Novelist Jennine Capó Crucet’s favorite green spaces in Miami

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This article is part of FT Globetrotter. miami guide

Miami is best known as a party city. People born and raised in Miami, like me, can easily list our favorite nightclubs or bars. What we may be less willing to share with visitors are the spaces where we recover: our neighborhood parks and gardens. The winter months are the best time to explore Miami’s stunning natural beauty, when the heat and humidity give way to comfortable temperatures and crisp blue skies. Some of my favorite outdoor places are off the beaten path, from a park often packed with quinceañera princesses (Latin American girls celebrating their 15th birthday) to a seaside sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of Cuba. What these parks and gardens have in common, and what makes each a must-see every time I return home, is that they are beloved gathering spaces for locals, restorative thanks to both their natural beauty and the beautiful community that visits them. . Consider this an invitation to join the party.

Very far from the hotel-filled tourist hotspot that is Miami Beach, Bill Baggs State Park Cape Floridalocally known as The Lighthouse Because of its lighthouse, it is one of the most beloved recreation areas in our city (and yes, it has a beach). Here on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, you’ll find families fishing, hiking through mangrove wetlands, swimming in the Atlantic, and watching invasive iguanas glide along the bike paths. There are tours of its famous lighthouse (although you must be at least 42 inches tall to participate), which was built in 1825 and is miraculously the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County—an impressive feat, considering it faces nearly 200 years of hurricanes.

The beach area offers chair and umbrella rentals, while bicycles can also be rented, and you can round out your visit with a meal at one of the park’s three restaurants, all relaxed spots offering fresh seafood and cocktails. If a visit to Bill Baggs sounds like a perfect day enjoying the best of Miami’s natural landscapes, you’re not alone. It gets very busy on weekends and admissions are reduced once capacity is reached. Arrive early and, if your plans allow, go on a weekday.

For one of the city’s most tranquil views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charitya beachfront sanctuary dedicated to Cuba’s patron saint. Built to house a replica of the sacred Cuban statue of the Virgen del Cobre and completed in 1973, the sanctuary also houses an imposing floor-to-ceiling mural of dozens of Cuba’s historical figures, including the poet and father of Cuban independence, José Marti. (a booklet explains who all the faces are and why artist Teok Carrasco decided to include them). There is a green space by the sea behind the church, where you will find statues and portraits of other saints. Visitors often leave flowers, coins, and other items (I’ve even seen a pair of earrings) at their feet as offerings of gratitude. The area has an impressive serenity. Standing by the boardwalk as the waves crash (or break, depending on the wind) beneath you, you’ll forget you’re in a major metropolitan area, especially when you realize that parking is free (well, for an hour).

Located in Coral Gables at the intersection of SW 57th Avenue and 8th Street is the Entrance to the Pradoa luxurious Spanish-inspired entrance to one of Miami’s oldest (and richest) neighborhoods. With spectacular stone arches and trellis-covered paths filled with bougainvillea, the place is so picturesque and tropically lush that you’ll regularly see photographers there, using the architecture as a backdrop for quinceañera shoot. (I know this from experience, since it is where my quinceañera (photos were taken in the past.) Whether you’re wearing a tulle-covered hoop skirt or not, it’s worth spending an afternoon exploring one of Miami’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods as you stroll under its signature canopy of antiques. banyans and dripping oaks. with Spanish moss. And after a photo shoot of your own, you’ll be close to many of the area’s other well-known architectural attractions, such as the Biltmore Hotelhe venetian pool (reopening in May 2025) and the University of Miami campus.

You could also visit the Deering Estatea historic mansion-turned-museum, to explore its art and history exhibits, but for me the real gem is its bay-adjacent grounds and nature preserve ($18 per admission). If you’re looking for a place to get on the water, this is it: in addition to the standard guided kayak, they offer moonlight tours, where you paddle under the stars to see Chicken Key, a small mangrove island and a colony of rooks, as well as what they call Clear Kayak Adventures: a kayak tour in a completely transparent kayak, with incredible views of the marine life below you.

If you prefer to stay on land, there are nature reserve tours – these involve walks with a member of the naturalist staff through the protected areas surrounding the estate, highlighting native plants and animals along the way. They have no additional cost and occur daily from October to May. The brave can opt to take a version of this night tour (offered once a month, usually on Wednesdays), where the price ($25) also includes a post-hike campfire. The Deering Estate grounds are also a must-see for bird lovers, as the area is home to approximately 170 species (you’re almost guaranteed to see egrets, ibises and herons) and guided bird walks are offered from October to May.

Then there is tropical park — the name says it all. Bounded on the east by the Palmetto Expressway, this beloved recreational area features well-maintained walking trails, racquetball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and my personal favorite: a sweet dog park that’s perfect if you’re traveling with your furry child. My family visited this park once a week when I was a child, as my father played in a night softball league and the games were held there. It is truly a community space filled with families and locals from all walks of life, one where the real Miami, full of love, laughter, music and beauty, is always in sight. In the winter months, the park transforms at night into a Christmas-themed spectacle called Christmas wonderland (until January 5). Complete with rides, carnival games and more twinkling lights than you ever thought possible, it’s a true reflection of how Miami spends the winter: outdoors as much as possible, enjoying the warmth and natural beauty of our vibrant and spectacular city.

Jennine Capó Crucet is the author of ‘Say hello to my little friend‘ (Simon and Schuster)

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