Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Miami Lakes

"Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway on East Sunrise Boulevard, the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park offers a stunning tropical oasis in which to enjoy a range of activities and local wildlife watching. Once home to Hugh Taylor Birch, who donated the estate to Florida’s public, the park is now home to an array of wildlife, including turtles, marsh rabbits, and the gopher tortoise, as well as over 200 species of birds. A mile-long freshwater lagoon provides the perfect place for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife watching while other recreational activities include hiking, cycling, inline skating, and Segway Tours."

"The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which spans 80 acres (73 hectares) of land, is a ruggedly beautiful park in the middle of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There’s something for everyone here: paved paths for bicyclists, several nature trails for hikers, and more than 200 plant species. A freshwater lagoon is a great place for canoeing or kayaking, and you can fish here, too.More"

"Another great outdoor location is the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This scenic location is the perfect thing to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids. With multiple playgrounds and pavilions, this destination will provide a full day of activities."

"You can start your trip in Miami Beach, get up early to see the lifeguard stands before the crowds, explore South Point Park and the Marina, go for a run on the boardwalk, enjoy a nice day with a few cocktails by the beach, go on an art deco hotels hunt, do some people watching on Ocean Drive (be ready for a SHOOOW!) and party all night on Miami beach's famous clubs -or, you know, if like us, you have a baby... escape early from the drunk crowd and try to get some sleep."

"To see how the other half lives, take a stroll through SoFi, the enclave South of Fifth Street and South Pointe Park, known for its hip, elite residents and multi-million-dollar penthouse suites. Eyeball the most vibrant Miami Beach houses and condos, or get a yummy taste of luxury at any number of high-end restaurants along the way. If you’re going to run into a celebrity in Miami Beach, it will probably happen here."

"Located in downtown Miami, parents flock to this park for its sunning beach, large sea creature-themed playground, and views of Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami. A good choice for a picnic when your kids need to run around. A post shared by Laura (@talais25) on Nov 4, 2014 at 2:38pm PST"

"One of the best spots to relax in Miami is Bayfront Park, 32 acres of lush grounds that include the Klipsch Amphitheater and the Tina Hills Pavilion. The Fourth of July fireworks and the New Year’s Eve countdown are just two of..."

"Situated in heart of what many call the “true Everglades”—a river of grass that stretches 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico—Shark Valley is part of a freshwater ecosystem with incredible biodiversity. It’s one of the best places in Everglades National Park to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife.More"

"In the Western part of the Everglades National Park, lies the Shark Valley Visitor Center. The area is rich in wildlife – alligators, herons, egrets, Key deer, turtles and snail kites. There are three trails from the Visitor Center."

"If you want to see the vast beauty of the Everglades and more alligators than you can count, then Shark Valley should be your #1 stop. This small section of the park packs in everything you need to see to make your vacation epic!"

"The Miami Beach Botanical Gardens was originally a municipal park that opened in the early ’60s; it wasn’t until decades later when the area was redesigned and rejuvenated that it became the fantastic attraction that it is now. Designed by one of the state’s most renowned landscape architects, the gardens are an urban oasis filled with fountains, art, and an amazingly diverse array of plants, trees, and flowers, most of which are species native to Florida. The grounds include a Japanese garden, warden gardens, plenty of shaded seating areas, and well-marked pathways that lead to each distinct area."

"Option #2 – Miami Beach Botanical Garden This lovely oasis in the heart of South Beach showcases a variety of tropical blooms. Special events such as concerts, art exhibits and a green market take place at Miami Beach Botanical Garden throughout the year. Come see collections of orchids, palms, bromeliads, flowering trees and the lovely Japanese Garden."

"A fun and totally FREE activity to do while visiting Miami Beach is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Here you’ll find all the lush tropical vibes that will make you feel like you stepped right into a jungle. And of course you’ll find all sorts of instagrammable corners!"

"If you’re feeling ambitious on your townie cruiser, you can ride north to Bal Harbour or Haulover beaches; natives know these as water-sports havens—and for Bal Harbour’s luxury shopping. Otherwise, drop off your bike along Ocean Drive and grab a spot on the beach, Lummus Beach, which runs from around 6th to 14th streets. This is a beach for locals and tourists alike, and the spread of humanity—supermodels, families and even topless tanners—make this a go-to spot for people-watching."

"Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale is one of the city’s most popular public parks!. It consists of over 90 acres of land located just south of Sunrise Boulevard and east of Federal Highway. This large and diverse recreational center offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages."

"Last but certainly not least is one of Fort Lauderdale’s best-kept secrets: The Secret Woods Nature Center. Document your experience as you explore walking paths made from recycled materials. You’ll be able to observe a wide variety of Florida wildlife including reptiles,seabirds, and insects."

"For a more chilled beach day option, head to North Beach Oceanside Park, a serene destination, out of the way of the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach’s hotels and restaurants. Pack your cooler to the brim, bring a Pub sub, and take in the blissful scene of the Atlantic Ocean. The park also features shaded walking trails, a bike path, and a dog park and playground to entertain the kids and fur babies."

"Because South Beach is such a broad description, and the varying beaches here go on for miles, we thought we'd narrow it down. Lummus Park, the area of the beach located along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Street, is the all-encompassing South Beach experience. This is the strip of sand that is always the most crowded, which makes for excellent people watching."

"This doughnut shop just made its way to a second location at The Falls, while it’s original South Miami location undergoes a renovation. Doughnut lovers who visit Honeybee will find more than a dozen daily doughnut flavors including the signature Honeybee doughnut, a raised doughnut filled with fresh whipped cream and local honey. View this post on Instagram"

"If you’ve never been to Honeybee, it’s about time you head to South Miami. Inspired by countless hours in the kitchen with her European grandmother, Karen Muirhead has brought some of that Euro flair to the Magic City. Enter this small shop and indulge your craziest doughnut fantasies on daily basis."

"This Italian style eatery has an assortment of meat and cheese breakfast sandwiches in the morning and pizza for lunch and dinner. We came for breakfast and were enamored with the fresh baked bread here. I hear the pizza and especially the crust are even better and definitely worth coming here later in the day."

"One of my favourite places to eat in South Beach which was ultra affordable was Andrix Cafe. We ended up having lunch here a couple of times in the 4 days we stayed in South Beach. Andrix Cafe has super yummy pizza and drinks available as well as free Wifi."

"Brick remains a Wynwood favorite, often drawing lines around the block on weekends and Art Walk nights. It’s a bar that celebrates dancing yet keeps the atmosphere relaxed enough that you wouldn’t call it a club. With indoor and outdoor spaces, it gives you plenty of room to bust a move while sipping a craft beer or two."

"First time trying this place since Alvin's was closed tonight. It was surprisingly good!. I say it that way because so many of the establishments on ..."

"MO Bar is the kind of tasteful lounge you frequent for a relaxed ambience and high-class service. From the main bar area to window-side tables, you can create cozy enclaves for up to four people, and the only time you might lightly struggle to hear your friends is on a Friday or Saturday night when sultry, live music will either inspire you to rumba or to sink further into your velvet armchair. A prominent feature in Brickell Key’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the spacious lounge offers incredible views of the Miami skyline, and with a daily “social” hour from 5pm-8pm, you can catch a colorful sunset without spending more than $10 for a drink."

"Right from the day time to gorgeous nights, you can enjoy anytime in the high bar. There are private cabanas, bottle service, and DJ to let your body groove on the dropping beats. Luckily, it’s just a few walks away from the beach, which is undoubtedly an excellent place to relax after a sunbath."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Kent Wang used under CC BY-SA 2.0. Something different is next on our list. This time, the chefs have worked incredibly hard to create a Peruvian-style menu which includes signature ceviches, Pescado escabeche and lobster."

"The Miami Selfie Museum, located in Wynwood has many colorful art installations for a variety of fun backdrops. It’s a super Instagrammable museum and one of the fun places to take pictures in Miami. From interactive rooms, donut walls, a bathtub with plastic bubbles, and much more it will make your Instagram feed super unique."