In alphabetical order, here are New Times' picks for the ten best parks in Miami.
Amelia Earhart Park
401 E. 65th St., Hialeahmiamidade.gov This 515-acre park has a little something for everyone, from mountain biking trails and a fishing pier to wakeboarding at the Miami Watersports Complex. The five-acre Bark Park here makes it a prime spot for a day with your pet, while the Bill Graham Farm Village gives visitors a taste of Florida's agricultural history. Entrance is free on weekdays and $8 on weekends and holidays.
Bayfront Park and Maurice A. Ferré Park
301 Biscayne Blvd., Miamibayfrontparkmiami.com Spanning 32 acres in the heart of downtown, Bayfront Park is Miami's oldest public gathering space. With sweeping vistas of Biscayne Bay, this urban oasis boasts performance venues, a tropical rock garden, and free yoga classes. Maurice A. Ferré Park, adjacent to it, doubles as an open-air museum with public art installations. Whether you're catching a concert at the onsite FPL Solar Amphitheater or strolling along the waterfront, this park is as dynamic as the city itself.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscaynefloridastateparks.org Home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, this scenic park wows with pristine beaches, hiking and biking trails, and waters that seem to always be perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding. Visitors can anchor overnight in No Name Harbor for $20 per night. When hunger beckons, the on-site Lighthouse Café is a casual dining option that feels heaven-sent after a day of adventure.
Crandon Park
6747 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscaynemiamidade.gov A total natural wonderland, Crandon Park's landscape includes sandy beaches, mangrove forests, and tropical hardwood hammocks, which provide habitats for all kinds of native wildlife. The park's Bear Cut Preserve area offers guided nature tours, while its public golf course, marina, and cabana rentals provide other recreation options. Parking costs $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends.
Fruit & Spice Park
24801 SW 187th Ave., Miamimiamidade.gov A true only-in-Florida botanical garden, Fruit & Spice Park covers 37 acres and showcases more than 500 varieties of — you guessed it — fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. Visitors can sample fallen fruit along the trails or join guided tasting tours at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for an extra fee. It's a must-visit for anyone curious about tropical agriculture. Admission costs $15 for adults and $8 for kids.
Lummus Park in South Beach is a tourist destination for a reason.
Photo by Cris Ascunce/Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Haulover Park
10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beachmiamidade.gov One of Miami's most diverse parks, Haulover Park offers everything from a 1.4-mile beach and a skate park to a marina and a bark park for pups. Fishing, pickleball, and Food Truck Tuesdays at Bill Bird Marina make it a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Parking costs $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays.
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Dr., Miamivirginiakeybeachpark.net Fun fact: This park is home to the world's tallest sandcastle. Rich in history and natural beauty, it also offers a mile-long beach, bike trails, and a historic and Instagrammable carousel. Paddleboarding and mini-train rides make it a favorable destination for families. Entry costs $5 Monday through Thursday, $10 Friday through Sunday, and $12 on holidays.
Lummus Park
404 NW Third St., Miamimiamibeachfl.gov Spanning ten blocks along South Beach, Lummus Park is the ultimate people-watching spot in Miami, if not the entire Sunshine State. With two outdoor gyms (including the famous Muscle Beach), a basketball court, and bike-friendly pathways, there's always something wild and wonderful happening here. Whether you're breaking a sweat yourself or just basking in the Miami sun, this park is essential to visit at least once, if not on the regular.
Oleta River State Park
3400 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beachfloridastateparks.org Florida's largest urban park, Oleta River State Park, is the textbook definition of a nature lover's paradise. The 1,033-acre sanctuary has 15 miles of off-road bike trails, dense mangroves to paddle through, oodles of fishing spots, and even rustic cabins for overnight stays. At just $6 per vehicle for entry, it's an affordable escape into the wild without venturing too far from home.
The Underline
SW First Ave., Miamitheunderline.org Transforming the space beneath Miami's Metrorail into a vibrant linear park, the Underline has become a hub for urban workouts. Now spanning multiple neighborhoods, this park features an outdoor gym, basketball court, running track, walking and biking paths, gaming tables, and even butterfly gardens. It's a nice Miami mix of fitness, culture, and relaxation amid the madness.
