Most people know Miami for its pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings, miles of beaches and endless summer. But a lot of travellers don’t realise the Magic City is also home to incredible parks, walking paths and waterways. If you’re planning a trip to South Florida soon, here are some of the best ways to experience nature in Miami.
1. Bike along the Miami Beach Boardwalk
Picture this: You’re taking a best of USA tour and land in sunny Miami Beach. Most people come here to lounge on the sun-bleached shores, but one of the popular ways locals enjoy Miami Beach is by making use of the beautiful boardwalk.
The Miami Beach Boardwalk runs parallel to the beach and stretches approximately 11.3 km (seven miles). It stretches from North Beach to the highly Instagrammable South Beach. Rent a bicycle and experience nature in Miami by coasting beneath the swaying palm trees and catching glimpses of the ocean while you ride.
2. Kayak the waterways in Oleta
Oleta River State Park is located in North Miami Beach. Contrary to what the name suggests, it’s a few miles from the ocean and is actually located in mainland Miami. But it’s still home to one of the best kayaking and hiking spots in South Florida. Rent a kayak and meander through the mangroves on your journey out to the open waters of Biscayne Bay, or strike out on foot to explore the shaded trails. When you get deep enough into this state park, it’s easy to forget you’re only 30 minutes from Downtown.
3. Explore the Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Deep in the heart of South Beach sits the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a tranquil park that doesn’t make it onto most tourists’ travel itineraries. Sitting on three acres a few blocks north of Lincoln Road, this free park is full of different zones for visitors to explore. Spend some time in the edible garden, where you’ll find coconut palms and banana plants before heading to the Japanese garden and a koi pond. This park is super manageable to explore, so you can easily fit a visit in between your other South Beach adventures.
4. Wander through Vizcaya
Visiting a museum might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about nature in Miami, but after a day exploring Vizcaya’s intricate gardens, there’s a good chance you’ll change your mind. This historic house is located in Coconut Grove, and while it’s worth spending an hour or so exploring the home’s interior, the backyard gardens are absolutely beautiful. Reminiscent of the French gardens you can find in places like Versailles, it’s easy to spend a day wandering through the pruned hedges and enjoying the Italian-inspired lawn sculptures.
5. Get out on Biscayne Bay
If you’re travelling on a LA to Miami tour, spend a thrilling afternoon on Biscayne Bay by taking a speedboat ride. Zoom across the water before stopping to take pictures of some of the city’s most famous islands. Then, snag unbeatable views of Downtown Miami and Miami Beach, where it’s easy to see for yourself why this is one of the best places to visit in the United States.
