Enjoy Nature at our Favorite Outdoor Activities in Miami - Trip Canvas
Editor Pick
Enjoy Nature at our Favorite Outdoor Activities in Miami
Published: April 19, 2023
Written byMichelle Palmer
While visiting the Greater Miami area, it is almost a requirement that you lounge and play at the many picturesque beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, but also consider the other outdoor activities in Miami and its nearby cities. Have an unforgettable experience kiteboarding, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, touring historic neighborhoods and birdwatching.
In this article, learn about several outdoor activities in and around Miami. The Miami Beach Beachwalk runs the length of Miami Beach and provides excellent views of South Beach. Coconut Grove, perfect for a stroll or bike ride, is among Miami's historic places and features notable buildings and sites. Key Biscayne has Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, less than a 20-minute drive from Downtown Miami through Virginia Key. Matheson Hammock Park and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables are fabulous green spaces. Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead offers visitors tastes of tropical plants, and nearby Everglades National Park is the perfect location for a day trip from Miami.
Courtesy of Greater Miami CVB
What to Pack
Protect yourself from sunburns when outside in sunny Florida by wearing sunscreen. If you are going in the water, make sure it's reef-safe sunscreen — products that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead of oxybenzone. Also, bring lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts made of breathable fabric and a hat for additional sun protection on hikes. For water activities, consider a long-sleeved rash guard to wear over your swimsuit.
Protect your phone from water damage with a dry phone bag, and bring bug repellent to avoid mosquito bites. Take a refillable water bottle with you to parks. Concessions aren't always available, and you'll reduce waste by refilling your bottle. If you have them, pack binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. And don't forget your comfortable walking shoes!
Courtesy of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Miami Beach Beachwalk
South Pointe Park to 87th St.
Miami Beach, FL
The Miami Beach Beachwalk, an ADA-accessible paver pathway per the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, spans Miami Beach from North Beach Oceanside Park to South Pointe Park. At North Beach, you'll find picnic pavilions and barbecues. Further up the path, you can see subtropical vegetation like sea grapes. Continue through Lummus Park, and on the ocean side, you have views of Muscle Beach's fitness area. On Ocean Drive, you can see some of the fabulous hotels that are part of the Art Deco District. Check out the Art Deco Welcome Center for walking tours of the district.
The last section of the Beachwalk is South Pointe Park. There is plenty for kids to love, including the water playground and jungle gym. The park, full of palm trees and paved paths, is perfect for skateboards, standard skates and in-line skates. While at South Pointe Park, walk down the pier for an unimpeded view of South Beach.
If you want to cycle down the Beachwalk, rent a bike from one of the Citi Bike stands along the path. If you need a mobility aid to go onto the beach, the city of Miami Beach has a limited number of beach wheelchairs available to rent for no cost at South Pointe Park and 1001 Ocean Drive. They are offered first come, first served; phone (305) 673-7714 for availability.
iStockphoto.com / Christian Ouellet
Coconut Grove
Miami, FL
Coconut Grove is a historic neighborhood in Miami that dates back to the 1870s when Bahamian people settled the area. Today you can take a self-guided walking tour or rent a bike from a Citi Bike stand or from Suncycling on 27th Southwest Avenue near Bird Avenue to travel around the 4.17-square-mile neighborhood. Some key historic sites include the Colored Library (Odd Fellows Hall), the first library for Black people in the area, the Mariah Brown House and the E.W.F. Stirrup House, owned by residents from The Bahamas. Find the walking tour map here, provided by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District.
The neighborhood is on Biscayne Bay, making it a popular spot for sailing. You can take classes from Coconut Grove Sailing Club or with Shake-a-Leg Miami, which specializes in accessible watersports for people with differing abilities.
iStockphoto.com / lavendertime
Crandon Park Visitor and Nature Center
6747 Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Crandon Park, on Key Biscayne past Virginia Key, has outdoor activities, 2 miles of beach, concession stands, picnic areas and grills. If you require a mobility aid to enjoy time on the sand, four beach wheelchairs are available to rent at no cost from the park office. Chairs are on a first-come, first-served basis; phone (305) 361-6767 for availability. Note that Sunday is the most popular day at this beach.
Miami-Dade County Park Services offers naturalist-guided hiking, biking and kayak tours. You can opt for the 1.5-mile hike of Bear Cut Preserve; a 4-mile bike ride through the preserve, Crandon Gardens and the Fossil Reef Overlook; or a 2.5-hour paddle in Key Biscayne. The naturalists will tell you about the area and park history and help you spot wildlife. Herons, ospreys, hawks, songbirds, sea turtles, parrot fish and sea stars call the park and Biscayne Bay home. Tour reservations are required; check the park's website for prices and availability.
Courtesy of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Blvd.
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Take in the fresh air at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on the southernmost point of Key Biscayne, about a 15-minute drive from Downtown Miami. The park boasts 1.25 miles of beach, though no lifeguard is on duty. If you need a mobility aid to go onto the beach, the concession stand has a few complimentary beach wheelchairs and swimming wheelchairs available for rent.
History buffs will appreciate the guided tour of the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse offered at 10 and 1 each Thursday through Monday. Before the construction of the historic lighthouse, Black Seminole and formerly enslaved Black people used the area to board ships for passage to the British Bahamas. The park is designated as a stop on the National Underground Railroad Network Access to Freedom to remember and celebrate their lives and their search for freedom.
Outdoor activities also include the trails on the west side of the park. Cycle or walk the 1.5-mile paved bike path. You can rent a regular bicycle or quad bike that fits two to four people from the concession stand. The unpaved service roads also are open to both hikers and cyclists.
Wildlife spotting at the park varies by season. The fall is the best time for bird-watching. You might see several species of birds, including the peregrine falcon, before they complete their winter migration further south. In the summer, loggerhead turtles nest on the shores, while green sea turtles and manatees are also common sightings offshore.
Courtesy of Greater Miami CVB
Matheson Hammock Park
9610 Old Cutler Rd.
Coral Gables, FL 33156
In Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock Park is a green space with easy trails for hiking and biking. The park is a mix of mangrove and hardwood forest, so while on the trails, you can enjoy the comforting shade of the mossy canopy of trees.
The human-made atoll is a popular spot for kids to swim because of the calm waters. It's also excellent for kiteboarding, using a large kite to propel you across the water on a board. Adventure Sports USA offers lessons. You also can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Note: Save money on admission by visiting on weekdays.
Courtesy of Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Rd.
Coral Gables, FL 33156
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, near Matheson Hammock Park, is a AAA GEM® (Great Experience for Members). You can wander the garden solo or take a guided tour to learn more about the plants and the garden's history. You can see tropical flowers such as orchids and trees like coconut palms.
Wings of the Tropics is a favorite spot at Fairchild. You'll be delighted by the many butterflies in this section, and you should keep an eye out for hummingbirds that frequent this area. The numerous ponds are peaceful spots within the garden, such as the Moos Sunken Garden. This fern grotto, just off the path, is a shady spot that offers some respite from the heat on summer days. You'll find a pool of water filled by a waterfall.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic has 2.5 miles of paved paths. Guests who may require further assistance can inquire about the shuttle service at the entrance.
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Biscayne National Park
9700 S.W. 328th St.
Homestead, FL 33033
Biscayne National Park mainly consists of the waters of Biscayne Bay. There is no fee to enter, but to get the most out of the park, many visitors opt for guided trips of the bay and coral reefs, available from select concessionaires. Book a snorkel and dive trip to see the colorful coral reef about 10 miles offshore. You also can take guided paddles and kiteboarding lessons.
The National Park Service allows the following companies to operate within the park.
Biscayne National Park Institute
This concessionaire leads snorkel trips around the coral reefs and near the mangroves. You can also go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on guided tours like the Jones Eco-Adventure Paddle. Learn about the park and its ecosystem while enjoying the water and possibly seeing animals like the lovely roseate spoonbill, which have pink feathers as a result of their diet.
Diver's Paradise
Certified scuba divers can book dive trips in Biscayne Bay around the coral reefs with Diver's Paradise. If you aren't a certified scuba diver, you can take a scuba diving class or book a snorkel trip.
Kiteboarding
If you are traveling to Miami from September through May and looking for an adventurous activity, try a kiteboarding lesson from either South Florida Kiteboarding or Wind Addict Miami. This activity blends the fun of surfing with the power of the wind. Kiteboarders use a large kite to pull them across the water.
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Fruit & Spice Park
24801 S.W. 187th Ave.
Homestead, FL 33031
Fruit & Spice Park is a unique attraction where you can indulge multiple senses. See, smell and taste tropical fruits. In addition to the edible fruits, the park also features plants that have been used for textiles, dyes and construction. The park is divided into five sections representing regions of the world — Africa, Asia, Australia, the tropical Americas and the Mediterranean. They feature multiple species of bananas and over 100 types of mangoes, as well as avocados, coconuts, jackfruit, limes, lychee and more.
You can tour the park on your own or take the guided tour at 11 or 1:30. Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days, so visit during the week to beat the crowds. You are also permitted to eat fruits that have fallen from their trees — as long as you know what they are. (Not all the tropical plants in the park are edible.) If you want an extra special experience, be there at 3 for the tasting tour (an additional fee) to try a sampling of fruits from around the world.
Fruit & Spice Park is described as wheelchair accessible, but some areas have bumpy ground and are not wheelchair-friendly.
Courtesy of Greater Miami CVB
Everglades National Park
40001 SR 9336
Homestead, FL 33034
You're likely going to Miami for the gorgeous beaches, but nearby Everglades National Park is perfect for a day trip. The nearest entrance is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Homestead. At the Royal Palm Information Station, inside the park, rangers are typically available to offer advice and answer questions. It also is where you'll find some walking trails. Anhinga Trail, Pahayokee Overlook and Mahogany Hammock Trail are boardwalk trails great for a short nature walk; these trails are marked wheelchair accessible by the National Park Service.
Further into the Everglades is Flamingo Visitor Center. You can rent kayaks and canoes and partake in a self-guided adventure or schedule a guided tour. Check the park's events calendar for ranger-led talks, paddles and children's programs. More programs are offered during the busier dry season, November through April, than during the rest of the year. Or book a guided tour with the Everglades National Park Institute. They offer naturalist-led tours, including paddles in Nine Mile Pond and hikes through the cypress domes near Pahayokee. This hike is a slog — a walk through water ranging from a few inches to a few feet deep.
During your visit, you might spot some of the abundant wildlife in the Everglades, like alligators, American crocodiles and turtles. You may also see birds such as the anhinga and view vegetation endemic to Florida, including the gumbo limbo tree.
AAA
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Michelle Palmer is a development editor who has over 10 years of experience in the travel publishing industry. She loves telling the stories, histories and culture of places that inspire others to go and experience new destinations. When not traveling, she participates in circus arts, goes to live shows and is a “Murder, She Wrote” aficionado.
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