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This article is part of the FT Globetrotter’s Miami Guide
Miami is best known as a party city. If you were born and raised in Miami, like me, you can easily list your favorite nightclubs and bars. What we don’t like to share too much with visitors are the places where we provide solace: our neighborhood parks and gardens. Winter is the perfect time to explore Miami’s incredible natural beauty, with a break from the heat and humidity and comfortable temperatures and crisp azure skies. Some of my favorite outdoor venues are off the beaten track, from parks filled with quinceanera princesses (Latin American girls celebrating their 15th birthdays) to seaside shrines dedicated to Cuba’s patron saint. Masu. What these parks and gardens have in common, and why I always want to visit them when I return home, is that they are beloved by locals, both for their natural beauty and the gorgeous communities that visit them, and are uplifting. It’s a great gathering place. . Think of this as an invitation to a party.
A far cry from the hotel-filled tourist hotspot of Miami Beach, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, locally known as El Farito for its lighthouse, is one of the city’s most beloved recreational areas (and, of course, the beach). there is). . Here, on the southernmost tip of Key Biscayne, families fish, hike through mangrove swamps, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, and watch invasive iguanas scamper along the bike path. There are also tours of the famous lighthouse (but you must be at least 42 inches tall to participate). This lighthouse was built in 1825 and is miraculously the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. An impressive feat considering we are now facing nearly 200 years of history. Years of hurricanes.
Chair and umbrella rentals and bicycle rentals are available at the beach area. You can complete your visit with a meal at one of the park’s three restaurants. Both are laid-back spots serving fresh seafood and cocktails. If you think a visit to Bill Baggs sounds like the perfect day to enjoy some of Miami’s best natural scenery, you’re not alone. It is very crowded on weekends, and admission will be restricted once capacity is reached. Arrive early and go on a weekday if your schedule allows.
For the city’s most serene views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, visit the National Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, a seaside sanctuary dedicated to Cuba’s patron saint. Built to house a replica of Cuba’s sacred Virgin of Cobre statue and completed in 1973, the basilica houses dozens of Cuban historical figures, including José Martí, the poet and father of Cuban independence. There is also an imposing floor-to-ceiling mural depicting the… (The brochure explains who all the faces are and why artist Teoc Carrasco decided to include them). Behind the church there is a seaside green area with statues and portraits of other saints. Visitors often leave flowers, coins, and other items (I’ve seen earrings) at their feet as a sign of gratitude. This area has an impressive tranquility. As you stand by the sea wall and watch the waves crashing below you (or depending on the wind), you’ll forget you’re in a metropolitan area. Especially when you realize that parking is free (for an hour).
Located at the corner of Southwest 57th Street and Eighth Avenue in Coral Gables, Prado Entrance is a luxurious Spanish-style gateway to one of Miami’s oldest (and wealthiest) neighborhoods. With dramatic stone archways and trellis-lined walkways filled with blooming bougainvillea, the site is so scenic and lush with tropical greenery that photographers are using the structure as a backdrop for their quinceañera shoots. I see it frequently. (I know this from experience, as this is where I took my quinceañera photos a long time ago.) Stroll through one of Miami’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, whether you’re wearing a tulle-covered hoop skirt or not It’s worth spending an afternoon doing so. It is nestled under a distinctive canopy of ancient banyan trees and live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. After snapping your own photo, you can get up close to many of the area’s other famous architectural landmarks, including the Biltmore Hotel, the Venetian Pool (reopening in May 2025), and the University of Miami campus.
You can visit Deering Estate, a historic home turned museum, to explore the art exhibits and history, but for me the real gem is the bay-adjacent grounds and nature reserve (admission fee ($18). If you’re looking for a place to play on the water, this is the place. In addition to standard guided kayaking, we also offer Moonlight Tours, where you paddle under the stars and tour the small mangrove islands and breeding grounds of Chicken Cay. There’s also something called Clear Kayak Adventures, where kayaking tours in completely transparent kayaks offer stunning views of the marine life below.
If you prefer to stay on land, there are tours of nature reserves. This involves hiking through protected areas around the property with a staff naturalist, highlighting native plants and animals along the way. There is no additional charge and it is held daily from October to May. If you’re feeling brave, you can also join the evening version of this tour (held once a month, usually on a Wednesday). The price ($25) also includes a post-hike campfire. Deering Estate is home to an estimated 170 species of birds, with herons, ibises and egrets almost guaranteed to be seen, and guided bird walks available from October to May .
And then there’s Tropical Park. The name says it all. Bordered on the east by the Palmetto Expressway, this popular recreation area features landscaped walking trails, racquetball and tennis courts, a playground, and my personal favorite, traveling with your fur baby. There’s a cute dog park that’s perfect for. My family visited this park once a week when I was a kid because my dad was in a night softball league and there were games going on. It truly is a community space filled with families and locals from all walks of life, where the real Miami is always on display, full of love, laughter, music, and beauty. During the winter, the park transforms at night into a holiday-themed spectacle called Christmas Wonderland (through January 5th). Featuring rides, carnival games, and more twinkling lights than you ever thought possible, this event is a true reflection of how Miami spends its winters. Get outdoors as much as possible and enjoy the soothing warmth and natural beauty of this vibrant and spectacular city.
Jenine Capo Crucet is the author of “Say Hello to My Little Friend” (Simon & Schuster).
What is your favorite green space in Miami? Let us know in the comments below. Follow FT Globetrotter (@FTGlobetrotter) on Instagram.
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