Exploring Route 100: A Journey Along the MacArthur Causeway
Sep 28
3 min read
0
3
0
The MacArthur Causeway crosses the 3 and a half miles of Biscayne Bay that separates Miami from the island city of Miami Beach. For the geography nerd readers among us (yours truly included), Biscayne Bay is a tidal estuary where fresh water from the Everglades flows off the mainland and mixes with the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bay is about 30 miles long and 8 miles wide at its widest point. The MacArthur is one of 6 bridges that connect Miami Beach and the other island communities to the mainland.
The MacArthur, as locals call it, was first built in 1920 and named the County Causeway. It was most recently rebuilt in the mid-1990s. It was renamed after War War II hero, General Douglas MacArthur, in 1942
There are only a few stops on this portion of the route. The first is Watson Island.
On Watson Island, you will find the Jungle Island, the Miami Children's Museum, and the Miami Japanese Gardens.
Jungle Island
The biggest attraction on Watson Island is Jungle Island. Established as Parrot Jungle in 1936, and relocated and renamed Jungle Island almost 70 years later, Jungle Island is a rarity--a subtropical, eco-friendly adventure park, a mile or so from a downtown core. Besides parrots, patrons will encounter animals associated with the tropics, ranging from macaws to sloths. For the kiddos, there are aerial ropes and a zipline course. There is also a recreated Everlades habitat and a petting zoo.
The address is 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail.
Miami, Florida 33132. Hours are 930 to 5 daily, and admission is
$30. Visit jungleisland.com for the latest info
Immediately adjacent to Jungle Island is a small Japanese garden--Officially Ichimura Miami Japanese Gardens-- which is a tranquil oasis in bustling Miami.
Check out their website for details about festivals. https://friendsofjapanesegarden.com/
Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, and Admission is free. The park is located at 1101 MacArthur Causeway, Watson Island, Miami, FL 33139
Though not accessible on this route, to the south of Watson Island, you will see Dodge Island, known as PortMiami, the busiest passenger cruise terminal in the United States. It is home to Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Virgin Voyages. 5-8 departures are scheduled per day over a weekend. If you time it right, you can see them departing, usually late afternoon.
|
As the bus travels east towards Miami Beach, you will notice two residential islands off to the north side of the bus. The bus stops opposite the bridge that leads to the exclusive communities of Palm, and to the north of it is Hibiscus Island. These are man-made islands, initially developed during the Miami land boom of the 1920s, and home to the rich and famous. Palm Island was home to the Latin Quarter nightclub, owned by Lou Walters, father of TV icon Barbara Walters. Further to the east, the bus will stop opposite the bridge that leads to Star Island, the most exclusive of the three. It is a gated community and home to the likes of rapper Puff Daddy--Sean Diddy Combs and musician Gloria Estefan.
Soon after passing Star Island, the bus will turn a bend and stop at the Fisher Island ferry terminal, near the Miami Beach Coast Guard Station. Two very different aspects of Miami life. The ferry terminal leads to Fisher Island, one of the nation’s most exclusive addresses. Like Star Island, it is a private experience. The ferry is only available to those staying on the island.
The Coast Guard station is home to the US Coast Guard, a US government organization charged with maritime safety and security. It you crane your neck, you may see Coast Guard vessels docked
at the station.
After crossing one more bridge, you will arrive at Miami Beach!
