Top Rated Parks to Visit in El Portal

"Our last day was spent at the creative Wynwood Walls art exhibit. Beautiful mosaics are spread across a few blocks on streets and on buildings, even on the sidewalks!"

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise as Biscayne Bay, but this fantastic green space is packed full of freebies too, including a great playground for the kids. The Tina Hills Pavilion has free concerts and yoga sessions, but Bayfront Park has some interesting public art worth discovering as well. The JFK Torch of Friendship recognizes the accomplishments of US congressman Claude Pepper, while Isamu Noguchi, who redesigned much of Bayfront Park in the 1980s, has three great sculptures: the Challenger Memorial, The Light Tower, and our favorite, the Slide Mantra."

"In addition to 30 acres of green space, Bayfront Park has an amphitheater that has hosted a variety of concerts, from Elton John to Rob Zombie. The park features several memorials, including one to the crew of the Challenger space shuttle. It's also a great place for a stroll or a picnic, so don't forget to bring your camera for the outstanding views of Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami."

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise as Biscayne Bay, but Miamians are lucky like that. Noted artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi redesigned much of Bayfront Park in... Top ChoiceMuseum in Downtown Miami"

"When you’re dreaming of Miami, you're dreaming of Lummus Park Beach, a postcard-perfect spot surrounded by historic art deco buildings, high-end hotels, a winding beachfront walkway, and bronzed athletes playing volleyball games on the sandy courts. This beach is full of action and a favorite among tourists looking for the full Miami experience (Muscle Beach and frozen margaritas included). At the heart of Lummus Park, find Miami Beach's LGBTQ+ beach located at the intersection of 12th street, a hotspot during Miami Beach Pride and identifiable year-round by the rainbow flags at each lifeguard station."

"Because South Beach is such a broad description, and the varying beaches here go on for miles, we thought we'd narrow it down. Lummus Park, the area of the beach located along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th Street, is the all-encompassing South Beach experience. This is the strip of sand that is always the most crowded, which makes for excellent people watching."

"Wander around Calle Ocho for some interesting street art, watch locals play dominos in Maximo Gomez Park, and pick up a hand-rolled cigar as a souvenir. Although it’s known for its Cuban heritage and influence, Calle Ocho isn’t just limited to Cuban food. Go for that Cuban sandwich or basket of croquetas from Versailles, or try some Nicaraguan food at Guayacan, Mexican food at Mi Rinconcito Mexicano, or, my personal favorite, the Thai cuisine at Lung Yai Thai Tapas. Yep, some of Miami’s best Thai food is found in Little Havana!"

"Little Havana’s most evocative reminder of Old Cuba is Máximo Gómez Park, or ‘Domino Park,’ where the sound of elderly men trash-talking over games of chess is harmonized with the quick clack-clack of slapping dominoes. The jarring backtrack, plus the heavy smell of cigars and a sunrise-bright mural of the 1994 Summit of the Americas, combine to make Máximo Gómez one of the most sensory sites in Miami (although it is admittedly one of the most tourist-heavy ones as well)."

"It’s neither polished nor particularly pretty, but it’s a glimpse into real life in Spanish-speaking Miami and a place to watch Cuba’s old guard face off over dominos in Maximo Gomez Park; grab a 50 cent cortadito (a shot of Cuban coffee with steamed milk) from a walk-up window; and watch cigar rollers hand roll stogies at family-run factories. End your jaunt in Little Havana with a scoop (or two or three) of homemade Abuela Maria® ice cream at"

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park offers an opportunity to relax in a serene atmosphere. Also, there are a few beautiful boutiques (The Showroom, First Flight Out, Nikki's Beachouse Boutique) on Commodore Plaza -beach style clothes, cosy decoration, design accessories. Fringed by trees and cafés with terraces, this district has a cool Caribbean vibe going on."

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."

"The great thing about Hollywood North Beach Park is that it’s right next to the West Lake South Trail and the beach!. This means, after completing the West Lake South Trail you can head straight over to chill in the park and get ready for a dip, too. With over 50+ acres to explore, it’s easily one of the best things to do in Hollywood, Florida to just chill out."

"3150 Taft Street This facility offers eight lighted baseball fields, five batting cages, a clubhouse, shade-covered playground with artificial turf, boat ramp, pavilion and catwalk."

"5451 Washington Street A quiet facility, this passive park is known for its lighted walking trail with 10 exercise stations, interactive water feature and two playgrounds with shade structures, one wood chip, the other artificial turf, and restrooms."

"A beachfront park on the historic Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. Shaded seating area, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and an splash fountain for kids. It also has 6 fully restored, historic paddleball courts that have been a popular feature on Hollywood Beach since the 1930s."

"At the very northerly points of The Everglades, Sawgrass Recreation Park is perched right within the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Area. Not only that, it’s one of the easiest places to visit if you’re based in Fort Lauderdale (around 25-minutes from the city centre). Yeah, it might be close to the city but it actually feels like a million miles away – you’re in total wilderness when you’re here."

"Fly through the Everglades on an exhilarating airboat tour and get up close to some of Florida's famous wildlife on a swamp adventure."

"Whether it’s December or June in South Florida, we’re never not down to have a paleta, especially one from La Michoacana. This Homestead ice cream shop keeps it extra fresh by producing some amazing flavors like Cucumber Chili, Nopal Cactus, and Arroz con Leche – along with the classics, of course. What they do: Ice CreamWebsite: Visit HerePrice: Less than $10Phone:786-243-1138Hours: Daily, 10 a.m."

"Owned by Grammy-nominated rap artist Troy Lanez, Notorious Creamery offers up some of the creamiest and most flavorful ice cream in the city. Although it does not have as many flavors as some of the other ice cream spots on this list, the flavors it does have are amazing, and in fact, visitors have said Notorious Creamery has the best vanilla ice cream they've ever tried. Birthday cake, coffee, pistachio, and chocolate are other flavors available, but for $12, the shop will make you a custom concoction that will make everyone on your social media pages jealous!"

"If you decide to stay at one ofour pet-friendly properties, then bring your fluffy friend along toSnyder Park. Your dog will love this spot’s “bark park” that features a dog-only lake for swimming and playing. There are also some other great spaces for running, fetching, and overall fun!"

"Last but certainly not least is one of Fort Lauderdale’s best-kept secrets: The Secret Woods Nature Center. Document your experience as you explore walking paths made from recycled materials. You’ll be able to observe a wide variety of Florida wildlife including reptiles,seabirds, and insects."