Miami Beach’s sand extends from South Pointe Park north to 87th Street. On the 5100 block of Collins Avenue, stroll along a secluded strand. A beautifully renovated boardwalk spans the mid-beach areas. Lummus Park (Ocean Drive, between 5th and 13th Street.) is great for swimming, with walking trails. North Shore Open Space Park (from 79th to 87th Street) boasts walking trails, a nature center, fishing, a bike path, a boardwalk, and pavilions.
For surfing and picnicking we suggest Haulover Park (10800 Collins Avenue), a mile-and-a-half stretch nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic, or Crandon Park (4000 Crandon Boulevard) that offers a romantic two-mile lagoon-style beach with a winding promenade and multiple picnic areas.
South Point Park (One Washington Avenue at Biscayne Street) is the right choice for fishermen and surfers.
Are you looking to play Golf?
In the matter of Green Acres and Golf Courts with the favorable weather, all year round and 200 more courses than any other state, Florida and Miami Beach have no equal when it comes to playing golf. One of the top-ranked municipal courses in the United States is in Miami Beach, the amazing Crandon Park Golf Course is built around lagoons and mangrove swamps beside Biscayne Bay. We suggest taking a taxi from South Beach. Phone 305.361.9129
Another one is the Biltmore Golf Course features crown greens and a layout that rewards well-struck balls and usually keeps ill-struck balls in play. Phone 305.460.5364
For sure one of the most challenging layouts is the “Blue Monster” one of five 18-hole courses at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Phone 305-592-2000
Sports Central
The National League Miami Marlins officially ushered in professional baseball to the Sunshine State in 1993, winning the World Series in 1997. They take to the bases at Pro Player Stadium.
The Miami Fusion, South Florida’s powerhouse in major league soccer, takes on world-class teams and players at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The Miami Heat burns up the basketball court at Miami Downtown Arena.
For more than 50 years, South Florida has been a thoroughbred racing center.
The area’s famous racetracks include Calder Race Course, located north of the Pro Player Stadium, Hialeah Park, and Pompano Park Racing-Harness Track.
The Palm Beaches and Broward County
On the waterfront, the drive north of Palm Beach is very pleasant. Phipps Ocean Park on Ocean Boulevard, Phil Foster Memorial Park, and John D. Mac Arthur Beach State Park on Singer Island all have amazing facilities.
At Boca Raton, South Beach, Red Reef Park, and Spanish River Park – are among the county’s most enchanting, reserved tucked behind huge banks of foliage lining A1A.
Along Broward County’s pristine coastline, you’ll find some of the finest beaches in the state of Florida. We strongly suggest it.
Hollywood Beach it’s more indicated for families with is six miles long, with lifeguards and security control on duty.
Fort Lauderdale’s expansive beaches feature great swimming and that perfect Gulf Stream water temperature (73 degrees). Just drive east on the 17th Street Causeway, Las Olas, or Sunrise Boulevard. It’s also the starting point for Costa and Festival Cruises.
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, south of Fort Lauderdale, is a remote 244-acre barrier island and home to some of the last amazing natural beaches in the area. The very incredible place we suggest.
Farther north, Deerfield and Pompano beaches offer picnic facilities. They are the right places to spend a different day. The Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway create a paradise for anglers. Public piers are open 24 hours a day. Please be careful.
If you are looking for small boats or small renting, we suggest the Club Nautico which provides boats for fishing, diving, and waterskiing. On the other hand, if you want to cruise, the right company is MC Chartering with an amazing super yacht from 52 to 400 feet. The World Fishing Center (954.922.4214) is the unique International Game Fish Association in Dania Beach and presents virtual reality fishing so you won’t get wet, plus interactive displays and educational galleries.
For those inclined to leisurely outings, there is the SeaEscape Casino Cruises (954-453-3333) that entertains the sea for all ages – day or night – with live music, dancing, cooking demonstrations, casino action, and much more.
Hot Dogs
The greyhound, one of the oldest canine breeds, is also the fastest, capable of speeds of up to 37 miles per hour.
Florida is one of the few places in the country where greyhound racing can be enjoyed. Watch them at the spectacular Palm Beach Kennel Club (561-683-2222) in West Palm Beach or at Hollywood Greyhound Track (954-454-9400) in Hallandale – not so close to South Beach – open for simulcasting year-round.
Game, Set, and Match
In South Beach, you can play Tennis just before Flamingo Park, between the 11th and 13th, just three blocks from Washington Street. You can play, have a shower, and have a drink on Lincoln Road. There are also other courts behind the Publix Mall.
In Fort Lauderdale, the Bonaventura Racquet Club (954-389-8666) and the famous Jimmy Evert Tennis Center (954-761-5378) offer three hard and 18 lighted clay courts.
For racquetball, head across the street to Holiday Park Gym (954-761-5392) or Lauderdale Manors (954-761-5403), which is open year-round.
You’ll find also 17 lighted courts at Patch Reef Park Tennis Center (561-997-0881) in Boca Raton and nine tennis courts at South Olive Recreation Center (561-540-8831) in West Palm Beach.
You can also get in a set at Howard Park Tennis Center (561-833-7 100).
Finally, there is a 300-year-old sport called Jai Alai, which is played with a pelóta (ball) that travels up to 170 mph. Try the fast action at Dania Jai-Alai (9s4- 920-1511), which boasts 4,800 seats, pari-mutuel betting facilities, fast action poker, the Clubhouse Restaurant, and various lounges.
We advise that the season runs year-round except for September.
Miami Jai-Alui (305-633-6400) is open year-round and seats 6.500, offering pari-mutuel betting, poker, the Court View Restaurant, etc.
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