The history of the emergence of the city

The name Homestead in translation into Russian means "property", this choice is due to the close connection of the history of the first settlement with the construction of the railway. At a certain point, when this place was only the end point of the network and a warehouse of railway materials, it was dubbed Homestead Country, then out of love for practicality, it was reduced.

An attempt to settle this territory began at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the land of the peninsula was worth its weight in gold. It soon became clear that urbanization was impossible in these parts: palm trees planted in place of mangrove trees with roots were pulled out by the winds, and houses were regularly flooded.

Since the 50s, there are several parks in this area, which were united in 1976. Today it is a paradise for hiking and camping, boating and airboating, and visiting a large-scale alligator farm.

Homestead landmarks

One of the main attractions — a high-speed auto track for 46,000 spectators — has existed since 1995. It was built by promoter Ralph Sanchez after the devastating Hurricane Andrew.

To increase the safety of the pilots when cornering in 1996 and 2003, the oval configuration is changed, its corners are smoothed. In 2003, they also install lighting for night runs. Today, motorsport enthusiasts can cheer on racers during events such as NASCAR, Championship Cup and Verizon IndiCar series, and Weather Tech Sports Car Championship.

New technologies have not spared the race track; since 2011, the popular RC Raceway has been held here.

You can combine love for sports and extreme sports not only on the rally track, but also on the rodeo, the championships of which are regularly held here and offer festive programs with live music, parades and dances. The adrenaline rush after the rally can be easily balanced in nature.

The 70-hectare Biscayne National Forest, which borders Homestead to the east, is ninety percent covered in water. Here you can go fishing and catching lobsters, kayaking and sailing yachts, windsurfing and diving. The chain of islets in the bay contains rest and picnic stops, boat stations and camping grounds. The most visited island is Boca Chita and its lighthouse open to the public.

Everglades is the largest treasure trove of tropical flora and fauna in the United States, with over a million tourists annually. Its landscapes are varied: jungle with paths paved by land and air, pine groves, mangroves and coastal wet prairies.

Special places to visit

• Homestead is surrounded by pretty informative gardens and tasting farms: the fragrant Fruit and Spice Park and its annual Asian Cuisine and Culture Festival, the orchid greenhouse, Ed Lidskalnin's coral castle, the Knaus berry farm, and the welcoming Schnebly winery, renowned for its fine as well as parties with live music, karaoke and picnics in the open air.
• JD Redd Park and Harris Field Park are great for jogging, while meditators can visit the Buddhist Temple and Wat Budharangsi Temple Park.
• The town hall houses a charming city history museum, and its church is famous for its great music and opera singers. Various concerts and performances are held at the Seminole Theater, which is interesting not only for its performances, but also for the architecture of the historic building.
• Shopping is as eclectic as the city itself: the Florida Keys Outlet Center is home to famous brands, while souvenir shops and small shops offer a range of local produce and off-the-shelf models.

Homestead in Florida is made of contrasts, where the noise of the rally meets the silence of nature reserves.

American Butler Tours

If you want to make your visit varied, American Butler will help you find accommodation to match the program: from a modern apartment to a bungalow on an island hotel, as well as find the right property for a family vacation, wedding or romantic trip, or organize an interesting excursion.