Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in El Portal

"Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a lovely slice of wilderness within steps of the heart of the city. Located off East Sunrise Boulevard, the 180-acre park is Fort Lauderdale’s answer to Central Park. With its wide array of outdoor activities, it tops the list of what to see in Fort Lauderdale for nature lovers."

"Swim, sunbathe, snorkel or do fun activities in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Enjoy the view of the sand and ocean as you grab a drink and relax under a shade of the tree and listen to live music. If you want to snorkel, you might swim with tortoises and manatees."

"Las Olas Boulevard is one of the best known spots in Fort Lauderdale and you need to come here to check out the atmosphere for yourself. You will find a range of quirky shops in the area that seem to sell anything and everything, or there are more upscale boutiques if you prefer. The area is also known for art galleries that you can visit during the day, and at night you will find a buzzing nightlife scene that includes a range of clubs and live music venues."

"Las Olas Boulevard is one of the most popular streets in Fort Lauderdale and an amazing spot for shopping. Here you’ll find an impressive selection of stores for art, jewelry, apparel, shoes, books, gifts, and more. Once you’re done shopping, be sure to check out some of the special events the city hosts on Las Olas Boulevard throughout the year."

"You can’t tick Fort Lauderdale off your bucket list without a stroll down the famous Las Olas. The long strip offers an excellent dining scene, bars, shops and a several art galleries. A stroll down Las Olas, which means The Waves in Spanish, is sure to put a smile on your face."

"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."

"South Pointe Park is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in Miami. I highly recommend visiting if you’re looking to capture some amazing shots by the water. Here, you’ll find a beautiful walking promenade that runs along the channel, offering striking views."

"South Point Park is the best place in Miami to enjoy the sunset. Bring your camera for a late afternoon photo shoot. It‘s a picturesque spot, with walkways, benches, and green spaces that look out over the Gulf."

"Bayside Marketplace is a great location for the start of your tour. It is an energetic place with loads of shops, restaurants and shops, plus everything is accompanied by live music. Essentially, this is a shopping mall out in the open, so you can do your shopping or simply sit down for a drink right next to the bay, but in any case, you will be able to get a sense of what Miami is all about very quickly. The place is buzzing with people from all over the world, be they tourists or locals, and visiting it is a great way to energize yourself for the day ahead."

"Shopping / NightlifeMarkets401 Biscayne Blvd R106, Miami, Florida33132, United States. Bayside Marketplace is a festival marketplace in Downtown Miami, Florida. It is located between the Bayfront Park to the south end, and the American…"

"Situated in the middle of Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach developer Carl Fisher dredged this island to create a suitable site for a monument dedicated to Henry Flagler, which remains at its center."

"The building opened in 1925 and became a US National Historic Landmark in 2008.* It’s an impressive landmark. It first started as headquarters for the newspaper Miami News. It now is a contemporary art museum."

"In the midst of downtown’s modern skyscrapers, this waterfront park offers plenty of green space for active folks to exercise. There’s an outdoor gym, volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, and palm tree-lined sidewalks to jog along. Though a hotspot for young locals, parents can bring their kids for some fun in the covered kids’ playground and enjoy a barbecue by the grills and picnic tables."

"It's hard to believe this tropical retreat with crystalline water is just minutes away from Miami’s bustling financial center, Brickell. Yet just over the Rickenbacker Causeway lies the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Its impressive network of coastal hammock trails; shaded pavilions; kayak, bike, and paddleboard rentals means you won't be hard-pressed to keep the whole family entertained and relaxed in this little slice of Miami paradise."

"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."

"If you need to escape Miami’s madness, consider a green day in one of the country’s largest tropical botanical gardens. A butterfly grove, tropical plant conservatory and gentle vistas of marsh and keys habitats, plus frequent art installations from artists like Roy Lichtenstein, are all stunning. In addition to easy-to-follow, self-guided walking tours, a free 45-minute tram tours the entire park on the hour from 10am to 3pm (till 4pm weekends)."

"Saint Francis de sales Catholic Church is a small white church located 3 miles away from Miami beach towards its North End. Built in 1940, Saint Francis de sales Catholic Church is made with mission chapel and serves the Parish community in the region. Structured beautifully with Parish architecture, the church welcomes every visitor for a spiritual tour."

"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!"

"Little Havana’s most evocative reminder of Old Cuba is Máximo Gómez Park, or ‘Domino Park,’ where the sound of elderly men trash-talking over games of chess is harmonized with the quick clack-clack of slapping dominoes. The jarring backtrack, plus the heavy smell of cigars and a sunrise-bright mural of the 1994 Summit of the Americas, combine to make Máximo Gómez one of the most sensory sites in Miami (although it is admittedly one of the most tourist-heavy ones as well)."

"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"

"7PM: Bubier Park Water Fountain Before heading to dinner, we wanted to check out the water fountain near the end of Las Olas Boulevard for the sunset. It was a short 10-minute walk from our hotel and we had fun taking pictures here while watching the sunset."