Top Rated Parks to Visit in The Crossings

"2520 NW 2nd Ave, This is also a huge stop for Instagrammers!. This neighborhood showcases vibrant and colorful murals on the walls of many of the buildings. Get lost in the art and stay for the great restaurants and shopping."

"Between Northeast 25th and 26th streets on Northwest 2nd Avenue, the Wynwood Walls are a cutting-edge enclave of modern urban murals,…"

"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."

"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"

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise as Biscayne Bay, but Miamians are lucky like that. Noted artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi redesigned much of Bayfront Park in... Top ChoiceMuseum in Downtown Miami"

"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."

"Lummus Park Beach is a public park with over 74 acres of land. It can be found on the east of Ocean Drive and was created in 1985."

"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!"

"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."

"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"

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."

"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."

"Drive past it on the way to North Beach and you may miss this off-the-beaten path park with three full basketball courts featuring perfect backboards to show off your Chef Curry skills. The park also has a lap pool for your starting five to cool off after a few pick-up games. If you can't find a spot in the lot for your car, there's plenty of street parking along the perimeter of the grounds."

"You won’t want to miss Miami Mountain in Collins Park while you’re on Collins Ave. This fluorescent-colored rock sculpture towers over the park at 42 feet tall. Born from the creative mind of Ugo Rondinone, Miami Mountain is Florida’s version of Rondinone’s famous Seven Magic Mountains."

"A perennial favorite in the dim sum category, Tropical -- surprise -- also serves a great din-din. Traditional dishes include Hong Kong-style roast pork flavored with five-spice and then roasted; seafood-spinach soup; and always crisp, always succulent Peking duck. But innovative items are equally reliable, if unusual -- flounder pan-fried with peppercorns and jalapeños and served with bananas marinated in rice wine, for example, offers interesting counterpoints of textures, as does cherry-plum chicken wrapped with diced water chestnuts and fresh bamboo in egg-white crêpes."

"Find Chinese cuisine at its best at this spacious, airy restaurant. Devoid of all the typical decorative trappings, the minimalist interior at Tropical Chinese is always full of fans clamoring for some of the best dim sum in town. Cantonese and Mandarin dishes are specialties, and the menu is dotted with unexpected items ranging from early leaves of snow pea pods to fried chicken feet."

"A Miami institution since 1984, Tropical Chinese has been doling out dim sum since the local food scene was not much more than a croqueta. In true pushcart fashion, diners settle in with a warm cup of tea and watch the pork buns pass by. Can’t-miss bites include dumplings on dumplings, shrimp rolls, and roasted duck."

"Follow the "hot light" in North Miami to find melt-in-your-mouth, signature original glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme. At times you'll see locals lining the streets waiting for the first batch of doughnuts in the wee hours of the morning. Try the iconic brand's eight wonderful varieties of doughnuts, including jelly-filled, powdered, chocolate, cinnamon, coconut and even the peanut cake stick."

"The national brand is offering customers a free doughnut this Friday – in fact, all week!. No purchase necessary!. Check out the locations in Miami."

"The big difference is that the Donuts are warm and melts in your mouth. The coffee is also excellent quality."

"Downtown's Gelateria 4D, located at 670 Lincoln Road, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the gelateria and café four stars out of 191 reviews for its plentiful flavors. Especially popular is the parmalat milk gelato, made with imported Italian milk."

"Traditional Italian fare is plentiful at this downtown eatery. From the fresh and flavorful antipasti platters to their handmade pasta, this place is the real deal. Farfalleis a relaxing space with a cozy interior, excellent wine selection, and a small, but friendly staff providing exceptional service."

"At the helm of this New York City import is restaurateur Stephen Starr, who brings a bit of Italian and Californian flair to South Beach. Cozy up in the plush green booths and dive into sausage and kale pizza, wood-roasted beets cooled with whipped feta and lobster spaghetti with spicy tomato sauce. On warm days, droves of beachgoers will wind down with the daily 4pm-7pm happy hour, where cocktails are $9, beers are $7 and snacks such as crispy squash blossoms clock in at $10."

"5 out of 5 stars Restaurants American South of Fifth. Chef Justin Smillie brought his California-inspired cuisine to chic South of Fifth by way of Upland in 2016 and today Miami diners are still clamoring to get in. In a modern, unintimidating bistro lined with bottles of wine and lemons and artichokes, Smillie serves up fresh pasta, pizzas, vegetables and wood-fired protein."

"Head to Caffe Abbracci in Coral Gables for a classic rendition of southern Italy's spaghetti alla puttanesca. Here, it's made with a rough-and-ready combination of tomatoes, olive oil, olives, capers, garlic, and anchovies. Caffe Abbracci offers an abundant portion of this lusty, tangy, and somewhat salty entrée, with enough flavor and texture to please the most demanding of palates ($22)."

"Be pampered at this fine Italian eatery, where the attentive staff treats each guest like family. The name of the restaurant is Italian for "hugs," and you'll feel the warmth and care that goes into each dish. High-profile locals and visiting celebrities can often be found here, and people watching is always fascinating in the colorful, upscale dining room."

"Although a little pricey, the atmosphere of this warm dining room with dark wood trim is worth the expense. Also enjoyable is the people-watching; celebs often dine here. While the regulars do get special treatment, it is worth it to get on that list."