13 things you didn’t know you could do at a park in Miami

Eager for slightly tech detox? Most of us are inclined to neglect that, except for beautiful seashores, this honest land is residence to an excellent abundance of inexperienced areas. And plenty of of those inexperienced areas provide all kinds of peculiar facilities, hidden historic treasures and little-known issues to do. For those who can’t think about visiting one more of Miami’s finest museums or consuming your day away at Miami’s finest bars, look no additional. Beneath, discover our adventure-ready information to all the very best stuff you didn’t know you might do at a park in Miami.

1. Slurp frozen lemonade from considered one of Miami’s longest-running meals stands at David Kennedy Park

The A.C.’s Icees frosted lemonade stand has been an iconic landmark at David Kennedy Park since 1978. Slinging completely tart slushies in any mixture of lemonade, cherry or piña colada flavors, A.C.’s is a Coconut Grove establishment for good purpose. Situated contained in the shady, canine and kid-friendly David Kennedy Park, a cease right here additionally delivers gorgeous views of the bay.

2. Get misplaced in an deserted zoo at Crandon Park

In 1948, the broken-down caravan of a touring animal present offered the impetus for Miami’s first public zoo. What started with just a few monkeys and bears bought by town ultimately grew to become Crandon Park Zoo, an oceanfront vacation spot with greater than 1,000 animal tenants. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy unexpectedly blew by way of, killing 250 animals and sealing the zoo’s destiny. Right this moment, its eerily enchanting ruins are nonetheless accessible to guests. Park on the farthest finish of the Crandon Park seaside lot and proceed strolling to seek out graffitied constructions slowly being returned to nature.

3. Mountain bike at Virginia Key Seashore North Level Park

Contemplating Miami’s below-sea-level elevation and the complete state’s mind-numbingly flat terrain, the concept that one may go mountain biking on this city is kind of frankly absurd. However within the Magic Metropolis, something’s attainable, proper? At Virginia Key Seashore North Level Park, a collection of free, gated-off mountain biking trails vary from newbie to superior ranges. Simply convey your personal bike and helmet, or hire from the close by Virginia Key Outside Middle.

4. Wakeboard at Amelia Earhart Park

Amelia Earheart in Hialeah is considered one of Miami’s most amenity-packed parks. They’ve spectacular variations of the standard stuff you’d anticipate, like a five-acre bark park for canine, eco-adventure excursions, mountain biking trails and a mini duplicate agricultural farm for youths. Much less anticipated are the wakeboarding, wake-surfing, waterskiing and kneeboarding, all of which can be found through the park’s state-of-the-art Miami Watersports Complicated. Classes and boat leases are finest reserved prematurely.

5. Discover a historic limestone rock quarry at Greynolds Park

Greynolds Park is a 249-acre city oasis that was as soon as the location of a rock quarry. In 1936, the land was handed over to develop into the third park in Dade County’s newly shaped county park system. Right this moment, the Spanish moss-strewn park is a chosen historic and heritage website most notable for its lovely limestone rock constructions constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Stroll the winding, tree-shaded strolling paths for a very magical expertise of Outdated Miami.

6. Admire Miami’s first public artwork monument to the native LGBTQ neighborhood at Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park

North Miami’s Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is smaller than a few of the different areas on this checklist however packs within the allure. The 22-acre subtropical paradise bordering Arch Creek boasts neighborhood and butterfly gardens, a petting farm and horse stables the place you possibly can rise up shut and private with the animals and even go for a experience. Plus, Miami’s first public artwork monument to the native LGBTQ neighborhood—created by artist Alan Gutierrez—was devoted and put in right here in 2017.

7. Sip the most effective mojitos in Miami at Invoice Baggs Cape Florida State Park

We have been already fairly large followers of The Cleat earlier than the Wall Avenue Journal dubbed its mojito one of many best within the metropolis, however we will’t say we disagree on the purpose. The hidden-away open-air bar perched on the finish of No Identify Harbor in Invoice Luggage Cape Florida State Park is the proper spot to unwind on the finish of a protracted day of exploring. Time your cocktails with the sundown for a shocking panoramic expertise—you may even catch some dolphins or manatees.

8. Absorb one of many final remnants of the well-known Brickell Hammock at Simpson Park

Situated within the densely populated coronary heart of Brickell, Simpson Park is a disorientingly zen respite from the chaos of Miami’s city core. Discover metropolis dwellers stopping right here to take their cafecito with the soothing sounds of the koi pond. One of many first conservation efforts in Miami, this designated Outdated Forest Development Group encompasses eight acres of tropical hardwood hammock with over 162 plant species, together with a number of endangered species like Wild Cinnamon, Espresso Colubrina and Yellow Boxwood.

9. Nosh on the wonderful fish dip and beer at Blue Marlin Fish Home

Take pleasure in tranquil views of the slow-moving river from the sprawling deck at this laidback waterfront restaurant simply outdoors Oleta River State Park. After working up an urge for food in nature—the close by Oleta River Outside Middle provides kayaks and paddleboards for hire—reward your self at Blue Marlin Fish Home with an ice-cold beer and a few of the finest fish dip within the metropolis.

10. Unwind subsequent to a waterfall at A.D. Barnes Park

This centrally situated Miami park is massive and secluded sufficient to make you are feeling such as you’ve left town altogether. Opened in 1977, the 65-acre inexperienced house is notable for its dedication to integrating actions that serve folks with disabilities into its programming. Regardless of being nestled in a densely populated city space, A.D. Barnes is quiet, uncrowded and full of enjoyable options like a waterfall, lush botanical foliage and plentiful wildlife together with turtles, fish and butterflies.

11. Fish and scuba dive out of Miami’s largest marina at Black Level Park

A number of Miami parks provide watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding, however not each park is the proper launch for scuba diving and fishing expeditions. Dwelling to Miami’s largest marina and a preferred spot for getting down to discover Biscayne Nationwide Park by boat, Black Level Park can be residence to a dockside restaurant and bar, together with bike and jogging trails and a jetty that extends 1.5 miles into the Bay. Feels like the perfect fishing day to us.

12. Bike alongside alligators at Everglades Nationwide Park’s Shark Valley path

Lease bikes on website or convey your personal to Shark Valley, a scenic loop and brutalist commentary tower situated within the coronary heart of the Everglades Nationwide Park’s freshwater marsh. Rise up shut and private with nature: The paved loop is large sufficient to maintain a secure distance from the plentiful wildlife, together with dozens of gators that spend their days catching rays alongside the path’s edge. The trail can be accessible by foot and through a tram tour that departs on the hour and lasts round 90 minutes.

13. Apply yoga underneath the metro at Underline Park

Much like New York’s Excessive Line or Chicago’s 606 Path besides on the bottom, Miami’s Underline Park makes use of the trail carved by its legacy public transportation strains to create an modern city park and path. The ten‑mile linear park and public artwork vacation spot is opening in phases by way of 2025, however already guests can get pleasure from distinctive experiences, like a free weekend yoga collection. The beginner-friendly circulation courses occur each Saturday morning at 9. Attendees should register forward and produce their very own yoga mats, water and towels.