Miami, Florida parks are highly underrated. They provide space for so many activities for every type of person, and my favorite — photography. Do you have the perfect outfit for an outdoor nature shoot to make your princess, Bridgerton, fairytale dreams come to life but don’t know where to go? I gotchu.
Best Parks in Miami and Surrounding Areas
Whether you want to do a fun and fancy-free photoshoot, walk your dog, or have a romantic experience, these 15 Miami, Florida parks and gardens have it all and more for any type of person.
North Miami Beach Parks
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Greynolds Park (17530 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33160)
This North Miami Beach park is one of the most beautiful parks in Miami, Florida. It is around 249 acres of beautiful greenery, complete with a par-36 golf course from 1964. This Miami park is open from sunrise to sunset, and office hours are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the week, there is no parking fee, but on weekends and holidays, it is $7 per vehicle.
Miami Parks
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Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (3251 S Miami Ave. Miami, FL 33129)
I am biased – this is one of my favorite spots. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is hands down one of the best parks in Miami! It gives you the feeling of a European estate and has beautiful, eclectic gardens filled with various plants and flowers. Visiting this location will transport you to a world far away without even leaving Miami—making it a great space for photography and one-of-a-kind pictures!
It is open from Wednesday to Monday. The first admission is at 9:30 a.m. and the last at 4:30 p.m. You can enjoy the main house anytime until 5:00 p.m. and the gardens until 5:30 p.m.
purchase tickets for $25 per adult (13+); for children ages 6-12, it is $10. Woah! If you sign up for their membership, you will get a discount. However, it is best to book ahead of time to reserve your spot.
Sign up for their email newsletter, once a month they host a night at the museum type of event, where you get to enjoy the park with the lights and watch the sunset with live music and dances. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
Deering Estate is a historical, cultural, and ecological landmark in Miami, Florida, that will give you all those princess fairytale photos. This location doubles as a wedding venue, a popular field trip location, a hiking area, and an arts center, which makes it great for people of all ages. If you go solo, you are bound to see something cool happen.
Can you imagine that it’s a haunted hotspot? Check out this episode by the ghost hunters that have had many encounters – you don’t want to stay here after dark..or do you?
They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the gate closing at 4 p.m. The South Hammock Trail and main grounds are open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. without guides or tours. Adults are $15, and youth ages 4–14 are $7. Children 3 and under are free and provide discounts for military, veterans, and seniors.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Miami 
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Alice Wainwright Park (2845 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33129 )
Alice Wainwright Park in Miami sits right on the shore, making it perfect for a waterfront view. They are open from sunrise to sunset and have a variety of amenities such as BBQ areas, playgrounds, bike racks, and many open areas for activities. This is one of the best Miami, Florida parks for gatherings!
Think brunch picnics — budget-friendly and outdoors! This park is dog-friendly, but your furry friends must be on a leash.
Holy cow, it was a horse track in 1979! This park provides biking, running, or walking areas to the public now. This Tropical Park in Miami, Florida also provides a fitness court and an outdoor boxing center to get your fitness on. I would say this park is more for locals. Tourists won’t normally visit such a local park. That makes it great for a workout session. There are a variety of activities happening for adults and kids alike, and even a bark park for our furry friends.
The Topical Park is open from sunrise to sunset. In addition, you can visit the rental office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Sunday, if you need them.
Need more dog-friendly places to visit in Florida, then you need my Ultimate List of Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Key West.
Miami Beach Parks
Berry Farms is an adorable park in Miami Beach. It has its own market, a private event space, and a restaurant. It opens its new season on September 14th, 2022. There are unlimited things to do, including playgrounds, walking through sunflower and strawberry fields, and obstacle courses, just to name a few.
I can’t wait to go and take delicious strawberry pictures. Keep an eye out here for more information.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Miami Beach
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South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 33139 )
This lovely park on Miami, Florida’s southern tip, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the shoreline and the skyline of Downtown Miami and Fisher Island. It is also an excellent spot for watching cruise ships come and go.
Adults can choose from walking rails, picnic or BBQ areas, a cafe, or a bark park for their furry friends. Kids have a splash park and a jungle gym. There will be no boredom once you are here, and think about staying to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the water, making it a perfect ending to your day.
Key Biscayne Parks
This is an excellent location for families, fun, photoshoots, picnics, BBQs, and more. The park is committed to preserving the environment and offers free guided tours Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
This fun Miami, Florida Park is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to sunset and Friday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to sunset. On weekdays it is $5 per car/motorcycle and $8 on weekends and holidays. Bus fare is $10 on weekdays and $16 on weekends and holidays.
Grab your gear and try an adventure!
There is also a hidden swing at this park overlooking the water, making for an excellent opportunity for that magic Instagram picture. Unfortunately, the swing is a bit hard to find. However, people say you need to get a paddle board from VKOC in the lagoon, and once you come out of the lagoon, turn left, and it will be on your left.
In the area and want to experience a bit more? Check out this hidden castle of South Florida.
At Crandon Park in Miami, visitors can experience all the unique ecosystems of the Keys in one place. This park is home to various animals and plants and offers EcoAdventure tours and self-guided nature trails. This is a great place if you have kids and want to have them learn something while having fun, giving parents a much-needed break.
The Crandon Park office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. The park’s hours are from sunrise to sunset, making it a fantastic spot for a date night! Parking is $5 weekly, and on weekends it is $7.
This well-known park is home to the 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse, open from 8 a.m. to sundown daily. From the lighthouse and surrounding area, you will see breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. A fan of sunsets? Don’t worry; remember, I gotchu. If you come during sunset, you will be able to see those gorgeous sunset colors we dream of in our favorite paintings. This might even be a great spot for a big proposal. Make sure to book a guided tour or shelter rental in advance, and arrive early as parking ($8) fills up quickly.
Various activities are offered, making this park an all-day adventure! You can choose from hiking, paddling, biking, swimming, tours, or self-guided wildlife viewing. Make sure to stop for a snack at the Lighthouse Cafe or Boater’s Grill overlooking the water.
Dog-Friendly Parks at Key Biscayne
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Hobie Island Beach Park (Old Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, 33149)
Water sport babes, this one’s for you! This beach is known for windsurfing, so it attracts both locals and tourists. You can either be lazy and enjoy the view, or be more adventurous and sign up to take a lesson. No judgment here!
Hobie Island Beach Park in Miami, Florida, is also a favorite among furry friends. The water here is shallow and great for dogs to play around in without the fear of strong currents.
Hobie Beach Park is open from November to March, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April to October, it’s open from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. The beach is free, but there is a $1.50 toll for crossing the causeway from Miami.
Are you thinking that you need more pet-friendly places to explore in Florida, but don’t know where you should go next? How about taking a trip to Key West and checking out this dog-friendly Hyatt Resort. You won’t regret it!
Homestead Parks
This is the only garden of its kind in the US, making it super unique and an Instagrammer’s paradise! This 37-acre paradise is Mary Calkins Heinlein’s vision come to life. This park is the heart of Redland and has over 500 different fruits, herbs, spices, and trees for visitors to observe.
The park is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no admission after 4 p.m.). Guided tours are offered every day at 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. It is $10 per adult, $3 for ages 6–11, and children under 6 are free. Most of the park is also accessible for people with disabilities, except where the terrain will naturally be uneven.
Everglades National Park is a world heritage site that spans 1.5 million acres across southern Florida. That’s right — 1.5 MILLION ACRES!
There are 3 main areas and many different entrances. The Everglades National Park is home to around 36 protected species of mammals and reptiles, as well as over 300 birds and fish.
There are a variety of activities for all ages here in this Miami, Florida park. They offer a $30, 7-day consecutive pass per vehicle. If you enter by bicycle or on foot, it is $15. Ages 16 and younger are free. Annual passes are $55.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Homestead
The park is open 24 hours a day and is a great place to go fishing, diving, or taking a stroll. I suggest planning a late dinner at one of the restaurants close by and enjoying a stroll in the park or along the dock afterward. (hint for you romantics looking for a low-key date idea!).
Coral Gables
This 82-acre lush garden is incomparable for weddings, photo shoots, families, dates, or just a solo trip to enjoy the beauty of nature. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has over 3,400 species of plants and insects. This Miami Florida park holds many activities and events all year long.
They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m., with ticket prices of $24.95 for adults. Seniors, students, and children have discounted prices. They even offer discounts for a variety of memberships or the military.
There is a café on site which showcases organic and locally grown ingredients. Sounds hella delicious to me! Make sure to grab a bite and have a panoramic view of the Wings of the Tropics exhibit.
Final Thoughts
From romantic walks along the beaches to watching the sunset within the greenery of a European palace, these parks will have everything your heart could want. My tip is to not go in the summer, the bugs will eat you alive. If you do go during the summer, make sure you pick a place with indoor tours to cool you down some.
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XO,
Anna
Anna is a traveler, blogger, and entrepreneur who can’t keep herself still. She’s always on the move, whether working hard on a new passion project or exploring a new city as a part-time digital nomad. Dare to keep up? Check out The Tatted Nomad for everything digital nomad, social media marketing, mental health, and travel (and to see her latest addition, Novah, her service dog and travel companion). As a psychotherapist (to be) she also offers insights about your mental health related questions – anything you see that isn’t covered but you have questions about? Let her know!
