Thanksgiving 2015 Visitor's Guide To South Florida

As the temperatures begin to plummet in the Northeast, the one and only destination to consider vacationing for the Thanksgiving holiday is in the warm and inviting island paradise known as Key Biscayne, Florida. Stray away from the traditional Thanksgiving and opt for a vacation worthy of holiday memories. Key Biscayne offers a wealth of outdoor activities to brighten each day of your stay and draws its visitors closer to all that nature has to offer. Simply a plane or car ride away, Key Biscayne is South Florida's hidden paradise, offering activities to satisfy all members of the family, making it a five-star family affair.

Key Biscayne Chamber Of Commerce

88 W. McIntyre St., Suite 100
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 361-5207
www.keybiscaynechamber.org

Dating back 58 years to 1957, the Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce is considered the island's autobiography to visitors, welcoming them with each informational page of suggestions. Not only is this non-profit organization comprised of local businesses, but membership is open to involved residents and professional community members, eager to promote Key Biscayne as one of the best places to live, work and play in all of Miami. At present, the Chamber is made up of 350 members and growing every month.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

1200 S. Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 361-5811
www.floridastateparks.org

Plan to spend an entire day at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and make sure to bring the sunscreen. The area was given the name Cape Florida back in 1513, when expedition captain Ponce de Leon entered the Straits of Florida ready for discovery. The rebuilt Cape Florida lighthouse is one of the oldest structures in South Florida, filled with educational history centered around slavery and sea captains and one of the top tourist attractions in South Florida. Besides hiking and wildlife viewing, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers a one-mile plus Atlantic beach, ranked by several sources as seventh on the list of "Top 10 Beaches in America." Savor the sun, swim in the serenity of this quiet utopia and bring the snorkel gear to view some small marine miracles. You may be lucky enough to spot some turtles if the timing is right. The park affords exercise fanatics the opportunity to bike, canoe and kayak along with overnight camping, adhering to specific rules and regulations.

Crandon Golf At Key Biscayne

6700 Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
(305) 361-9129
golfcrandon.com

Golfers, get ready to play in a setting desirable by the pros. The scenery is quite breathtaking, putting this 18-hole championship course on the list as one of the top public golf courses in America. As you swing the club from hole to hole, there will be a chance to get a glimpse of mangrove forests and lush tropical foliage.
Crandon Golf Course features seven saltwater lakes, its share of challenging sand traps and holes overlooking gorgeous Biscayne Bay. But make sure that you keep your eye on the ball. This is the only golf course with a subtropical lagoon in North America. It also has a fully stocked pro shop, cart and equipment rentals, pro lessons, a lighted driving range, practice chipping and putting greens.

Related: Top Golf Courses In South Florida

Ritz-Carlton Spa

455 Grand Bay Drive
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
(305) 365-4197
www.ritzcarlton.com

One of the main reasons to escape the everyday routine of normal life is to enjoy a vacation relaxing and savoring every minute of no "to-do's." Toss the list and head to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, which tempts with some of their most tantalizing spa packages for the full head to toe experience. A spa retreat is extremely difficult to resist. This is the ultimate way to wind down with a luxurious jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, salon, fitness center and treatment rooms. Couples treatments are also available in the quiescent Zen area. This just may be the perfect way to begin or end the holiday vacation. The spa offers body treatments, salon services, touch therapy treatments and enhancements, massages and much more, with very convenient hours to fit your schedule and package pricing.

The Rusty Pelican Restaurant

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
(305) 361-3818
www.therustypelican.com

Thanksgiving would not be complete without the three-course meal that is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. While away on vacation, let someone else take care of the meal preparation and all that accompanies that task. One of the best places to enjoy Thanksgiving is at The Rusty Pelican. The view will astound and the cuisine will awaken the taste buds, making them long for more. The seafood dishes are unparalleled in perfection. Surrounded on all sides by water, gazing out at the Miami skyline is a stunning view along with a South Florida sunset. Don't miss a Sunday brunch at a place named among the "best spots to brunch in Miami" by Zagat, and "best Sunday brunch" by the Miami New Times. Feast on crab cake benedict as an egg alternative, and when the sun goes down, sip on some of their enticing specialty cocktails such as the Cuban mojito or the Pelican Caipirinha. It is not unusual to see a celebrity enjoying one of the Rusty Pelican's top notch meals.

Related: Top Margaritas In South Florida 

A longtime resident of Palm Beach County in South Florida, Hope Wilkos divides her passions between writing, fashion and scuba diving. With the gift of self-expression, Hope has used her writing skills to cover memorable events over the last five years and share that thrill and accomplishment with her readers. To achieve your goals, Hope strongly believes that you must "Follow Your Dream."