The Holiday Season is all about spending time with family and loved ones. What a better way to spend this special time than to visit your National Parks? The Homestead National Parks Trolley can get you there and show you many more beautiful sights along the way, with their Special Holiday Trolley. The City of Homestead is offering a special Holiday Service of the Trolley every day December 26 – 31, 2021 in addition to the regular season running every weekend January 2 – April 3, 2022. Trolley riders will enjoy free transportation, free guided tours, and free admission to Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Homestead Bayfront Park.
The Homestead National Parks Trolley may be boarded from Homestead Station in Downtown Homestead at 4 S. Krome Avenue or at an additional stop at the Marriott Hotels complex located on Campbell Drive just east of Exit 2 of Florida’s Turnpike. The trolley connects to bus routes from Miami-Dade County public transportation, where there will be plenty of free parking adjacent to the trolley stop. There are many great stops along the way like Downtown Homestead. The Downtown Homestead area offers visitors the amenities of a large city with the quaint small town feel. There are many things to do and see like watching a performance at the Seminole theatre, eating at local restaurants, admiring Homestead’s historic architecture, or visiting the first firetruck in the free Old Town Hall Museum before or after their visit to the parks.
The Trolley departs from Downtown Homestead to Everglades National Park’s Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, where riders enjoy free entrance into the park to visit the Anhinga Trail. On the way back from Everglades, the Trolley will stop at the local iconic fruit stand, Robert Is Here, known for its exotic variety of fruit, fresh produce and life changing milkshakes. Trolley riders will have the opportunity to pre-order or browse the unique array of fruit.
The Trolley also travels to Biscayne National Park’s Dante Fascell Visitor Center and boardwalk, where visitors can take the Island Boat Tour. Bask in the sights of the crystal-clear waters of Biscayne Bay and the iconic Boca Chita Key with this exciting new service. The Trolley Tours depart from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at 10:00 am or 1:30 pm on select dates Thursday through Sunday. The Trolley makes an additional stop at Miami-Dade County’s Homestead Bayfront Park where visitors may swim at the atoll beach.
The trolley program is the result of efforts of the National Parks Conservation Association in collaboration with the National Park Service and the City of Homestead. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) works to protect and preserve America’s national park system. They advocate for the importance of conservation of these precious resources for generations to come.
Due to COVID-19, capacity on the Trolley is limited and a reservation is highly recommended. All riders on the Trolley are strongly suggested wear a mask, hand sanitizer is available, and vehicles are deep cleaned on a daily basis. To book a tour on the Homestead National Parks Holiday Trolley and learn more about the schedule, routes, and activities at the National Parks, please visit: www.cityofhomestead.com/gateway.