Sports & Recreation
One of the greatest joys of running in Miami is experiencing the astounding natural beauty. It inspires you run a little faster or farther. If speed in a wonderland is what you're after, Brickell Key is hard to beat. The jogging trail surrounding the southern island runs about a mile, and each step of the way, you look over fabulous bay views and extravagant yachts. If you're lucky, you'll glance a dolphin or manatee. The smell of salt and the aroma of flowers wafting in the breeze is a lot nicer than the smog of traffic across the bridge. It's an especially welcome respite during the summer. At least half the time, you'll be in the shade. After your jog, there are juice bars and restaurants — even spas if you want to treat yourself. But getting the blood pumping in a place as serene and scenic as this is good enough on its own.
Jimmy Stobs is a great golfer. The 45-year-old Miami native played professionally for ten years and once won the Florida Open. But it's quickly becoming clear that Stobs is an even better coach. After beginning his career at Miami Country Day, Stobs took over the Barry University men's team in 2002. That year, the Bucs struggled, finishing under .500, but since then, Stobs has wasted no time in turning Barry into a Division II powerhouse: In 2003-04, his second season at the school, the team went 130-38 and won its first-ever place in the national tournament. Stobs was named a regional coach of the year. Three years later, in 2007, the Bucs were national champions. They repeated as champs in 2013 and 2014, and this year the linksters on 113th Street are again contending for a national championship. Not that winning is everything, of course: Under Stobs, who also serves on the board of an adversity award, Barry's men's teams have also lent a hand to Habitat for Humanity and local reading programs.
Readers' choice: Erik Spoelstra
It's the afternoon of September 7, 2014, the Dolphins' opening game: at home, against perennial powerhouse and Fins nemesis the New England Patriots. Deep in the third quarter, the Patriots are up by a touchdown. Living legend Tom Brady takes the snap. He moves back laterally, scanning his head side to side for a receiver. Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake targets Brady like a laser and flies full speed around the Patriots' linemen. Brady sees him coming, tries to dance away. Wake lunges hard at the quarterback and tackles his torso. Fumble. Dolphins recover. Dolphins score. Late in the fourth, Wake sacks Brady again. Another fumble. Victory sealed. Wake, a 33-year-old Maryland native, signed with the Dolphins in 2009 after struggling for years to find a spot on an NFL roster. In Miami his star finally rose, and last season Wake's defensive play was as bright as the fan favorite's megawatt smile: He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his takedowns of Brady and went on to rack up a season-total 11.5 sacks and 31 tackles. That was more than enough to cement his place as one of the Dolphins' top performers — and to earn the onetime mortgage broker his fourth Pro Bowl nomination.
Readers' choice: Ryan Tannehill
In a league of coddled superstars and guys riding seven-figure salaries since they were teenagers, Hassan Whiteside is the rare star-in-the-making who actually earned it. After a year at Marshall University, Whiteside played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Iowa Energy, the Sichuan Blue Whales in China, and Al Mouttahed Tripoli of the Lebanese Basketball League. But in 2015, perhaps the bleakest year in Miami Heat history, Whiteside took his chance in the NBA by pulling down rebounds as if they were lemons hanging on a tree and blocking shots as if he were swatting mosquitoes. Once, he dunked so hard his hand required multiple stitches. Another time, he put up numbers on the boards and from the field that the Heat has never seen, not even in the days of Shaquille O'Neal. This past February 4, he totaled 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting while pulling down 20 rebounds. He's the heart of the next-generation Heat, and he's probably not headed back to Lebanon anytime soon.
Readers' choice: Dwyane Wade
For the past decade, Marlins fans have known that only three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and October disappointment. Between periodic spending sprees and corresponding fire sales, it's been a long roller-coaster ride with a team that's less reliable than Randy Choate's fastball. In the end, we can expect only heartbreak. Until now, that is. One man has taken on the challenge of saving the Marlins organization from itself. Major League Baseball's $325 million man, Giancarlo Stanton signed the largest contract in the history of North American professional sports last November — making Stanton the face of the Marlins for the next 13 years. In signing that contract, the superstar worked to convince ownership that he needed the teammates to back him. The Marlins followed that up with new additions and aimed to build a winner. After sitting out the final weeks of last season when he got nailed in the face with a heater, a recovered Stanton has returned in 2015 with fire in his toned abs. If Stanton can bring this team back to the promised land of the postseason, Jeff Conine might have to give up his title of Mr. Marlin.
Readers' choice: Giancarlo Stanton
Coming into the season, the expectations weren't exactly low for Aaron Ekblad. After all, the now-19-year-old defenseman had been taken by the Panthers as the first overall pick in the NHL Draft last summer. But not even those savvy Sunrise scouts could have predicted a breakout year quite like this: In his first season removed from junior hockey, the powerful young Canadian was arguably the Cats' most valuable player. He was the team's top-scoring defenseman and one of its top scorers overall. He was the Panthers' plus-minus leader, a stat that tracks goal differential while a player is on the ice. He earned that title while also topping the squad in playing time. Despite his youth, his teammates already praise him as a leader, and his physical, cerebral performance was a major factor behind the Panthers' first serious playoff push in three years (even if they did come up short). It also earned Ekblad a spot in the All-Star Game, not to mention a place in the conversation for the league's coveted most outstanding rookie award. For a precocious teenager from small-town Ontario, does it get any better than this?
Brad Kaaya is so flya he sets the Hurricanes on fiyah. The rhymes never end, and the puns — oh, the Kaaya puns — don't even get us started. But the only reason we're all having so much damn fun with the Canes quarterback's name is because, as a true freshman, Kaaya showed the nation last season that he's the real deal. Between leading the Atlantic Coastal Conference in passing touchdowns (26) and finishing second in yards (3,198), Kaaya earned his title as ACC Rookie of the Year. Now, with running back Duke Johnson drafted into the NFL, alongside the rest of the Canes' standout seniors, Kaaya will return as the inevitable leader of the Miami Hurricanes football team. Older teammates say they're ready to listen to what Kaaya has to say in the huddle because he's earned the right to take on this leadership role. Let's hope we'll be saying "Hi, Felicia" (thanks to his mom, Angela Means Kaaya, who played that character in the movie Friday) for many seasons to come.
Readers' choice: Duke Johnson
Yoel Romero already had three Olympic medals in freestyle wrestling (one silver and two bronze) before he decided to make the switch to MMA fighting in 2009. But it's not like Romero wasn't familiar with gut-wrenchingly tough choices. Two years earlier, the star athlete abandoned his life in Havana to flee for Florida after defecting during a match in Germany. Both decisions have turned out to be profitable moves. He's ranked sixth in the official Ultimate Championship Fighting's middleweight rankings. Not too bad for a guy who's 38 years old — an age that, by MMA standards, practically makes him retirement eligible. In his five years as an MMA fighter, Romero has knocked out his share of top-flight competitors, including Clifford Starks and Ronny Markes. His surprisingly strong punches and elbows, combined with his religious faith, quickly earned him the nickname Soldier of God. Romero will likely take some time away from MMA in the next few months — in an April match, the Soldier of God tore knee ligaments. But he is sure to find his way back into the ring, where arm-triangle choke submissions, D'Arce chokeholds, and banana splits await him.
Virginia Key Beach Park is the anti-South Beach. There are neither hundreds of sexy bodies nor blaring nightclubs. There's not even a huge expanse of sand. There are, though, some of the best ocean and bay views anywhere. This is a surprisingly tranquil space for barbecues, social gatherings, and an abundance of watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Add in a resurgent natural landscape, with lush native trees and wildlife like sea turtles and warblers; great hideaway walking and bike trails; and a carousel and minitrain for the kids. There's even historical significance: During segregation, the park attracted visitors from all over the country as the first Miami-area beach designated for use by African-Americans. The next time you have a free afternoon and are looking to get away, head to Virginia Key. It's a vacation from Miami — just ten minutes from downtown.
Sometimes a 15-minute micro-staycation is all you need to remain sane in a city that can easily turn you wacko. One evening, just before sunset, head to Coconut Grove and park your car at Miami City Hall. Stroll up to the iconic white building and head left. Walk to the railing. There, stop and stare at the magnificent, steely-gray skyline; the graceful, sprawling clouds; the shimmering turquoise water. Watch the birds dip and swoop. You'll see boats glide seamlessly across the bay as people eat and chatter at the docks. Gaze out on the glorious blue-green oasis that is Miami's backyard, and remember how lucky you are to live here.
Wake up early on a Saturday. Load your Schwinn with a water bottle onto the car. Then head south. Park at Larry & Penny Thompson Park, just south of Zoo Miami. Opened in late 2012, this paved path hugging the Black Creek Canal begins at SW 137th Avenue amid empty fields, winds through subdivisions, and crosses South Dixie Highway. After nearly seven miles, you'll pass one of the county's largest landfills. Not sold? Well, surprisingly, you don't even notice the landfill on this path. The breeze generally blows away the smell, and the view of water and trees is breathtaking. There's no traffic, and the pedaling is smooth. Along the way, you'll spot bright birds and ducks, maybe an iguana or two basking in the sun. The 8.5-mile route finishes at Black Point Park & Marina, on Biscayne Bay, where there's a good chance you'll spot manatees. Even if you don't, you can still grab a great burger or fresh seafood at Black Point Ocean Grill. After this ride, you'll be hungry — and you'll never look at this little section of Miami-Dade the same way again.
Thousands of Miamians drive past them every day. Almost nobody knows they're there. The tennis courts at Palm Island Park, three hard courts with lights, are just a stone's throw from the MacArthur Causeway but a world away from the big city. Tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood, the park is lush with mature green palms and a well-kept lawn. Just a few feet from the north bank of courts lies that famous Miami blue — Biscayne Bay. Best of all, the tennis at Palm Island is 100 percent free. Just don't be surprised if you have to wait a few minutes during peak hours. Miami's best-kept tennis secret isn't totally secret, after all.
Readers' choice: Crandon Park Tennis Center
The fields are neat and the ambience is friendly, but Wynwood Soccer on NW Fifth Avenue at 22nd Street, also offers a rare gritty charm. Bright-green turf abuts walls filled with colorful street art. Nearby open space affords urban twilight vistas. For the moment, the surroundings are still more industrial than industrial-chic, but within a few years, to be sure, Wynwood Soccer will have new, more upscale neighbors — designer retailers, slick galleries, and brunch spots. These fields, two outdoor and one indoor, offer a great chance to visit a still-open pocket of a fast-changing neighborhood. The facility, opened last year by a group of Colombians and Venezuelans, also offers summer camps and match screenings. Whether you're a soccer fan or not, check out the only local fútbol facility in the shadow of I-95. Wynwood Soccer, true to its neighborhood, is cultivating something cool. It's open weekdays from 4 to 11 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Outdoor fields cost $100 per hour; indoor, $80 per hour.
Readers' choice: Kendall Soccer Park
Buckle those seat belts, kids, we're going for a drive. No, not to Chuck E. Cheese's. Your father still hasn't recovered from that last bout of salmonella. We're off to see Miami in all its glory. There was a time, you know, when we were so segmented, when all the crazy parts of this town rubbed right up against each other. That's why we're cruising onto NW North River Drive — in just one mile, we'll see many pieces of this town. You kids listening? Stop hitting your sister! Look, there's the first piece: As we pass under I-95, notice the colony of homeless folks living alongside the Miami River. Yes, it is sad, but it's part of life here, kids. Now we're headed north: Look to the left — it's the beating, blue-collar heart of our seafood business. At Garcia's and Casablanca fish markets, you can get the catch of the day right off the boat. Speaking of which, take a gander at the river out there — drink in that mix of rusted-out trawlers, net-choked fishing boats, and barges trucking by. That's some legit old-school Miami, kids! But that's not it. Pay attention as we round that curve. See all the Bentleys and Beemers waiting for the valet? It's Seaspice, the swankiest spot in town. Yep, those are big boats out there, son; those are megayachts. And there you have it, kiddos — Miami and all its weirdness in one easy drive. OK, OK, we're hungry too. No, we can't afford Seaspice. Let's bust a U-turn and get some conch fritters at Garcia's.
They say life is a series of checks and balances and that nothing is perfect. The price we pay to live in a world-class tourist destination with a growing population is traffic — lots of it. Sometimes the car you love turns into a hellish prison. Even that borrowed Porsche Cayenne can become a gilded cage of doom. Of all the twisted highways and byways, there is no piece of asphalt more maddening in Miami than the stretch of South Dixie Highway from the end of I-95 to SW 27th Avenue, the entryway to Coconut Grove. Or should we just call it the gateway to Hell? You swoop down off the interstate and then, abruptly, come to a complete standstill. It doesn't matter what day or time. You're not going anywhere. This stretch of road that should take, oh, five minutes to traverse, can take a half-hour, 45 minutes, six months? And that's on a good day. Just try this route on a festival day (and there are oh so many festivals in Coconut Grove) or when it rains, and you're in for a world of hurt. Why is this road worse than every other in Miami? It could be the confusion that occurs when the interstate just ends. It could be that it seems like the only route to all points south like the Grove, Coral Gables, and South Miami. Mix in bad drivers, lost tourists, and a heavily populated residential area, and you have the road to perdition. So you have a choice to make: Never, ever go south of Brickell again (which sucks when you want a burger from Shake Shack), or simply avoid South Dixie Highway and take SW Eighth Street west to 27th Avenue and hang a left. You'll thank us for the tip.
Walking through the main entrance, you're instantly hit with all-white everything: from the marble floors to the couches to the reception desk to the random pool table in the center of the lobby. The decor is reminiscent of Miami Vice mixed with a bit of Kanye West — but somehow it works. Once you're whisked up the elevator, you arrive in a hall of plush carpet and rows of doors, one leading to your personal restful paradise. The guest rooms are every bit as sleek as the lobby. Then there's the dining and entertainment. The Matador Room serves delicious lunch and dinner, and if you don't want to venture off the property to find some fun, a bowling alley and a posh nightclub are on the premises. It's safe to say the Miami Beach Edition oozes with Miami essence (yes, that's a thing). Rates vary by day and season, but you can find a room for about $400 per night.
Readers' choice: Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Thanks to a million and one romantic comedies, ice skating holds a special place in popular culture. From Blades of Glory to Serendipity, countless flicks have immortalized the frosty charm of a skating rink and the weirdly aesthetic appeal of a lumbering Zamboni. Sadly, Miami doesn't have a Rockefeller Center, a frozen pond, or even a college ice hockey rink. It does, however, have Kendall Ice Arena. The neighborhood rink, a local fixture since 2000, offers open skating every night (hours vary), so you can bring a Tinder match anytime for a charming yet dirt-cheap date. Admission usually runs $8, plus $3 for skate rental, which is less than a drink at most Miami Beach bars. If you head there Friday or Saturday night when the DJ is spinning, you'll be transported back to your teenage years. Just be sure to dress for 2015, not 1997, or the tween mob may chase you back to Contempo Casual where you belong.
Dreaming of winning the lottery and buying that yellow Lamborghini parked outside the club? Thinking of renting one and tooling through Miami Beach? What good is 510 horsepower on Ocean Drive when your Toyota Yaris can't even reach its full potential there? So try this: Take a Lambo for a test-drive on the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Certain days, the 1.6-mile professional track is open for amateurs to take their dream cars out for a spin. For about what you'd spend on bottle service at Mansion ($549), Miami Exotic Auto Racing will let you take a Lamborghini Gallardo out for six laps. Lambos not your thing? There are also Ferraris and Audis. Before you get behind the wheel, you'll be given instruction; taken out for a lap with an instructor, who will go over all 11 turns and two straightaways; and be fitted with safety gear. Then she's all yours. It's just you and her V10 engine doing zero to 60 in four seconds. Just try to keep your Yaris in second gear on the way home, OK?
Miami isn't an easy place to raise kids. Although the city is lovely, the club scene ain't family-friendly. Yet you must keep your kids entertained or they'll turn into screaming balls of terror in your house. That's where Miami Children's Museum comes in handy. The museum has a wide array of permanent exhibitions meant to spark curiosity and instill a lifelong love of learning. Interactive exhibits include a child-size supermarket, a cruise ship, a climbing wall, and even a music studio for your budding American Idol. And if that isn't enough to keep a tiny person entertained, he or she can learn to swab the decks at the museum's Pirate Island exhibition, on view through September 6. Miami Children's Museum wears them out, engages their imagination, and gives you that smugly superior feeling that all parents crave. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $18, Florida residents pay $14, and museum members, military personnel and veterans, and children under 1 get in free.
Rainforest Riptide at Jungle Island
When was the last time you laughed so hard you fell over? Have you pushed your best friend off a high ledge into some salt water lately or run around for hours until you got sunburned — all without the aid of alcohol? Maybe you're looking to get a little exercise this summer but don't want to sweat the hard stuff. Perhaps you simply want to break out of your boring routine and give something wonderfully wacky a try. If you want some good, clean fun in the sun, there's no better destination than Jungle Island's floating obstacle course/water park, Rainforest Riptide. It sits curiously on beautiful Biscayne Bay, visible to passing cars yet seemingly miles away from the everyday hustle. A person can spend hours trying to climb to the top of the rope incline or clear the poleless vault. Race your friends to see who can run around those tight corners and make a full lap, which is hysterically next to impossible. Play on the trampolines, the balance beams, the catapult, and the swing, and before you know it, the sun is setting and you've worked up an appetite big enough to eat a whale. It's a great place to bring kids aged 3 to 93, as long as they know how to swim. Rainforest Riptide day passes, which include admission to Jungle Island, start at $31.95. It's open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting, and hey, on the way out, you can stop and hang with the monkeys.
Sea cows, mermaids, manatees — whatever their moniker of the moment, these endangered mammals are in short supply. With an unknown number remaining in Florida (their numbers have diminished over the years thanks to careless boaters and reduced habitat), the gentle giants tend to stay out of sight. Luckily, though, they do take refuge 2.5 hours from Miami at Fort Myers' Manatee Park. The place offers a safe haven for these herbivorous creatures, mainly December through March, when Gulf waters dip below 68 degrees. One reason: The waters are heated by the nearby power plant. Visitors can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle out to see the hulking gray swimmers or simply stand and stare into the canal with cameras ready. Though spottings aren't guaranteed, they're pretty likely.
Politicians love to mention the mere 90-mile distance between Florida and Cuba. But there's another, lesser-known island neighbor that lies even closer to our shores: the Bahamian isle of Bimini. Once a sleepy fishing community, it now boasts a full-service resort with a casino, megamarina, and Hilton hotel — all just 53 miles away. If you're getting there via the Bimini SuperFast — billed as "the fastest cruise ship in the Americas" — it'll take you two to three hours. And in that time (a little more than half what it takes to get to popular road-trip destinations like Key West and Orlando), you can test your luck at the casino with table games and slots, dig into a meal at any of its six restaurants, and get drunk enough to dance to live bands. Embrace the vibe! You'll be rewarded with a weekend of lounging in infinity pools, snorkeling through turquoise waters, and generally living the Bahamian dream — all for a fraction of the cost of flying to any other nearby island.
Airbnb Treehouse at Earth 'n' Us Farm
If you grew up going to Walt Disney World, that Swiss Family Robinson attraction had a powerful effect. There's something about a treehouse that's magical, reminiscent of the years when your vivid imagination made everything seem possible. At Little Haiti's Earth 'n' Us Farm, you can hide out from the soul-sucking daily grind and take to the trees. One of Miami's most precious hidden gems, it includes a community of peace-loving, plant-eating residents. There's an organic garden, a cadre of rescued animals, and a genuine treehouse, available for rent via airbnb.com. The arboreal abode sits on the third level of a pithecellobium tree. It's accessible via a narrow staircase to the sky. With mosquito netting over the bed, fans instead of A/C, and the pleasant sounds of farm life below, it's like escaping to the Amazon. There's even an outdoor shower and an open-air community kitchen, so you can leave Patrick Bateman at the office and embrace your inner Tarzan. Plus, it costs only $65 a night (with a two-night minimum stay), so frequent escapes are affordable.
Dog owners love to brag about how often they take their babies to the park. Though that canine activity is certainly important, we all know the real reason to go to dog parks: It wears your beast the hell out. The consistent pool of playmates at Blanche Park ensures your dog will be maniacally happy, full of energy, and ready to collapse in the car. A small fenced-in area in Coconut Grove, it is a nice respite from other doggie hangouts. While not as expansive as say, Tropical Park's Bark Park, Blanche has a tidier setup. The water station is easily accessible, the waste posts and garbage cans are plentiful, and the Astroturf foundation guarantees a cleaner dog on the way home. Some pups may prefer real grass for all that rolling around, but at least there's no risk of your dog going puddle diving here. Miami's regular downpours ensure that every other park in town gets a good helping of mud. Additionally, this park gets weekly cleanings and is restocked with tennis balls for those fetching types. Adding to Blanche's appeal is its people-friendly atmosphere. There are plenty of benches, shaded tables for groups, and generally sociable crowds. If you're the solitary type, Blanche might take some getting used to — these folks love to talk about their dogs.
Paddle through the mangroves out to Biscayne Bay and you'll enjoy a wonderland of sea life, weekend boating weirdness, and tiny islands where you can stop and take a dip. You'll see the scenic side of Florida International University's north campus and impressive sailboats moored, waiting for big wind. But rather than go solo, try one of the Blue Moon Outdoor Center's social kayak tours. You can enjoy sangria before sunset and then kayak under the stars on the Oleta River ($50 per person). Alternatively, on full-moon nights, these tours depart later in the evening — kayak for an hour to a private beach, roast marshmallows, and even sing around a bonfire ($50 per person). If you aren't looking to meet strangers but still want to kayak in a pack, you and your friends can schedule a private guided 1.5-hour inside-the-park beginner tour ($75 per person) that touches on local history as well as the park's fish and other animal species. Finally, the Blue Marlin Fish House Tour ($75 per person) begins with a ride through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and Oleta River, continues along a 4.5-mile trip, and ends with a delicious lunch at the restaurant. The Blue Moon Outdoor Center is open seven days a week.
In this city of snarled traffic, high-rise apartment towers, and around-the-clock hustle, it can be difficult to find peace. Luckily, there are still at least a few green patches, like E.G. Sewell Park. The ten-acre Little Havana public nature park, named for an early-20th-century Miami businessman and mayor, is hidden so well even many longtime residents don't know it's there, tucked along the shore of the Miami River to the west of NW 17th Avenue. If you have little ones to look after, the park has an upper section with a playground and benches. If you're pining for something scenic, the lower section sits on the waterfront, the perfect hideaway in which to lounge on a warm afternoon. At Sewell, amid the chirping birds and soft river breeze, you'll forget you're only minutes from a traffic jam. Take a picnic and spread out on an expanse of some of the greenest grass in Miami, stroll under the soaring palms, and watch the boats glide by on their way out to sea. But most of all, relax — this is Miami, after all.
It was only a few years ago that Museum Park — the place formerly known as Bicentennial Park — was a collection of patchy sod and urine-soaked dirt. But thanks to the opening of Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the impending opening of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, the park received a much-needed face-lift. You'll find some of the greenest grass in the city center and ample walkways that hug the edge of the park and give you a clear view of Government Cut and PortMiami. But don't stare at the bay too long. There's plenty to see around the park: Joggers, pet owners, museumgoers, and downtown residents take advantage of the green space. Unlike at the much busier Bayfront Park a couple of blocks away, here you can easily lose yourself in thought as you watch people stretch their limbs before they go for a run. You'll see French bulldogs chase balls and well-heeled ladies emerge from PAMM to take in the view. On a crisp Miami day, you can easily hang out at Museum Park for hours. When the temperature rises, take a seat on PAMM's veranda as the breeze blows in from the bay and the overhang shields you from the sun.
Readers' choice: Lincoln Road
Trump National Doral is unlike any other exclusive 18-hole course in the Magic City. It's the home of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. That, of course, takes place on the 7,000-plus-yard Blue Monster, which was inaugurated in 1962 and was recently renovated by Gil Hanse, the architect who designed the 2016 Olympic golf course in Brazil. But you don't have to be a professional golfer to join in the action. There are three other courses to choose from, including the Gold Palm, for all levels of putt-putt players; the Red Tiger, where most corporate tournaments go down; and the Silver Fox, which offers three of the toughest starting holes in the sport. Membership levels range from corporate to junior (for golfers 35 and younger) to social to full golf. They include access to the clubhouse, the resort spa, tennis courts, and Royal Palms pools. Depending upon which category you purchase, you may also receive a WGC-Cadillac Championship package. Joining the club isn't cheap, but what else would you expect from one of the globe's most powerful entrepreneurs?
Finding affordable parking — heck, any parking — in Miami Beach is a strategic and risky game. The goal is to optimize price, location, and availability, which alone would be difficult — even if you didn't have to try your damnedest not to run over jaywalking tourists. Next time you're circling around South Beach, distressed by this eternal quest, consider the following rules: ( 1) Stick to City of Miami Beach parking (lest you get hustled by an independent lot with a history of towing problems, or fork over a flat rate that'll cost you more than your dinner). (2) Shoot for a spot near Lincoln Road. Anything near SoFi will already be taken. Sorry. (3) Try the Pennsylvania Avenue Garage. Everyone knows about the 17th Street Garage — the behemoth across from the Miami Beach Convention Center — but few people realize that the adjacent Pennsylvania Avenue Garage, a fraction of the size, is much better. When it's a big holiday or festival weekend and Ol' Faithful is somehow already full (all 1,460 spots — we will never understand it), turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue and continue straight past gluten-free haven Oolite. Then make a left onto Lincoln Lane North (the alleyway behind Lincoln Road). To your left, directly across from H&M, you'll find the easily obscured but oh-so-magical word: "entrance." Tons of the 550 parking spaces are almost guaranteed to be open because few people realize that the 17th Street Garage's scaled-down, younger cousin is even there. The cost for parking is $1 an hour for the first six hours, which is a miracle in South Beach. And the location is perfect if you're catching a performance at the Fillmore or New World Center. It's also within walking distance of anywhere else between Alton Road and Collins Avenue you might wish to go. You can even walk to Ocean Drive to enjoy a giant frozen margarita.
Hialeah is more than agua, fango y factoría. In fact, the City of Progress is home to 515 acres of the great outdoors. From extreme watersports to mountain biking to a petting zoo, there's never a shortage of things to do at Amelia Earhart Park. For adrenaline junkies, there's the Miami Watersports Complex. Located on the park's 90-acre freshwater lake, MWC offers all sorts of wakeboarding, water-skiing, and kneeboarding. On a not-so-intense level, el parque also has less extreme water attractions like paddle boats and lush biking trails for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Animal lovers can feed goats and pet cows at the Bill Graham Farm Village and even take a hayride. With pony rides and the slides, swings, and balance beams at Tom Sawyer's Play Island, kids can run around for hours and burn off their energy until it's time to grab a soda from the general store across the Farm Village. There are even two giant hills that provide a bird's-eye view of Hialeah. With all of that nature, you might forget you're in La Ciudad Que Progresa.
Readers' choice: Oleta River State Park
The history of the swimming pool dates to the third millennium B.C., when the Great Bath was built in what would become Pakistan. Since then, pool technology has improved greatly thanks to breakthroughs like chlorine, filters, water jets, and pool skimmers. But perhaps the peak of pool technology is the lazy river. The history of the lazy river is sadly underdocumented, so we don't know who to credit with its invention. All we can do to honor that legacy is, well, sit in giant tubes as jets propel us along manmade rivers at leisurely speeds. Luckily, we can do that at McDonald Water Park in Hialeah. The oblong loop traverses the northern end of the park, and riders pass lovely palm trees and under walking bridges and arches. For the laziest among us, that will be enough. But the park also features a wave pool and splash pond for those who have not reached maximum amounts of chill. Admission costs $10 for adults and $7 for children; Hialeah residents get in for $5 (adults) and $3 (children).
Readers' choice: Venetian Pool
If you're in Miami and don't play in the water, have you even lived? Those of us who call the 305 home take the ocean for granted, and that's just not right. We need to get out there in the salt air. It's good for the soul. Miami doesn't have waves for surfing, but who needs 'em when we have paddleboarding? Want to see the world from a bird's-eye view? Hang tight on a parasail and get a change of perspective. Need to feel the wind in your hair? Climb onto a Jet Ski and let your wild side hang out. You can even rent a party boat with friends or step into the future on a mothereffing flyboard (you know, that crazy thing that lets you fly around like Iron Man). Miami Watersports is open from 10 a.m. till sunset every day of the week to help us explore the great watery world around us. It's also available for lessons, all-day getaways, and package deals. Prices range from $25 to $150 an hour, depending upon the activity, and packages start at $199. Don't let another summer snooze by without seeing how the other half — cough, tourists, cough — lives.
You know what should never be fancy? Bowling. We don't understand why, then, at the beginning of the millennium, "luxury" bowling lanes began popping up around the nation, including Miami. Bowling is about cheap beer, questionable footwear, and greasy bar bites. So when you're done overpaying for a lane and "chef-inspired" eats, head west to experience one of the last remaining old-school bowling lanes in the county. Bird Bowl boasts 60 lanes — yes, 60 — which means wait times are usually minimal or nonexistent. The cost to attempt a strike is regularly $3.95 per person during nonpeak hours and increases to $31.95 per hour (up to eight people) Saturday nights and $25.95 per hour Sunday nights. Though we occasionally enjoy a grimy bowling alley, Bird Bowl is clean and well maintained, meaning you won't be slumming it out in the burbs. The restaurant has a fully stocked bar — you'd be surprised how little you'll pay for drinks once you're outside the city — and the menu includes everything from chicken wings (starting at $6.99 for six) to burgers ($7.99) and a Cuban sandwich ($6.99). No fusion menu here. Don't want to bowl? There's also billiards and a game room. And if the kiddo is having a birthday party, Bird Bowl can host it for $19.95 per child.
Readers' choice: Bird Bowl
In the '90s, everything was amazing. Neon reigned supreme, children were free-range, and no one had ever heard of Kim Kardashian. That's why a '90s throwback is always a win. Millennials (and even Gen Xers) will never say no to reliving the pretechnology glory days. This cultural obsession with nostalgia is part of the brilliance of Bay Skate. Dreamed up by the brotherly duo of Alex and Marcos Macias of Macias Advertising as a way to give Miamians something awesome to do, the event won the Miami Foundation's Public Space Challenge in 2014. The first incarnation, held at Bayfront Park's Pepper Fountain this past February, brought back the days of couples' skates and strobe lights. For one shining night, downtown Miami was skate central, and everyone was invited. With a killer DJ spinning classic skate tunes, hip-hop legend Monie Love making an appearance, and a bay view in the background, it was Kendall's Hot Wheels' heyday all over again. Did we mention it was free? It's time Miami's masses brought their rollerblades out of retirement in preparation for the next installment.
If your favorite position is the downward dog, walk the little fellow over to Skanda Yoga. A unique form of body, mind, and spirit balancing, Skanda is an alignment-based power vinyasa style funneled by the Dreamspell. Can't keep up with this yogi slang? You'll be well-versed after a moon cycle's worth of classes with the guru of Skanda himself: Ken von Roenn III. Just so you know, Dreamspell is based on the 260-day, 13-moon galactic cycle and Mayan calendar, with every day representing a "galactic gateway" that will reveal your truth and align you with nature's cyclical pattern. It's OK to be confused. In simpler terms, every day has a specific energy, which kicks off each yoga class, guides the sequence, and will open you up to the synchronicity of the universe. Take, for instance, red self-existing skywalker, which initiates the exploration and adventure of life, giving you the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Most of this class will be spent upside down (a position you aren't typically in from 9 to 5) in order to grow and surprise yourself both on and off the mat. Still confused? You probably need some Skanda yoga in your life.
Readers' choice: Bikram Hot Yoga Miami
Living in Miami can drive people to crave that mythical bikini body year-round — after all, summer isn't only three months of the year here. Fad diets and wild weightless solutions aren't the answer when the ultimate goal is keeping off weight. That's where a personal trainer comes in handy. Concept 21 Fitness is tucked away on the second floor of a shopping center on the corner of Ludlam Road and SW Eighth Street. The fitness center is mostly bare yet contains essential items like hand weights and a weight bench. Yanniel Santos, lead personal trainer and owner, employs everything here to get your heart rate pumping. He'll have you run around the parking lot, climb the stairs two at a time, and even do lunges across the hall. Wait until he has you do burpees or jump rope — your legs will feel like jelly after a session. But sooner rather than later, they'll turn into rock. If you've never worked out a day in your life, Santos can help. He'll take it easy on you and build a routine around your strengths and personal goals. Rates are based on availability and frequency of sessions. Call for a personal assessment, and be on your way to a year-round beach body.
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