Top Rated Parks to Visit in Cutler Bay

"‘Instagram walls’ have become extremely popular on the ‘gram in recent years, so if you’re looking for some colorful wall content to keep you going for the next few months, Wynwood is the place to go. Situated in Miami’s Art District — renowned for its murals — Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum showcasing graffiti and street art from some of the world’s most talented artists. From cartoon artwork to multi-colored murals, it’s definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Miami!"

"Our last day was spent at the creative Wynwood Walls art exhibit. Beautiful mosaics are spread across a few blocks on streets and on buildings, even on the sidewalks!"

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise as Biscayne Bay, but this fantastic green space is packed full of freebies too, including a great playground for the kids. The Tina Hills Pavilion has free concerts and yoga sessions, but Bayfront Park has some interesting public art worth discovering as well. The JFK Torch of Friendship recognizes the accomplishments of US congressman Claude Pepper, while Isamu Noguchi, who redesigned much of Bayfront Park in the 1980s, has three great sculptures: the Challenger Memorial, The Light Tower, and our favorite, the Slide Mantra."

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise (Biscayne Bay), but Miamians are lucky like that. Notable park features are two performance venues: the Klipsch Amphitheater, which boasts excellent views over Biscayne Bay and is a good spot for live-music shows, and the smaller 200-seat (lawn seating can accommodate 800 more) Tina Hills Pavilion, which hosts free springtime performances."

"When you’re dreaming of Miami, you're dreaming of Lummus Park Beach, a postcard-perfect spot surrounded by historic art deco buildings, high-end hotels, a winding beachfront walkway, and bronzed athletes playing volleyball games on the sandy courts. This beach is full of action and a favorite among tourists looking for the full Miami experience (Muscle Beach and frozen margaritas included). At the heart of Lummus Park, find Miami Beach's LGBTQ+ beach located at the intersection of 12th street, a hotspot during Miami Beach Pride and identifiable year-round by the rainbow flags at each lifeguard station."

"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."

"Wander around Calle Ocho for some interesting street art, watch locals play dominos in Maximo Gomez Park, and pick up a hand-rolled cigar as a souvenir. Although it’s known for its Cuban heritage and influence, Calle Ocho isn’t just limited to Cuban food. Go for that Cuban sandwich or basket of croquetas from Versailles, or try some Nicaraguan food at Guayacan, Mexican food at Mi Rinconcito Mexicano, or, my personal favorite, the Thai cuisine at Lung Yai Thai Tapas. Yep, some of Miami’s best Thai food is found in Little Havana!"

"It’s neither polished nor particularly pretty, but it’s a glimpse into real life in Spanish-speaking Miami and a place to watch Cuba’s old guard face off over dominos in Maximo Gomez Park; grab a 50 cent cortadito (a shot of Cuban coffee with steamed milk) from a walk-up window; and watch cigar rollers hand roll stogies at family-run factories. End your jaunt in Little Havana with a scoop (or two or three) of homemade Abuela Maria® ice cream at"

"For Little Havana’s most evocative reminder of Cuba, visit Máximo Gómez Park (known locally as Domino Park), where the sound of elderly men trash-talking over games of dominoes is harmonized with the quick clack-clack of slapping tiles. The heavy cigar smell and a sunrise-bright mural of the 1994 Summit of the Americas add to the atmosphere."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"At this 5-acre gem in Coconut Grove is the oldest home in its original location in Miami-Dade County (1891), which once housed Ralph Middleton Munroe, an American yacht designer. You'll also see plenty of mesmerizing Spanish moss. A post shared by @lizz_ax3 on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:42pm PST"

"Crandon Park Beach boasts some of the clearest waters Miami has to offer, thanks in part to a strict ban on floatation devices and its offshore sandbar — itself an idyllic place to bask like the Floridian lizard you are at heart. Not to worry though, there’s plenty else to keep the whole family entertained, including unique eco-adventure experiences, picnic and cookout areas, and concession stands. If the sun becomes too much, head to the Family Amusement Center open on weekends and holidays only to check out its restored carousel, beachfront playground, and splash fountain."

"An abandoned zoo on a subtropical island, ever since Dade County's main zoological park decamped to way down south, the Crandon Park Gardens, or just Crandon Gardens (both derivations are used) has sat and grown into a hidden, mysterious botanical garden with otherworldly follies (the former animal enclosures) scattered here and there."

"Parents love Candon Park for its gorgeous 2-mile beach, lifeguards, and picnic areas. But kids keep coming back for the vintage carousel, paved roller rink, and a seahorse fountain. Throw in the pretty arboretum and gardens and you've got one of the best spots in Miami for kids of all ages."

"The American alligator is one of Florida’s most iconic symbols, and the state’s swamps, rivers, and lakes are full of these impressive creatures that can grow to over 15 feet and weight more than 1,000 pounds. Located on SW 192nd Avenue in nearby Florida City, Everglades Alligator Farm gives guests a fascinating, up-close look into the lives of these toothy reptiles. The farm is home to thousands of gators, and though it’s not the cheapest attraction you’ll visit on your trip, it’s well worth it, especially for those traveling with kids who are into animals."

"Everglades Alligator Farm is located next to Everglades National Park between Miami and Key Largo. South Florida’s oldest alligator farm is one cool place to visit. More than 2,000 of these unique reptiles – big and small – can be seen on the premises, from the baby alligators in the hatchery to the famous 14-foot “Grandpa” gator. Bonus: Admission includes an exciting airboat ride through the surrounding river of grass."

"The mecca of dog parks, you can bring your pooch here to play in the fenced in green spaces where dogs can get some exercise with other canines. There’s even an outdoor space with fitness equipment, a walking path and a deck to stroll along and enjoy the Miami sights. Located in Coconut Grove just at the water’s edge, it offers a peaceful view of the open bay for a relaxing afternoon."

"Kennedy Park is located in Coconut Grove, right on the water with a view of the open bay, an outdoor gym including a green ladder you can climb up and down, a running path on an outdoor track, and a children’s play area."

"Tucked among the estates of Pine Tree Drive, this park has a community garden and lots of tranquil, undisturbed waterfront green space."

"Every spring, the sprawling grounds of the Frank Gehry-designed SoundScape Park hosts the New World Symphony’s Wallcast concert series – a free 7000 sq ft projection of the live performance going on inside the New World Center concert hall, beamed against its exterior wall."

"Outside of the New World Center, this park is one of the best places for open-air screenings in Miami Beach. During some New World Symphony performances, the outside wall of the Frank Gehry–designed concert hall..."

"You may be able to view a free Wallcast concert or a movie outside in the adjacent SoundScape Park, depending on the symphony’s schedule. Option # 2 - Nightlife"

"Stroll through the lobby and to the back, outdoor pool of the Shore Club, or the historic Bleau Bar at The Fontainebleau, where you can get the same, ever-cool SoBe experience that Sinatra and Elvis had back in the 1950s and ’60s. Day 2: In Pursuit of Exotic Flavor"

"At The Tank, cigars and beer don’t make for such strange bedfellows. Clocking in at 25,000-square-feet, there’s plenty of room for brewing, drinking and then lighting up a stogie at the adjacent cigar lounge. From an English-style brown ale to a tropical pale ale, the brewery’s three-barrel system allows them to crank out a new beer every week."

"Where to find it: 5100 NW 72nd Avenue, Bay A1, Miami, FL 33166. Review: Extremely friendly and welcoming staff, ambient, delicious burgers. This is one of our absolute favorite Miami bars."

"Bars Breweries Medley. Happy hour: Yes, Mon–Fri 4–6pm. Standout beer: El Farito IPA"

"Translating to “the Juice Palace,” el Palacios de Los Jugos is one of the best juice joints in all of South Florida, dating to days long before cold-pressed juiceries were trendy. Here, you’ll find tropical flavors like guava, papaya, sugar cane, passion fruit and citrusy-tart mamey. But those vitamin-rich fluids aren’t the only reason to visit one of 20-plus year old company’s nine locations."

"Foodies on the prowl for Miami's best Cuban must pay a visit to El Palacio de Los Jugos, a Cuban institution with multiple locations throughout the city. While all El Palacio's outposts are generally raved about, check out the one on Flagler Street and 57th Avenue for an unforgettable – and delectable – experience."

"One of the few places serving authentic Cuban food at good prices in Miami Beach (they also have multiple locations throughout Miami)."

"Michael Beltran’s Cuban-American diner concept in Coconut Grove, Chug’s, has temporarily transformed into a takeout market stocked with everyone’s favorite comfort foods. Fresh-made breads, pastas, marinated chicken, a range of produce and more, food is available for pickup and delivery at the Coconut Grove restaurant. Order, pickup and delivery from Chug’s; chugsdiner.com"

"The cafe turned bodega is now offering ice cream made by chef Devin Braddock. Flavors rotate weekly and include options like peanut butter chocolate, vanilla malt, coconut with hazelnut and caramel, and trigo cajeta. View this post on Instagram"

"Jardim de Portugal will greet you with the atmosphere of a friendly neighborhood gathering place and the smells from the open kitchen will lure you in to find out what is cooking. Often busy and buzzing with friendly conversation, Jardim offers homemade freshly prepared traditional Portuguese food, delighting both those who love and crave good Portuguese food as well those who have never tasted it but who will leave as fans. The menu is mainly devoted to seafood, especially codfish, which comes in all shapes and forms and is the staple of Portuguese cuisine."

"If you’re in the area, this quaint and casual spot is a great place for fresh, authentic homemade Portuguese food. Jardim de Portugal’s excellent service, relaxing and homey atmosphere is precisely what you’d expect from a family-owned place: friendly, warm and attentive. You’ll find varying home-cooked Portuguese fare including a large selection of wines to pair with your meal."