Miami Beach, FL

Ocean Beach
DESCRIPTION: World famous, avant garde and a landscaped beachfront, it attracts a number of Europeans, and as such many guests go topless; in the summer, jog in the early morning or sunset to prevent dehydration; better yet, rent a bike at 5th and Washington; on the lad side are innumerable restaurants and clubs; tour of art deco buildings from 5th Street, 22nd Street; to your north are million dollar condos lining the beach; meter parking is expensive, so you are better off parking in a parking lot on Collins Ave; enjoy the bounty and hope it lasts, since the Army Corp of Engineers has an endless job to re-sand the beachfront washed away each year
ADDRESS: Ocean Drive from 1st Street to 22nd Street  MAP

Playtime Water Sports
DESCRIPTION: Provides umbrellas, cabanas, hammocks, wave runners, boat rentals, kayaking, parasailing, Hobie cat, and banana boating
ADDRESS: 4833 Collins Ave  MAP
PHONE: 305-216-8021
WEBSITE: http://www.playtimewatersports.com

South Beach Divers

DESCRIPTION: Miami Beach's only PADI 5-Star facility also offers refresher dive classes; daily dives to shipwrecks off Miami Beach, plus dive and snorkel trips to Key Largo
ADDRESS: 850 Washington Ave  MAP
PHONE: 305-531-6110
WEBSITE: http://www.southbeachdivers.com

North Shore Tennis Center
DESCRIPTION: This center charges a minimal fee for reservations or is free on a first-come, first-served basis
ADDRESS: 2100 Washington Ave  MAP
PHONE: 305-673-7730
WEBSITE: http://www.ci.miami-beach.fl.us

Miami, FL

South Pointe Park
DESCRIPTION: At the southern-most point of Miami Beach; catch a weekend concert at the bandshell; this is a great place to take a walk, roller blade, watch people and watch cruise ships go by as they exit Government Cut; there are also picnic tables, restrooms and a nearby seafood restaurant; best times to see cruise ships come in is before 9am; between 3-6pm most leave
ADDRESS: at the foot of Washington Ave  MAP

Bayfront Park
DESCRIPTION: Within the park is Bayside Marketplace and it hosts many festivals throughout the year so parking can be a challenge; some establishments validate parking; there are few better places to people-watch the residents; a stroll north portside takes you to the spectacular new arena for Miami Heat basketball; the renovated 6,500 seat Bayfront Park Amphitheater reopened in 2009

ADDRESS: 301 North Biscayne Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 305-358-7550

WEBSITE: http://www.bayfrontparkmiami.com

Virginia Key Park Park
DESCRIPTION: A narrow man-made strip of land, Virginia Key has a very nice bayside beach and lots of water sports

ADDRESS: Rickenbacker Causeway  MAP

Crandon Park
DESCRIPTION: A popular picnic beach that draws huge weekend crowds -- get there early for a table at a choice location or rent a cabana; Leave a little time for golfing next to the park

ADDRESS: Crandon County Park  MAP

PHONE: 305-361-5421

Coral Gables, FL

Fairchild Tropical Garden
DESCRIPTION: This 83-acre oasis can justly claim to be one of the world's best botanical gardens, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants; features a 16,000-square foot conservatory, a museum of plant exploration, vine pergola, sunken garden, winding paths, lakes, lily ponds, and a tropical rainforest; narrated tram tours and self-guided tours available; a garden gift shop and café rounds things out

ADMISSION: adults $8, ages 3-12 $4,age 3 and under enter free

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-4:30p

ADDRESS: 10901 Old Cutler Road  MAP

PHONE: 305-667-1651

WEBSSITE: http://www.fairchildgarden.org

Homestead, FL

Biscayne National Park
DESCRIPTION: A 53-foot glass-bottom boat and a 45-foot diving-snorkeling catamaran takes adventurers across southern Biscayne Bay, through wilderness, mangrove creeks, islands, and out to tropical coral reefs teeming with sea life; canoe and kayak rentals, picnic area, walking trails, and shower facilities available; waterfront visitor center; daily 8 a.m.-5:30p; for more excitement check out the glass bottom boat tour: adults $20, age 12 and under $13; scuba diving $45, snorkeling $30; Glass-bottom boat departs at 10 a.m., scuba/family snorkel departs in the afternoon; reservations for activities are generally required
ADDRESS: 9700 SW 328th Street  MAP
PHONE: 305-230-1100
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/bisc

Everglades National Park
DESCRIPTION: Third largest national park encompassing 1.5 million acres of rare and beautiful ecosystems; for individual adventurers, the park contains a visitor center, nature trails, a full service marina with boat rentals and camping facilities
ADDRESS: 40001 State Road  MAP
PHONE: 305-242-7700
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/ever

Dania Beach, FL

Colored Beach
DESCRIPTION: Prior to desegregation, African Americans had limited access to the beach; they could only visit when European Americans chose not to visit; after civic activists lobbied in the 1950's, the northern tip of Dania Beach was finally purchased and designated by the county as Colored Beach
ADDRESS: northern tip of Dania Beach  MAP

Hollywood, FL

Hollywood Beach
DESCRIPTION: Get your swim on! There’s more than 5 miles of palm-shaded beach with picnic tables and volleyball nets at some locations; lifeguards on duty, restrooms and showers at this public beach; arrive early for the best spots, feed the meter or use a nearby parking lot
ADDRESS: AIA Highway from Hallandale Beach Blvd up to John Lloyd State Recreation Area  MAP

Anne Kolb Nature Center
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1996, this 1,500+ acre coastal mangrove for native wildlife; the center includes an Intracoastal fishing pier, observation tower, walking, canoe and bicycle trails and the exhibit hall features a 3,500-gallon aquarium, and a eco-theme video; Free entry, but fee-based tours available
ADDRESS: West Lake Park at 750 Sheridan Street  MAP
PHONE: 954-926-2410
WEBSITE: http://www.broward.org/parks/pri02300.htm

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale Beach
DESCRIPTION: Rent a chair and umbrella to shade against the blazing sun while taking in ocean breezes; plenty of room to roller-skate, grills to barbeque and tables to picnic; metered parking is strictly enforced --so don’t ruin a good time and sightseeing with a ticket
ADDRESS: Harbor Drive north on the AIA Highway to Sunrise Blvd  MAP