I come here once a year for the we belong here festival. It's a great place and maybe we will come…read morehere sometime for a beach day. It's tough if the weather is bad and it rains so plan accordingly. The only other thing we noticed is that your phone service can be super wonky out there. I love showcasing the best of Miami so find me on IG to see more @chloexmorgann

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is located only minutes from downtown Miami's hustle and bustle…read more It's hard to believe the city is only a stone's throw away when you pull into this quiet and abandoned-looking park. Located in beautiful Biscayne Bay, it's easily one of the area's most scenic beaches Virginia Key Beach Park is known as an ecological treasure containing one of the largest mangrove wetlands in the state. Rent a kayak or take a moonlight paddleboard tour of the area by water to enjoy a truly natural adventure just minutes away from the heart of Miami

Key Biscayne isn't just a place--it's a thread running through my life. I first set foot here in…read more1987, when my cousin brought me over the Rickenbacker Causeway after I'd relocated to Los Angeles. That first trip etched itself into memory: the ocean opening wide, the palms swaying like they knew something I didn't, and the sense that I'd stumbled into Miami's quieter, more soulful heart. Later, the island became more than a postcard view. I was accepted into Mast Academy, Miami's marine-focused magnet school perched on Virginia Key--the last stop before the bridge drops you into Biscayne's island calm. But even before that, in the late '90s, my summers belonged here thanks to the M.U.S.T. Program through the Miami Museum of Science. We weren't just kids in a classroom; we were explorers, studying the bay itself under the guidance of the legendary marine biologist Alberto Ramirez. Those days--trawling through seagrass beds, learning how the tides shaped everything, watching science come alive in the salt air--remain some of my most precious memories. Ramirez wasn't just a teacher, he was a lighthouse of his own: steady, guiding, and impossible to forget. Key Biscayne's history runs as deep as its waters. The Tequesta people fished these shores centuries before Europeans arrived. Spanish sailors marked the cape on their maps in the 1500s, and in the 1800s, the Cape Florida Lighthouse stood as both beacon and battleground, attacked during the Seminole Wars, burned, rebuilt, and still standing proud at 95 feet tall. In the 20th century, the island was a coconut plantation, then a playground for the wealthy--and later home to Nixon's so-called "Florida White House," where the nation's business was mixed with scandal under the same tropical sun. Cross the Rickenbacker Causeway and Miami's skyline fades behind you. The pace slows. Families pedal beneath seagrape trees, fishermen lean against seawalls telling stories, and kids chase lizards in Crandon Park while pelicans dive for fish. At the southern tip, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park stretches open like a piece of paradise. Climb the lighthouse and you see turquoise water forever--the same horizon that's been calling people here for centuries. For me, it's all intertwined: the 1987 trip that introduced me, the pride of Mast Academy, the summers of the M.U.S.T. Program, the salt on my skin, the lessons from Ramirez that shaped how I see the world. Key Biscayne is not just a park, not just a beach, not just an island. It's history, it's education, it's memory--woven together with the kind of magic that sticks with you for life.

Fabulous relaxing time here in Key Biscayne! State Park is naturally beautiful with vistas that…read morewill soothe you. Fishing, picnicking, light house is breathtaking. Walk for miles.

KID FUN Sometimes…read moreyou just need a park and this is the place. It's very safe. Part of the security includes a Miami police car sitting about 200 feet away from the park. I'm assuming that there is an officer in there but with the dark tinted windows it could just be a facade to make people feel safe. The park is inside the gated island community. Luckily we were visiting someone on the island, so we had access but apparently the park is a public park so I really didn't need a visitors pass to get pass the security guard. All of this security is put in place to make the rich island folk feel secure. This is a great place for the kids to run free under a shaded canopy. I often wonder why all parks don't have a sun screen to protect the kids from sun burns. In fact, this is the first park I've ever seen like this and I've got nine years of kids parks under my belt. The best part is that you will not find a crowd here which is good and bad. Good because you won't have to worry about kids pushing your kid off the climbing wall but bad because they won't have anyone to play with. There's two swings, one infant swing, one handicap swing, a climbing wall, monkey bars, five slides and a bunch of climbing stuff. So let the kids have a fun time. The area is also fully padded with the black rubberized ground so there shouldn't be any severe injuries. There is some tennis courts, a basketball court and two hand ball courts. There's also a great picnic table on the water so pack some lunch and enjoy the day.

Palm Island Park is really a quiet and safe park. It's located in a very prestigious neighborhood…read morewhich entrance is guarded by a Miami Beach police guard house. Most people don't realize this park is a public park belonging to the city of Miami Beach and therefore everyone is welcome! Park has three tennis courts, basketball courts, double wall tennis court and a lovely children's playground. On occasions you'll see a kids soccer team assemble and utilize the side grass open area. Boot-camp enthusiast have also been taking advantage of the cute park. Surrounded by amazing high-end real estate and a mesmerizing view to the bridges with the bay flowing beneath and all around, adds a serene and peaceful atmosphere. I did not give it five stars because it could have more features and activities, but over all for its size and location its great. Come and enjoy this million dollar park today!

"El alma de Miami bajo tus pies" Si visitas Miami y no…read morecaminas por su famoso Boardwalk, es como si no hubieras venido. Es, sin duda, uno de mis lugares favoritos en el mundo por varias razones: Vistas inmejorables: Tienes el azul turquesa del Atlántico a un lado y la icónica arquitectura Art Decó al otro. Cada paso es una foto de postal. Ambiente vibrante: Me encanta la energía que se respira. Verás a gente patinando, corredores madrugadores y familias paseando. Es un lugar que te contagia vitalidad. Paz y brisa marina: A pesar de estar cerca de la fiesta de Ocean Drive, el paseo ofrece tramos súper tranquilos donde solo escuchas las olas. Ideal para desconectar. Mantenimiento impecable: El camino está muy bien cuidado, limpio y es súper cómodo tanto para caminar como para ir en bici. Tip extra: No te pierdas el tramo que llega hasta South Pointe Park. Las vistas de los cruceros saliendo al atardecer son simplemente mágicas. Veredicto: Un plan gratuito, saludable y absolutamente espectacular. ¡Totalmente recomendado!

What a great place to take a stroll and people watch! There are so many activities along the…read moreoceanfront to pass the time. Whether you are a fitness buff or just want to bicycle along the bike paths, or take in the sights of the historic architecture, you can easily spend a few hours here. Rent a Citibike or play on a jungle gym or go for a swim at the beach.

North Shore State Recreation Area is an easy 5 stars, it honestly feels brand new after the redo,…read morewith gorgeous updated paths and an incredibly scenic beachwalk/boardwalk stretch that makes every walk, bike, or skate feel like a little vacation. The whole area looks cleaner, more open, and better designed, and you can tell real thought went into the renovation (from the improved walkways to the way it connects into the longer Miami BeachWalk).

I swear, this is the EXACT beach spot where they record those hypnosis & relaxation CD's where you…read morehear the sounds of waves! During the day, this is an excellent beach if you want to tan, relax and swim, or just lay out in the sun. Waves themselves seem to be a little more active and better for surfing than South Beach proper as you're away from the jetty. There are a couple of volleyball nets, and some picnic tables on the grassy area facing Collins Avenue. You're also within walking distance of three of my favorite restaurants (Rancho Grande, Valentino Sul Mare, and Sazon). Manolos is near here, and Prima Pasta is in the area as well. I've come here plenty of times, for events ranging from my High School reunion's picnic, to just lounging and relaxing. At night is when the "magic" comes out, as this is the general area where the Full Moon Drum Circle is held. (See my review for that event here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/full-moon-drum-circle-miami-beach) Whether you're into making magic or making out, you have to check out the drum circle at least once. When I snap my fingers, you will head straight to North beach :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CyY8sFDKWg

Not much shade in the waterfront park & marina. Regatta Park is a waterfront park in Coconut…read moreGrove, known for its scenic views of Biscayne Bay, marina access, and green spaces for recreation like walking, picnicking & dog walking. It features a promenade, playground, lawns, and hosts major annual events like the Coconut Grove Arts Festival & sailing competitions, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

Regatta Park is a beautiful place with a wide path alongside the marina. It's conveniently located…read morenear city hall. There is plenty of parking, and I even found an EV charger for my car. I woke up early and went for a walk here before sunrise and just wow! A very pleasant way to start the day.

Visited the park for my first time to attend a music festival. It was great seeing performances…read morefrom different cultures and eras and watching people Enjoy themselves. It was super hot but it was worth the good time.

Beautiful park that is well maintained. Fenced all around and walls with gorgeous murals. Little…read morecommunity center for health screenings and a playground. Dogs not allowed

The Venetian Causeway was built in 1925 in place of Collins Bridge, a wooden 2.5 mile bridge built…read morein 1913 by John S. Collins and Carl G. Fisher for the purpose of opening the barrier island to development. The Venetian Causeway is a continuation of 15th Street in Miami over Biscayne Bay to Miami Beach.. The Venetian Causeway crosses over the man made Venetian Islands that were created by materials which came from the dredging of Biscayne Bay. Everyday area residents use the causeway for travel but also for exercise, by walking, jogging, and bicycling over it. The Venetian Causeway has one toll plaza administered by the Miami-Dade County Public Works department on Biscayne Island, the westernmost Venetian Island. The toll for an automobile is $3.00. The Causeway also has 12 bridges, 10 fixed span bridges, and 2 bascule leaf span bridges that have been designated as historic landmarks by the City of Miami and City of Miami Beach. I love the lamp posts and beautiful \view of Biscayne Bay and downtown Mami as you cross. The Venetian Causeway was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It was re-dedicated in 1999 after the completion of a $29 million restoration and replacement project.

MUST TRY!! Venetian…read moreCauseway is hands down one of the best spots for jogging, cycling, or just taking a relaxing walk after work. The views of Downtown Miami and Edgewater are absolutely stunning, especially during golden hour--it's the perfect backdrop for any workout. You'll see plenty of locals using the path for the same reason, whether they're running, biking, or just soaking in the scenery. If you're cycling, it takes about 15 minutes from Edgewater to South Beach, and walking is roughly 50 minutes one way. Plus, there are Citi Bike stations at both ends, making it super convenient. If you're looking for a spot to get your cardio in while enjoying some of the best views Miami has to offer, this is it. Highly recommended!