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Fruit and Spice Park

Glenn Lindgren: If you only knew how many times we passed by the entrance road to this park along Krome Avenue in the Redland District, just west and south of Miami.

Raúl Musibay: Many people told us about this park where the fruits, and even the spices literally grow on trees!

Jorge Castillo: Finally, we just had to check it out for ourselves and we weren't disappointed.

Glenn Lindgren: Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation owns and manages the Fruit and Spice Park.

Raúl Musibay: The grounds cover almost 35 acres and here you'll see tropical and semi-tropical vegetation from all over the world.

Glenn Lindgren: Preston B. Bird and Mary Calkins Heinlein created the Park in 1944. Bird was a County Commissioner whose campaign platform included the goal of creating and tropical park, and that's exactly what he did after his election.

Jorge Castillo: What, a politician actually keeping a campaign promise?

Raúl Musibay: In any case, a trip to Miami's Fruit and Spice Park is a great way to spend a couple of idyllic hours.

Jorge Castillo: They have more than 500 species of plants including 65 varieties of bananas and 80 varieties of mango!

Glenn Lindgren: Visitors can roam the grounds at will. With a map and numerous identifying signs, you can see a lot on your own.

Jorge Castillo: Yes, you are allowed to eat any fruit found on the ground and NO, you are not allowed to PICK any fruit.

Glenn Lindgren: Although this isn't DisneyWorld, they do have a motorized tram that takes visitors on a guided tour.

Jorge Castillo: The nice thing about the tour? Your guide will usually take you to a plant or tree and let you pick one fruit for your own personal consumption.

Glenn Lindgren: The other nice thing about the tour? You want eat anything poisonous by mistake!

Jorge Castillo: The Park has the ubiquitous gift shop, however it's here you'll get a chance to sample several types of tropical fruits, so don't just rush the kids through here.

Glenn Lindgren: Besides, the gift shop does have many nice things for sale including fruit, juices, jams, jellies, teas, and "a wonderful selection of cookbooks."

Raúl Musibay: Yes, you can even buy a copy of Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban here!

Jorge Castillo: Oh, we almost forgot to mention Park Manager Chris Rollins. He's the guy who has really made the park what it is today.

Glenn Lindgren: Chris has traveled all over the world collecting the exotic species you can now find throughout the park.

Jorge Castillo: If you're doing our Krome Avenue Fruit and Vegetable Tour, the Fruit and Spice Park is highly recommended.

Raúl Musibay: Enjoy the fruit!

ADMISSION: Adults $5.00 | Children (6 -12 years of age) $1.50 | Children under 6 Free

HOURS: Open seven days a week, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Closed Christmas

TRAM TOURS: Daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

LENGTH OF VISIT: Allow 1 to 3 hours

The Details

Fruit and Spice Park
24801 Southwest 187th Avenue
Homestead, FL 33031
305-247-5727

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