BEST PLACE TO HIKE 2005 | Big Cypress National Preserve | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Miami | Miami New Times
Navigation
Support Us
Search

BEST PLACE TO HIKE

Big Cypress National Preserve

BEST PLACE TO HIKE Big Cypress National Preserve Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) approximately 54 miles west of downtown Miami

239-695-1201

www.nps.gov/bicy/sandytrail Why drive more than an hour just to find a place to hike? Because the drive across the Everglades is itself engrossing, and because Big Cypress boasts far more hiking trails, and a greater variety of trails, than anywhere else in South Florida. The Website address above will take you directly to the preserve's hiking page. You'll be surprised what you find, not least of which are the warnings: difficult terrain, waist-deep water, disorientation. There are a number of trail options for light hikers, including some that stay high and dry all year. But you know you're in marvelously challenging territory when park service experts practically scream at you to carry a GPS unit with extra batteries -- and you'd better know how to use it!

BEST NATURAL HIGH

Rollerblading toward a sunset

BEST NATURAL HIGH Rollerblading toward a sunset For those who live in Miami, developing a chemical dependency comes as naturally as developing a taste for black beans and rice. Overindulging in such pleasures can be seriously detrimental to your health. That's why it's a good idea to satisfy your jones for hallucinogenic-style visuals while deploying a healthy weapon in the battle of the bulge. As dusk brings an end to the day, strap on those Rollerblades and head west. After a few minutes of rigorous skating, your brain will begin releasing chemicals that will create an effect similar to an acid trip. It's only a bonus that plenty of calories will melt away as you glide along. No matter what part of town you're in, the westward roll should provide a vivid vista, but there is one place that really accentuates the euphoric bliss that accompanies communing with the kaleidoscopic color scheme of the Miami skyline at sunset. The Kendall Lakes area near SW 137th Avenue and Kendall Drive is far enough from the city that the view is not blocked by towering buildings. While you're shedding pounds, a virtual rookery of birds will perform aerial acrobatics against the fiery backdrop for your viewing pleasure. This particular area also has an excellent bike path that circles a lake, offering a great view of the sun going down behind a golf course riddled with oddly shaped trees. Perfect for a peaceful trip toward a healthy body and stimulated mind.

BEST NATURAL HIGH

Rollerblading toward a sunset

BEST NATURAL HIGH Rollerblading toward a sunset For those who live in Miami, developing a chemical dependency comes as naturally as developing a taste for black beans and rice. Overindulging in such pleasures can be seriously detrimental to your health. That's why it's a good idea to satisfy your jones for hallucinogenic-style visuals while deploying a healthy weapon in the battle of the bulge. As dusk brings an end to the day, strap on those Rollerblades and head west. After a few minutes of rigorous skating, your brain will begin releasing chemicals that will create an effect similar to an acid trip. It's only a bonus that plenty of calories will melt away as you glide along. No matter what part of town you're in, the westward roll should provide a vivid vista, but there is one place that really accentuates the euphoric bliss that accompanies communing with the kaleidoscopic color scheme of the Miami skyline at sunset. The Kendall Lakes area near SW 137th Avenue and Kendall Drive is far enough from the city that the view is not blocked by towering buildings. While you're shedding pounds, a virtual rookery of birds will perform aerial acrobatics against the fiery backdrop for your viewing pleasure. This particular area also has an excellent bike path that circles a lake, offering a great view of the sun going down behind a golf course riddled with oddly shaped trees. Perfect for a peaceful trip toward a healthy body and stimulated mind.

BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL

Miller J. Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex

BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL Miller J. Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex Charles Hadley Park

1300 NW 50th Street

Miami

305-634-5791 When you are looking for a public pool, you want it to be clean -- clean water, clean deck, and especially a clean locker room. The Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex sparkles, plus it has three pools and no charge for admission. With an Olympic-size swimming pool (that's 50 meters for you nonaquatic types), a 33-meter pool, and a wading pool for the toddlers, this swimming center is an amphibian's dream. There are six diving boards and a high-dive platform for the daring, designated times for adults and aqua-aerobics classes, a swim team, and swimming lessons for the kids. Parking is plentiful, the staff is friendly, and did we mention it's clean? The pool is open seven days a week, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grab your (clean) trunks!

BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL

Miller J. Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex

BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL Miller J. Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex Charles Hadley Park

1300 NW 50th Street

Miami

305-634-5791 When you are looking for a public pool, you want it to be clean -- clean water, clean deck, and especially a clean locker room. The Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex sparkles, plus it has three pools and no charge for admission. With an Olympic-size swimming pool (that's 50 meters for you nonaquatic types), a 33-meter pool, and a wading pool for the toddlers, this swimming center is an amphibian's dream. There are six diving boards and a high-dive platform for the daring, designated times for adults and aqua-aerobics classes, a swim team, and swimming lessons for the kids. Parking is plentiful, the staff is friendly, and did we mention it's clean? The pool is open seven days a week, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grab your (clean) trunks!

BEST BASKETBALL COURT

Flamingo Park

BEST BASKETBALL COURT Flamingo Park Fourteenth Street and Meridian Avenue

Miami Beach

305-673-7760 Kendall and Pinecrest; Hialeah and Overtown; West, North, and South Miami. Wonderful basketball courts can be found all over, but for sweaty street hustle in a well-appointed setting, Flamingo Park is hard to beat. This Miami Beach gem attracts a dazzling variety of players: awkward teenagers, trash-talking gangstas, and out-of-shape regular Joes with memories of high school glory dancing in their heads all mingle freely on the asphalt surface. If you want to play, it isn't difficult to find yourself a fast, friendly game out here. There are occasions when it can be a challenge to get in one. Sometimes -- when the park's lighted up at night, all of the benches are taken, and a crowd is cheering around the perimeter -- the only option is to cheer on the players already out there. Simply watching can make for a good time, like when the OG steps onto the court with his Michael Jordan kicks and his baggy shorts and meets up with an enigmatic, energetic gentleman. The older guy might look to be approaching 70, but he has no problem taking some time to school the young baller on the finer points of the game.

BEST BASKETBALL COURT

Flamingo Park

BEST BASKETBALL COURT Flamingo Park Fourteenth Street and Meridian Avenue

Miami Beach

305-673-7760 Kendall and Pinecrest; Hialeah and Overtown; West, North, and South Miami. Wonderful basketball courts can be found all over, but for sweaty street hustle in a well-appointed setting, Flamingo Park is hard to beat. This Miami Beach gem attracts a dazzling variety of players: awkward teenagers, trash-talking gangstas, and out-of-shape regular Joes with memories of high school glory dancing in their heads all mingle freely on the asphalt surface. If you want to play, it isn't difficult to find yourself a fast, friendly game out here. There are occasions when it can be a challenge to get in one. Sometimes -- when the park's lighted up at night, all of the benches are taken, and a crowd is cheering around the perimeter -- the only option is to cheer on the players already out there. Simply watching can make for a good time, like when the OG steps onto the court with his Michael Jordan kicks and his baggy shorts and meets up with an enigmatic, energetic gentleman. The older guy might look to be approaching 70, but he has no problem taking some time to school the young baller on the finer points of the game.

BEST SAILBOAT RENTAL

Shake-a-Leg Miami

BEST SAILBOAT RENTAL Shake-a-Leg Miami 2620 S. Bayshore Drive

Coconut Grove

305-858-5550

www.shakealegmiami.org You'd rather be sailing, but you don't own a boat, so you must either suck up to someone who does or rent. You can make your money work harder by renting a sloop from Shake-a-Leg, easily the coolest sailing program in the county. Founded in 1990 by Harry Horgan, the organization concentrates on providing opportunities for the physically and financially challenged to spend time at sea. (About a dozen of the sailboats are designed for disabled sailors.) The organization also hosts a summer camp, after-school programs, and outings for children. To rent a sailboat you must first become a member of Shake-a-Leg. Rates range from $50 for a "crew" membership to $1200 for the "admiral" level. Anyone may qualify for the "captain" level after volunteering a certain number of hours per month. Rental rates depend on the size of the boat, ranging from $95 for four hours to $195 for a full day. If you want to learn to sail, there are several programs available for that, including one aimed at singles. For $150 and up trainees receive sixteen hours of instruction. If you just want to get out on a boat without piloting it yourself, Shake-a-Leg also offers trips, such as the three-hour Miami by Moonlight, which costs $16, a meager sum for an oceanic trip in lunar light.

BEST SAILBOAT RENTAL

Shake-a-Leg Miami

BEST SAILBOAT RENTAL Shake-a-Leg Miami 2620 S. Bayshore Drive

Coconut Grove

305-858-5550

www.shakealegmiami.org You'd rather be sailing, but you don't own a boat, so you must either suck up to someone who does or rent. You can make your money work harder by renting a sloop from Shake-a-Leg, easily the coolest sailing program in the county. Founded in 1990 by Harry Horgan, the organization concentrates on providing opportunities for the physically and financially challenged to spend time at sea. (About a dozen of the sailboats are designed for disabled sailors.) The organization also hosts a summer camp, after-school programs, and outings for children. To rent a sailboat you must first become a member of Shake-a-Leg. Rates range from $50 for a "crew" membership to $1200 for the "admiral" level. Anyone may qualify for the "captain" level after volunteering a certain number of hours per month. Rental rates depend on the size of the boat, ranging from $95 for four hours to $195 for a full day. If you want to learn to sail, there are several programs available for that, including one aimed at singles. For $150 and up trainees receive sixteen hours of instruction. If you just want to get out on a boat without piloting it yourself, Shake-a-Leg also offers trips, such as the three-hour Miami by Moonlight, which costs $16, a meager sum for an oceanic trip in lunar light.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Miami New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Miami New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation