gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. lots of history here. had a private tour for my class's field trip…read more super cool place, they're doing a really amazing job restoring the forest

There is a lot of history here at this 15 acre preserve. The land is currently owned by EEL, the…read moreDepartment of Environmentally Endangered Lands. The preserve is named after Hattie Bauer a school teacher, whose pioneer family homesteaded in the early 1900's. Hattie passed away in 1961. The land became a private farm in 1922 and a year later it was sold to Lee Arthur Fennell who turned it into one of Miami's first roadside attractions, Fennell's Orchid Jungle which opened in 1923.. Four generations of the Fennell family occupied the land for 70 years until 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed the attraction. Fortunately for the Fennell family their luck changed when they won several million dollars in the lottery. Shortly after that the land was was purchased by the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and Florida Communities Trust who turned it into a preserve. In 1999 Orchid Jungle was designated as a historic site by Miami -Dade County. The preserve has a loop trail with interpretive boards. Some of the old historic Orchid Jungle buildings remain but you are not allowed to go in them. The trail goes through a tropical hardwood hammock lined with gumbo limbo and oak trees which add to the feeling that you are walking in a jungle. The preserve contains rare plant species including ferns that grow in the solution holes formed when acid rain eroded the oolitic limestone. The Miami-Dade Parks Department periodically runs $6 guided hikes through Hattie Bauer. Call (305) 242-7688 for future dates.

This is my favorite trail in Everglades NP. It has an elevated walkway above water and water…read morelillies. Park rangers lead frequent walks here, too. I think the entire walk is about a mile, but is suitable for those with limited mobility. I am not usually here in December, so I was surprised that I only saw one alligator. I usually visit in March/April, when it's gator mating season and I probably see a hundred. In the one area of the board walk, the great blue heron walked leisurely hunting small fish with no fear of a gator. There were minnows and even a decent sized fish. There is ample parking at the trail head, restrooms and a gift shop. They furnish blue tarps to protect vehicles from vultures, which can be particularly bad at some times of the year. This is the most scenic, walkable trail in the park.

The best nature trail I have visited for a long time. Flat accessible trail/ all paved or wood…read moreboardwalk. Bird watching, gator watching, flora and fauna were extraordinary! Saw four gators, spoonbills, blue herons and much more. Fast trip over from Lauderdale or Miami. I went on a rainy day and it was excellent activity.

Patch of Heaven Sanctuary is a very comfortable and relaxing place. If you're an anxious person…read morelike I am, this spot is especially soothing and great for calming the mind. There are tons of beautiful plants throughout the property, making it a peaceful place to explore. I visited in January when it was pretty cold, so there wasn't much natural activity, but even then there was still a lot to see. I'd definitely recommend visiting when it's warmer to experience it fully. The sanctuary sits on about 20 acres, so be prepared for a good amount of walking. They also have a horse stable with some beautiful horses, and a "Bee Hotel," which sounded funny at first but was actually really interesting to learn about. There's a small restaurant on-site called Thai Tapas. The menu is limited, but the food is really good. Overall, this is another great spot for nature lovers and anyone looking for a peaceful, grounding experience.

I went to the Patch of Heaven Sanctuary over the weekend and it was breathtaking! I got to…read moreexperience the lush forestry, beautiful water falls, butterfly room, tea room, Thai tapas. It was definitely a place you could spend hours just wandering outside and get lost in. I was there for three hours and still didn't see all of its wonders. They also have so many beautiful events that you can attend throughout the month to get in tune with both nature and yourself. You feel like you're in another world while you're there. It's so peaceful and majestic. I'm glad I found this beautiful treasure in Miami.

Everglades National Park is truly breathtaking; there are barely words to describe it. I've been…read morevisiting this park since I was a kid and have been more times than I can remember, and it never loses its magic. The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, and once you enter, I highly recommend stopping by the Visitor Center to check which park ranger tours are available that day and to get updates on weather conditions. The park map will be your best friend; aside from certain areas, cell service can be very spotty to completely nonexistent. I've explored almost all the trails throughout the Glades, and I definitely suggest packing accordingly and bringing plenty of snacks and water. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience surrounded by wildlife and natural beauty, this is the place to go. Every visit leaves you feeling serene, relaxed, and completely in awe of nature.

Absolutely an American treasure. I get a peaceful feeling visiting here, but I also feel energized…read moreby the amazing flora and fauna. As a dedicated border, I was delighted to find so many unusual birds here. The Ranger at the front gate glanced at my annual pass and handed me a free map. I didn't realize how important that map was until I found myself off the grid, which was marvelous. The number of different types of habitat was eye opening, and well explained on the map. Highly recommended. It's as impressive as the grand canyon.

This place is indeed a hidden gem. It's unusual that it's right in the middle of residential area…read more You could be living steps away from it! Definitely a plus if you don't want to drive far. As this is a nature center and less a city park, there's no playground area, but instead natural trails for you to walk and explore. Great if you want to be out in the nature, without masks, and total socially distanced. This tranquil place is a great place to visit if you need to unwind. They have canoes for rent, a campfire area, and they have a sign that says butterfly garden - though I didn't see any butterfly and didn't quite know where exactly that garden may be. There's also a little free library as well. The restroom is clean and brightly lit.

The Bill Sadowski Park and Nature Center is named for Bill Sadowski, a former Department of…read moreCommunity Affairs Secretary who died in a plane crash in 1992 at the age of 48. He served in the House of Representatives and had a successful law practice in Miami where he practiced environmental law. It makes sense that a nature preserve would be named for him. The 30 acre parcel of land that makes up the park has three distinct habitats: pineland, tropical hardwood hammock, and drained Everglades slough. Hiking trails run through these areas. You do have to be careful while hiking, especially on the half mile Old Cuttler Hammock Nature Trail that is behind the nature center. This area was completely destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 but the canopy has since come back. There are a lot of limestone formations that are easy to trip on. Another of the trails leads to a canal where you canoe and fish while yet a different trail winds through a native tree arboretum. There is a nature center open daily from 10 to 4 with live animal exhibits and an 822 gallon freshwater aquarium. You can schedule tours and nature study programs at the nature center and rent kayaks. Picnic areas and rest rooms are available. Every Saturday night from 8 to 10 PM the Southern Cross Astro's meet in the parking lot near the main entrance. They have the largest public use telescope in Miami and the event is free. You might see a satellite, meteor, or the International Space Station. I hope to join them one evening.

Biscayne National Park was a nice surprise on our Florida Keys trip. We didn't go in expecting…read moremuch, but it was actually quite beautiful and they had some fun activities on site. There were nice paved and groomed walking trails around the peninsula and bay, as well as a ranger-led fishing experience on the bridge, which didn't cost anything. One of the kids caught a neat looking fish. There was also a nice little visitor center with all sorts of information about the wildlife in the area, as well as different maps and rangers there to talk about what there was to do. Of course there were also junior ranger badges to get, which we made sure to do to add to our collection. Overall this is definitely worth a stop on any trip. Five stars!

Perfect location to cool off. Love the scenic drive to this location from central Miami. Love the…read morefresh air and the boardwalk to walk around and get your step. Definitely do the tour as majority of the park is water and you'll need tho boat tour. The gift shop has WiFi so if you need WiFi you'll be able to connect fast. You can also bring some things with you and have a picnic and enjoy your meal at the park. A must visit if you are in the area. Totally different vibes from the Everglades.

Stumbled upon this nature center by chance and loved it. Did a nature walk through the hammock led…read moreby the awesome "H". She was incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun. Learnt how the whole forest has an underground network of fungus. Might sound gross but it is fascinating! There are also this sink hole looking things called solutions that are super interesting to see and learn more about. The hammock is beautiful and you truly feel like you escaped Miami overall. The volunteers did some epic work on the butterfly garden. The bathrooms are clear and there are picnic tables all around. The nature center itself has a nice little exhibit to educate on birds, butterflies, snakes and the like. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and host several events throughout the month to educate and engage with the community. Archery lessons, evening walks, historic c bike rides and others. Looking forward to coming back!!

Beautiful, quiet, and amazing place to visit on a quiet morning or afternoon, ideal for a calm walk…read moreamong nature, to appreciate the beauty of nature, and a subtle symphony of sounds among the trees, birds, squirrels... However, it's a tricky trail. It's not easy to walk because it's pure nature. There is a trail that goes all the way to the end and from there it's a matter of walking all the way back. It's not a circle like other places. Take comfortable shoes with you, and be ready to walk slow, specially in areas full of rocks and moss. Also, there are insects around, and some mosquitoes in a part of the way. Nothing out of this world but if that's a dealbreaker take it into account. // Hermoso, y sorprendente lugar para visitar en una mañana o tarde tranquila, ideal para un paseo lento entre la naturaleza, para apreciar su belleza, y una sutil sinfonía de sonidos entre los árboles, pájaros, ardillas... Sin embargo, es un camino moderadamente complicado. Es pura naturaleza. Hay un sendero que llega hasta el final y desde allí es cuestión de caminar todo el camino de regreso. No es un círculo como otros lugares. Lleva contigo calzado cómodo y prepárate para caminar despacio, especialmente en zonas llenas de rocas y musgo. Además, hay insectos alrededor, y algunos mosquitos en una parte del camino. Nada fuera de este mundo, pero si eso es un factor decisivo, téngalo en cuenta.

We stayed in the tent loop. Loved it. Not many people there which was great. Did the nature boat…read moretour, had a snack at the restaurant before we set up camp.

We stayed at the newer Flamingo lodges. Built out of shipping containers, there's a bit of wind…read morenoise at night. There are ear plugs in the bathroom for guests, but it's not that bad, but we did have a middle unit. The place was NICE! Our family easily fit in the 1 bedroom, using the pull-out couch too. The kitchenette was AMAZING! We brought some pasta and sauce, not knowing what they had. They had multiple pots and pans, plates, bowls, and utensils for 4, and cooking utensils. A dishwasher to toss it all in at the end. We explored all around, taking a 2+ mile hike a couple of times. Lovely views! We went in 95+ heat and the AC kept up just fine and there were fans in the unit as well. Was worth the price to stay here in the National Park for a night and experience this.

As a native South Floridian, I've heard of, and driven by signs for, Fruit & Spice Park for as long…read moreas I can remember, but today was the first time I ever actually went, and I'm sorry I waited so long! 37 acres of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and medicinal plants here for you to explore, and sample!! We started with a seasonal special event, the Mango Tasting Tour. Our guide, Madelyn was a font of knowledge about the park itself, the trees we were passing through, and the fruits we sampled. I think in the end it was about 8 different varieties and everyone on the tour had their own favorites. Then we went back to base for different tasting tour with Phillip, who showed us new areas of the park and we tasted another 6 fruits with him! Really cool fruits like longan and caviar limes, but also things I'd never heard of, like bael and bilimbi. Once our tours were done we went back to the gift shop / lobby for some cold drinks. They sell iced coffee, soda, energy drinks, Gatorade, and even beer, wine, and cider, so something for everyone. You can also simply walk the grounds on your own if you don't feel like riding around in a tram. Anything on the ground is up for grabs, so if you want to try something go ahead and taste it! They do have rules, no picking growing fruits, and you can't take fruit home, but they welcome you taking all the seeds you want.

The plant version of a zoo, this park is amazing! Trees of all kinds, where patrons can see how all…read morethings tropical grow - from the ice cream bean to baobob trees, from dragon fruit to mangoes, this is the only place in the continental United States where one can see over 500 varieties of fruit, nut and spice trees (even poisonous ones!) all in one setting. The path will wind and walk you around the property, where you can not only see the trees, but also the ponds and invasive iguana population. Beautiful little waterfall features are also on the property. We took the tram tour, offered daily at 11:00 and 1:30. Andrew was very knowledgeable, excited and passionate about his work and interests in gardening, and since there were just four of us on the tour, he offered samples of some freshly picked produce. He also shared interesting facts and information - the bananas we eat today are overproduced and so prone to disease, that likely we will no longer have them in the next 8 years! Instead, we should diversify our farming practices and learn to enjoy things like the dwarf Brazilian bananas, and any of the plethora other varieties.

After a pleasant drive south from the Cocoa FL area we arrived at Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial…read morePark and Campground. The campground was suggested by our friends Bob and Lori. We're absolutely delighted to overnight in quiet Pod 5 site 1 which is a back in site with full hookup. Larry Thompson was a humor columnist for the Miami Herald for more than two decades until his death February 18, 1973. He is in the Florida Newspaper Hall of Fame. His wife Gladys "Penny" Thompson (née Rhodes), who died September 22, 1975, was a pioneer in women's aviation during the 1940s-1950s. She is in the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame and the Florida Women's Hall of Fame. She was the Florida chapter president of the Ninety-Nines, the women's pilot organization founded by Amelia Earhart. While in the Civil Air Patrol, she flew over the Gulf of Mexico searching for German submarines during World War II. Her plane was one of several hundred destroyed in a 1945 blimp hangar fire at the Naval Air Station Richmond, part of which was rebuilt as the park.

I love the layout of this park and the amount of trees!! The shelters are amazing for bday parties…read moreand if you get the ones by the lake then you're in for a treat for a beautiful sunset