Sports & Recreation

True red-blooded Miamians don’t run away from the summer heat; they do a bump of Celsius and turn it way the hell up with some fancy footwork and ecstatic hip gyrations. As the city sways to the rhythm of its vibrant Latin culture year-round, the annual Miami Salsa Congress steps it up a notch, electrifying summers by showcasing the best of salsa music, dance, and culture from around the globe. From exhilarating performances by world-renowned dancers to immersive workshops for enthusiasts of all levels, this gathering transforms the 305 into a sizzling mecca for dance aficionados and newcomers alike.

Like the local saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute,” the same sentiment goes for South Beach. If you don’t like what you see, walk a block. Depending on time and location, there are a dozen different vibes you can soak up along these shores — from the pier at Government Cut to the semi-official start of Mid-Beach at 23rd Street. There are surfers at South Pointe, low-key locals south of Fifth, hardcore Wet Willie’s-toting partiers between 5th and 10th, and the eye-candy gays flexing from 10th to 12th. Finally, from 14th to 23rd, you’ve got your wealthier tourists under umbrellas. What all these beaches have in common are long, deep stretches of soft sand and waters in the prettiest shades of blue. And if you want the beach at its most peaceful, set your alarm and get to any block before 8:30 a.m. for the singularly majestic experience of having South Beach all to yourself.

Less than a mile from the traffic-laden din of downtown Fort Lauderdale lies an oasis with an idyllic Broward beach across from expansive shoreline trails and mangrove habitats. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is sometimes referred to as Fort Laudy’s version of Central Park, owing to its natural beauty in a prime downtown location. The beach area offers chair and umbrella rentals, as well as a restaurant and bar with beer and frozen cocktails. A visitor’s center nearby presents the history of the state park, which is comprised of 180 acres of land donated by attorney Hugh Taylor Birch in the 1940s. Accessible from East Sunrise Boulevard, park entry is $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $6 for multiple occupants up to eight people.

Looking to show friends visiting Miami-Dade that the county is more than a traffic-clogged concrete maze? Add Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden to your agenda. On strolls through the serene trails that line this 83-acre facility, your tourist pals will come across spiny exotic trees native to Madagascar, South Florida pine rockland habitats, and a tropical flower garden with plants from around the world. The “Wings of the Tropics” butterfly exhibit and the waterfall at Moos Sunken Garden are just a couple of stunners to visit on the property. The garden regularly hosts special events like the Mango Festival and the Gnomes on the Roam family-friendly scavenger hunt. Named after plant explorer and botanist David Fairchild, who retired to Miami in the 1930s, it’s centrally located. Admission is $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors, $11.95 for children between the ages of 6 and 17, and free for children 5 and younger.

When single women in Miami head out in groups with a burning desire to meet a mate, they like to keep things feeling special, so they go a little upscale. And class is what Rosa Sky Rooftop has to offer well-heeled mamas on the hunt. It has incredible views of the city perfect for group selfies with pink cocktails in hand, happy-hour specials, and drool-worthy tapas. The bar has been an instant hit for those interested in mingling, mostly because it’s in the heart of Brickell, where young singles rent outrageously priced apartments in the hopes of looking marketable. Make sure to hit up this hotspot at sunset when the lighting is optimal to have the whole night to charm your new girlie while the DJ spins the soundtrack to your meet-cute.

If you want to meet a guy and the apps aren’t cutting it (we know they’re not) and looking confused at Home Depot has failed, get to Better Days. Ideally, you’re going to hit this spot up with your girlies after work on a Friday. Trust. All the single men in the Brickell area will be looking to down a drink after a long week working in finance — or whatever it is they do in Brickell. Maybe it’s the low lighting, quirky atmosphere, and free-flowing beverages, but these guys are more likely to approach and buy a cutie (that’s you) a drink than any other bar we’ve been to recently. So, dress to impress and soak in the attention. Bonus: They also have very good-looking bartenders if the dudes aren’t cutting it.

Elaborate Tuscan walkways, lily-lined ponds, and vine-covered gazebos at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens imbue the place with a dream-like atmosphere perfect for two lovebirds looking to flutter about and forget their troubles, if only for a while. It’s hard to conjure up a more romantic setting than Vizcaya’s courtyards and stone nooks where partnered couples often flock to host their weddings. Designed by architect F. Burrall Hoffman for industrialist James Deering, the century-old main house serves as a portal to an opulent past, stacked wall-to-wall with artwork, baroque antiques, and precious artifacts. The Coconut Grove property has a pristine view of Biscayne Bay with a sculpted stone barge in the foreground, perfect for your first selfie as a pair. Vizcaya promises a night to remember, one that might just lead you back in a few years, but this time donning a wedding gown or tux. Adult admission is $25 and includes access to the gardens and mansion. (We’re not mentioning entry prices for kids because, dammit, this is date night.)

A memorable picnic should be at a picturesque spot far away from too many prying eyes but not so far away from home that your lovingly assembled portable meal turns sour. Merrie Christmas Park is the perfect spot for popping a squat and munching outside with its off-the-beaten-path energy and central location. Just a mile away from the bustling gridlock of U.S. 1, you can lay out on a grassy field surrounded by ficus trees that offer a distinctly South Florida feel and much-needed shade. There’s a fenced-in playground if you’ve brought along any little ones that need stimulation. Heck, there’s even a sloping hill that makes for some fun tumbling, and the kids can explore nature in the giant roots of the banyan trees. We just advise, for your stomach’s sake, that you tumble before your picnic.

No plans this afternoon? It’s only a two-hour drive west from Miami to Everglades City, a storied frontier town settled in the 1800s and haunted with sleepy Old Florida charm. Reason enough to make the trek is a chance to feast on modestly priced stone crabs and oysters at the wonderfully divey City Seafood or Triad Seafood Market and Cafe. But the real treat is in all the fun stops along the Tamiami Trail, including Miccosukee landmarks, America’s smallest (and most Instagrammable) post office in Ochopee, the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters, and fine-art photographer Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery.

The Boca Raton has been the talk of the town since its recent renovation, and the fact that it’s also equidistant for Palm Beachers and Miamians makes it the ideal tri-county getaway. Whether it’s for a romantic retreat or family romp, book the Tower Suite Collection, where each suite comes with a butler, all-inclusive top-shelf mini-bar, and access to “Top of the Tower,” a suite-only space comparable to a first-class lounge with a sprawling 365-degree view of the ocean and mainland. Don’t miss breakfast at Sadelle’s or dinner at Bocce. The property is decorated with blue-chip art and is home to boutiques and a purely blissful spa. But besides the upscale stuff, water is the main attraction. At the Harbourside Pool Club, there’s a water park for kids and a lazy river. Jump from one of the pools to the in-house boat at the marina for efficient transport to the beach club.

Step aside, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove is the spot to staycation. After checking out Michelin-starred dining like Ariete or Los Felix, but before you revel in a raw fruit pie at Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market, you need a place to stay. And that undeniable spot is Mr. C. Exuding modern, approachable luxury, there are plenty of nooks to unwind on the property. Highlights include its rooftop pool with cabanas and panoramic vistas of the city and bay. You’ll shed your worries with a personalized facial or detox at Beatala wellness club. On the top floor, Bellini serves up a memorable baked truffle polenta, not to be passed over. But the glue of any Mr. C stay is its service — count on all the pleasantries and then head home as if you’d traveled the world in style.

Located in the Florida Keys, Islamorada is a picturesque escape that’s under two hours from Miami by car. The views are breathtaking from anywhere on its stretch of land, but perhaps the most stunning sights are from Cheeca Lodge and Spa. The resort itself offers understated island luxury, but its amenities are what make it a real escape from the city. Pools and dining with views of turquoise Atlantic waters, a spa with 72 years of experience in making sun-burned guests look their best, and well-kept tennis courts. The kindly staff also hooks guests up with snorkeling experiences, kayaks, or paddleboards. Pack your bags and leave your stress on the mainland. Rooms start at $299 a night.

With 22 acres of trails and fields, Enchanted Forest goes toe-to-toe with the most handsome public parks in town. But what makes Enchanted Forest the best outdoor recreation space is that it’s the only urban park around with its own petting zoo and pony rides. Thanks to M&M Equestrian, a private concession that runs the offerings, kids of all ages can get up close and personal with goats, chickens, pigs, horses, ducks, a donkey, miniature horses, and, of course, the coveted ponies. They’re open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but are also available for birthday parties and field trips. The rest of Enchanted Forest, which also impresses with its butterfly and community gardens, pavilions, grill stations, and tot lot, is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

Just off the MacArthur Causeway, Jungle Island remains a distinctly Floridian, elevated roadside attraction with wild animals and a rad new zipline aerial adventure. Treetop Trekking Miami literally elevates the park by taking the space above its forest canopy. Guests willingly and gleefully navigate the wild, sky-high courses. There are a few adventures to choose from depending on your fear of heights and age. They may test your strength and stomach, but the views from 20 feet in the air as you zip over monkey cages and through the greenery will make it all worthwhile.

TopGolf, step aside, there’s a new indoor mini-golf spot in town: Puttery. Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy invested in this fresh, intimate, and affordable adults-only sports experience in Wynwood. Unlike other upscale mini golf spots, just $27 per person gets you gameplay in three themed areas, with nine-hole courses between the Library, the Lodge, and the Rooftop. The 17,800-square-foot space also provides plenty of culinary offerings that beat out its competitors, featuring dishes like crab rangoon dip, pork tostones, and blackened mahi salad bowls in addition to a full-service bar. With plenty of quirks and design flair, Puttery feels like a makeshift golf course inside a remote vacation home where you can hide out from the chaos of the neighborhood — or pregame for a night on the town. (If you’re in the vicinity of North Broward or Palm Beach County, you might prefer to get your roll on at the Puttery in West Palm Beach.)

Indoor entertainment venues used to be a dime a dozen in South Florida, peaking in the ’80s and early ’90s. Of course, with the convenience of smartphones, tablets, and packed sports schedules, kids today are spoiled for choices when it comes to keeping busy. But on the days when the Miami rain just won’t quit and YouTubers bore, there’s Xtreme Action Park, a massive indoor playground that features everything from escape rooms and arcade games to minigolf and laser tag. Of course, the big lure here is the indoor go-kart track with a fleet that includes pro-level, gas-powered vehicles that reach speeds of up to 45 mph. If you need even more speed, there are super-karts that go up to 65 mph. But tiny speed demons, be warned: You have to meet several requirements before you’re allowed to take them on the track.

Rock climbing in flat-as-a-pancake Miami would have been a mere novelty not long ago. But thanks to palm-sweating documentaries like Free Solo and the sport earning a spot in the 2021 Summer Olympics, South Florida now boasts four climbing gyms and counting. The most recent gym to open, Velocity Climbing, however, is the clear go-to. The newly minted 23,000-square-foot gym features 60-foot walls, two floors of bouldering (climbing without a rope on shorter walls), a regular fitness area, and Florida’s first speed-climbing wall. A curious layperson can take up the sport and get a fun workout with beginner classes and auto-belays – a system that lets you climb the high walls by yourself. And thanks to good natural light, scaling the tall walls at golden hour makes it one of Miami’s new best spots to catch the sunset, almost as if you’re perched high on a prime piece of granite in the wilderness

Though we reported in 2022 that it is technically illegal to pick fruit on another person’s property, what kind of cheap thrill is on the right side of the law? Our semi-tropical environs make for a wild, diverse, all-you-can-eat fruit buffet, and yes, sometimes you have to put it all on the line for some titillating flavors. Most famously, in the summer, it’s mango season, when the stickiest and sweetest of fruits have all kinds of gourmands risking life and limb to climb fence and tree. Our big, meaty Florida avocados and star fruit ripen anywhere from June to January, while papayas pop up year-round. But if you want to play it safe by plucking only fruits on public property, scale a palm tree for unlimited, year-round coconuts. On the coast, you can snag sea grapes, ripe from August to October. Just make sure you eat them when they’re the darkest of purple, or they’ll taste more sea than grape. Snack on some ripe red Surinam cherries when they pop up on hedges from April through June, and don’t sleep on cocoplums from winter to spring.

One way you can make a karmic payment to your body after doing it dirty at Club Space is to partake in a free afternoon yoga at the same place you blacked out the week before. Every Saturday at 4:20 p.m., you’ll find jubilant yoga instructor Tiffany “Tifftopia” Levy or her colleagues leading 420 Space Yoga. Classes include free water and a DJ who spins more tranquil beats than the hedonistic club usually serves up. The hourlong classes are vinyasa-based and fill up quickly, so make sure to go early and RSVP ahead of time. Not everyone wants to go to a bass-bumping club, but it’s hard to deny a free yoga class. And when factoring in a unique location? Well, if someone asks if you wanna leave, you’ll say, “Namaste.” 420 Space Yoga will be moving to Club Space’s outdoor venue Factor Town for the summer while the club is renovated but will be back in business in the fall.

Serving up $100 dips by the pool, the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club in Surfside is way more costly than any other hotel in town. But outsized luxury is like a drug; It just feels so good! Until you wake up the next morning. And the wild thing is, you don’t feel bad when spending big at this not-so-cheap thrill. It’s one of the most architecturally renowned destinations for the rich and the famous. And like those with more power and money, it’s easy to be charmed by the Champagne Bar cocktails, pizza at Winston’s on the Beach, or the gift shop where you can buy Panama hats for a thousand dollars and limited-edition Four Seasons totes. But feel free to skip lunch at Lido and dinner at Keller’s Surf Club. Some things are not worth the splurge.

Want to feel like a celebrity, dominating the blue waves of the Atlantic with your crew, but feel like renting a booze boat for the day is just so basic? If you really want to stand out — and splurge — grab 11 of your closest friends and rent a charter from La Caja for $2,300 and take it on a four-hour ride of your life. Despite its name, it’s not a floating box with a crisp pig inside, but more like a floating 40-foot slab. There’s a covered section with a cute bar area and a couch, but you’re going to want to spend your time on the main open deck sprawled out on lounge chairs, absorbing vitamin D. While the initial fee just gets you a captain, the company can connect you with private chefs or wellness instructors to really add that extra level of bougie to your floating (or gloating) experience.

Not far from where children of Miami’s 1980s fondly remember summer days at Six Flags Atlantis is a newer, fancier water park, Tidal Cove. Oddly hidden behind Aventura Mall as part of a luxury hotel, it’s an aquatic wonderland for chill- and thrill-seeking kids alike. For the tiniest, there are the splash pads and mellow slides of Kids Cove. Bigger kids can laze the hours away in a slow-flowing chlorinated loop of a lazy river. Little daredevils will get their kicks climbing the never-ending stairs of a number of scream-inducing waterslides. Some of the highlights include the Boomerango, where you raft into a zero-gravity effect, or the Aquadrop, where the floor disappears from underneath you for a gut-clenching free fall. Definitely make time for the Flowrider, where you can boogie board or surf in an artificial stationary surf machine. It can be a pricey day out, but the experience is free for JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa guests.

If you’re looking for a dog park where the humans who visit are just as friendly as the dogs, then Blanche Park is your canine hotspot. No matter the time of day (but especially from 4 to 8 p.m.), you’ll find more than a dozen dog owners with their well-behaved pooches roaming the tree-lined, fenced-in park. This is a properly nice park with artificial turf, rolling hills, clean-up and water stations, and bench seating. It’s also impressively clean, and the Coconut Grove neighborhood it’s nestled in is equally charming. A welcoming spot with regulars, you’re in good company to gush about your four-legged buddies and to make yourself a few new two-legged friends.

A great Pilates class is a joy: Your body glides along while pushing, pulling, and moving your limbs in time with your breath. It awakens a wonderland of muscles and tissues you didn’t know existed. Even gym fanatics bent on HIIT or boot-camp workouts are catching on that Pilates very well will kick their asses, albeit in a gentle way. Pilates has almost become too trendy, with an ever-growing number of corporate franchises crowding out smaller spots that offer personalized, boutique-style classes. But Breathe Pilates is one of the hidden gems, a bright, airy oasis amid the hubbub of Biscayne Boulevard near 79th Street. The impeccable studio is equipped with six reformers and springboards and an advanced piece of equipment called a “Cadillac.” Owner Gretchen Wagoner brings decades of experience, and her meticulous approach to form shines with integrity. A few well-trained instructors are hands-on and attentive, and welcoming group classes are geared toward all ages and abilities.

To know Mimi Yoga’s founder is to love her. And her studio. And her retreats. A woman as beautiful as her practice, its founder Mimi Ghandour has upped the game and fostered a community that lives by her mantra to “just show up.” Within the confines of her transformative central Wynwood space, her seafoam green, posh yet petite operation is where fitness lovers and yogis alike gather to sweat their worries away.

Not to be confused with the geriatric step aerobics classes at your local rec center, Soca Step turns cardio into Carnival. The brainchild of fitness coach Rhomyka Gardner and taught by Tailored Fitness owner Kamal “Coach Kam” Cudjoe, Soca Step is taught every first, third, and fourth Friday at Vincent Torres Memorial Park in Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill Sports Park, and City Park in Sunrise, respectively. What started eight years ago at Tailored Fitness in Lauderhill turned into a viral fitness sensation that attracts hundreds of people every month. Bring your flag — and coordination — to Soca Step and be prepared to whine yuh waist like you’re at a Caribbean fete. Cudjoe’s energy is as buoyant as the live soca mix. Yes, he’ll call you out for not moving your waistline. Partnerships with global brands like Nike have bolstered this friendly class’ popularity, but Cudjoe plans to keep the classes free and accessible to the community.

Whereas we may never know whether the Dolphins will be remotely good year to year, we do know this: The tennis action inside Hard Rock Stadium for the annual Miami Open is always top-tier. Since moving from Crandon Park to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, everything about the Open has been ace. Beyond professional tennis’ four grand slam tournaments, it’s regarded as the next best tournament on planet Earth. And, for many reasons, people love playing inside a football stadium-gone-tennis court. All of the top players in the world attend (except Novak Djokovic, who keeps bailing for whatever reason), and, well, it’s a total vibe. Even if you aren’t a tennis fan, you can relish slices of Editor Pizza and booze on a balcony overlooking the grounds.

Winning an award for Best Coach in any sports town would be an accomplishment, but receiving that accolade with Miami Heat coach and future Hall of Famer Erik Spoelstra employed just down the road adds an extra shine to the achievement. Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is this year’s pick for the category, thanks to his work in turning the Dolphins offense into a national story through high-speed innovation and creativity that has his counterparts scratching their heads. Between his rejuvenation of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s confidence and, in essence, career, and utilization of Miami’s playmakers to the best of their abilities on the way to 11 wins and a second-straight playoff appearance, McDaniel has taken a dormant franchise accustomed to disappointments to a team with Super Bowl or bust expectations for the first time in a quarter-century. Making the Miami Dolphins relevant again? Yeah, that’s worthy stuff for the Best Coach of the Year.

The Florida Panthers have been looking fierce and clawing their way deep into the playoffs, thanks in large part to forward Matthew Tkachuk. After arriving in Florida through a trade with the Calgary Flames in 2022, Tkachuk wasted no time making his mark. He scored 40 goals in his first season with the Panthers and led the team on a Cinderella run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Along the way, Tkachuk whipped in three game-winning goals in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals in a playoff performance that will go down in franchise lore. Tkachuk brings the kind of dedication and sense of camaraderie that makes championship teams. His scoring prowess is undeniable, but he’s an unselfish player — as keen to provide a breakaway assist as he is to slap in a goal himself.

Imagine not giving Lionel Messi the Best Inter Miami CF Player title — it could not be us. Lionel Messi is more than a goal-scorer, but his fast start in his debut with Inter, consisting of 11 goals in his first 11 games with the club, confirmed what was already widely accepted: Nobody has ever put the ball in the back of the net more consistently than the Argentine GOAT himself. Messi’s presence with Inter has made the club successful on the field — including last season’s League Cup victory — and off the pitch and worldwide, as evidenced by Inter having more social media followers than any sports team. Messi’s playing in Miami would be akin to Taylor Swift deciding to have a residency in South Florida. The impact is immeasurable. Not only is Messi the Inter Miami CF Player of 2024, but likely the Best Miami Person of 2024. What happens on the pitch this season is almost second in importance to the attention and entertainment he brings South Florida.

Impactful. That’s the best word to describe Jalen Ramsey’s absence during the first half of the season due to a knee injury and his season-shifting return in December. An All-Pro his entire career, it was well-known and expected that Ramsey would be a dominant force in the Dolphins’ secondary. Still, it wasn’t until his belated arrival in the regular season after recovering from a knee injury that Dolphins fans could truly understand what the former Florida State Seminole brings. A glance at the stat sheet may show just three interceptions and five pass defenses last season, but the truth is in the details. They tell the story of a cornerback who deleted an entire side of the field for opposing quarterbacks, forcing them to take advantage of a hobbled and on-the-decline Xavien Howard, who has since left the team. Ramsey already looks 500 percent this offseason — challenging football campers to one-on-one battles galore — so expect to see an even better version of Jalen in 2024.

Jimmy Butler is the most complicated, uncomplicated man in the world. While his interests off the court — including everything from starting his own coffee company to guest starring in Fall Out Boy music videos — seem endless, when it comes time to lace up his sneakers, it’s all basketball business between the lines. And when the court between those lines has an NBA Playoffs logo painted in it, his “Playoff Jimmy” ass-kicking alter-ego kicks in and takes center stage. In 2023, Playoff Jimmy led the Miami Heat to the franchise’s second NBA Finals appearance in four seasons. While his season had a slow start, it ended predictably; he was one of the last players with a game on the schedule and, in most cases, the best player on the court. What Butler brings to the Heat not only can’t be replaced but can’t be replicated. His tenacity and out-of-body experiences with the game on the line make him one of the best players on the current team and in franchise history.

True, he’s no longer a Marlin, but months after the team traded him for prospects, second baseman Luis Arraez remains the Marlins’ best player. In a day and age when baseball analytics have taken over and a new statistic is born seemingly every day, batting average is no longer in vogue. While batting average may be going the way of the blue-footed booby, that straightforward data point says a lot about Luis Arraez. For by that measure, he is the LeBron James of baseball. In his first —and, as it turned out, only — season with the Marlins, all Arraez did was threaten to break the storied .400 threshold in batting average, a feat accomplished only 42 times in Major League Baseball history (the last time was 1948, when Artie Wilson of the Birmingham Black Barons did it). Arraez tailed off as the Marlins’ 2023 season wore on, but he still finished at .354 — best in MLB. Now he’s playing for the San Diego Padres. Such is the unfortunate lot of the Marlins fan.

David Beckham brought the best player in the world to Inter Miami in 2023, which, in turn, makes him the Best Team Owner in Miami. It’s not all that complicated. The addition of Lionel Messi and a slew of his favorite soccer-playing friends took Inter Miami from a sleepy team playing off Commercial Boulevard in Broward County to an iconic franchise with more followers on social media than any team in all of sports. Not bad! Beckham has climbed to the top of Miami sports owners through more than just his impressive good looks, pedigree, and reputation. He worked tirelessly behind closed doors to convince Messi to join Inter, a monumental move that’s done just as much for soccer in Miami as Pat Riley bringing LeBron James to play alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh did for basketball. They say you need to bet big to win big, and Beckham did just that. Banking on his relationship with Messi paid off, and then some.

Johnell Davis has entered the transfer portal, meaning he will not be an FAU Owls basketball team member in 2024-25. Luckily for him, this is an award for past performances, which he has delivered at Boca Raton in spades. Davis — regarded by many as the greatest player in FAU history — helped the school achieve its best season in program history in 2023, with Conference USA regular season and tournament titles. He was named first-team All-C-USA and C-USA Sixth Player of the Year, and, oh yeah, the Owls made it to the NCAA Final Four, by far their greatest season of all time. Davis followed up his fantastic 2023 play with another solid season for the Owls in 2024, and now he’s on to either the NBA or another school where his talents will be on full display, likely on a national stage. His time in Boca will be forever remembered, regardless of his next stop. And he’ll go down as one of the greatest college basketball players in South Florida history.

For the third consecutive year, University of Miami’s primary kicker, Andres Borregales, once again put on a kicking clinic, earning 2023 First-Team All-ACC honors and becoming a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award to recognize the top kicker in the nation. In the regular season, he nailed 21 of 25 field goal attempts and successfully converted 41 of 42 extra point attempts across 12 games. Borregales was reliable when the rest of the Hurricanes squad was anything but, and he was a lead-pipe lock to put the pigskin between the uprights when the team needed him most. When a kicker puts on the sort of reliable display Borregales has over his career, you have to find ways to reward him. In this case, New Times is pitching in by awarding him the title Best College Football Player of 2024.

To say the man, the myth, the absolute South Florida AM sports radio legend, Brendan Tobin, continues to outwork the competition would be an understatement. He’s going above and beyond to ensure he laps all comers. Between his midday show airing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on WQAM 560 with co-host and former star NFL running back LeRoy Hoard to his widely popular late-night YouTube video streams, Brendan is burning the candle at both ends while also finding time in the middle to be knowledgeable on all things boxing and martial arts. With a career in local radio spanning more than a decade, Tobin has cemented himself as a local legend and a voice fans hope to hear for many more decades. From pulsed whale calls when the Miami Heat were rumored to be after a star player to his hilarious Marlins Macho Man character, you never know what you’ll get next from Brendan. That makes him all that much more notable, thriving in an industry that is increasingly up against the drive of a new digital world.

The voice of Florida Atlantic University sports, Ken LaVicka, is more than just a sportscaster — he’s a fixture in the homes of those who root for the Owls. LaVicka was a must-follow during the Owls’ incredible run to the NCAA Final Four during March Madness in 2023, offering a fly-on-the-wall view of all things FAU that included everything from the team boarding the bus to his preparations for the big games in storied arenas such as New York’s Madison Square Garden. In the fall, LaVicka routinely begins the morning of an Owls’ game by offering social media followers a sunrise view of the stadium where he will call games just a few hours later. His connection to the fanbase on social media is just one example of how the voice of a local team can do more than just explain to the fans what they’re seeing, making the game more enjoyable. LaVicka brings to FAU precisely what the team needs: a recognizable voice and, at times, a cheerleader in a sports scene cluttered with many options. Those extra points — in addition to his spectacular vocal chops — make him the finest sportscaster in town.

This recent University of Miami grad is just getting his journalism career started — and yet, he’s already one of the most coveted rising sports reporters in the industry. Derryl Barnes Jr., originally from the suburbs of Chicago, has always stood out, landing internships at both ESPN and the Wall Street Journal during his undergrad years. He recently received the honor of the Oscar Pope Lift Every Voice Fellowship, which gives students of color with a passion for sports journalism the opportunity to work with TNT Sports during NBA All-Star Weekend. He also won the 2024 Jim Nantz Award from the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA), several College Television Awards from his work on UMTV’s SportsDesk, and roughly 20 other regional and national awards. As this issue was being prepared for press, Barnes shared that he’s taken a job with Front Office Sports. Though he’s just getting started, he’s the next Bryant Gumbel —

Walking distance from the Miami Heat’s home at the Kaseya Center is 94 feet of concrete where ballers of all shapes and sizes chuck up bricks and swishes, each shot carrying its own hoop dreams. The Pace Park basketball court’s central location draws players from all over Dade to run game. The winds pushing off Biscayne Bay can make three-pointers challenging, but the shadows from the nearby skyscraping Edgewater condos make up for it, giving players respite from the harsh afternoon sun. Even more refreshing for vampires and hoopers with day jobs is that the court has lights, so you can play after the sun sets, all the way until the park closes at 10 p.m.

A former roller-hockey rink in the shadow of the new Florida Panthers’ practice facility is the local pickleball hotspot. The space was recently renovated into six lit, free-to-the-public pickleball courts, where there’s paddle action literally from sunrise through sundown. Some are labeled as challenge courts where the winners stay on or as “four on, four off.” What makes the Holiday Park pickleball courts special is its level of play — let’s just say it’s not for amateurs before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays. If you’ve been winning too often at your local courts, hit Holiday Park to be quickly humbled by a grunting, sweaty pickleball bro or senior player to totally kick your ass. The system here is easy, too. Just place your paddle in a respective court’s queue to get in on the next game.

Remember tennis legend Chris Evert? She was Martina Navratilova’s nemesis on the court. She took home 18 grand slam titles throughout her incredible career. She’s also from Fort Lauderdale, and there’s a world-class tennis center in her hometown bearing her dad’s name. The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center is nothing new — it’s been a South Florida tennis breeding ground for tennis talents like Jennifer Capriati and Brian Gottfried. Today, it has 18 pristinely kept clay tennis courts. What makes it the best is the classy yet approachable ambiance. The courts are easy to book in advance for a fee via its pro shop, and if you want to fly solo, there’s a ball machine rental for honing those skills.

Miami Roller Rink, formerly known as Hot Wheels, Thunder Wheels, and Super Wheels, has been on a roll ever since re-opening its doors on January 1 of this year. The rink is Miami’s longest-standing roller rink and the go-to venue for parties, birthdays, corporate events, retro-themed fiestas, and music videos — even earning Drake’s stamp of approval. Looking for skate lessons? They have weekly classes taught by Rocs World and other world-class skate coaches every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Lot 11 skatepark occupies a space that was once a parking lot underneath I-95 in downtown. The park boasts a crowd of good-humored regulars who are either beginning their skate journey or working to get signed to a skate team. Lot 11 welcomes visitors with a massive halfpipe as soon as you walk through the gates. There are obstacles like stairs and rails for those who want a challenge, and vert riders can use the large, empty pool space. What really sets Lot apart is its feeling of community. Even a Wednesday night is pretty packed with enthusiasts who blast music and enjoy the night air and camaraderie. Some of the Lots’ most famous visitors include musician and designer Pharrell Williams and the late fashion designer and skateboarding advocate Virgil Abloh. You might also run into pro skaters like Jamie Foy and Sean Pablo at the park or happen upon a skate jam or other event, like a rave or Japanese wrestling.

The Charles Hadley Park pool was named after a gregarious politician known locally as the unofficial mayor of Black Miami. “Uncle Charlie” was honored after his death in 1985 with name dedications on an elementary school and park. His is a sparkling Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool with six diving boards and a high-dive platform that offers swimming lessons, lifeguard training, water aerobics, and public fun times for families. And thankfully, for those who don’t enjoy shivering in a cold pool, the water is a solid 79-82 degrees all year. Neighbors may be hearing more splashes at Hadley than normal — in March, state lawmakers unanimously passed a law to prevent child drowning by providing swimming lesson vouchers for children ages 4 or younger in families with an income of no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Happy laps!

The gorgeous stretch of the Venetian Causeway is unbeatable in terms of accessibility and views. Spanning the breadth of Biscayne Bay, it’s a thoroughfare of 12 bridges with delightful architectural details that connect Miami, the Venetian Islands, and Miami Beach. Sure, you can enjoy the ride from your car, bicycle, moped, or even Onewheel, but the 2.8-mile stretch offers joggers and runners a special kind of intimacy with the still waters of Biscayne Bay, especially at sunrise and sunset, and time to people watch. Plus, it’s pretty safe, as there’s enough space on the sidewalk to stay away from anyone speeding by.

The stunning 13.5-mile Old Cutler Trail cuts through some of Miami’s oldest and most lush neighborhoods. Pretend you’re living in the past as you enjoy a stroll under the shade of hundred-year-old banyans or jump on a bike for an easy, flat ride through nature. Along the way, you’ll pass the tangled mangroves and glistening bay views of Matheson Hammock as well as the established greenery at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Pinecrest Gardens. And all in all, Old Cutler promises a safe stroll. Tree roots might trip you up more than drivers because the speed limit around the trail is about 35 miles per hour.

The South Florida Council — Scouting America (AKA Boy Scouts of America) holds its annual Scoutmasters Camporee at Markham Park every February. Nobody knows camping like a scout, so that’s the flare alerting us that this is the best campground in town. Nestled in the western reaches of Broward County, Markham Park is within spitting distance of both the vast Everglades wilderness and the convenience of Sawgrass Mills shopping mall. With tent and RV sites, full hookups, charcoal grills, picnic tables, and even a restroom complex with hot showers, you may not feel like you’re roughing it. But there’s no shame in taking in nature while also enjoying a flushing toilet. The “luxuries” don’t end there. There’s also a dog park, mountain bike trails, ranges for archery, skeet, and target shooting, and even an airfield for RC planes and drones.

Have you been to saltwater beaches in other cities? They may have fish, but you sure won’t be seeing them through murky waves. Here in South Florida, we have some of the clearest warm waters in the lower 48. To really get up close and personal with sea creatures, head to the uncongested 165-acre Bear Cut Preserve on Key Biscayne. Its shallow seagrass habitat is teeming with life, like colorful sponges, starfish, barracuda, or pufferfish. Bear Cut’s nature trails have numerous beach access points, all ideal for snorkeling. Park at the north end of Crandon Park at the Biscayne Nature Center to ogle at the hardwood hammocks and mangroves before the trails end at an overlook of a fossilized coastal reef with a fantastic view of downtown. Pro tip: Go when the tide is low to get a closer look at the sea critters.

Slap on some sunscreen and grab your water. You’re going kayaking. Launch from Morningside Park for a solid day exploring small, wild Biscayne Bay islands. It’ll give you the opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins and brown pelicans as you roll lightly over the soft waves. If you don’t have your own boat, hit up Morningside Watersports for rentals, guided tours at decent prices, and a complimentary ten-minute orientation. And if you’re feeling a little romantic or just hate the sun, Morningside Watersports hosts a monthly full-moon guided kayak tour with a bonfire at its cozy waterfront lounge.

Sometimes Miami’s natural magic butts right up to and swims underneath its traffic-snarled urban hardscape. Almost as predictable as the northbound gridlock on the stretch of Biscayne just south of 79th Street lies just below a steady stream of traffic of a different, portly, seagrass-munching sort. Yes, we’re talking about manatees. The best place to see the slow-moving sea cows is between Advance Auto Parts and the BP station on a bridge that does not look welcoming to pedestrians across from a strip club. This area of the Little River Canal is a protected reserve, and throughout the season (November to April), you’ll spot manatees here, often with babies in tow. The bridge provides a great vantage point, perfect angle, and distance for close viewing as they glide by below.

The Seaquarium on Virginia Key used to draw millions of tourists and locals to its dolphin and whale shows. That version of the park now only exists in memories — what remains is simply scandalous. Accusations of animal cruelty surrounding the captivity of star attraction Lolita the orca whale had dogged the park for years. In the wake of her death in 2023, horrific reports of decrepit facilities, understaffed vet teams, and sick and injured animals have led Miami-Dade County to terminate the park’s lease — a more than welcome development. We’d say see it before it’s too late, but we’re willing to bet you won’t like what you see.

Go east on NE 69th Street in MiMo, and you’ll eventually come upon Baywood Park, a lovely little patch of green abutting Biscayne Bay. Come here on a Sunday afternoon to gaze upon the turquoise blue waters across to the condo towers of Miami Beach and feel the gentle cooling breeze, possibly with an iguana at your side. And stay for sunset, as the pastels fade to a black, sparkling sky. You might just forget all the nonsense and stress that comes with living in Miami and remember how truly beautiful this city is.

This might not be something you want to do in broad daylight, but for stoners looking for a place to sneak out, spark up, and unwind, Bayside Marketplace is the move. The best spot to suck down a joint is the pier in the back where the THC, soft tropical breeze, and glitter of downtown lights can hit you all at once. As the stores close around 10 p.m., the area becomes remarkably peaceful, so you can safely light up a doobie and take in the breathtaking panorama of the city skyline and the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel against the night sky. Plus, with plenty of late-night restaurants in the greater downtown area, you’ve got munchie options galore.

Right off Old Dixie Highway in Goulds stands one of Miami-Dade County’s best-kept secrets, a precious postcard-perfect historic village, Cauley Square. It was first established as a railway siding at the turn of the 20th Century. Spread across ten acres of lush, tree-shaded gardens colonized by peacocks, this hidden oasis of tranquility — a New Age enclave, really — is home to open artist studios, an independent bookstore, antique shop, and much more. As big developers continue to raze all of Miami’s historically distinguishing features with impunity, Cauley Square remains an authentic time capsule of Old Florida that must be protected at all costs.

No need to try and risk your life walking along the traffic-jammed streets of Miami to get your steps in. Instead, head down to Brickell Key near the Mandarin Oriental. The scenic 1.1-mile loop offers a picturesque view of the city, and, if you’re tuned in to the surrounding natural world, you may even spot a dolphin and manatee — all while breaking a sweat and strengthening your calves. Between the dogs, strollers, runners, and occasional wannabe influencers, the path can get a bit crowded. But they’ll all fade away once you cue up your favorite podcast, plug in your noise-canceling headphones, and take in the majesty of the Magic City.

What can be said about getting stuck on Brickell Avenue traffic that can’t be summarized in a series of loud grunts and unintelligible cries of pain? It’s always a steamy summer’s evening, you just finished up a shitshow day at work, and all you want to do is return to your humble abode to roast a doobie. But standing in your way is that serpentine line of vehicles down Brickell, and it’s slithering along at 2.53 miles per hour. You have two choices: get riled up and tailgate some other poor schmuck or kick back, put on The Very Best of Yanni, and hope that the Bayside Miami aliens deploy a tractor beam to abduct every last vehicle standing between you and your apartment. Argh! Blech! Fkokendrugle!