Tag: Kennedy Park

 
With so many amazing grownup events in South Florida, sometimes we tend to forget that there is also a lot of fun to be had for the children. Since summertime is upon us and the littles will be cut loose from school, how can we keep them entertained? I’ve compiled a list of ideas, broken down by category. This week, we’re going to get started with things to do around the water.

1 – South Pointe Park & Pier

What’s not to love about South Pointe Park? There is so much to do! The 450-foot pier offers fantastic views of the beach from the very southern tip. You can go fishing, watch the cruise ships arrive and depart from close distance, it is just a generally good space. If you prefer to stay on land, there is beach access for swimming or sandcastle building. The people-watching is amazing. There are drum circles, people doing yoga, riding jet skis, windsurfing, you name it. Near the splash pad, you will find the South Pointe Cafe that serves all sorts of snacks. They have ice cream, smoothies, fresh juices and other refreshments. It should also be noted that the park has received a 4.6 rating on Tripadvisor, which is astounding.

Cost: Free

2 – Lummus Park South Beach

If you have ever seen South Beach on TV, you have more than likely seen Lummus Park. Located across Ocean Drive from the historic Art Deco hotels between 5th and 15th Street, this is the main beach used in sizzle reels for the city. The best time to enjoy Lummus Park is in the morning, you can watch the sun rise over the ocean, rent beach chairs and umbrellas and just enjoy the morning as the kids play in the sand and swim. There are separate playground for the little ones (2-5) and older kids (6-12), multiple workout areas, a broadwalk where you will find rollerbladers, joggers and bicyclists. There are beach volleyball courts as well as basketball courts to enjoy, all free of charge.

Lummus Park also plays host to special events, particularly Art Basel, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Grand Tasting Village and the Miami Beach Air & Sea Show. It is important to note that on some other high-traffic times in the city such as Spring Break and Memorial Day Weekend, this section of beach does become less family friendly. Aside from those times, it is a lovely place to be.

Cost: Free

3 – Kennedy Park

If you are looking to enjoy the fresh air with Fido also in tow, Kennedy Park is where you go. (See what I did there?) But on a real note, this is where the locals are. Located along the shoreline of the Biscayne Bay in between Brickell and Coconut Grove on Bayshore Drive, Kennedy Park got its name from a previous Mayor of Miami, David T. Kennedy. He held the mayorship of Miami from 1970-1973, which was around the time Miami began to change from a sleepy little city to a national destination.

Here you will find 20 acres of jogging trails, playgrounds for the wild ones (including your dogs), sand volleyball courts. The running paths are made of low impact rubber asphalt for those of us who want to protect our joints, and it is all nestled under the shade of natural mangroves. You will serve yourself well to visit the A.C.’s Icees frozen lemonade truck while you are there. It is an iconic landmark since 1978.

Cost: Free

4 – Bill Baggs State Park

There is so much to do at Bill Bags. For those who enjoy a calm, relaxing beach day with a beach picnic from the cooler, this is the best beach to go to. The park boasts 1.2 miles of sand directly under the mangroves and palm trees. There is no hustle and bustle at the south tip of Key Biscayne. Aside from the beach, there are 400 acres of other activities. You can also go camping, boating, horseback riding, there are playgrounds, scuba diving, I could literally go on all day about what this amazing location.

Named after Bill Baggs, the editor of the Miami News from 1957-69, the park is also home to the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. The Cape Florida Lighthouse was erected in 1825 to guide mariners away from the reef.

It is important to note that cell service can be spotty at this beach, so if you are one to lose your composure when there are no bars on your phone, it might be something to think about.

Cost: $8 per vehicle up to 8 people, $4 for single-occupant vehicles or motorcycles, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists or extra passengers

5 – Matheson Hammock Park

Matheson Hammock is one of the treasures of Miami’s past, present and future. Located at 9610 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, the historic park offers a whopping 630-acres of activities that are too extensive to detail in this highlight post. What I’d like to focus on today is the Atoll Pool. This is a manmade pool along the bay that is naturally filled by the tides of the bay. It is surrounded by limestone, coral and a circular sandy beach with swaying palm treas. Since the water is so calm, it is considered a very safe spot for children to swim.

Cost: $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends

6 – Venetian Pool in Coral Gables

In Coral Gables you can find another unique swimming pool. The Venetian Pool is a gorgeous 4-acre Mediterranean-style swimming pool located at 2701 De Soto Boulevard in Coral Gables. It was built in 1924 using a shallow quarry that displaces around 820,000 gallons of fresh water daily from artesian wells, which has brought both awe from swimmers and criticism from environmentalists. It is the largest freshwater pool in the United States.

Inside the pool, you will find a grotto, a grand waterfall, a sandy sunning area and a 2-foot kiddie pool near the lifeguards. You will also find a cafe for refreshments throughout the day.

Cost: Rates vary from $5.50-$21 depending upon age and residency.

Please know that this list is only our top 6 pick of unique things for you and the kiddos to get into near the water. We hope you enjoy and follow up in future weeks for lists of animal-related activities, things to do on a rainy day and more!