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Miami/Miami Beach, Florida Parks and Beaches.

Enjoy this great variety of Miami, Florida parks and beaches, ranging from rainforests to bird sanctuaries to freshwater lakes to public beaches to secluded beaches to tropical botanical gardens to the magnificent Everglades National Park and more.   Use the following descriptions to create a fun-filled itinerary including Miami, Florida parks and beaches.

Be sure to check out Miami/Miami Beach, Florida vacation rentals by owner houses, villas and condos for luxurious, yet affordable accomodations - many times less than the cost of a cramped, stuffy, less-than-clean hotel room.

DIRECTORY OF GREATER MIAMI/MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA PARKS AND BEACHES:

Amelia Earhart Park
401 E. 65th Street Hialeah, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.685.8389

Five lakes stocked with bass and bream for fishing, playgrounds, picnic facilities, and a big red barn that houses cows, sheep, and goats for petting and ponies for riding. Country store and dozens of old-time farm activities like horseshoeing, sugarcane processing, and more. Parking fee.

Bal Harbour Beach
Collins Avenue from 96th Street to Haulover

Inlet
Bal Harbour, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.866.4633

Palm-shaded jogging path curves around mile-long beach. Fishing from jetty at north end of beach. Limited metered parking lot available beneath Haulover Bridge. No lifeguards or showers.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area
1200 S. Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.361.5811

A scenic beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne. Walking and bicycle trails wind through native vegetation. Historic lighthouse and food concession. Restrooms, picnic tables and shower facilities available. Parking fee.

Crandon Park Beach
4000 Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.361.7373

Three-mile long lagoon style beach protected by 13 lifeguard towers. Beach wheelchairs for rent. Children’s carrousel, playgrounds and picnic areas. Ideal for families. Shower facilities, restrooms, shelters and lifeguards. Parking fee.

Fairchild Tropical Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.667.1651
www.fairchildgarden.org

A veritable rain forest of exotic plants, as well as 11 lakes and countless meadows, are spread across 83 acres. More than 100 species of birds. 30-minute narrated tram tour.  Museum, cafe,  picnic area, and gift shop.

Haulover Beach Park
10800 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida parks
305.944.3040

Spacious beach with shady picnic area/barbecue grills near the dunes. Beach wheelchairs for rent. Pedestrian tunnels link to the park and marina on Biscayne Bay. Nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, kite flying area and kite shop. Parking fee. Clothing-optional section at northern end.

Hobie Beach/Windsurfer Beach
South end (north side of Rickenbacker Causeway)
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.361.2833

Windsurfing beach on secluded inlet. Dogs allowed. Watersports rentals, food/drink concessions, beachside parking. Great views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami skyline.

Homestead Bayfront Park
9698 SW 328th Street
Homestead, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.230.3034

Palm-shaded, sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in South Miami-Dade County adjoining Biscayne National Park. Parking fee.

Kampong
National Tropical Botanical Garden
4013 Douglas Road
Coconut Grove, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.442.7169

A 7-acre botanical garden featuring a stunning array of flowering trees and tropical fruit trees including mango, avocado, and pomelos, developed by noted plant explorer David Fairchild in the early 1900s.

Larry and Penny Thompson Park
12451 S.W. 184th Street
Miami, Florida parks
305.232.1049

A Miami secret, this laid-back and beautiful 243-acre county park has a 35-acre freshwater lake, white-sand beach, water slide, and concession stand.  Parking fee. 

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
6767 Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.361.6767

www.biscaynenaturecenter.org

Brand-new $4 million facility and offers hands-on marine exploration, hikes through coastal hammocks, bike trips, and beach walks.

Matheson Hammock Park
9610 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks  

305.665.5475

Miami-Dade County's oldest park is one of its most appealing, with a bathing beach separated by a narrow walking path from peaceful Biscayne Bay. Plenty of lush walking and bike trails, picnic tables under towering trees, changing facilities, showers and bathrooms, plus a seafood restaurant.  Parking fee.

Miami Beach — Central
Collins Avenue from 21st Street to 46th Street
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.673.7714

Raised boardwalk over the dunes popular for strolling and jogging. Proximity to sidewalk cafes along Collins Ave. Miami Beach has a strong Jewish culture mixed with a dash of Latin flair: see the city's Holocaust Memorial, created through the efforts of Miami Beach Holocaust survivors. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals. Parking fee.

Miami Beach — North
Collins Avenue from 46th Street to 78th Street
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.673.7714

Community center and old-fashioned bandshell in adjoining park at north end. Palm-shaded grassy area. Proximity to sidewalk cafes and fast-food restaurants. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals, shower facilities. Parking fee.

Miami Beach/South Beach
Gay and lesbian beaches on:
5th Street and Ocean Drive
12th Street and Ocean Drive
Collins Avenue and 21st Street
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.673.7714

Brightly painted, whimsical lifeguard stands. A great place for people-watching. Walk, jog or skate along concrete promenade bordering the beach. Proximity to sidewalk cafes. Parking fee.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.673.7256

Lush, tropical 4 1/2-acre garden is a fabulous, all-natural retreat from city bustle.

North Shore Open Space
Collins Avenue from 78th to 87th Terrace
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.993.2032

Lushly landscaped green park with a boardwalk on the sand. Picnic tables, restrooms, shower facilities and parking. Located in North Beach, a quieter section of Miami Beach ideal for families. Parking fee.

Oleta State Recreation Area
3400 NE 163rd St.
North Miami Beach
Miami, Florida parks
305.919.1846

Sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in a shady park offering many recreational activities. Popular spot for with boating and kayaking along nearby Snake River. Parking fee.

Preston B. Bird and Mary Heinlein Fruit and Spice Park
24801 SW 187th Avenue
Homestead, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.247.5727

30-acre living plant museum, where the most exotic varieties of fruits and spices--ackee, mango, Ugli fruits, carambola, and breadfruit--grow on strange-looking trees with unpronounceable names. Original coral rock buildings dating back to 1912. Popular art festival here in January.  Gift shop.  Fee.

South Pointe Park
Ocean Drive at 5th Street
Miami Beach
Miami, Florida parks
305.673.7714

Entrance through the park at 1 Washington Ave. Beach located at the southern tip of South Beach. Great place to watch cruise ships sailing out to sea. Parking fee.

Sunny Isles Beach
Collins Avenue from 157th Street to 193rd Street
Sunny Isles, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.947.0606

Newly renourished two-mile long, wide, white sand beach. Landmark fishing pier at south end where concessions are located. Parking fee.

Surfside Beach
Collins Avenue from 88th Street to 96th Street
Surfside, Florida
Miami, Florida parks
305.861.4863

Mainly residential stretch of beach with limited facilities and parking. Facilities are available at 93rd St. Community Center for a fee.

Virginia Key Beach — South
South of Rickenbacker Causeway (east of Biscayne Bay)
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.361.2833

Ultra-secluded beach close to Key Biscayne. Shady areas, nature trails and a bird sanctuary nearby. Only beach in Miami-Dade County where dogs on leashes are allowed.

Virginia Key Beach — North
North of Rickenbacker Causeway (east of Biscayne Bay)
Key Biscayne, Florida
Greater Miami, Florida parks
305.575.5256

Windsurfing and ultralight seaplane rental. Great views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami skyline. Food/drink concessions and restrooms. Parking fee.