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Deering Estate at Cutler
16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami, FL 33157, (305) 235-1668
www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/parks/deering.htm
Located in the unique, natural environment, this park is one of Miami’s best kept secret. Away from the hustle bustle the estate is an adventurous and a mysterious place. Established in 1920, this place is absolutely unspoiled. It is home to a multitude of rare plants, tropical hardwood hammocks, and endangered pine Rockland forests. There are around hundred visitors everyday who explore the area. It is one of the best but the least trampled-upon destinations.
Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 pm. Daily. Closed on the Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Entry: $6 for adults, $4 for children
Note: 17 and under and includes guided tours of the historic buildings and nature tours of the Hardwood Hammock. Don't forget the mosquito repellent, and ask about the guided canoe tours of Chicken Key.
Miami Metro zoo
12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33177, (305) 251-0400
http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/
One of the amazing cageless Zoos, it spreads over 290-acre of land that homes some the rare species like the royal white Bengal tiger, exotic birds, apes, okapi and giant eland. As you enter the Zoo the beautiful flamingos welcome you. These provide a great photo opportunity for the enthusiasts. Also visit the land of Africa and meet the giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and ostrich. The zoo also has a tram that takes the visitors around Asian River of Life. One of the most interesting attractions here is the Komodo Dragon Encounter, home to a pair of the world's largest lizards. The best time to visit the zoo is earlier in the day, when it's cooler and the animals are out and about. During the afternoons they go in their corners for a little nap.
Timings: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily (box office closes at 4 p.m);
Entry: $8.95 (plus tax) adults, $4.75 (plus tax) kids 3-12, free for children under 2.
South Pointe Park
1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 673-7224
This is a great place to take a walk, roller blade, or just watch people and cruise ships go by. There are picnic tables, restrooms and a park-like setting before actually reaching a short pier or stumbling across the sand of South Beach. If you're hungry, catch a steak or crab lunch at Smith & Wollensky's (ask for an outdoor table, and watch the cruise ships float by as they exit Government Cut.)
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, (305) 361-5705
Welcome to the marine world that features exotic marine life from all over the world. One of the major
tourists attraction, this marine park features a reef aquarium that can store 750,000 gallon saltwater with fishes of every size and shape and color. Its fun watching the diver swim inside the tank and handfeed the fishes as well as the, loggerhead turtles and moray eels. Something else that one must not miss here is the performing marine animal featuring live dolphin, sea lion and whale shows.
The Seaquarium is also a home of Lolita the Killer Whale, Salty the Sea Lion, and dozens of dolphins.
It offers a two-hour program that allows visitors to slip into wetsuits and get into the water to so that they can have face-to-face encounter with the residents of the sea. Also check out Shark Channel, where visitors can learn all about fearsome creatures while their trainers feed them by hand.
Timings: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (box office closes at 4:30 p.m.)
Entry: Adults $23.95 (without tax), Children ages 3 to 9 are $18.95 (without tax).
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