Top Rated Parks to Visit in University Park

"One of the most photographed locations in Miami, Wynwood Walls is a collection of murals and paintings laid out over an open courtyard. Artist-led tours are available, but it’s free to simply explore on your own. What invariably bowls people over is the sheer exuberant colors and commanding presence of the murals, which only tend to be around for less than a year before they are painted over."

"Located at the new W South Beach Hotel, the WALL is a chic destination, brought to the Miami night scene by KNR Group: the name behind other dining and clubbing hot spots including Solea, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Mokai and Mynt. Velvet ropes, bron...[Learn more]"

"Perhaps the most famous park in Miami, Bayfront Park is extremely versatile. Located right on Biscayne Boulevard and adjacent to Bayside Marketplace, this park hosts an endless list of events from free yoga to rollerblading sessions, and of course, the annual Ultra Music Festival. Aside from its busy calendar, the park itself is home to a kids’ playground and a sandy bay front lot where pedestrians can settle into comfy loungers and enjoy the ocean breeze under the palms."

"In addition to 30 acres of green space, Bayfront Park has an amphitheater that has hosted a variety of concerts, from Elton John to Rob Zombie. The park features several memorials, including one to the crew of the Challenger space shuttle. It's also a great place for a stroll or a picnic, so don't forget to bring your camera for the outstanding views of Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami."

"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"

"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."

"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."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park offers an opportunity to relax in a serene atmosphere. Also, there are a few beautiful boutiques (The Showroom, First Flight Out, Nikki's Beachouse Boutique) on Commodore Plaza -beach style clothes, cosy decoration, design accessories. Fringed by trees and cafés with terraces, this district has a cool Caribbean vibe going on."

"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"

"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."

"The Perez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science are both near Brickell, and they’re adjacent to the sprawling Museum Park. If you opt for the science museum, don’t miss the planetarium show!. Afterward, relax at Museum Park, and watch the cruise ships sail away between 4 pm and 6 pm."

"Drive from Miami Beach back to the mainland, and travel along Biscayne Boulevard to get a glimpse at some of the hypermodern, ambitious mixed-use projects under construction: the 10-block, $2 billion Miami Worldcenter, the $1 billion Brickell City Centre, and Museum Park, home to"

"2500 S Ocean Drive & Magnolia TerraceA beachfront park in Hollywood's South Beach area. Keating's shade trees provide a welcome respite from the South Florida sun for families enjoying the beach. Park amenities include benches, a children's slide and restrooms."

"Just west of the ArtsPark at Young Circle, Downtown Hollywood Blvd is one epic place to go for little eateries, independent boutiques and a heap of thrift stores and cool galleries. When here, stop off at Ginger Bay Cafe for some of their Jamaican dishes that are so good. Alternatively, if you want to visit a retro boutique, pop into Vinyl Asylum Records or the other thrift stores you see along the street."

"Situated inside The Palms Hotel and Spa on Miami Beach, this gourmet restaurant features New American cuisine in a laid back garden atmosphere. At Essensia, it's all about using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients, often times straight from the chef's own organic garden hidden behind the hotel's Tiki Bar. With a clear slant toward wanting guests to enjoy not only a sustainable but also a health-conscious and earth-friendly meal, you can bet there are wonderful menu options for vegans and vegetarians as well as omnivores."

"Gluten-free pancakes can be just as delicious as the classic version. The key to Essensia's iteration is quinoa, which adds protein, iron, fiber, and beneficial antioxidants to the nutritional value of the dish. Poppyseeds are also sprinkled into the mixture for extra flavor and crunch."

"Plant Miami heralds a modern plant-based approach with an emphasis on vibrant organic living foods, with a commitment to the art of conscious cuisine. Featuring vegan, kosher dishes naturally inspired by the South Florida landscape, they use the purest ingredients and highest sustainability practices in the industry. They invite you to nourish from the inside out with their enlightened plant-empowered cuisine."

"Plant Miami has a modern plant-based approach with an emphasis on vibrant organic living foods. With vegan, kosher dishes naturally inspired by the South Florida landscape, they use the purest ingredients and highest sustainability practices in the industry. Plus, most of their farm-to-chef ingredients are locally sourced from their very own Paradise Farm."

"This is a plant based restaurant is nestled in the Sacred Space Miami. They serve locally sourced, organic dishes that are as clean and modern as the space. All dishes are vegan, but they also feature raw vegan dishes (see our guide to types of vegan eating)."

"Seafood is another thing you will find at many Miami restaurants, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. My Ceviche is our favorite hidden gem we found on our last trip. This counter service eatery offers ceviche and poke bowl for just $10!"

"James Beard Foundation Award-winner Michael Schwartz is one of Miami’s most-coveted chefs. Whatever he touches turns delicious, including pizza at Harry’s Pizzeria, farm-to-table gastropub fare on a cruise ship, sushi, breakfast food and plenty of other concepts, including his beloved namesake, Michael’s Genuine. Set within the SLS Brickell, Schwartz’s Fi’lia specializes in vivacious Italian, including pies, house-made pastas, comforting mains (think: chicken parm and wood-grilled leg of lamb) as well as a tableside Caesar for which servers grill fresh bread for croutons."

"Many tourists mark this restaurant as the best Italian restaurant in Miami, and for good reason. Fi’lia invites its visitors to taste authentic Italian pizza from a wood-fired oven or pamper themselves with stracciatella with truffle honey. You will plunge into a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and the friendly staff will help you choose a dish based on your preferences."

"Italians are known for their stellar wood-fired pizzas, and Fi’lia is no exception. Starters like the stracciatella with truffle honey or the meatballs with whipped ricotta are great to open the appetite. Pies like spicy soppressatta or cauliflower and fontina cheese are hits, or opt for spaghetti carbonara or the wood-grilled sirloin skirt steak."

"Ring local staple Joe’s Stone Crab for a takeout lunch just down the street; Miami natives know the side dishes are the best things on the menu. Order a few claws, but focus on hashed brown potatoes, famous coleslaw, sweet potato fries, creamed spinach and a slice of Key lime pie if you have room. Dine outside at your picnic tables and enjoy the view."

"Located in the prestigious Setai Hotel, this expansive restaurant is situated around an open kitchen and bar and outfitted with high ceilings, neutral tones and striking Asian decor. Patrons may also dine in the serene courtyard, surrounded by lovely ponds and pergolas. Executive chef Mathias Gervais, who has trained with some of the world's best, prepares some of the most interesting and authentically flavored pan-Asian dishes in the city."

"For a luxurious Valentine’s dinner, head to Jaya at The Setai Hotel. Jaya is an Asian restaurant that serves authentic heritage dishes with a modern twist. Whether you decide to dine indoors or opt for al fresco dining in the stunning courtyard beneath the stars, Jaya offers the perfect setting for a memorable dinner date."

"The Setai is a luxurious hotel based in Miami Beach that offers two unique dining experiences — one of them being Jaya. At Jaya, authentic Asian heritage dishes with a modern spin are prepared by Executive Chef Vijayudu Veena. Jaya’s courtyard makes for a truly exquisite alfresco dining location."