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Home/Travel/Local’s Guide to Miami: Best Miami Hidden Gems off the Beaten Path

Local’s Guide to Miami: Best Miami Hidden Gems off the Beaten Path

 Miami is known for its beautiful blue waters, sassy Latin flare and party scene. However, locals know that Miami is a city of so much diversity and the real fun begins beyond South Beach. Contrary to popular belief, Miami is the perfect travel destination for the entire family and venturing outside of Ocean Drive can lead to unique adventures that the locals love to keep to themselves. Here is my local’s guide to Miami and finding the best Miami hidden gems off the beaten path.

miami hidden gems

Best Beaches in Miami for Families: Explore Local Favorite Miami Beaches and State Parks

Locals know that South Beach  is  crowded with tourists and party seekers. Miami is home to a ton of beaches and state parks to enjoy minus the crowds and hard to find parking. Here are some of our highly recommended off the beaten path beaches in Miami that are family friendly + miami hidden gems not overrun with tourists.

South Pointe Park:

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South Pointe Park, Miami Beach. 📷: @jasonmac7 #somiami #southpointepark #southbeach #governmentcut #305aerial

A post shared by @ miamiandbeaches on Feb 3, 2017 at 8:14pm PST

South Pointe Park is a 17- acre beach on the southern end of Miami’s famous South Beach. Not only was this our favorite beach because of the views but it’s also less crowded and more family oriented than the others in the area. This family friendly beach in Miami offers a ton of amenities for kids like a splash pad, bike riding path, modern playground and picnic lounging areas. Here, you’ll find killer sunsets, beach front snack shacks and restaurants, water sports and watching the cruises leave port Miami.

Note: Parking can easily be purchased with the Park Mobile or Pay to Park apps. However, Sunday parking is a flat $20 and often hard to find a spot.

Best Miami Hidden Gem Beach

Matheson Hammock Park:

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Keep palm and carry on 🌴 #AerLingus

A post shared by Aer Lingus (@aerlingus) on Apr 5, 2019 at 12:00am PDT

Matheson Hammock Park is located in the Coral Gables neighborhood near Cutler Bay. This beautiful beach state park is part natural and part manmade. In the center of the beach, you’ll find a man- made atoll lagoon which is perfect for swimming and play with small kids. The rest of the park is a 360- degree scenic view of beautiful Miami Biscayne Bay and Boat Marina. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of the Miami skyline. In my opinion, nothing beats the golden sunsets here that shine between the palm trees and beautiful natural coral.  This is the perfect beach for a quiet family beach day, water sports, boating or a picnic.

Note: The park is often subject to renovation and hurricane repair. Parking is $5 on weekdays and $7 on the weekends.

 

Crandon Park Beach (Key Biscayne)

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Try and find us amongst the palms 🌴. @miami_traveler . . . . . . . #biscayners #keybiscayne #kb #keybiscaynebusiness #lighthouse #miami #miamisunglasses #sunnies #polarized #polarizedsunglasses #handmadesunglasses #wearetheocean #mia #biscaynersbabes #brickellbusiness #miamismallbusiness #supportlocal #shopsmall #borninmiami #shopkeybiscayne #yournewfavoriteglasses #crandonbeach #crandonparkbeach

A post shared by Biscayners 🕶 Sunglasses (@biscayners) on May 29, 2019 at 9:08am PDT

Crandon Park is a stunning beach right on Key Biscayne. The park is connected to Miami by a causeway bridge. This beach is one of the most serene and you will not find a ton of tourists here. Not only does this area offer a beach but it also has an area for golfing and tennis court. Take a scroll on the beach, ride the biking trail, chill under a sleepy palm tree or have a picnic…the choice is yours.

Note: This park charges an entry fee of $5 for weekdays and $7 for weekends.

 

Florida State Parks Near Miami

 Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

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Saturday, April 13 challenge yourself at the Diamond Legacy 5k as you travel through various park trails and roads at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park! Learn more from the link in our bio!

A post shared by Florida State Parks (@fl.stateparks) on Apr 8, 2019 at 3:05pm PDT

If lighthouses and water sports are your thing, then this is the park for you. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Parkis a short drive from downtown Miami and it comes complete with a historic lighthouse to explore from 1825. In this state park, you can bike, hike, water boat camp, fish, paddle board and more. The opportunities are endless and this is the perfect place to forget about the busy Miami streets. Tuesday- Friday, you can catch a tour of the historic lighthouse.

 

Note: The charge is $8 per car to enter the park and additional fees may apply depending on your activity of interest.

 

Are Miami Beaches Free?

While Miami’s beaches are technically free, you will often have to pay for parking or beach equipment like chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas. Other than that, the beaches in Miami are free and you are free to bring your own food, drinks and beach toys for children.

Note: According to Miami Beach Laws, alcohol of any kind will not be tolerated on the beach. 

 

Unique things to do in Miami: Horseback Riding in South Miami

miami hidden gems horseback riding

When most people think of Miami, Horses and horseback riding never come to mind. However, locals know that in South Miami, land is lush and rich and there are many farms where you’ll find unique experiences such as horseback riding. The Miami Equestrian Centeris located in the Kendall area and offers an amazing one on one training session where you can train for an hour or two like a real equestrian. They offer hands on training on riding techniques or you can relax and ride the horses around the large property. You can find the best deals for this on Groupon which gives you the option of one or more training session bundles and ends up being much cheaper than booking directly with the company.

Miami Hidden Gems : Knaus Berry Farms

miami hidden gems knaus berry farms

Miami is hiding something from the tourists but I’m going to let you in on a secret. The very best dessert you’ll ever have in your life can be found in South Miami at Knaus Berry Farms. This 63- year- old family owned farm started off growing strawberries. While you can visit and pick pounds of fresh strawberries, the locals go for the baked goods.

The most popular items on the menu are their crazy delicious hot and fresh cinnamon rolls and fresh made to order milkshakes. These treats are like nothing you’ve ever had and worth the 30+ minute drive from South Beach. They also have a farmer’s market, fresh baked breads, pie and more. As a word of caution, the farm is only open from November to April of each year for the strawberry season making it a hot commodity. Plus, be sure to bring cash! This one of the many things to do in Miami with kids.

You may be interested in reading “Things to do in Miami with Kids: Is Miami a family friendly destination?”

 

 

Explore Coral Gables: Things to do in Coral Gables, Florida

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#TravelTuesday The City of Coral Gables’ founders imagined both a “City Beautiful” and a “Garden City,” with lush green avenues winding through a residential city and surrounded by beautiful civic landmarks, making Coral Gables one of Miami’s most sought after destinations. 🍃 Photo Courtesy of @merrickmanorofficial

A post shared by City of Coral Gables (@cityofcoralgables) on May 22, 2018 at 1:09pm PDT

While most people believe that the glitziest neighborhoods in Miami can be found near the beach, the locals know that Coral Gables in full of old money glam. Coral Gables is a gorgeous neighborhood with a diverse list of sites to see and places to marvel over.  In most places, you can find fairytale mansions on both sides of the road and Spanish moss lined streets. Its free to daydream and drive through neighborhoods and drool over their beauty.

What Attractions are in Coral Gables

Coral Gables is large and you can very well spend an entire day in this part of town exploring off the beaten path. Here, you’ll find museums, golf courses, and tons of attractions. Some local favorite things to do in Coral Gables are:  Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, The Gorgeous Venetian Pool, Capital One Café’ and swanky shopping at Miracle Mile and shops at Merrick Park. Coral Gables also has a ton of dining experiences both casual and fine.

 

Biltmore Sunday Tours and Weekend Brunch

miami hidden gems biltmore

No visit to Coral Gables would be complete without visiting the Biltmore Hotel for a tour, photo opp or brunch. This stunning 93- year- old hotel is pure luxury. While on property, you can partake in an award- winning spa experience, golfing, Sunday Champagne Bunch or Sunday walking tour inside and outside the property. This tour is another free thing to do in Miami on the weekend!

 

Spend Time at A Marina

miami hidden gems black point marina

There’s nothing that says Florida living more than spending the day out on a boat or enjoying the Marina. On the weekends, locals flee from downtown and South Beach Miami area to enjoy the calm and serene Marina’s down south. Our favorite hidden treasure is Black Point Marina which can be found in South Miami (Cutler Bay).

miami hidden gems black point food

Here, you can charter a boat for the day or fish but the real magic is at the Open-air Marina Restaurant Black Point Bar and Grill. Their specialty is a Fried Grouper Sandwich TO DIE FOR or you can step outside your comfort zone and try Dolphin! Everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh and tastes delicious. Plus, their drinks are refreshing and place has a good breeze and island vibes.

Visit Miami’s Hidden Gem Museums: Best Museums in Miami, Florida

There are truly two sides to Miami. While one side is vibrant party goers, the other side is serene natural beauty with history and culture.  Museums are  cheap things to do in Miami and will help you stick to a low budget while in the city.

Miami Museums with Walking Tours

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Locals and visitors both can agree that Villa Vizcaya is the most beautiful place in Miami and it should not be missed. John Deering had Villa Vizcaya built in 1916 as an Italian style winter retreat.   If you wish to get away from Miami’s modern appeal, this villa will take you a step or two back in history. Spend the day with a walking tour or spend your time by Biscayne Bay watching the waves crash against the shore. This stunning property has a ton of gardens, bay front seating, a gift shop and on site eatery for your convenience. Visiting this Miami palace is sure to inspire you.

Tip: If you love Vizcaya then you will adore the James Deering Estate in Miami as well which is one of South Florida’s largest and most historical estates.

Coral Castle Museum

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The night of the Fall Equinox

A post shared by Coral Castle Museum (@coral_castle) on Sep 24, 2016 at 3:00pm PDT

Looking for one of Miami’s most unique museums and destinations? In South Miami, you will find the Coral Castle Museum which is over 1,000 tons of artfully carved coral rock sculpture garden. Between the 1920s to 50s, one man created one of the world’s most mysterious accomplishments. The remnants of his art is what you will see when you visit the castle. So, if you visit South Miami for any of the other attractions listed, be sure to visit this exhibit.

 Miami Cultural Museums

History Miami Museum

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What do quinceañera celebrations, Trinidadian steelpan music and breakdancing have in common? What about cigar rolling, Brazilian samba and bluegrass jam sessions? ⬇️⬇️⬇️ These cultural traditions are examples of the region’s #folklife. A division of #HistoryMiami, the South Florida Folklife Center is committed to documenting, presenting and supporting local traditional arts and culture. Visit our Folklife Center the next time you stop by and see what South Florida traditions we’ve displayed! . 📸: @guiamiami

A post shared by HistoryMiami Museum (@historymiami) on Mar 24, 2019 at 9:03am PDT

Want to know everything about Miami’s History from its complex history to its vibrant art deco culture? If so, the History Miami Museum has everything you can dream of. This Smithsonian affiliate institute has a ton of amazing exhibits to keep you busy for hours. You’ll learn about the various cultures and historical moments that came together and made Miami what it is today. Throughout the year, the museum also hosts events and festivals such as Free family days, culture fests and summer programs for children and teens.

Note: The History Miami Museum is a part of the Miami-Dade Cultural Center and made up of two buildings. 

American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora

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A very special thanks to all who came to #MeetTheCuban and celebrate our first exhibit! We appreciate the support from all of our incredible partners @BankofAmerica @BacardiUSA @knightfdn @aljiraart @miamidademedia #LuisCruzAzaceta

A post shared by The Cuban (@cubanmuseum) on Nov 21, 2016 at 9:38am PST

What better way to explore that culture than visiting the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora? This museum showcases Miami’s strong Cuban culture, history, culture and artistic contributions that Cubans brought to Miami and America. This museum also often hold cultural and artistic festivals and shows so be sure to visit this museum if you’re in Little Havana.

Note: Little Havana’s Calle Ocho (8thStreet) offers Miami’s best Cuban cuisine and authentic Cuban experiences. Calle Ocho in Miami is for history or cultural buff looking for immersion.

Jewish Museum of Florida

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Conociendo la historia y la cultura Judía en F🌴☀️rid🌺.. visita el famoso museo judío en #southbeach #Miamibeach y te sorprenderás. 📸 @edwarsimal Conocer la historia y la cultura de comunidades diferentes nos hace valorar el aporte que hacen a cada comunidad. #vivelaflorida #Florida #LoveFL #beach #aerialphotography #drone #karmadrone #summer #boat #marine #vacations #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #lifestylephotography #Miami #keybiscayne #instagood #instagram #religion #luxury #luxurylifestyle #summer #jewish #museum #noracism

A post shared by Vive La Florida (@vivelaflorida) on Aug 24, 2017 at 11:01am PDT

Did you know that Miami and South Florida has a large population of Jewish Americans? At the Jewish Museum of Florida, you will find stories of Jewish immigration and their contribution to  South Florida  . Not only does it talk about the holocaust but visitors can also learn about arts, culture and how they built their generational wealth in the area.  The tour takes about 90 minutes and volunteers are always willing to share personal stories during your visit.

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Driving from Miami to Stock Island? Read about Stock Island, Florida (Where to Stay & Eat) 

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ARE CRUISES ON THE UP AGAIN? 🚢 [ remember to LI ARE CRUISES ON THE UP AGAIN? 🚢 [ remember to LIKE  SHARE  SAVE and COMMENT]  ———————-  While there is currently a ton of debate surround travel safety and comfortability, one thing that most people can agree on is that cruising is one of the last pieces of the travel industry puzzle that will recover . OR IS IT?  ————-
According to a @usatoday article from December 2020, the cruise industry is seeing an uptick in new bookings and looks to come back in early 2021.  —————  “According to Cruise Lines International Association,  73% of cruisers say they are "likely to cruise" in the next few years, and 50% say they will cruise within the year”. In addition, cruise lines like @carnival are seeing a 60% uptick in new bookings. In a survey, 90% of potential cruisers said that they would adhere to wearing a mask.  —————-
One of the stipulations for cruises to restart sailing is the completion of mock voyages with volunteers . @royalcaribbean launched a program called “Volunteer of the seas” where over 150,000 volunteers said that they would be among the first to participate in a simulation sailing 😱  ———————-  With this information , how do you feel about cruise travel in 2021 and beyond ? Would you volunteer to set sail or wait it out ? Leave your thoughts below!  •
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It’s Friday Y’all!! And I need a beach as muc It’s Friday Y’all!!  And I need a beach as much as Uncle Bernie does 🤣. Currently missing Sunny San Diego, Beautiful Waikiki and Paradise in the Florida Keys. Where are your favorite beaches ? Also, leave a Comment below with your weekend plans!  •
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NATIONAL PARKS CHAT [ please remember to LIKE SHA NATIONAL PARKS CHAT [ please remember to LIKE  SHARE  COMMENT and SAVE this post ]  ——————
I’ve mentioned a couple of times on here that my favorite thing about living on the west coast is the access to incredible National Parks.  —————  Did you know that Las Vegas is near At least 13 National Parks and approximately 12 state parks? By near and drivable, I mean a drive that is 6 hours of less!  —————-
 Now that the United States has placed increased travel restrictions on international travel , our goal is to cross off more states on our bucket list and hit up many more National Parks .  ——————————  National Parks Are: 
1️⃣An excellent way to appreciate your country 
2️⃣An inexpensive and cost effective way to travel in the USA
3️⃣An effective way to remain outdoors and socially distant on vacation 
4️⃣Attainable for most via road trip 
5️⃣A great way to worldschool and learn “in field” with children.  —————————
If you haven’t started to plan for spring break or need a quick alternative to your upcoming spring break plans , will you consider visiting a National Park? If so, which one are you most interested in? Mine will be in the comments!  •
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Creative Ways to Travel in 2021 ( LIKE| COMMENT| S Creative Ways to Travel in 2021 ( LIKE| COMMENT| SAVE  SHARE this post )  —————-  Are travel experiences on your radar in 2021 but you still want to keep at a safe distance from others ? I’m sure we all do. If nothing else , 2020 made us more creative with the travel experiences we took on. We continue to search for some of the best and safest ways to  explore away from others like this tiny house experience we had at @thedwellings.co in Utah.  ———————
Below , I’ll share some of the most creative and unique ways to travel in 2021! Also, I want to hear from you. What ways are you using to travel in 2021?  ———————-
• Rent a Tiny House 
•Explore National and State Parks
•Open Air Bike/ Scooter Tours
• Rent an RV or Converted Van
•Hiking or Jeep Tours 
•Rent a house with a Pool
•Backyard Camping 
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(Like| Share Save) Happy Monday Y’all! —— (Like| Share  Save) Happy Monday Y’all!  ——————-  Did y’all relax , relate and release from last week ? We did ! We needed a bit of a break and headed straight outside to enjoy nature and enjoy the outdoors ( this is my absolute favorite part of living in the American West. Below I’ll be sharing some of THE BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN LAS VEGAS.  —————-
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If you don’t know , now you know !  ————-  My page is not usually geared toward politics but with this platform , I am required to facilitate important conversations about Domestic and global issues that affect the well being of others. Days like today are constant reminders of the difference between how people of color have been treated for generations vs the privilege afforded to others.  —————-  In addition , it is disheartening knowing that people all over the world are watching and judging the circus on the news . As Global leaders have spoken up about their concern, I’m sure that we all find it difficult today to be American.  ————-  I’m curious to learn more about your thoughts .  ———-  #thisisAmerica #america #washingtondc #globalnews #unitedstatesnews #uscapitol #uscapitolbuilding #essence #melaninmajority
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(Please Like, Comment and Share this post ) In 202 (Please Like, Comment and Share this post ) In 2021, can we start minding our business ?  ——————-  Travel shaming has always been a thing . A judgement on where people are traveling domestically or internationally , if they travel budget or luxury, eating local or chain once they get there . However, I witnessed a level of travel shaming in 2020 that I hadn’t seen before . @oneikatraveller shared a great post about it that I’ll share in my stories. While some chose to stay at home—others decided that with the right precautions, travel could be attainable for them. We are those people and 100% of the time it’s no one’s business what others do.  —————  There’s a lot of discussion around what is safe right now and what’s not . But if we’re going to talk about what’s not safe in travel, we should also be able to talk about other things that aren’t safe like suicide, depression and depleted mental health . The point is , as some of us continue to try to regain what a normal life looked like for us less than 365 days ago; please remember to grant them grace and trust that they did their part to keep others safe . We have to be more kind in 2021 and allow people to live their lives. A lot of people didn’t make it to this year with us but if you’re here, that’s enough cause for celebration and continuing to live a fulfilled life ✨ THAT’S ALL!  ——————  Let’s talk about it in the comment section below ! 🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻  #travelblogger #travelwriter #blacktravelmovement #travelnoire #essencetravels #blacktravelfeed #blacktraveljourney #familytravel #travelmoms #blacktravelbloggers #blackcontentcreators #melaninmajority #travelgram #travelingram #madtravel #blacktravelgo #roadto100countries
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