Okay, so Miami doesn’t have vast mountain vistas. If you’re venturing to South Florida for that, the highest peak in the region is Hobe Mountain in Martin County, a natural sand dune that towers at a whopping 86 feet.
What the region may lack in above-sea-level excitement, it makes up for with strolls involving crisp white sand euphoria, lush tropical landscapes, art deco-draped skylines and a little bit of everything in between. So, if you’re looking for a walk in the park (or on the boardwalk or under a bridge), the following six routes are the best places to do it.
Miami Beach Art Deco District
Those postcard-perfect scenes of pastel art deco buildings, classic cars cruising, neon lights and pops of palm trees in your head likely come from Miami Beach’s Art Deco District. Stick to the north-south Ocean Drive between Fifth and 23rd streets for the best route. Collins and Washington avenues are also within the district, just blocks west of Ocean Drive, and they are equally as loaded with boutiques, mom-and-pop restaurants with Latin fare and bustling bars. Make sure to stop by the Art Deco Welcome Center to learn about the history of the style.
At 16th Street and Collins, you’ll find Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Loews Miami Beach Hotel. If you’re looking to fuel a morning stroll, its signature restaurant, Preston’s Market, has one of the most expansive breakfast buffets around.
The Underline and Brickell
Brickell is Miami’s financial center and a growing neighborhood, teeming with trendy restaurants, office towers and the massive Brickell City Centre mall. The Underline is an outdoor, linear park cleverly located underneath a stretch of Miami’s Metrorail. Highlights of the half-mile trail — upon its completion, the Underline will span 10 miles — include an outdoor gym, a stage with periodic community performances and an Oolite Room garden area with art murals and native oolite rock jutting from the ground.
In the Brickell neighborhood just a few blocks west of The Underline sits Five-Star restaurant NAOE. Post-stroll, indulge in an elegant and intimate Japanese experience here.
Miami Beach Boardwalk
Miami Beach has a paved, oceanside boardwalk that runs north-south from South Pointe Park to 87th Street in Surfside. It spans nearly nine miles. Though this boardwalk isn’t lined with shops and ice cream parlors, its mangrove canopies and simple waterfront pleasures make ideal backdrops for walkers and runners.
Along this stretch are top resorts aplenty to pop into for a culinary or spa reprieve before, during or after a stroll. Among them are the Four-Star Miami Beach EDITION, Four-Star Carillon Miami Wellness Resort and the Recommended Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Just south of the Fontainebleau is Radisson Resort Miami Beach, which is notable for its onsite butterfly garden.
Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road, Miami’s pedestrian mall, is lined with shops (everything from All Saints to Zara), restaurants (the rooftop at MILA is a must) and the art deco delight of the Colony Theatre. But there’s more than just shops here; a weekly farmers market, seasonal antiques shows and big-time art displays are all fun distractions during your outing. The eight-block pedestrian portion runs east-to-west between Alton Road and Washington Avenue.
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is at 1 Lincoln Road, the dynamic district’s easternmost edge. Its marble-draped Lapidus Bar, just off the lobby, is always a great place to toast to a great workout with a craft cocktail.
Venetian Causeway
A handful of causeways connect the city of Miami to the east with Miami Beach to the west. Along any of them, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the glistening and boat-filled Biscayne Bay below and Miami’s ever-transforming skyline above. Our favorite stretch is Venetian Causeway, which is a haven for bikers and walkers, the latter likely appreciating the views of islands boasting head-turning mega-mansions.
Once you’ve crossed the causeway, stroll along Dade Boulevard and end your journey at Collins Park. Within the park is The Bass, one of Miami’s most renowned museums with a serene sculpture garden and an ever-rotating selection of contemporary art.
Just off the park are two resorts, each boasting a different form of relaxation you’ve earned after your trek. The Four-Star 1 Hotel South Beach has a rooftop restaurant, Watr, with Japanese-infused cuisine and stunning ocean views. The Five-Star Setai dazzles with three infinity pools, the Four-Star Valmont Spa and a burgeoning culinary landscape anchored by Asian gem Jaya.
The Everglades
If you’re seeking that quintessential Florida gator sighting that doesn’t involve any death-defying ingenuity, head to The Everglades’ most approachable loop. A stone’s throw from the Shark Valley Visitor Center is a 15-mile road where you’ll see turtles, herons and friendly gators snoozing on the side of the road. If 15 miles is too much by foot, onsite bicycle rentals and a tram are available. However you choose to traverse the loop, stop by the Shark Valley Observation Tower for panoramic mangrove vistas.
