42 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES B E S T º F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 5 BEST BEACH Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park 1200 Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne 33149 786-582-2673 floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ bill-baggs-cape-florida-state-park Sure, there’s a bounty of beautiful beaches in Miami, but Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park has more to offer than just powdery white-sand shores. It’s got history! That’s right. Find out more when you climb the 109 steps to the top of its recently remodeled Cape Florida Light, a landmark on the Na- tional Register of Historic Places. Erected in 1825, it’s the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County, and this marks its bicentennial this year. The park is also part of the Great Flor- ida Birding Trail, and birders have spotted more than 260 species within its boundaries. When it’s time to refuel, you can use onsite barbecue grills or try out one of the restau- rant options — Lighthouse Cafe, Boater’s Grill, and the Cleat — that make beach life so easy-breezy. BEST BEACH (BROWARD) Lauderdale- by-the-Sea El Mar Drive between Pine and Palm Avenues Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 33308 954-640-4200 lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov With its throwback charm and toes-in-the- sand ease, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is Bro- ward’s ultimate beach beauty. This coastal village punches way above its size with a pic- ture-perfect beachscape lined with sea oats, pastel lifeguard stands, and just enough space to actually hear the ocean. Locals and visitors alike love to lounge at El Prado Park or sway with the breeze at the Beach Pavilion, where Adirondack chairs and boat benches invite you to sit, sip, and people-watch. Anglin’s Square, just a sandy shuffle away, has some- thing for everyone — ice cream, tiki cocktails, and boutiques with small-town soul. And here’s the kicker: this is “Florida’s Beach Div- ing Capital.” Just 100 yards offshore lies a liv- ing reef system you can snorkel to from the sand, no boat required. BEST POOL Flamingo Park Pool 1200 Michigan Ave. Miami Beach 33139 305-673-7750 bit.ly/FlamingoParkMB Open every single day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. — yes, even on holidays — this Miami Beach gem is a hub for early birds and water babies alike. Just before sunrise, you’ll spot fit seniors stretching and socializing at the gate, ready to snag one of the pool’s eight lanes before the clock hits six. That giant Red Bull vending machine? Not just for show. This spot attracts serious swimmers, including Ocean Rescue pros doing dawn drills — it’s Baywatch meets boot camp. Around 9 a.m., the vibe shifts. Out go the lifeguard drills, in come the casual splashers and weekend warriors. There’s a shallow kiddie pool, comfy lounge chairs, hot-water showers, and lockers to stash your stuff. When you’re done swimming, the fun’s not over — the 36-acre park has a running track, outdoor fitness zone (hello, pull-ups), and even a dog park if your furry friend’s tagging along. Miami Beach residents swim free. Everyone else? It’s just $20 to soak the day away. BEST ENDANGERED SPECIES Smalltooth Sawfish When thinking about Florida’s endangered species, the iconic Florida panther or the gentle manatee usually come to mind — and for good reason. But how about giving some love (and perhaps a specialty license plate!) to the smalltooth sawfish? Once found all the way from Texas to North Carolina, the ancient-looking fish is now mostly seen around Florida waters. On the U.S. endan- gered species list since 2003, this lil’ bugger is named for its bladelike snout lined with sharp transverse teeth. The critically endan- gered species is often mistaken for a shark, though it actually belongs to the ray family, making it more closely related to stingrays and skates. Like the panther and manatee, things aren’t going so great for the sawfish right now. Recently, they started turning up dead around South Florida’s waters, raising fears that a months-long die-off that killed dozens of sawfish last year could happen again. Time to rally around saving the small- tooth sawfish. BEST PLACE TO SEE MANATEES Little River Dam NE 82nd Street and NE Fourth Place Miami 33147 It might not have an Instagram-ready name like Manatee Bend Park or Manatee La- goon, but if you want to see some sea cows in South Florida, the Little River Dam might just be Miami’s best-kept secret. Situated near NE 82nd Street and NE Fourth Place in the Little River neighborhood, the unas- suming spot has quietly become a well- known gathering place for manatees (and the humans who love them). While the mammals roam Florida’s waterways throughout much of the year, they typically seek out warmer waters — such as natural springs and power-plant discharge basins — when temperatures drop. This usually oc- curs between November and March. “We have seen 50 manatees during a cold snap in Little River!” Amalia Fernandez, an execu- tive assistant at Miami Waterkeeper, previ- ously told New Times. BEST DOG PARK Trails and Tails Park 11645 NW 50th St. Doral 33178 305-482-9590 bit.ly/Trails-Tails-Doral If a diminutive theme park for dogs existed, Trails and Tails in Doral would certainly fit the bill. It’s tucked away in a quiet corner of the West Miami neighborhood, but don’t let that fool you. On any weekend, it’s bustling with furry friends roaming free in the two fields — one for big dogs and one for small dogs. Both are gated and there’s plenty of bench room for humans to pop a squat. Muddy little paws can be refreshed at the wash station and pups and kids will want to hydrate at one of the plentiful water foun- tains. If your dog’s happiness typically comes at the expense of your own, Trails and Tails has you covered. There’s also a kids’ playground, bike or walking trail, vending machines, outdoor fitness equip- ment, and a Starbucks just two minutes down the road. Your dog knows this means a pup cup is right around the corner! BEST DAY TRIP Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Rd. Delray Beach 33446 561-495-0233 morikami.org While a trip to Japan from Miami certainly requires more than a single day, you can zip up I-95 to Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens for a quick taste of the culture of the land of the rising sun. And you’ll have time to get home before that sun even sets! Since 1977, Morikami has been a showcase for Japanese arts and culture with a mu- seum featuring more than 7,000 Japanese artifacts, from architecture to art to wrap- pers of atypical Japanese Kit Kat flavors. The real star of this day trip is a leisurely walk through the 16-acre landscape with six distinct gardens and a bonsai collection for the ages. Cornell Café offers bento boxes and sushi along with sake and teas once you’ve worked up an appetite. Morikami is
