& never accept such natural beauty existing so close to home. If you want to put the “lazy” back in “lazy river,” bring your own inner tube, canoe, or kayak, or rent one from a vendor outside the park. Otherwise, if you’re a decent swimmer, you can easily stroke along the three-quarter-mile length of the park. When you reach the end of the creek, you’ll probably walk back to the mouth of the springs and do it all over again. Entrance to Kelly Park costs only $3 a vehi- cle per day and campsites are available with an advance reservation. BES T CAMPGROUND John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park 102601 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY KEY LARGO, 33037 305-451-6300 FLORIDASTATEPARKS.ORG/PARKS- AND-TRAILS/JOHN-PENNEKAMP- CORAL-REEF-STATE-PARK You don’t need to journey all the way to Key West for that island life feel. Only about an hour from Miami, camping overnight at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park will make you wonder why humans live in houses and apartment buildings. Hiking, fishing, snorkel- ing, diving, paddling, picnicking, sunbathing, swimming — the park offers it all. That, plus more than 40 campsites, complete with elec- trical outlets to help you stay connected if you can’t bear to cut the cord. If you seek a true escape from the modern world, there’s a “Primitive Group” camping area where no electricity is available. The park is also acces- sible to those who use wheelchairs. Travel by boat or RV? The grounds are equipped with water and sewer hookups. Pets and alcohol Recreation Sports are permitted, so your most vital needs are met. Reserve your site today, happy camper! BES T PL A CE T O K AYAK Oleta River State Park 3400 NE 163RD STREET NORTH MIAMI BEACH, 33160 305-919-1846 FLORIDASTATEPARKS.ORG/ OLETARIVER Hidden natural gems like Oleta River State Park make our hometown a go-to spot for kayakers. And thanks to the Oleta River Out- door Center (786-274-7945; oletariverout- doors.com), which operates a concession inside the park, you can get into the water with no fuss, whether you choose to rent a single-person kayak ($35 for an hour and a half ) or a tandem vessel ($45). Beginners and veterans alike will find suitable routes that are conveniently marked on a visitor map. No matter which route you select, you’ll find yourself among the mangroves and marshy plant life that give South Florida its natural distinction. And if you make it out far enough, you’ll find yourself on an island where gener- ous boaters might just offer you one of their brews on the beach. Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 hour before sunset; Satur- day-Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 hour before sunset. Pointe Park to 87th Terrace MIAMI BEACH, 33139 BES T URB AN BIKE RIDE Beachwalk from South It ain’t the Panama Canal or the Transconti- nental Railway, but on the local scale of Major Urban Accomplishments, the Miami Beach Beachwalk is a monumental feat. Finally, a 38 STEVE COLEIMAGES / GETT Y IMAGES 38 JUNE 23-29, 2022 JUNE 23-29, 2022 NEW TIMES NEW TIMES BEST OF MIAMI® 2022 BEST OF MIAMI® 2022 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com
