Sports & Recreation

Everyone knows the best activity to engage in while it’s raining is staying in bed and bingeing true-crime docuseries on your laptop. But, God help you, the kids can’t shut up about how bored they are and you’ve threatened to put them up for adoption so many times they know for sure it’s a bluff. So pack some snacks and head to the Frost Museum to let them burn some energy. The museum has plenty of things to see and do, including a three-level aquarium partially exposed to the elements, but still offers plenty of coverage to shield visitors from the rain. The 250-seat planetarium provides a chance for some shuteye as the young’uns marvel at the 8K projection and surround sound. And then there are the continually rotating exhibitions that guarantee you’ll be back the next time you wish you weren’t responsible for other human beings. For the time being, you can head home and drink an entire bottle of red wine while watching Too Hot to Handle. (No judgment.)

Being named the best coach in South Florida sports isn’t a cakewalk. There’s some stiff competition, particularly with Erik Spoelstra going on 20 years leading the Miami Heat and Brian Flores stewarding a revitalized Dolphins club. This past year, however, found coach Joel Quenneville and his Florida Panthers front and center on the local landscape, tallying one of the best regular seasons in franchise history before falling to eventual back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. Though the season didn’t end as Quenneville hoped, the future in Sunrise has never been brighter. The 2020 season saw Quenneville’s squad transform from an annual disappointment to an NHL powerhouse no opponent wanted to see on its schedule. The 61-year-old Quenneville, it must be said, is no stranger to winning. A former defenseman, he’s got four Stanley Cups to his name as a coach — one as an assistant with the Colorado Avalanche and three as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. He brought that winning swagger with him to the Panthers when he took the helm in 2019. Watch out for this club in ’21.

Xavien Howard was so incredibly good for the Miami Dolphins in 2020 that he nearly wasn’t a Dolphin in 2021. Howard had ten interceptions last season — a performance that garnered him Defensive Player of the Year consideration, and, eventually, as a reward, a contract restructuring just before this year’s preseason. He isn’t just the best player on the Miami Dolphins, he’s the best cornerback in the National Football League. His ball-hawking skills and knack for breaking up opponents’ plans makes him a player no opposing quarterback wants to see when trying to find an open receiver. Before Howard had some help on defense, they just didn’t bother. Teams avoided him. That became impossible last season, and the results were about what one would expect from Howard, who will surely be welcomed into the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor after he retires.

Scoring 58 points for the Florida Panthers in last year’s shortened, 50-game season was fantastic, but statistics don’t begin to sum up what Aleksander Barkov meant to the Panthers in 2020 — and in every other season he’s taken the ice for the club since they took him with the second overall pick in the 2013 National Hockey League draft. Barkov brings legitimacy to hockey in South Florida every time he takes the ice. He’s a player who’d start and star on any NHL team. And in one of the weirdest seasons any hockey player, or fan for that matter, could ever imagine, Barkov provided one of his greatest performances — and one for the Panthers to build on going forward.

If there was ever a doubt as to who is the Miami Heat’s best player, it was put to rest when Jimmy Butler put his new team on his back on the way to the NBA Finals last year against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not two months later, Butler was asked to do it all over again, reporting for duty and giving it his all. While the season didn’t turn out as expected, Butler provided absurd numbers: 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists a game — all on a body that was begging for rest every night. Now, rested, you can be sure Butler, Bam Adebayo, and newcomer Kyle Lowry, will be back on the court next month to right the Heat ship.

Gonzalo Higuaín is a pro’s pro, the sort of soccer player Inter Miami craved upon joining Major League Soccer last year. Coming over from Europe last fall, the Argentinian native showed the sort of urgency on the pitch that made him a coveted commodity for David Beckham’s group. While the goals didn’t come as often as Higuaín or his new squad would have liked, his leadership allowed — and continues to allow — younger players to grow into their roles in Major League Soccer. In 2021, the goals have started to come from Higuaín, which proves his presence is beginning to make a difference, and it seems 2020 actually may have been the beginning.

The Miami Marlins have lacked swagger for some time. Losing will do that to a team. It’s hard to strut around the diamond or flip bats when you’re coming out on the wrong end of the score every night. Then 22-year-old shortstop Jasrado Hermis Arrington Chisholm, AKA Jazz Chisholm, Jr., arrived last September — and all that changed. Scores no longer mattered when it came to swagger. Confidence had nothing to do with the scoreboard. Marlins games were fun to watch again, even if the outcome wasn’t the one fans had hoped for. A top Arizona Diamondbacks prospect the Marlins received in return in a 2019 trade for pitcher Zac Gallen, the Bahamian-born Chisholm has injected unabashed flair back to a game badly in need of just such a boost. He’s worth the price of admission to a Marlins game all by himself, and he’s just getting started. Once the Marlins core solidifies, watch out.

Last season he finished second in total and solo tackles to his twin brother and fellow defensive back Richard Dames, Rishard is winning over Conference USA football analysts as the top defensive player on the Golden Panthers. The redshirt junior has recorded 89 tackles, including 10 for a loss, one sack, 6 interceptions and broken up 10 passes during his three seasons at FIU. He was a big reason FIU ranked 15th nationally in defense and fourth in passing yards allowed in Conference USA. Like his twin, he’s a Miami native who graduated from Booker T. Washington High in Overtown.

To say 2020 wasn’t exactly the easiest, or most normal, year to be an NCAA basketball player would be an understatement. Between game cancellations and travels during COVID, the challenges seemingly never stopped. Neither did Isaiah Wong, though. He played in every game the Miami Hurricanes played, and he played well. Wong averaged 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game, playing a team-high average of 35.5 minutes a night. In a season of difficult circumstances — one that won’t count against his eligibility — he shot up many areas in the Hurricanes record books. His play, and leadership, were vital to a team that badly needed availability, not just ability. Wong will be back this season to build on his 2020, and, if all goes well, continue to make his mark in the annals of Hurricane hoops.

Mike Cugno is young, handsome, and provides the best sports coverage in South Florida. Looks, affability, talent — it’s borderline annoying! A local boy who attended Miami’s Columbus High School and Florida State University before joining CBS in 2014, Cugno is exactly the sort of source fans want on the beat. He’s seemingly everywhere at once, but always back inside your television by the end of the day. From covering the latest Dolphins training camp news to appearing on The Hoch and Crowder Show afternoons on 790 The Ticket (WAXY-AM 790) to heading back to the CBS studio, Cugno seemingly does not stop. That sort of grind is what took him from a producer to a South Florida mainstay at CBS so early in his career. Nothing beats homegrown talent.

Whoever coined the adage about “having it all” may just as well have had Fairway Park in mind. In addition to the multiple playground-type areas, two hard tennis courts, a basketball court, and event space, a large swath of open field spans much of the park and often draws pick-up games of ultimate Frisbee, Spikeball. The park is adjacent to Normandy Shores Golf Course, far from any beach-related hustle and bustle, offering recreational opportunities for just about everyone. Fairway Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Wake up early, bust out the Bustelo and whip up a colada to prime yourself for the four-hour drive to a blissful oasis in the middle of Florida. Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka is Orange County’s longest-running attraction, which was providing locals and tourists alike a place to distract themselves in a fantastical setting long before Disney World came into existence. Emerald springs feed the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks that are home to a wondrous wildlife habitat. Take a lazy canoe ride downstream or gallop on horseback along miles of trails. When you’ve had enough exploring, cool off in the park’s namesake natural spring. By the time Wekiwa closes at sundown, you’ll be ready for a tired ride home.

Just south of Tampa on Florida’s west coast lies St. Petersburg, a little city with a big art and beer scene. About three and a half hours from Miami, downtown St. Pete’s is rife with museums, restaurants, nightlife, and a new pier with a giant tiki bar at the end! There are a number of hotels, but the Vinoy is the city’s crown jewel — a grand pink palace right on the water. Once you’re settled, visit the Dalí Museum, home to over 2,400 works of art by the surrealist master; you can even chat with a virtual Dalí while you’re there. The city is also home to the Chihuly Collection, featuring sculptures by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. When you’ve had your fill of art, stroll the new St. Petersburg Pier to the end and stop for a Sundowner at Pier Teaki. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, also on the Pier, is a great choice for a waterfront dinner. On Saturday morning, head over to the Saturday Morning Market and stock up on fresh veggies, handmade pastas, honey, artisan cheeses, and fresh flowers. Later, escape the afternoon heat with a visit to a brewery in the Edge District; just a few miles from downtown, this neighborhood can only be described as St. Pete’s Wynwood, with over half a dozen breweries, art galleries and a giant dog-friendly bar called (what else?) the Dog Bar. Grab a bite at the Galley, a nautical-themed pub back in downtown, before checking out the bars along First Avenue. On Sunday, stop at Black Crow Coffee before heading home.

Sometimes you just want to get away — but not too far away. Sure, there’s always Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, or someplace else with lots of sand and proximity to the ocean. But why not indulge yourself like a local? Plan a staycation in Coral Gables. Book a stay at the Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Avenue; biltmorehotel.com), one of the oldest hotels in South Florida, and schedule a service or two at the spa. (We want you to feel properly pampered.) For dining and nighttime entertainment, head to Miracle Mile. No vacation is complete without a little shopping and some, you know, culture, so plan a visit to the Coral Gables Museum (285 Aragon Ave.; coralgablesmuseum.org) and do a little damage at the Shops at Merrick Park (358 San Lorenzo Ave.; shopsatmerrickpark.com). Spend an afternoon at the Venetian Pool (2701 De Soto Blvd.; venetianpool.com; see “Best Pool”) or taking in a flick at the Coral Gables Art Cinema (260 Aragon Ave.; gablescinema.com). Browse the shelves at one of the best bookstores anywhere, Books & Books (265 Aragon Ave.; booksandbooks.com). Oh, and check to see if anything’s playing at GableStage (1200 Anastasia Ave.; gablestage.org) and consider adding a night of magical Miami theater to your itinerary!

Camping in the swampy and buggy South Florida Everglades sounds intense, but Flamingo Campground makes the experience easy. Flamingo is located on the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula within the Everglades National Park and is just an hour and 45 minutes away from Miami central. Various amenities and activities offered by Flamingo are enticing for experienced and amateur campers. If camping in a tent isn’t your thing, the campground offers glamping-style eco-tents furnished with beds, plug-ins, and lamps over a boardwalk to keep you away from mud and bugs. Campers can get down with nature by renting kayaks, canoes, bikes, or boats to explore the swampy canals and Florida Bay. Currently under construction, the latest addition of Flamingo Campground will soon offer one and two-bedroom lodging with kitchenettes and balconies, plus a full-service indoor restaurant and bar that will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sure, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is filled with beautiful and thought-provoking artworks, But the entertainment doesn’t stop there. Go for the art and stay for the people-watching. The guy who places his cell phone across the room and sets the camera timer in the hopes of catching the perfect oh-just-me-looking-at-some-art photo for the ‘Gram. The girl who’d much rather be at Club Space but stepped in to grab a few pics to look cultured. (Whatever that means, amirite?) The person actually interested in the art who silently reads all the placards before gazing deeply at the painting. The mom who’s trying desperately to keep her young kids occupied. For those who enjoy people-watching, PAMM is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. All that, and the museum is a veritable flytrap for tourists. Tourists!

Whether you’ve spent your whole life in Miami or are a recent transplant, there’s no denying the Magic City moves to the beat of an unseen Cuban rhythm. The Cuban flavor is everywhere — from the people to the food to the art. If you’re looking to enchant a potential bae, there’s no better place for a first date than Little Havana. There are options galore depending on the type of date you want to have. Still testing the waters and don’t want to blow your budget? Go for a free, self-guided walking tour of Calle Ocho. How about more of a mid-tier first date? Start the evening with drinks and a bite at Old’s Havana (1442 SW Eighth St.; oldshavana.com; see “Best Mojito”), then go dancing at one or more of the various bars along the strip. What? You say this is an OTP (one true pair) audition? Make a day of it! Catch a flick at Tower Theater (1508 SW Eighth St.; towertheatermiami.com; see “Best Art-House Cinema”), engage in a little people-watching at Domino Park with some ice cream from Azucar (1503 SW Eighth St.; azucaricecream.com) in hand, have dinner (see above), and end your day with drinks at Guantanamera (1465 SW Eighth St., #105; see “Best Latin Club”) while enjoying a hand-rolled cigar.

In July, the Miami Herald opined that Wynwood has “lost its hipster crown,” LawnStarter having declared Fort Lauderdale the fourth-best city for hipsters. (Who’s going to tell the Herald it’s been years since hipsters thought of Wynwood as cool?) What’s Miami’s true hipster epicenter? That would be the Upper Eastside. Thanks to (semi-)affordable rents and oh-so-hip businesses, the area is popular with in-the-know residents. But what sets it apart is the Biscayne Corridor, where kitschy, neon-lit motels dot the landscape and a major thoroughfare manages to feel intimate. (Once Biscayne Boulevard reaches the North Miami city limits, it becomes a six-lane monstrosity and all bets are off.) You can take a gastronomic journey on the strip with stops at the likes of El Bagel, Phuc Yea, Cafe Kush, Tigre, Chica, and Ms. Cheezious, or visit hangouts like the Vagabond Hotel, the Selina Miami Gold Dust, and, a teensy bit off the boulevard on 79th Street, the Anderson. By the way, Herald: Everyone knows the best hipster cities are the ones clickbaity sites aren’t writing about.

Connecting Miami’s bustling mainland with the quieter Key Biscayne, the Rickenbacker Causeway offers some of the most magical — and peaceful — views of the city. Accessible by car, bike, or your own two feet, the five-mile roadway is mere minutes away from the Magic City’s clogged byways and crowded bars and clubs. Run along the Rickenbacker Trail and admire Miami’s famous beaches, palm trees, and Biscayne Bay. Along the route, you’ll see the city in all its glory: its jagged skyline, sparkling waters and the occasional kilo washing ashore.

When a South Floridian spots a summertime Instagram post from a well-traveled acquaintance boasting of a trip to Greece or Thailand or the South Seas, we experience not a single pang of envy — only pity. After all, the Atlantic Ocean is our fricking backyard. No jet lag, no currency exchange, no muss, no fuss. With mile after mile of accessible coastline from Key Biscayne to Miami Beach to Sunny Isles, the Atlantic provides a natural air conditioner to keep cool during our otherwise impossibly sweltering summer months.

Anyone who likes to be stoned and has been to South Pointe Park can tell you that South Pointe Park is an excellent place to be stoned. The views of downtown and Brickell over shimmering Biscayne Bay is the stuff of dreams, and there’s an ever-present cool breeze, even on sweltering summer days. On Wednesday and Sunday evenings, however, something special is added to the already serene experience. AcroYoga is a portmanteau of “acrobatics” and “yoga,” and it looks like it sounds. The park is filled with scantily clad people in excellent shape, effortlessly lifting each other and contorting their bodies. As the sun sets over the skyline across the bay, acoustic guitars, bongos, maracas, and harmoniums are played for jam sessions centered around Hare Krishna chants. Roll a joint, pick up an instrument, maybe try out AcroYoga for yourself if you’re feeling limber. Or just sit back, people-watch, and wonder where your munchies will take you for dinner. It’s casual, free, and 420-friendly.

Though tennis was born as the “sport of kings,” paupers are entitled to a place to work on their forehand. In a region littered with pay-to-play courts that require reservations, it’s nice to know there are four free tennis courts at Polo Park where you can squeeze in some sets even if all you’ve got is a racquet and some balls. The well-maintained mid-Beach tennis facility operates on an egalitarian first come, first serve (see what we did there?) policy. If no one is waiting, play as long as you like. If a queue forms, singles players get an hour on the court while doubles players get an hour and a half. There are no lights here, so play is restricted to daylight hours. But with free courts and free parking, you’ll be able to save up for lessons!

Have you ever looked up at the sky and admired a flock of birds spending an afternoon riding the thermals? Maybe you’ve always wanted to skydive, but the thought of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane didn’t sound like a good idea? There’s a safe solution to the problems of gravity: iFLY! When you go, you’ll be outfitted in a cute jumpsuit, then given a few pointers before being led into what looks a giant money tube from the bank drive-thru — and before you know it, you’re flying! Technically, you’re riding on jets of air, but let’s suspend disbelief and call it magic. The operation is so safe, even kids as young as three can do it, but adults are free to fulfill their Peter Pan and Wendy fantasies, too. Prices start with a package of two flights for $85 — but how can you put a price on feeling free as a bird?

It’s outlandish to think that people live in Miami without a car. The light rail system, with its regular delays and minimal reach, doesn’t seem dependable enough for a daily commute. To be fair, though, the world’s more efficient mass-transit systems (think London, Tokyo, New York City) operate via systems of interconnected underground tunnels, and that’s just not going to happen here. Luckily for us, the Metromover offers a visually stunning ride. Hopping on one of these trains gives riders an extensive and completely free tour of downtown Miami’s utopian skyline. Little cars loop between buildings and roll on as smoothly as the Disney monorail, albeit with much more interesting sights. Hop off anywhere and wander around on foot. Why deal with the stress of driving around downtown when you can rise above it all? Miami is a city of views, after all, and there’s no better way to view it than from a car in the sky. The Metromover runs from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Oh, Miami, if you look at the tabloids (or even out your car window), you’ll see a life of wealth and luxury, with rappers and Kardashians drinking champers on yachts. What’s that? You don’t have seven mil to plunk down on a 92-foot Ferretti yacht? Well, here’s a little secret: Those celebrities probably don’t own one, either. Instead, they charter. Boatsetter, a sort of Airbnb for yachts, will rent you that Ferretti for a cool $16,000 a day. The yacht comes complete with captain, crew, ice, towels, and fuel; you just BYOB and food. Sound expensive? Well, the yacht holds a dozen people, so that comes to a little over a grand each. You’d probably spend as much if you went to Disney World for the weekend. Let’s see…wait in line for It’s a Small World while eating a giant turkey leg, or make like a flippin’ baller for a day? If the yacht is a tad too dear, Boatsetter has more modest vessels for your perusal. A Pelican pontoon with captain costs $200 and holds up to 12 people. Yes, it’s a smaller boat — but the water and views are exactly the same.

Zoos are magical no matter your age. Zoo Miami is especially magical, as the 740-acre ecological park is said to be the largest and oldest one in Florida. It’s home to elephants, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, jaguars, gorillas, flamingos, and tons of other species the kiddos likely have never seen before. And there’s no shortage of activities to entertain the family for a whole day, from a playground to a water play area to animal feedings, bike rentals, tram tours, a wildlife carousel, and a gift shop where the kids will beg you to buy them a cute stuffed animal. Zoo Miami has implemented capacity restrictions and weekends are selling out, according to the zoo’s website so consider buying tickets online ahead of time. Masks are required for guests visiting all the zoo’s indoor facilities regardless of vaccination status and are recommended outdoors as well as inside. Visit the zoo’s “Know Before You Visit” webpage for more information. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; final tickets are sold at 4 p.m.

The drag brunch at R House, held Saturdays and Sundays ($50 per person plus tax and tip) is hosted by the lively and talented Athena Dion. Some performers come and go sporadically, but many return weekend after weekend, forming relationships with their audience. As mimosa no. 1 sneakily becomes mimosa no. 7, Juicy Love Dion, Morphine Love, and other local drag stars perform to tracks by Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Lopez, and more, each with their own unique style, flair, and preferred playlist. If you go on your birthday, Athena Dion will invite you to run up front for a twerking contest with a cash prize. Book a reservation early via R House’s phone or website to guarantee a table for you and your guests.

Finding a good place to drop in your kayak can be a hassle in the urban jungle that is Miami. Those Richie Rich types have gobbled up the prime real estate near our beautiful canals and waterways; even worse, they don’t cotton to scruffy pirates tromping through their backyards. But just like water finding its way into Miami Beach during king tides, kayakers and paddleboarders have found a way. Near the corner of 71st Street and Bay Drive East is a strange, semi-deserted plot of vacant land that’s the perfect spot to paddle around Normandy Isle. Or head a little to the north and moon Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump when they move into their new digs on Indian Creek. A few words of caution: The spot is a favorite of not-always-attentive folks — and their flying hooks — fishing nearby. On the plus side, the parking is relatively easy on the street.

Synergy Center offers some 50 yoga classes a week, including aerial, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha, Tantra and Yin yoga. But Synergy is also a place of holistic healing. Experienced professionals specialize in deep-tissue massage, reiki, acupuncture, reflexology, and chakra balancing. Open since 1997, Synergy focuses on healing the whole person, bringing them peace, and connecting them with a higher power. Yogis of all levels are welcome. The yoga center strives to give everyone a topnotch wellness experience, as well as the chance to feel content and free of worries. Studio director Victoria Brunacci says yoga has the power to help people rediscover who they truly are. At Synergy, that’s more than true, thanks to the community of people who call the studio a home away from home. Perhaps the best part of this Miami Beach gem is the people — all the mindful souls who support you in reaching your goals and improving your well-being.

Every great city has its great parks and open spaces. Miami is home to a plethora of top-tier parks that offer vibrant greenery and a respite from the urban bustle. But when it comes to your jog, why not enhance the experience by availing yourself of the unique, ten-mile linear park that stretches all the way from Brickell to Dadeland? Welcome to the Underline, an outdoor park-in-progress that’s revitalizing the space underneath the Metrorail. Begin your jog at the Miami River and slowly take in the first fully finished half-mile of the Underline as you head south. The path neatly marks a lane for pedestrians and another for cyclists. (It’s important, folks, to share the road and the sidewalks!) Having sufficiently elevated your heart rate, follow the signs to the M-Path, which leads you all the way to the Dadeland South Metrorail station. As you chug along, consider that the train ride back to where you started will give your legs a well-deserved rest.

Old Cutler Trail is a popular spin for cyclists in search of a leisurely ride with a nice view and shade from the sun — and with good reason. Banyans and oaks form a tree tunnel of shade, giving cyclists an easy ride past the beautiful homes and mansions through neighborhoods of south Miami-Dade. The paved roadside trail begins in Coral Gables just south of the roundabout where SW 72nd Street and LeJeune Road, Cocoplum Road, and Old Cutler Road meet. Adding to its charm, Old Cutler Trail is often riddled with bumps and cracks formed by large tree roots. For extra fun, the path offers access to destinations such as Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Matheson Hammock Park, and the Deering Estate.

Launching near Larry and Penny Thompson Park, the nine-mile Black Creek Trail meanders southeast, offering a paved path away from busy roads. A tried-and-true Miami trail, Black Creek offers the observant trekker a variety of wildlife, helping cyclists and joggers to connect with nature and escape from the city bustle. Frequented by birds and punctuated by sunbathing iguanas, it cuts through Cutler Bay toward Homestead, parallel to a canal where you might spot an alligator or three wading about. Toward the end of the trail, keep an eye out for vultures circling above and the telltale stench of the South Dade Landfill. At the trail’s eastern terminus at Black Point Park and Marina in Homestead, you might see manatees and crocodiles swimming along Biscayne Bay. Those in search of longer treks should note that the trail intersects with other notable Miami paths, including Old Cutler Trail and Biscayne Trail.

Some cities might look at a wheel and think: There’s no point in reinventing you! But Miami’s the kind of town that takes a revolving disk, invests $18 million into it, and unveils a ginormous wheel fit for Apollo’s chariot. This rotating contraption soars 200 feet over Bayfront Park, reshaping the angular city skyline with its rounded protuberance. To compare it to the Ferris wheels of your youth — the rickety seats, the greasy, leering carny operators, the wafts of regurgitated funnel cake — would be an insult. During your 12- to 15-minute ride, 42 climate-controlled gondolas fitted with music and video features offer shifting panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, downtown Miami, and Miami Beach. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $16 for seniors and military, and $15 for children 11 and under (kids under 4 ride free with a grownup). But adrenaline seekers should opt for the VIP gondola ($50 per person), which boasts a glass-bottom floor, custom LED light show, Ferrari-style bucket seats, and the all-important Miami perk of skipping the line.

Drive past it on the way to North Beach and you may miss this off-the-beaten path park with three full basketball courts featuring perfect backboards to show off your Chef Curry skills. The park also has a lap pool for your starting five to cool off after a few pick-up games. If you can’t find a spot in the lot for your car, there’s plenty of street parking along the perimeter of the grounds. You can work on your crossover from dawn till dusk. Normandy Isle Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As Miamians, we’re spoiled when it comes to pools. But even the most diehard pool snob must raise their sunglasses and towel in salute to that jewel of Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool. Carved out nearly a century ago from of a local coral rock quarry and fed with spring water from an underground aquifer, the 820,000-gallon pool is a Miami treasure beyond compare. And thanks to those 820,000 gallons — not to mention a cave and a waterfall — the pool stays cooler than what most 305 natives are used to. The Venetian is open seven days a week in the summer months but closed on Mondays from Labor Day through May. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under. (Coral Gables residents get a handsome discount: only $6.25 for adults and $5.25 for kids.)

Roller skating has taken over the country like it’s the 1970s all over again. This is especially true in Miami, with our swaying palm trees and blue skies — we have the perfect backdrop for a leisurely ride on small wheels. If skating outdoors is your thing, you’ll find that the cool ocean breeze and optimal sunset views at South Pointe Park make for a great spot. Honorary mentions include Lummus Park, where you can people-watch as you skate, and Lot 11 Skate Park if you’re more adventurous. But when it comes to the absolute best place to skate, Super Wheels Skating Center takes the cake. The indoor roller rink is a Miami landmark, having opened in 1987 under its previous name, Hot Wheels Skating Center. Not much has changed — the rink has kept its retro look alive. Think disco balls, colorful strobe lights, Memphis-design carpet, and glow-in-the-dark art on the walls. Super Wheels keeps it fun with themed nights and events, as well as guest DJs such as DJ Laz. If you’re a sucker for nostalgia, you won’t want to miss Adult Nights, held every Monday, when mostly ’70s and ’80s hits dominate. Even if you didn’t grow up in Miami during that time, you’ll be able to escape to a different era, one when skaters glided across the wooden floor to the likes of Debbie Deb, Afrika Bambaataa, and Michael Jackson.

It’s easy to fall for the allure of South Beach, what with its art deco architecture, hard bodies, eccentric personalities, and 24/7 party atmosphere. Locals, however, tend to want to avoid that mess, opting instead to enjoy the sun and fun of the charming if scraggly northern Miami Beach enclave known as North Beach. (Did someone get lazy when coming up with neighborhood names for the Beach?) The slice of sand that seems to be the most popular is the strip that faces North Beach Oceanside Park, which is devoid of waterfront high-rises — a rarity in Miami Beach. The atmosphere is low-key, so if you’re planning to bring a boombox and a cooler full of beer for you and 20 of your closest friends, just don’t. After your dip in the Atlantic, grab a bite to eat in the neighborhood or in adjacent Surfside area and note that a good meal for less than $20 isn’t too much to ask for. (Looking at you, South Beach.)

If it’s a relaxing day on the water you seek, one during which you don’t have to maneuver your vessel through throngs of fellow mariners and tour boats, Pelican Harbor Marina is the place for you. Nestled along the 79th Street Causeway betwixt the mainland and North Bay Island, Pelican Harbor avoids the cramped quarters of other Miami marinas closer to shore and provides uninterrupted views of the Biscayne Bay in all its splendor. Along with a 24-hour boat ramp, the marina offers kayak and paddleboard rentals by I Paddle Miami for beginners and pros, and its proximity to Pelican Island makes it an ideal launch point for anyone looking to have a fun outdoor adventure in Miami’s crown jewel of a waterway. For landlubbers who prefer to stay on solid ground but savor that old salt atmosphere, Pelican Harbor hosts a food truck festival each Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m.

Lovebirds looking for a quiet hideaway or families in search of an open place for a peaceful outdoor repast will find the perfect a perfect space to lay down the picnic blanket in the area adjacent to Miami Springs Golf & Country Club and the historic Curtiss Mansion in Miami Springs. Parking is available at the mansion, along the golf course grounds, and on nearby Curtiss Parkway, free of charge. There’s plenty of shade, and entertainment in the form of watching duffers search for their stray balls. A walking path on the perimeter of the course invites you to walk off your caloric picnic intake or enhance the romantic mood with a hand-in-hand stroll, as the case may be.

After a year stuck (mostly) inside, we’ve been eager to find new and vibrant places to go outside to stretch our legs — and so have our four-legged friends. For Miamians looking to spend an energetic day out with their doggos, there’s no prettier place than at David Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove. With lots of open green space for on-leash walking and a fenced dog area with room to run, your faithful companion will love the park just as much as you will. The leashless area has fun obstacles and platforms for dogs to get a workout and show off their agility chops, and a seating area under a chickee hut means pet parents can get out from under the sun while their canines cavort. The park also has workout equipment for humans with an athletic inclination, and the A.C.’s Icees frozen-lemonade truck has a permanent spot in Kennedy’s parking lot. (Just make sure to bring cash!) Hours: sunrise to sunset.

With the amount of change and new development in the ever-dynamic city that is Miami, there aren’t a lot of touchstones that connect the city with its colonial past, but the Cape Florida Lighthouse acts as a beacon — both literally and figuratively — to illuminate Miami’s roots. Located in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the lighthouse dates back to 1825, when sailors used its light to navigate around the Florida Reef off the coast of Key Biscayne. The original tower was burned down in 1836 by Seminole warriors during the Second Seminole War, but it was rebuilt in 1846 and is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. The lighthouse grounds provide a peek into the life of lighthouse keepers and their families, with a replica keeper’s lodging and stone water well demonstrating that St. Augustine doesn’t have the monopoly on old Florida colonialism. The lighthouse itself is a resplendent white tower with a black top that peeks out just above an arch of palm trees as you walk toward it from the park — a beautiful site for its historic value and its picture-perfect view. The tower is open from 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday-Monday; the grounds are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

The best parks offer a chance to get away from your busy day and escape to the outdoors, and no place is better for escaping than Greynolds Park. The park almost feels like it doesn’t exist in Miami; its wooded forests and hilly landscape make it seem as though it was plucked from a more northern state, and the park’s built architecture is more reminiscent of castles and camp cabins than the wooden pavilions you see elsewhere. While other outdoor parks in South Florida rely on wide-open spaces and unobstructed views, Greynolds isn’t afraid to use winding roads, diverse elevation, and dense tree cover to break lines of sight to ensure that visitors are always turning corners and discovering something new, creating an allure of wonder and mystery. Park facilities include a children’s playground, bike paths, a bird rookery, and a boathouse and jetty on the Oleta River, which winds alongside the grounds and offers cool(er) riverside banks for visitors to lounge on beneath shady trees. As one of Miami-Dade County’s oldest parks and a designated historic site, Greynolds Park is a beautiful spot for anyone looking to escape into a renowned wilderness. Hours: sunrise to sunset.