the home and businesses. It is a great way to view the Miami coast from sea.

If you're anywhere near Miami and skip Cape Florida Lighthouse, I'm just gonna say it...you played…read moreyourself. This spot sits inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and it's honestly the perfect mix of history and straight-up tropical paradise. The lighthouse itself dates back to 1825, making it one of the oldest structures in South Florida--and yes, you can actually climb it. The spiral staircase is a bit of a workout (brace yourself), but the views at the top? Completely worth it. You get panoramic ocean views that feel unreal. What surprised us most was how much there is to do beyond the lighthouse. The beach here is clean, calm, and way less chaotic than Miami Beach. It's the kind of place where you can relax, swim, or just post up and enjoy the breeze without fighting crowds every five seconds. There are also shaded picnic areas, bike paths, and plenty of space to explore, so you can easily spend a full day here without getting bored. Overall, this place feels like a hidden escape just minutes from the city. Whether you're into history, views, or just a chill beach day, Cape Florida Lighthouse absolutely delivers. Follow us on our socials for more hidden gems @reessroots

I love lighthouses!! And this one was so nice. It was well kept and the fact that we can go up in…read moreit and see the beautiful view from the top was everything! It was 109 steps to the top but the view was beautiful. They also had a little nice walkway out to the water and a nice little trail as well and you get to read on about Bill Braggs and saw his home and everything there as well as go inside it. It was nice. I loved it. It was $8 per vehicle. They also had a beach area that you can enjoy that you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

You want to come visit and do all of your transactions on Saturdays between 12 noon and 1:30 pm…read more As George Constanza from Seinfeld would say: "Serenity Now" . Things are spaced out, there is a calm and stillness in the air, the staff is friendly and attentive. I know what I just said -- and if you feel like this could be The Twilight Zone and don't believe me go and see for yourself. We live in downtown and we will gladly make this our go to Post Office moving forward.

Always friendly, polite and cooperative even when under pressure from impatient customers. We are…read morefortunate to have this service in Key Biscayne.

Hidden at the doorstep to south beach. This has great views of the bay. Some of America's heroes…read morework here. There is a little exchange and a rally good cafe called the Gator Den. Had some good chow at crazy low prices. Military only access unless you have business on the base. So if you want a cool place to hang out when it is a bit warmer and have privileges. Check this place out.

Traffic tickets were never a part of my life until recently. I scored a double header and earned…read moremyself some traffic school. I did what any tech lovin' girl would do and completed traffic school online. Then I decided to go drop off my freshly awarded traffic school graduation certificate to the powers that be over at the county clerk's office. I reviewed the locations and decided between Downtown and South Beach. Ultimately, South Beach won as I had a hunch it'd be more pleasant. Lo and behold it was lovely. Well, as lovely as a county clerk office can be. Everyone from the security guard to the ladies printing up receipts and records were friendly and helpful. They had a television on and although it's a small room there was almost enough seating for all. Best part yet? This office is situated inside Miami Beach City Hall a beautiful, historic building that screams Old Miami. Nothing like a local landmark to cheer this girl up.

I have to agree with Maria. If you have to spend time paying " the man " for any traffic stuff in…read moreDade county, this the place to go. Everyone from the Officer on Duty who directs you which ticket to take, to all the counter people behind the glass are friendly and helpful. In fact, they are just plain funny and patient beyond belief. If you get there at 8:30 am, you can be out before 9:30 and he some crazy stories from the people around you that make think twice about complaining you little parking tickets that you know you deserve anyway - Monday is the best day for great stories because of the weekend. Tips: Bring Cash or Check - they do not take Credit Cards for all fines and the ATM at the Police Station is always empty from people bailing out the crazy cousin who came to SoBe and thought they were untouchable ...lol

Beautiful place to see ,the Everglades beautiful see birds, snakes,alligators the swamps just an…read moreawesome place for people to see . Welcome

The real Miami. The people here are so sweet, happy, giving, etc. Visiting was truly a heart…read morewarming & educational experience. I appreciate them being so giving with their art & culture, & looking forward to bringing my friends to their cultural festival & market during New Years week. :) Prayers to the native people of the Americas.