If you are in Miami-Dade, either as a visitor or a resident and are looking for something to do other than the same 'ol Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miracle Mile things, try one of the following ideas. All are in Dade County and may surprise even some of the oldest residents. See for yourself!
Black Point Marina - Visit the marina at the end of the day during the weekend to amuse yourself as the boats come back in. Make sure to bring your lawn chair and cooler for this fun fest. Watching fishermen and boaters try to pull their boats of the slippery, steep boat ramp provides hours of entertainment. This is a weekend ritual for many who love heckling the poor tired boaters as they almost make it up, only to slip back down, sometimes pulling the trucks with them! The marina also has a an open air bar which often has live music, a great way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Take an airboat tour at Coopertown and snack on frog legs at the Coopertown Restaurant. While you are out that way, be sure to watch for the chikees and villages of the Sovereign Nation of the Miccosukee Seminole Indians.
Rent a Kayak and tour the mangroves, Florida's "walking trees" and the Vizcaya Stone Barge
Rent a boat or ask a friend to take you to Stiltsville, a cluster of seven remaining homes in the middle of the bay, miles from the coast and Elliott Key. You can even camp at Elliott Key!
Visit The Kampong, a flowering botanical treasure right on the bay.
The Spanish Monastery, a REAL 12th century Spanish stone monastary that was transported and rebuilt right here in Dade!
Take a dip in the cool natural waters of the landmark Venetian Pool in Coral Gables .
Have a cool drink and a snack of smoked fish or shrimp at Jimbo's on Virginia Key, it's been around over 50 years!
Have a meat at the Red Fish Grill at Matheson Hammock, or just spend the day at the park with or without your boat. The Grill is especially pretty at night with the lights on the water.
Take a Glider Ride where you might be able to steer the plane yourself as it glides over South West Dade County farms and fields.
Visit any of the U-Pick-Em Strawberry, Tomato and Herb fields along Krome Avenue. Make sure to sip a natural shake if they have one! And sneak a visit in to Robert is Here open air tropical fruit market (go out back and visit the emu)!
Take a Miami Duck Tour, Miami's only amphibious tour boat!
Shop for a treasure at Stone Age Antiques on the Miami River in the boat building, industrial section.
Have dinner, shop, savor an icecream at Historic Cauley Square Village. Watch out for those wild raccoons!
Visit Islandia, the purported smallest city in the World at the northern tip of the Florida Keys. Islandia is 66 sq miles (most of them water) and has SIX residents!
Walk in the Everglades without having to drive all the way down south! Simply go west on Kendall Drive, South on Krome Avenue, West on 136th Street all the way to the end. You will reach a berm, park and walk right into the park! See the location of old homesteads that were bought back by the government as part of the Everglades Restoration Project.
Take the self-guided Redland Riot Tour and drink local wine, snack on fresh honey buns and berries and visit a castle made of Coral. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the peacocks along the way!
I hope you enjoy your tour of Miami, there is absolutely something for everyone and I know you will be surprised and bemused.
Janie Coffey
Owner/Broker, GRI, TRC, QSC
cell: 786-252-4970
email: janie@papillonllc.com
More Miami-Dade County Blog Posts
Did you enjoy this? Donations always needed at the South Florida SPCA to Help the Horses (you can mention my name in the "purpose" section if you want)
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