Best Parks in Miami

Bayfront Park

A 32-acre waterfront park in the heart of downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay, with open lawns, a fountain, sculptures, and an amphitheater that hosts concerts and the city's New Year's Eve celebration. It's a convenient green break between downtown sights and a launch point for the adjoining Maurice A. Ferre Park and its museums. Practical note: open daily roughly 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; free to enter.

Parks

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

A 400-plus-acre state park at the southern tip of Key Biscayne wrapping a wide Atlantic beach around the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse, Florida's oldest standing structure. Go for the calm, uncrowded sand, lighthouse climbs, paved bike paths, and seaside dining at the Lighthouse Cafe. Practical note: open 8 a.m. to sundown 365 days a year with an $8 per-vehicle entry fee, and it can hit capacity on weekends, so arrive early.

Parks

Crandon Park

A sprawling Key Biscayne county park anchored by a two-mile barrier-island beach repeatedly ranked among the nation's best, with calm, shallow water shielded by an offshore sandbar that makes it ideal for families. Beyond the sand there's a marina, golf and tennis, picnic areas with grills, and a nature center with shoreline boardwalks. Practical note: the beach opens around sunrise to sunset and parking fills fast on weekends.

Parks

David T. Kennedy Park

A breezy 20-plus-acre bayfront park in Coconut Grove with open lawns, shade trees, a waterfront running and exercise track, beach volleyball, and one of Miami's most popular dog parks. It's a local favorite for sunset views over Biscayne Bay and weekend picnics. Practical note: free to enter; daytime is best as the park effectively closes after dusk.

Parks

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

An 83-acre tropical botanical garden in Coral Gables renowned for its world-class collections of palms, cycads, flowering trees, and a butterfly conservatory, all laid out around scenic lakes. It's a serene, shaded escape and one of Miami's premier outdoor cultural attractions, with rotating art installations and seasonal festivals. Practical note: open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets are required, so consider booking ahead.

Parks

Matheson Hammock Park

A historic 1930s Coral Gables park where a man-made atoll pool flushes naturally with Biscayne Bay tides, creating a sheltered lagoon that's safe for young swimmers and offers postcard skyline views. Surrounded by mangroves and tropical hardwood hammock, it also has a marina, trails, and picnic areas. Practical note: hours run roughly 9 a.m. to 5:30-6:30 p.m. depending on season, with a per-vehicle entry fee.

Parks

Oleta River State Park

At over 1,000 acres, this is Florida's largest urban park, a North Miami Beach oasis built for active visitors with mangrove-lined kayak and paddleboard routes, a well-known mountain-bike trail network, a sandy swimming lagoon on Biscayne Bay, and cabin camping. Go for a half-day of paddling or riding minutes from the city. Practical note: open 8 a.m. to sunset daily with a per-vehicle fee, and it often reaches capacity on weekends.

Parks

South Pointe Park

A 17-acre park at the southern tip of South Beach with sweeping views of the Government Cut shipping channel, cruise ships, and Fisher Island. Visitors come for the waterfront promenade, the fishing pier, a kids' splash pad, grassy lawns, and easy beach access. Practical note: the park is open daily sunrise to 10 p.m. (pier roughly 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.); parking is paid but entry is free.

Parks

The Underline

A growing 10-mile linear park and cultural trail built beneath Miami's Metrorail, with the standout Brickell Backyard section offering a basketball court, butterfly garden, outdoor gym, dog park, performance stage, and dedicated walking and cycling paths. Go for a flat, art-lined urban stroll or bike ride connecting Brickell toward Coconut Grove. Practical note: free and open to the public; the Brickell Backyard near the Miami River is the most amenity-rich stretch.

Parks

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

A 1916 Italian Renaissance-style villa on Biscayne Bay surrounded by 10 acres of formal European gardens with fountains, statuary, grottoes, and a stone barge breakwater. Go for the dramatic architecture and one of the most photogenic garden settings in Florida. Practical note: open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Tuesdays; tickets required, so buy in advance.