Parks and Recreation
Parques y Recreacion
Coconut Grove
Viscaya Museum and Gardens An Italian renaissance villa and gardens, great for picnics. Approach by dinghy for an architectural treat. Open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami (305) 250-9133
Kennedy Park is a very nice place to go jogging, walking, walk your dog, have a picnic, play the guitar and just hang out. It has a frisbee golf course and a fitness circuit. There is always a cool breeze coming off the Bay and you can relax with a Frozen Lemonade from A.C.'s Icees. Check out the pics below. South Bayshore Dr. next to the US Sailing Center and Coral Reef Yacht Club.
Peacock Park Situated on the grounds of Coconut Grove's first inn, it has a bay view and soccer and baseball fields. There is a recently built boardwalk here which gives a good view of the anchorage. MacFarlane Rd across from the library.
Coral Gables
Fairchild Tropical Garden Is an 83 acre paradise of botanical treasures featuring rare species of plants and flowers. Open all year from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Fl. (305) 667-1651
Cutler Ridge
Deering Estate at Cutler Industrialist Charles Deering obviously had a lot of money to spend on all his estates. This one is 420 acres of gardens, archealogical sites, fabulous architecture in Mediterranean Revival style, all wrapped up with a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay. Open from 10 am to 5 pm. 16701 SW 72nd Ave., Miami, (305) 235-1668,
Everglades National Park
This national treasure covers 1.5 million acres with mangroves, hammocks, rivers and many animals, including endangered ones. Open 24 hours, the Visitor Center's hours are 8 am to 5 pm. South on US1 to Rt. 9336, or SW 8th St (Rt. 41) all the way to Homestead. (305) 242-7700
Homestead
Biscayne National Underwater Park 181,000 acres of marine habitat. Great for snorkeling and diving, you can also take a glass bottomed boat ride. SW 328th St. (305) 230-1100
Fruit and Spice Park More than 200 species and 500 varieties of fruits, spice, vegetables, herbs and nuts in this neat place. Go have lunch on some fallen fruit! Take a tour. Open daily, 10 am to 5 pm. 24801 SW 187th Ave. at SW 248th St., Homestead. (305) 247-5727
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne has it all! Beaches, Nature Center, Lighthouse, restaurants, bike paths, petting zoo, carrousel, golf, tennis, snorkelling, and sunbathing. There is a $1 toll to get on Rickenbacker Causeway.
Crandon Park is a long beach where you can take your kids and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean with no waves and lots of sun. There is an aviary with many tropical birds, a smal petting zoo, a carrousel and many picnic tables and playgrounds. The park is free but parking is $4 per vehicle. 4000 Crandon Blvd. (305) 361-5421
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area This park is home to the Key Biscayne Lighthouse, as well the site of a Nature Center with lots of interesting information on the local marine life. Admission is $1.
North Miami
Historic Arch Creek Park Nature Center and a museum on a site that used to be inhabited by Tequesta Indians from 500 B.C. to 1300 AD. Lots of hiking and free nature walks through the butterfly garden and hammocks. 1855 NE 135th St. North Miami, Fl (305) 944-6111.