44 June 26 – July 2, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays. BEST WEEKEND GETAWAY The Breakers Palm Beach 1 S. County Rd. Palm Beach 33480 561-655-6611 thebreakers.com The Breakers Palm Beach is quintessential Old Florida luxury made especially famous by the presence of previous, less egregious gen- erations of Kennedys. Less than a two-hour drive from metro Miami-Dade, the sprawling oceanside resort, which was built by the iconic Henry M. Flagler in 1896, sits on 140 pristine acres and exudes a distinct “we’re not in the 305 anymore” vibe. Once you’ve tra- versed the palm-lined entry, the Italian Re- naissance-style resort is packed with activities and eateries. There are eight on-site (and two off-site) restaurants, four pools, a private beach with watersports, an 18-hole golf course, a world-class spa, and 13 boutiques. For any Sperry-clad offspring, there’s the Family Entertainment Center with an arcade, family programming (like stuffed animal- making), and a playground. Following a $12 million renovation, racquet lovers can now enjoy the reopened open-air courts for tennis, pickleball, or padel. It’s a splurge, but take comfort in knowing that the Breakers takes care of its employees. For the third consecu- tive year, it was named one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. BEST ESCAPE Biscayne National Park 9700 SW 328th St. Sir Lancelot Jones Wy. Homestead 33033 305-230-1144 nps.gov/bisc/index.htm Miami isn’t just skyscrapers, urban sprawl, and questionable politics. Our city is also the only in the nation that’s bordered by two national parks: the Everglades and Biscayne National Park. What makes them stand out is that they’re largely made up of water. Biscayne Na- tional Park is nearly 95 percent H2O, providing school kids and scuba divers with a whole aquatic world to explore. The Florida Reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the conti- nental U.S., and the Biscayne Maritime Heri- tage Trail, accessible by boat only, comprises six of the many historic shipwrecks hidden be- neath crystal-blue waters. If you prefer not to get wet, book a boat tour and marvel at the one-of-a-kind Stiltsville homes or the 1930s lighthouse on uninhabited Boca Chita Key. BEST STAYCATION Mayfair House Hotel and Garden 3000 Florida Ave. Coconut Grove 33133 305-441-0000 mayfairhousemiami.com We don’t know if those anti-Spring Break Mi- ami Beach ads worked on us or what, but right now, the best place to staycation feels like the heart of Coconut Grove. Renovated in 2022, Mayfair House Hotel and Garden’s lush interior garden and majestic design serve as the perfect weekend retreat. You can splash the day away in the rooftop pool and sip-sip at Sipsip, the hotel’s rooftop bar. If you want to explore Grove culture, Michelin-starred or classic Miami eateries, hop on a complimen- tary bike at your leisure and pedal away. You can even give your pet a staycation here, where walks with four-legged friends are al- ways part of the scene. BEST VIEW Baywood Park NE 69th St. at Biscayne Bay Miami 33138 Just a quick hop east from Biscayne Boule- vard on NE 69th Street, and you’ll land in Baywood Park — a hidden gem tucked into the laid-back Bayside Historic District. Grab a coffee at Starbucks or Panther, then pick your vibe: park yourself on a bench or stay cozy in your car. Either way, you’re in for some seriously dreamy views of downtown Miami with the beach stretched out in the distance. The soundtrack? Just the soft whis- per of wind, waves lapping lazily at the rocks, maybe a jogger’s playlist drifting by, and the occasional distant vrrrooom of a jet ski living its best life. Don’t be shocked if it’s just you and the breeze. And if you’re chasing that perfect Instagram moment, swing by at sun- set — golden hour here is pure magic. BEST PICNIC SPOT Maurice Gibb Memorial Park 18th Street and Purdy Avenue Miami Beach 33139 bit.ly/maurice-gibb-park Nestled between a marina packed with yachts and restaurant-lined Purdy Avenue, there’s a Sunset Harbour park that’s named for the beloved Bee Gee and former South Florida resident Maurice Gibb. Picnic-goers ......... ......... .............................. .................. ....................... ................... ........ ...................... ........................ ......................... ................
