Miami’s Best Parks:
The top rated Parks in Miami, FL are:
- Maurice A. Ferré Park – features the longest waterfront bay walk in Miami
- Simpson Park – features a garden center, walking trails, and a pond
- Alice Wainwright Park – is a 28-acre waterfront park and nature preserve
- The Barnacle Historic State Park – is a 5-acre State Park in the Coconut Grove
- Bayfront Park – is the Miami community’s first public gathering space
Maurice A. Ferré Park
Maurice A. Ferré Park is Miami’s longest beachfront promenade, connecting Biscayne Boulevard and Biscayne Bay with a walkway that provides access to a number of intriguing institutions. The Greater Miami neighborhood’s first public meeting area was Bayfront Park, formerly known as Royal Palm Park. The park’s original design, completed in 1896, merely had a pavilion and a grassy area for visitors to use for baseball games and track and field contests. Later, a bandshell was built, and the park was regularly used for events, including sporting competitions and political assemblies.
Bayfront Park has grown considerably over the years and presently covers 32 acres. This famous park is ideal for families looking for a place to unwind, play, or work out. It has open lawn areas; a wide bay walk; winding walkways; a sandy beach area; a stunning fountain; performance venues with special event lighting and VIP seating areas; a tropical rock garden; a waterfall that dates back to 1926; and much more.
Products/Services:
Strolling and Jogging
LOCATION:
Address: 1075 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Phone: (305) 358-7550
Website: www.bayfrontparkmiami.com
REVIEWS:
“Clean, relatively large park right by the water! Great for people watching and taking a stroll. Beautiful on a sunny day like we had. Took the Baywalk Path from here down to the big yacht, this was a good place to start.” – Angela D.
Simpson Park
Simpson Park is a natural park that includes more than eight acres of a tropical hardwood hammock, in the heart of Miami’s urban core, one of the last remaining examples of the renowned Brickell Hammock. The majority of Simpson Park is made up of native trees and bushes, making it one of the city’s early conservation initiatives. Over 162 plant species are represented there. At least 96 of them, including Red Stopper, Spicewood, Live Oak, Strangler Fig, Jamaica Dogwood, Gumbo Limbo, False-Mastic, and lignum Vitae, are natural species.
The park is home to 15 endangered species, 9 of which are threatened, as well as species such as the Wild Cinnamon, Coffee Colubrina, Yellow Boxwood, Silver Palm, Strongbark, Redberry stopper, and Gulf licaria.
Products/Services:
Garden Center, Walking Trails, and Pond
LOCATION:
Address: 5, SW 17th Rd, Miami, FL 33129
Phone: (305) 859-2867
Website: www.miamigov.com
REVIEWS:
“Amazing nature park. So peaceful and relaxing not busy ever. The park is all shade. They close early so u want to get there before 4 pm. They have restrooms and staff is always on-site. There are two entrances to this park. One-off the road and another in front of the nature center.” – Eric B.
Alice Wainwright Park
Alice Wainwright Park is a hammock of tropical hardwoods. One of the last remaining pieces of the historic Brickell Hammock, which was one of the biggest and most varied Rockland hammocks in South Florida, can be found only in South Florida and along Florida’s coasts can you find these upland hardwood forests. Tropical hardwood hammocks are still found today, but they are mostly in small preserves along the southern Atlantic coast and in extreme South Florida.
These ecosystems are defined by species of trees and shrubs that are on the northernmost edge of a range that extends southward into the Caribbean. There is a huge variety of plant species in this tropical, cold-intolerant region.
Products/Services:
Basketball, Outdoor Gym Equipment, Parking, Picnic Tables, Playground, Shelter, Waterfront
LOCATION:
Address: 2845 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33129
Phone: (305) 416-1300
Website: www.miamigov.com
REVIEWS:
“Such a beautiful park. It is located in the middle of some pretty nice houses yet you find something so simple and elegant as this park. Named after a strong woman leader and advocate for the environment. It is fitting that this park reflects that. Love the playground and has a small bike path. I would not recommend bringing skates or skateboards because of the texture of the path. It also has a small fitness area so perfect for a meaningful workout with the air of the ocean to beat the heat of workout.” – Vanessa C.
The Barnacle Historic State Park
The Barnacle Historic State Park is a 5-acre Florida State Park located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The 1891-built Barnacle offers a picture of frontier life during the Era of the Bay when all travel to and from Miami was accomplished by ship. This residence on the Biscayne Bay shore was home to Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove’s most lovable and influential pioneers. Munroe merely carved a crooked, winding buggy path through the hammock, preserving the vegetation on his land. The result is that there are numerous enormous, old trees on the site.
Products/Services:
Bicycling, Birding, Boat Tours, Boating, Camping, Camping Boat, Camping Equestrian, Camping Primitive, Canoeing and Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Paddling
LOCATION:
Address: 3485 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133
Phone: (305) 442-6866
Website: www.floridastateparks.org
REVIEWS:
“I visited here on a Sunday afternoon. The Barnacle is a beautiful historic home with lots to appreciate. I did a small house tour with Jim and it was very informative and interesting. The house is kept very well and Jim had lots to share and was happy to answer any questions. Definitely recommend visiting the house and the grounds to relax, and definitely recommend doing a guide with Jim, he’s awesome.” – Brandon R.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park served as the neighborhood of Greater Miami’s first public gathering place. A pavilion and a field where people could play baseball and compete in track and field events were the only features of the park when it was first built in 1896. The 32-acre Bayfront Park, which lies in the heart of Downtown Miami and borders Biscayne Bay, has expanded significantly throughout time. For families searching for a place to relax, play, or exercise, this renowned park is perfect.
There are vast open lawn areas, winding walks, a sandy beach area, a beautiful fountain, performance spaces with VIP seating and special event lighting, a tropical rock garden, a waterfall that was built in 1926, and many more features.
Products/Services:
Lawn Spaces, Wide Baywalk, Winding Walkways, Sandy Beach Area, Stunning Fountain, Performance Venues, Tropical Rock Garden, and Waterfall
LOCATION:
Address: 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Phone: (305) 358-7550
Website: www.bayfrontparkmiami.com
REVIEWS:
“Great place for outdoor recreation! Be your bikes, strollers, and sports shoes. You can forget you are in a big city for a moment. Is a place to feel the fresh breeze and enjoy nature. We love to bring our family here, there is parking and is pet friendly.” – Willie Z.
Mark has lived in Detroit, MI his whole life. He has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and True Dakotan. As a journalist for Kev’s Best, Mark covers national and local businesses.