Virginia Key (Florida episode 5)
Virginia Key is a 863-acre (3.49 km2) barrier island in Miami, Florida, United States in Biscayne Bay, south of Brickell and north of Key Biscayne. It accessible from the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway.
The island is mainly occupied by the Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami Seaquarium, Miami-Dade Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Other facilities include the former Miami Marine Stadium, the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and an office of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
There are several urban myths about the selection of Virginia Key by county officials, each with a kernel of truth – but there was an historic connection of at least several decades’ standing. A 1918 survey map of the Abandoned Military Reservation on Virginia Key located a Negro Dancing Pavilion on the island's southeastern shore of the colored-only beach. From 1945 to 1947, Miami's Blacks traveled to the beach exclusively by boat – public and private. The opening of the Rickenbacker Causeway in 1947 connected Virginia Key and Key Biscayne with the mainland and vehicular travel began
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Artecology Festival 2013, March 9, The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami
ARTECOLOGY SCHEDULE
A festival where ART, ECOLOGY and WELLNESS become ONE
A family beach event where green enthusiasts, artists, and wellness educators come together to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainability.
artecologyweb.com
Florida Travel: Welcome to Virginia Key, Miami's Outdoor Oasis
Escape to a tranquil lagoon minutes from downtown Miami. The Virginia Key Outdoor Center is one of the last remaining hardwood hammocks in an urban area. With miles of trails and surrounded by water, the Outdoor Center is where visitors can experience a true eco-getaway in the heart of the city.
Explore the island on a bike, whether a casual scenic ride or an adventure on two wheels, the island's miles of trails lead to beautiful ocean views.
The center also offers group and private yoga classes — or just take a leisurely flatwater paddle. The Virginia Key Outdoor Center is a great in-town getaway to the outdoors.
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Virginia Key, Beach Park
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Virginia Key Snorkeling
Snorkeling in the Virginia Keys, in Miami, Florida.
The story begins in 1896. This was the year the City of Miami was founded with approximately one-third of the signatures of the city charter being black men (which was no accident considering their predominant role in the early building of the city). Segregation became a day-to-day reality throughout the South. It was this reality that systematically excluded all people of color from Dade County’s most famous attraction, its miles of beaches.
By 1920, as the city grew, many of these beaches were developed into parks and public swimming facilities exclusively for the white population. D.A. Dorsey, an African American millionaire, purchased what is now known as Fisher Island so that blacks could have a beach of their own. But due to increasing property taxes, Mr. Dorsey was obligated to sell the property. As a result, the black community was left without a beach to enjoy.
There were unofficial exceptions, areas which by mutual understanding were exclusive to the African American population. One such place was a very special beach located on Virginia Key, known as “Bears Cut” which at that time could only be reached from Miami by boat. This property became an official “colored only” recreation site as a direct response to a bold protest, led by the late Judge Thomas. Under Thomas’ leadership, black men defiantly entered the water with the intention of being arrested at exclusively white Baker’s Haulover Beach in North Dade County. County authorities however, to avoid costly embarrassment, took no legal action against the protesters. Instead they acquiesced to the protesters’ demands for an officially designated swimming area for African Americans. Although only accessible by boat from a downtown dock on the Miami River, “Virginia Beach, a Dade County Park for the exclusive use of Negroes,” was opened on August 1, 1945.
Virginia Key Beach quickly became a cherished getaway, social gathering place, and even a sacred site for religious services.
The beach included such amenities as large shaded picnic areas with barbecue pits, cottages, a boat ramp and the famous Mini-Train and Carousel rides. With its lush windswept palms and inviting beach, Virginia Key lured thousands to this tropical paradise. Though the beach remained segregated throughout the 1950’s, it was not a factor for many new Caribbean, South American, and Cuban immigrants found Virginia Key Beach to be either the only beach that they too could visit, or the beach they preferred.
In 1982 the City of Miami closed Virginia Key Beach Park, citing the high cost of maintenance and operations. The park has remained closed ever since, except on a daily rental basis and as a training facility for law enforcement agencies and large entertainment events. In June 1999, a diverse group of citizens called the Virginia Key Beach Park Civil Rights Task Force was established in response to plans of private development on the beach park.
Later that year, the Miami City Commission established the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust to oversee the development of the historic park property. The Trust has been working diligently to provide the community an estate for family events, community meetings, corporate meetings, as well as a pristine beachfront for swimming and water activities. In August 2002, the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park re-opened to the public in February 2008 with many of the amenities of the past as well as some new venues as suggested by the community. The Historic Beach Park is open to the public today; ecosystem restoration projects, interpretive signage and the construction of an interpretive/cultural center remain to be completed.
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Virginia Key Beach
Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami, FL (April 2012)
Hampton Inn Miami-Coconut Grove/Coral Gables - Coconut Grove (Florida) - United States
Hampton Inn Miami-Coconut Grove/Coral Gables hotel city: Coconut Grove (Florida) - Country: United States
Address: 2800 Southwest 28th Terrace; zip code: FL 33133
Only 10 km from Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and just outside of Miami, this Coconut Grove hotel features a number of free amenities as well as comfortable accommodations. Miami Beach is 16 km away.
-- Implanté à seulement 10 km du parc historique des plages Virginia Key, à la sortie de Miami, cet hôtel de Coconut Grove propose de nombreux services gratuits ainsi que des hébergements confortables. Miami Beach vous attend à 16 km.
-- Este hotel de Coconut Grove está situado en las afueras de Miami, a solo 10 km del parque Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Ofrece diversos servicios gratuitos y alojamiento confortable. Miami Beach se encuentra a 16 km.
-- Dieses Coconut Grove Hotel liegt nur 10 km vom historischen Virginia Key Beach Park entfernt und knapp außerhalb von Miami. Es erwarten Sie zahlreiche kostenfreie Annehmlichkeiten sowie komfortable Unterkünfte.
-- Dit hotel ligt op slechts 10 km van het Historic Virginia Key Beach Park en net buiten Miami, in Coconut Grove. Het beschikt over een aantal gratis voorzieningen en comfortabele accommodaties. Het strand van Miami bevindt zich op 16 km afstand.
-- Appena fuori Miami, il Coconut Grove offre vari servizi gratuiti e confortevoli soluzioni abitative a soli 10 km dall'Historic Virginia Key Beach Park e a 16 km da Miami Beach.
-- Apenas a 10 km do Historic Virginia Key Beach Park e à saída de Miami, este hotel de Coconut Grove apresenta uma série de amenidades gratuitas, bem como acomodações confortáveis. Miami Beach fica a 16 km.
-- マイアミから少し外れたココナッツ・グローブに位置するホテルで、ヒストリック・バージニア・キー・ビーチ・パークからわずか10kmです。快適な客室と数多くの無料の施設を提供しています。マイアミビーチまで16kmです。 Hampton Inn Miami Coconut Grove/Coral Gablesから様々なビーチ、ミュージアム、レストランへ簡単にアクセスできます。様々なアクティビティを楽しめる近くのマイアミビーチは、日帰り旅行に最適です。 Coral Gables Hampton...
-- 这家Coconut Grove酒店提供多项免费设施以及舒适的住处，距离历史悠久的Virginia Key海滩公园仅有10公里，就位于迈阿密市（Miami）以外，距离迈阿密海滩（Miami Beach）有16公里。 Hampton Inn Miami Coconut Grove/Coral Gables酒店的客人可以很轻松地前往诸多海滩、博物馆和餐馆。迈阿密海滩激动人心的休闲活动场所也位于酒店附近，是客人一日游的理想去处。 Coral Gables Hampton...
-- Hotel ten jest usytuowany w dzielnicy Coconut Grove na obrzeżach Miami, 10 km od zabytkowego parku rekreacyjnego Historic Virginia Key. Obiekt oferuje szereg bezpłatnych udogodnień oraz komfortowe pokoje.
-- Этот отель расположен в старинном живописном районе Коконат-Гроув в предместье Майами, всего в 10 км от парка Хисторик Вирджиния Ки Бич. К вашим услугам комфортабельные номера и различные бесплатные услуги и удобства.
-- Detta Coconut Grove-hotell ligger strax utanför Miami och bara 10 km från Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Hotellet erbjuder bekvämt boende och en mängd gratis bekvämligheter. Miami Beach ligger 16 km bort.
-- يقع هذا الفندق في Coconut Grove، ويبعُد 10 كم فقط عن فيرجينيا كي بيتش بارك التاريخية، كما يقع خارج ميامي مباشرةً، ويشتمل على عدد من وسائل الراحة المجانية وأماكن الإقامة المريحة، وتبعُد شاطئ ميامي 16 كم.
-- Το Coconut Grove απέχει μόλις 10χλμ. από το χιλιόμετρα από το ιστορικό Virginia Key Beach Park και βρίσκεται λίγο έξω από το Μαϊάμι. Προσφέρει διάφορες παροχές και άνετα καταλύματα. Η παραλία του Μαϊάμι βρίσκεται 16χλμ. μακριά.
-- Dette hotellet ligger i Coconut Grove, bare 10 km fra Historic Virginia Key Beach Park og like utenfor Miami, og tilbyr en rekke gratis fasiliteter og komfortable boenheter. Miami Beach ligger 16 km unna.
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Key Biscayne #1
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Key Biscayne Florida
Hobie Beach
Hobbie Beach is one of the most visited beaches of Miami, Florida. Because of it’s shallow waters it is great for dogs, swimmers, and other water sports activities.
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Drone Shots by @wupmiami - Music by bensound.com
If You Love Boats You're in the Right Spot, Miami Florida, Rickenbacker Causeway, June 2019
If you love boats on the water then you're in the right spot. Join us on a boating journey
The Rickenbacker Causeway is a causeway which connects Miami, Florida, United States to the barrier islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne across Biscayne Bay.[2]
Contents
1 Background
2 History
2.1 Cycling
3 References
Background
The Causeway is a toll road, owned and operated by Miami-Dade County. Automobiles traveling southbound from Miami pay a toll of US$2.25[3] as of 2018; northbound traffic is not charged any toll. Tolls are collected via Sunpass; C-Pass transponders or cash are no longer accepted.[4]
Also known as (unsigned) State Road 913[5][6] west of the toll plaza, the causeway's northbound continuation is a flyover ramp with forks to northbound Interstate 95 (unsigned SR 9A) and southbound South Dixie Highway (US 1/unsigned SR 5); the southbound continuation is Crandon Boulevard, which extends roughly five miles through the center of Key Biscayne, terminating near the Cape Florida Lighthouse in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Named after Eddie Rickenbacker, the American World War I flying ace and founder and president of Miami-based Eastern Air Lines, the causeway provides access to the Miami Seaquarium, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, MAST Academy, Virginia Key Park, and Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key, and to Crandon Park, the Village of Key Biscayne, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on the island of Key Biscayne.
History
Rickenbacker Causeway
Talk of a bridge to Key Biscayne, inspired by the bridges connecting Miami to Miami Beach, started in 1926. The northern two-thirds of Key Biscayne was owned by William John “W.J.” Matheson, who had established a coconut plantation on the island. In February 1926 Matheson entered into an agreement with land developer D. P. Davis to develop and re-sell the northern half of Key Biscayne, including all of what is now Crandon Park and about half of the present Village of Key Biscayne. Later in 1926 the City of Coral Gables incorporated with Key Biscayne included in its boundaries. There were dreams of a bridge to the island, making Key Biscayne the seaside resort for Coral Gables that Miami Beach had become for Miami.
Obstacles to the project soon appeared. In March 1926 the U.S. government auctioned off some lots on Key Biscayne that had been retained when the rest of the island was transferred to the State of Florida. The Mathesons wanted to have clear title to all of their land, and determined to outbid other interested parties for the land. They ended up paying US$58,055 for a total of 6.84 acres (2.77 hectares) of land, a record price per acre for the auction of U.S. government land up to that date. Then, on September 18, 1926, the Great Miami Hurricane crossed over Key Biscayne on its way to Miami. While no lives were lost on the island, most of the buildings on Key Biscayne were destroyed or badly damaged, and many of the plantings were lost, including half of the coconut trees. D. P. Davis was not able to meet his end of the contract; he declared bankruptcy and then disappeared en route to Europe by ship. The Florida Land Boom was over, as were plans for a bridge.
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Hello 2017 (Virginia Key)
Virginia Key is a 863-acre barrier island in Miami, Florida, United States in Biscayne Bay, south of Brickell and north of Key Biscayne. It accessible from the mainland via the Rickenbacker Causeway
Welcome to my YouTube Channel and I hope you enjoy my videos. One of my favorite relaxing moments is when I get to sit and watch other videos.
I really enjoy watching anything to do with beauty like hair, make-up and fashion. Many families share their everyday lives and moments that are special to them. This I find very interesting and if there is anything I can help anyone, I am here for you. Some gaming systems are also amusing to me.
My son and a few friends introduced me to YouTube and I thought to myself that this would be something that I would enjoy doing. I don't have a definite topic to my videos but I do love photography and I take videos and pictures of anything beautiful that I find in this wonderful world which we all share.
Historic Otis/Eastern Elevator @ Beach Park Hotel in Miami Beach, FL
Not sure when this was modernized, but Eastern put new fixtures on it probably in the 60's. Anyhow, this in my opinion is the best elevator of all boutique hotels in Miami. It's single speed and pretty quick for 3 floors.
Miami Inshore Kayak Fishing - Virginia Key Park (Travel to Miami)
First time kayaking in Miami and decided to do some fishing. Anyone visiting Miami, I highly recommend Virginia Key Park, its where the locals go and isn't as packed as some other hot spots. Near the end point, there is a kayak rental center (Virginia Key Outdoor Center). Its also very affordable, only about $40 for 2 hours, well worth it. Really helpful staff there too.
We paddled from the rental ramp all the way out to the jetty. Caught a bunch of jacks and barracudas along the way. Most of the actions happened at the end of the jetty. Had a shark bust on a jack.
Overall, pretty cool place to kayak, definitely recommend it if you are looking to do something outdoor rather than the usual South Beach. Also, check out BIll Baggs State Park and Biscayne Bay for more fishing spots. Heard the beaches are good for kayak fishing too.
Abandoned Miami Marine Stadium
We were inspired by Adam the Woo and decided to check out a popular local abandoned spot in Miami....the Marine Stadium!
The Miami Marine Stadium is a marine stadium on Virginia Key, Miami, Florida, United States. The facility, built and completed in 1963 on land donated to the City of Miami from the Matheson family, is the first stadium purpose-built for powerboat racing in the United States.
source: Wikipedia
*We do not encourage trespassing into the stadium, it can be dangerous and you will be told to leave.
We are a couple from Miami who decided to start vlogging our adventures living in Florida together. We are lovers of Orlando and Disney/Theme Parks. Join us as we explore local events/festivals, entertainment/attractions, restaurants/bars, and we do Groupon reviews too! We also travel to new destinations on our channel, looking for new theme parks to explore, roller coasters to ride, restaurants to eat at, and whatever thrills we can find next. :)
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Haunted Places in Florida
From Jacksonville to Miami, Tampa to Orlando, St. Petersburg and more! Florida is full of some of the most haunted places on earth! We're covering some of the creepiest castles, houses, and cemeteries around. Enjoy!
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“Olustee Battlefield State Monument” by Florida Memory ( has No Known Copyright Restrictions (
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“Launch Complex 34 - Apollo 1 Crew, in Memoriam” by AGeekMom ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 (
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“Don Cesar Hotel - panoramio” by Art Anderson ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 (
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Hobie Beach Miami Florida
Miami Florida intro one of the best beaches of Miami
Driving around Miami, Florida
Miami is partitioned into many different sections, roughly into North, South, West and Downtown. The heart of the city is Downtown Miami and is technically on the eastern side of the city. This area includes Brickell, Virginia Key, Watson Island, and PortMiami. Downtown is South Florida's central business district, and Florida's largest and most influential central business district. Downtown has the largest concentration of international banks in the U.S. along Brickell Avenue. Downtown is home to many major banks, courthouses, financial headquarters, cultural and tourist attractions, schools, parks and a large residential population. East of Downtown, across Biscayne Bay is South Beach. Just northwest of Downtown, is the Civic Center, which is Miami's center for hospitals, research institutes and biotechnology with hospitals such as Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami VA Hospital, and the University of Miami's Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
The southern side of Miami includes Coral Way, The Roads and Coconut Grove. Coral Way is a historic residential neighborhood built in 1922 connecting Downtown with Coral Gables, and is home to many old homes and tree-lined streets. Coconut Grove was established in 1825 and is the location of Miami's City Hall in Dinner Key, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, CocoWalk, many nightclubs, bars, restaurants and bohemian shops, and as such, is very popular with local college students. It is a historic neighborhood with narrow, winding roads, and a heavy tree canopy. Coconut Grove has many parks and gardens such as Villa Vizcaya, The Kampong, The Barnacle Historic State Park, and is the home of the Coconut Grove Convention Center and numerous historic homes and estates.
The western side of Miami includes Little Havana, West Flagler, and Flagami, and is home to many of the city's traditionally immigrant neighborhoods. Although at one time a mostly Jewish neighborhood, today western Miami is home to immigrants from mostly Central America and Cuba, while the west central neighborhood of Allapattah is a multicultural community of many ethnicities.
The Perpetual Tour - Virginia Key Beach - Miami, FL | Art by Adrienne Mack-Davis
Adrienne Mack-Davis takes after her Poppa. She found some natural clay by the water and his sprit proved to run through her. Artist in every sense of the word.
Boating in Miami, Florida : Stiltsville, Nixon Sandbar, Key Biscayne
In this week's video we join our friends Raul and Dany for a whole day of fun in the water, cruising in Miami, South Florida aboard their power boat.
This video is sponsored by Rad Power Bikes
radpowerbikes.com?utm_source=TravelingRobert (800) 939-0310
Our first point of interest is Stiltsville, nowadays a ghost town on the water. It began early in the 20th century as a gambling and bootlegging operation, as it was legal one mile offshore. From the 60's until the late 80's it was very much a party scene. There was even a place called Bikini Club where ladies wearing a bikini would get free drinks. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew was the last nail on the coffin of what was a town on stilts. Only seven structures remain, most of them in ruins.
Next we go to the famous Nixon Beach Sandbar for a swim. It is located right by the entrance of Hurricane Harbor. This area is home to many lavish waterfront mansions. Nixon Beach Sandbar is notorious for the numerous boat parties that happen here. People tie their boats together, and the flow of booze and loud music go on throughout the day. When we went, May 20, it wasn't so crowded. Perhaps because the water had not reached that magical 90ºF mark. After our swim and some drone flying we cruised around the harbor to see the homes of the rich and famous, and their boats up close and personal.
After all this we have worked up an appetite, so we navigate east, towards Cape Florida State Park and the creatively named No Name Harbor. After a pitcher of sangria, some minuscule conch fritters, and a delicious seafood paella, we decide to call it a day, sailing into the sunset, back to the marina.
We are Traveling in Florida and the rest of the USA aboard a Winnebago Micro Minnie 1706FB travel trailer. You are more than welcome to tag along by subscribing to this channel.
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