As endearing as Miami can be, some days you just need to get the eff out of town. Luckily, anyone with a car can make the trek to Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress is approximately 80 miles west of downtown Miami and an easy jaunt on U.S. 41. Big Cypress boasts more than 700,000 acres of tropical wonderland. How adventuresome you want to get is totally up to you: You can take a scenic drive and watch wading birds feed; embark on a free ranger-led swamp canoe trip (private canoe rentals are available from about late November to April for $60 to $100 per trip); give your off-road vehicle a spin ($100 per year with a proper permit); or hike miles upon miles of lush trails. If you want more than a simple day trip, Big Cypress offers eight campgrounds for $10 to $30 per night. You'll be hesitant to return to the gridlock after a day out west.