If you are looking to enjoy Miami's many nature-filled attractions, from hiking and biking to kayaking and birdwatching, then you are in luck! Today we are sharing a List of Our Favorite Nature Things to Do in Miami Florida - from a Miami native's perspective!
Nature Things to Do in Miami Florida
The city of Miami is surrounded by natural beauty, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities. Miami is one of the best places to visit if you are love the great outdoors, as the nature things to do in Miami are open almost every time of year because of our amazing subtropical weather.
The beach, the preserved parks, and the tropical jungle-like settings make it a prime destination for nature lovers. It is a perfect backdrop for the hilarious things to do in Miami, Florida. The city is full of several hotels and resorts. The best way to explore the feature is by getting out of it.
The town is famous for its delicate local cuisine as well. It offers a wide array of services, from golf courses to luxury hotels. Here are a few of the best natural things to do in Miami, Florida, together with some valuable tips to make your stay the most interesting one.
Barnacle Historic State Park
When you are looking for outdoor things to do in Miami, and also love history, then a trip to visit Barnacle Historic State Park in Miami's Coconut Grove is in order!
Barnacle Historic State Park is located at the shore of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, and was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of founding pioneers of Coconut Grove. The property has three historic houses and is a great spot for history lovers and nature lovers, as a glimpse into the Era of the Bay that came to an end when the Florida East Coast Railroad arrived in 1896 and Miami became a city. It is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Barnacle Historic State Park offers elegance, charm, and plenty of activities including tours, geo-caching, birding and picnic areas. The park is a great place to enjoy a fun day in one of Miami's oldest neighborhoods, Coconut Grove.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens
The gem that we locals refer to simply as "Fairchild," this is always at the top of my list of nature parks Miami because of how large it is and the variety of nature found there. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, is located on the beautiful shores of picturesque Biscayne Bay and has a tropical garden filled with exotic flowers and plants. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens boasts one of the most extensive collection of orchids in the United States - if not the world. The gardens also have an extensive collection of tropical trees and palms and fountains.
You can also enjoy bird watching, walking, and picnicking in these lush gardens. There is also a beautiful beach and an outdoor amphitheater which you can use to relax while admiring nature's splendor around you. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens also has an extensive array of special exhibits, which change seasonally.
- Aquatic Exhibits - The Water Gardens at Fairchild Soak in the beauty of Fairchild’s 11 lakes and 7 pools, including the Sibley Victoria Pool.
- Arid and Succulent Collections - Fall in love with the wonders of the plant world and learn about different species of arid and succulent plants.
- Children’s Garden - In The Children’s Garden, kids of all ages will experience a fun and playful learning environment that encourages interaction with the...
- Butterfly Garden Miami: The Clinton Family Conservatory - A World of Fluttering Color & Tropical Plants Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., weather permitting.
- Arboretum and Geiger Tropical Flower Garden - The Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum is a 12-acre display of 740 species of tropical flowering trees, shrubs and more!
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is situated in the southern third of Florida's mainland. The park is made of tropical forests, swamps, and wetlands. This park is a great place to experience feature at its best. The park hosts manatees, pelicans, alligators, and other exotic wildlife.
You can also ride a shuttle boat to observe the wildlife up close. The park is home to alligators, turtles, egrets, and other wildlife species.
I am going to move onto some of our other things to do in nature in Miami Florida now, and direct you to my friend's site, ParkRangerJohn.com for more info about Biscayne National Park. He is an experienced Park Ranger, after all - and I could literally spend ALL DAY talking about Biscayne National Park - but we have lots more to cover today!
Everglades Alligator Farm
Everglades Alligator Farm is a unique attraction that offers everything from wildlife viewing to airboat rides to animal encounter shows! Everglades Alligator Farm Airboat rides are a thrilling 20-25 minute ride into the Everglades. Located between Miami and the Florida Keys, airboat tours show off the spectacular scenery of the Everglades.
The alligator show is one of our most popular and entertaining aspects of the farm. Our expert handlers educate guests on all aspects of these creatures of the swamp.
During the alligator, snake and reptile shows, you can watch as the handlers display alligator capturing techniques once used by Native Americans. One the show is over, you can actually handle a baby alligator too! Don't worry - they tape the mouth closed and the handler is right there, so you don't have to worry about anyone getting hurt. They also have several alligator feedings throughout the day, when you can see and learn about how alligators feed in the wild.
Over 500 gators live in the Everglades Alligators Farm's breeding pond area, and there are trails around the park that you can walk and view them in their natural habitat. This was one of our favorite outdoor things to do in Miami when my daughter was little!
Monkey Jungle Miami
Monkey Jungle Miami is by far one of my favorite outdoor things to do in Miami - it is literally right down the street from the neighborhood where I was raised and still live. Monkey Jungle Miami is truly a unique eco-show park! If you love nature AND animals, this park and discovery center is going to be the highlight of your trip to Miami!
Established in 1935 in a natural subtropical forest in southern Miami-Dade County, the jungle wildlife at Monkey Jungle live as rich a life as they would in their native habitats. Your Jungle Guides take you deep into the forest for regularly scheduled shows, but you can also walk through the trails and explore the wildlife for yourself.
The best part of Monkey Jungle is that YOU are the one in the cage, while the wildlife roam free all around you! It is truly a one of a kind experience that I have never seen outside of Miami.
Redland Fruit and Spice Park
The Redland Fruit and Spice Park is one of the most unique and unknown nature parks Miami, suited for nature lovers who want a vacation filled with something new and different! The Redland Fruit & Spice Park is part of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department, and is the ONLY tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States. There are over 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and nuts within the park and botanical gardens.
Redland Fruit and Spice Park is home to more than 50 species of tropical flowers, and is open year-round in ALL weather conditions - except for when there is lightning. If you aren't aware of this...Florida is actually the lightning strike capital OF THE WORLD! So, this might seem like an inconvenience but it is for your safety.
There are picnic tables throughout the park and guests are welcome to bring a picnic basket!
You can learn about the kinds of fruits, nuts, and spices in the park. You can also learn about the different types of herbs used for flavoring purposes. The park also offers activities such as guided tours, pick-your-own apples or melons, and lunch. You can also sample some of the exotic recipes prepared from the fruits on sale in the store.
Oleta River State Park
Oleta River State Park is located in North Miami Beach, and at just over 1000 acres, it is actually Florida’s largest urban park! When you are looking for outdoor things to do in Miami, Oleta River State Park should be towards the top of your list!
It is a great place to enjoy nature, and it is the perfect spot for mountain bikers, paddlers, anglers and swimmers. The park offers plenty of activities, such as rollerblading, swimming, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, paddling, canoeing, and swimming - you can even go on fishing for the day with the family and set your own hook!
Oleta River State Park has a marina where you can rent boats or kayaks, giving you a first-hand experience of the park - it is part of the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The park is also home to one of Florida's finest golf courses, perfect for anyone who wants to play the game with nature.
Whether enjoying the 15 miles of off-road bicycling trails or paddling along lush mangrove forests, it can be shocking that Oleta River State Park is just 30 minutes from downtown Miami! You can download a map of the park along with a list of amenities here.
The Miami Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Located in the northern part of Miami near Coconut Grove is the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, now known as Frost Science, which offers an amazing experience for families. You can learn about science and technology and enjoy a beautiful view as you are surrounded by feature at its best!
Frost Museum offers different Exhibitions, an Aquarium, but locals know it best as the Planetarium.
One of the most advanced spaces like it in the U.S., the cutting-edge 250-seat Frost Planetarium offers an immersive experience using a 16-million-color 8K visual system using six 3D-capable projectors and surround sound.
The Frost Science Dome is tilted forward at 23.5 degrees, allowing its 67-foot span to fill your field of vision as if you’re flying! Iagery comes at you from above, below and the peripheral edges, creating a nearly 360-degree view of whatever world you’re in. Frost Science also displays spellbinding laser light shows.
South Pointe Beach
South Point Beach is an excellent place to explore the natural beauty of our Miami Beaches. South Point Beach offers snorkeling and boating, along with jet ski rentals - allowing you to enjoy the beach and surrounding waters in a variety of ways. South Point Beach serves as an excellent tourist attraction, giving visitors a beautiful view of the Atlantic.
These are just some of the many attractions that center around nature and wildlife in Miami, Florida. Visit the city and its beaches to enjoy a holiday filled with entertainment, adventure, and outdoor activities. The city also offers museums and other fun attractions, which are perfect for anyone visiting the area.
Nature lovers will definitely fall in love with the different parks and outdoor activities that Miami has to offer. The Nature Things to Do in Miami Florida offer plenty of activities for visitors, such as fishing, canoeing, and bird watching, among others, thus allowing you to spend most of your time outdoors.
Miami is a fantastic city is an excellent choice for you and your family or friends. It's a beautiful city with so many different activities to enjoy, so start planning your trip today!
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