Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in University Park

"There’s a reason the very southern tip of Miami Beach is the focus of countless photo spreads and selfies – the views of its resident pier jutting into the turquoise waves of the Atlantic are simply staggering. Free to visit, South Pointe Park is ideal for families, replete with manicured grass for lounging and warm, scrubbed-stone walkways, as well as a tiny water park for the kids."

"You’ll be snorkeling (or diving) on the Jose Cuervo Reef south of Second Street. The massive margarita bar was sunk over a decade ago in less than 20 feet of water, and today it’s home to a spectrum of sober sea creatures."

"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."

"Located in the heart of Downtown Miami, the bayside marketplace allows you to experience the best of Miami with delicious international cuisine, live music, and fine shops. The two-level, open-air center overlooking Miami’s waterfront is home to more than 150 national and unique retailers and tourist shops. Overlooking the yacht-filled marina, the Biscayne Boulevard is the place to enjoy live exotic musical performances along with various specialty food shops of international cuisine."

"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"

"Around 50-minutes from Miami, Shark Valley is one of the best places in the Everglades that’s within easy reach of Miami. Once here, you can explore the trails and the iconic Bobcat Boardwalk that’s totally stunning on a gorgeous sunny day. Though, take lots of water and sunblock with you – that humidity and mosquitos can be tough."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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)."

"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."

"Perfectly positioned at Sunset Harbour, Barceloneta serves an array of Spanish Mediterranean tapas, seafood, arroz, and unique gin cocktails. Barceloneta, which is named after a small Puerto Rican town, has a beautiful outdoor terrace area, surrounded by greenery, evocative of an outdoor Spanish tapas bar."

"Making sure both your stomach and your wallet are full: That's what the folks at Mama Jennie's, home to delicious, reasonably priced Italian comfort food, have been doing for more than 30 years. Hearty soup or crispy salad with your choice of dressing (the zesty house vinaigrette is a favorite) and garlic rolls lightly doused in flavorful oil begin your meal. Myriad main courses include whopping servings of classics such as baked ziti with meatballs; veal Parmesan; eggplant rollatini; lasagna; gnocchi; and stuffed shells, all accompanied by Mama's lively marinara sauce."

"Restaurants Vegetarian West Coconut Grove. Our only gripe with this Coconut Grove health food institution is its early closing time; the place caters to locals and the area’s nine-to-fivers. Still, it’s worth ditching work for a fresh green salad (lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, sprouts, cucumber) topped with house-made chicken salad."

"Vegetarian , Vegan"

"What started as a love for delicious baked goods turned into a mission to bake the world’s best vegan desserts. Their journey inspired them to eat sweet while eliminating ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or spark food intolerances—all of their products and vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free. From cookies to cupcakes, you’ll fall in love with vegan at The Chocolate Chip Bakery."