Fancy a little technological detox? Most of us tend to forget that aside from gorgeous beaches, this beautiful land is home to a glorious abundance of green space. And many of these green spaces offer all sorts of surprising amenities, hidden historical gems and little-known activities. If you can’t imagine visiting another of Miami’s top museums or drinking your day off in Miami’s best bars, look no further. Below, find our adventure-ready guide to all the best things you didn’t know you could do at a park in Miami.

1. Drink ice cold lemonade at one of Miami’s oldest food stands at David Kennedy Park

AC’s Icees frosted lemonade stand has been an iconic David Kennedy Park landmark since 1978. Offering perfectly tangy slushies in any combination of lemonade, cherry or piña colada flavors, AC’s is an institution of Coconut Grove for good reason. Located inside shady, dog-friendly and child-friendly David Kennedy Park, a stop here also offers stunning views of the bay.

2. Get lost in an abandoned zoo in Crandon Park

In 1948, the broken down trailer of a traveling animal show provided the impetus for Miami’s first public zoo. What started with a few monkeys and bears bought by the city eventually became Crandon Park Zoo, a seaside destination with more than 1,000 animal tenants. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy blew through unexpectedly, killing 250 animals and sealing the zoo’s fate. Today, its eerily enchanting ruins are still accessible to visitors. Park at the furthest end of the lot from Crandon Park beach and keep walking to find graffiti structures slowly returning to nature.

3. ATV at Virginia Key Beach North Point Park

Considering Miami’s elevation below sea level and the incredibly flat terrain of the entire state, the idea of ​​mountain biking in this city is frankly absurd. But in the Magic City, anything is possible, right? At Virginia Key Beach North Point Park, a series of free, fenced-in ATV trails range from beginner to advanced. Just bring your own bike and helmet, or rent it from the nearby Virginia Key Outdoor Center.

4. Wakeboarding at Amelia Earhart Park

Amelia Earheart in Hialeah is one of Miami’s most amenity-rich parks. They have awesome versions of typical things you’d expect, like a five-acre bark park for the dogs, eco-adventure tours, mountain bike trails, and a mini-replica farming farm for the kids. children. Less expected are wakeboarding, wake-surfing, waterskiing, and kneeboarding, all of which are available through Miami’s state-of-the-art watersports complex. Lessons and boat rentals are best booked in advance.

5. Explore a historic limestone quarry in Greynolds Park

Greynolds Park is a 249-acre urban oasis that was once the site of a rock quarry. In 1936, the land was deeded to become the third park in the new Dade County Park System. Today, the moss-strewn Spanish Park is a designated historic and heritage site, most notable for its beautiful limestone rock structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Stroll the winding, shady paths for a truly magical experience of old Miami.

6. Admire Miami’s first public art monument dedicated to the local LGBTQ community at Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park

North Miami’s Elaine Gordon Park Enchanted Forest is smaller than some of the other spaces on this list, but it’s full of charm. The 22-acre subtropical paradise bordering Arch Creek has community and butterfly gardens, a children’s farm, and stables where you can get up close to animals and even take a walk. Additionally, Miami’s first public art monument dedicated to the local LGBTQ community, created by artist Alan Gutierrez, was dedicated and installed here in 2017.

7. Sip one of Miami’s best mojitos at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

We were already big fans of The Cleat before the the wall street journal dubbed his mojito one of the best in town, but we can’t say we disagree on that. The hidden outdoor bar perched at the end of No Name Harbor in Bill Bags Cape Florida State Park is the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day of exploring. Synchronize your cocktails with the sunset for a breathtaking panoramic experience – you might even catch dolphins or manatees.

8. See one of the last remnants of the famous Brickell Hammock at Simpson Park

Located in the densely populated heart of Brickell, Simpson Park is a disorienting Zen respite from the chaos of Miami’s urban core. Find city dwellers stopping here to have their cafecito with the soothing sounds of the koi pond. One of Miami’s premier conservation efforts, this designated old growth forest community features eight acres of tropical hardwood hammock with more than 162 plant species, including several endangered species like wild cinnamon, Colubrina coffee and yellow boxwood.

9. Taste the excellent fish dip and beer at the Blue Marlin Fish House

Enjoy peaceful views of the lazy river from the expansive patio of this casual waterfront restaurant just outside Oleta River State Park. After working up an appetite in the wild—the nearby Oleta River Outdoor Center has kayaks and paddleboards for rent—reward yourself at Blue Marlin Fish House with an ice-cold beer and one of the best dips in town. city ​​fish.

10. Relax by a waterfall at AD Barnes Park

This park in central Miami is large and secluded enough to make you feel like you’ve left the city altogether. Opened in 1977, the 65-acre green space is notable for its commitment to incorporating activities that serve people with disabilities into its programming. Although nestled in a densely populated urban area, AD Barnes is quiet, uncrowded, and filled with relaxing features like a waterfall, lush botanical foliage, and abundant wildlife including turtles, fish, and butterflies.

11. Fish and scuba dive at Miami’s largest marina at Black Point Park

Many Miami parks offer water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, but not all parks are the ideal launch for scuba diving and fishing expeditions. Home to Miami’s largest marina and a popular place to explore Biscayne National Park by boat, Black Point Park is also home to a dockside restaurant and bar, as well as biking and jogging paths and a pier that s spans 1.5 miles across the bay. Sounds like the perfect fishing day for us.

12. Bike alongside alligators on Everglades National Park’s Shark Valley Trail

Rent bikes on-site or bring your own to Shark Valley, a scenic loop and brutal lookout tower located in the heart of Everglades National Park’s freshwater marsh. Get closer to nature: The paved loop is wide enough to keep a safe distance from abundant wildlife, including dozens of alligators that spend their days catching rays along the trail. The path is also accessible on foot and via a tram ride that departs every hour and takes around 90 minutes.

13. Practice yoga under the subway at Underline Park

Similar to New York’s High Line or Chicago’s 606 Trail, except on the ground, Miami’s Underline Park uses the path carved out by its old transit lines to create an innovative urban park and trail. The 10-mile linear park and public art destination is gradually opening through 2025, but visitors can already enjoy unique experiences, like a free weekend yoga series. Beginner-friendly flow lessons take place every Saturday morning at 9 am. Participants must register in advance and bring their own yoga mats, water and towels.