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Lummus Park Historic District

3.9 (14 reviews)

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Sarah P.

Super cool area, that I am just starting to stomp around. Lummus Park was created in 1909 as one of Miami's first open, green spaces. The opening of the park in 1909, spurred development in the area, and today, most of the building around the park were built before 1926. On October 25, 2006, the park and the buildings on its northern boundary were added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as Lummus Park Historic District. Ocean front walkway, plenty of restaurants situated on the water ie- Kikis, Garcias to name a few, The Scottish Rite building, and I noticed a few abandoned interesting old homes dotted around. This area needs my undivided attention. I have not seen a snitch of it yet!

Ariel W.

Created in 1909 Lummus Park Historic District has some of the oldest structures in Miami. The land was once owned by Henry Flaglers real estate company. Lummus park has two structures that are all that remains of Miami's pioneer history, Fort Dallas and Wagner House. Fort Dallas began as the plantation of Richard Fitzpatrick and William English in 1836. The army moved in during the Seminole Wars. At that time the fort consisted of many buildings of which only one now remains. The fort was located on the banks of the Miami River and it provided the residents of Miami with a sense of safety during the Seminole Wars. It also was a source of infra structure creation like a road from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale, a trading post, and a hospital. During the Civil War the fort remained in Union control and then after the war ended it was abandoned. The fort was then taken over by William H. English who used it as the base for a small village he created called Miami. In 1872 most of the fort's building were lost in a fire. In 1891 when Julia Tuttle moved to the area she used the building that now sits in Lummus park as her home. It has previously served as plantation slave quarters and as army barracks during the Seminole Wars. In 1924 an apartment was going to be built on the site so the barracks were moved to Lummus park. The William Wagner House was built in 1855. William was a German Mexican War veteran who moved to the area with his Creole wife Everline from Georgia. William reopened Fort Dallas with his military troop and he stayed on in the area. The Wagners socially interacted with the Seminoles and did business with them. They operated a church out of their home until one was built. Their main business was running a steam powered Coontie Starch Mill. In 1860 they operated one of five mills on the Miami River. Coontie is arrowroot from the native cycad plant and it could be used like flour. During the Civil War a naval blockade prevented the family from being able to sell their coontie and they would have starved to death if the Seminoles had not provided the family food. Another tragedy happened when the couples 12 year old son was shot to death by an alcoholic neighbor. William passed away athis homestead in 1901. The home was moved from its location at Wagner Creek, a tributary of the Miami River to Lummus Park in 1979. The home has vernacular wood frame architecture with braced framed construction. It was created out of hand hewed lumber and is the oldest home in Miami. Also making up the historic district is the Scottish Rite Temple that was built next to the park in 1924. I only explored the park on my visit. The five stars is for the history contained in the park. The park itself is a basic neighborhood park with playground equipment and a number of homeless people residing in it. You can not enter Fort Dallas or the Wagner Home but I enjoyed taking photos of their exterior and learning about them. I already knew some of the history from visiting the History Miami Museum, especially about how important arrowroot was to the early economy of Miami. Reading the historical signs in front of the buildings filled in more of my knowledge. I love how you can see the oldest home in Miami with the skyscrapers of modern Miami surrounding it. If you are a history lover than this park is worth a visit.

Miami River Day
Sergio F.

This was my second year coming to the Miami River Day festival and can say I'm impressed and educated every time. The highlight for me is always the Miami River boat tour - and can see how this has business potential whether as a tourist attraction or a water taxi. I mean the river DOES go near the Airport. The narrator does a pretty good job of pointing out the different neighborhoods along the river, as well as some of the more sordid historical highlights, also translating them in Spanish. Occasionally they slowed down to give us the opportunity to get pictures as well. Our tour boat also had a decent bar with sodas ($2 coke), a couple of domestic beers as well as full liquor. Seating was plentiful and I was fortunate to grab a seat right at the railing! Besides the boat, you also had the chance to check out the Wagner historical household and talk to fully costumed re-enactors. The Scottish Rite Masonic temple was open (the only time where it's open to the general public) , giving me the opportunity to check out the basements, barely lit rooms and pick out some literature in search of the National Treasure :) There were also a couple of information booths from the various commercial sponsors as well as governmental agencies, as well as a couple of vendors. I even saw the ChurroMania truck as well as a couple other vendors.

Historic Wagner House.
Naty K.

Not to be confused with the park of the same name in South Beach, this rather large park is in Overtown, across from the mason temple and near Garcia's and Casablanca, across from the Miami River, where you can see many tugboats. I came here in the evening, at a time some find to be dangerous, after spending the afternoon doing some urban exploration in Miami's downtown. As we parked, we saw there were lots of youths playing basketball, and a tent with a homeless man by the river. The park itself has only about 4 parking spots, but you can park along the street. My main reason for coming was to see Fort Dallas and the Wagner House. Fort Dallas was a barracks that served as plantation slave quarters, then as army barracks during the Seminole Wars, and, before being moved here stone by stone, finally as Julia Tuttle's home in 1891. The Wagner Homestead was built c. 1857 by William Wagner, one of the area's first permanent residents and was actively involved in local political and community affairs. The Wagner home reflects the early days of settlement along the Miami River during the nineteenth century and is the only known house in Miami which remains from this period. It is a rare example of vernacular wood frame architecture and is the oldest known home still standing in Miami. Both of these structures are found inside the park, alongside kids enjoying the park and being kids. I would love to see the Scottish Rite temple, but it looked closed. If you're into Miami's history or just like seeing different neighborhoods, I recommend coming here to see the two standing structures and trying to see the temple, while making a stop at Casablanca or Garcia's to wrap up your afternoon.

John L.

The Lummus Park historic District has some of the oldest & more beautiful historic buildings in Miami, it is a Quiet place, beautiful landscape and it's also close to the Miami Riverfront. It holds the Wonderful Scottish Rite building, Fort Dallas historic Building and The Wagner Homestead oldest house in miami Dade with other buildings & houses from early 1900 just to mention some of them.You'll find lots of history in this small area. El distrito historico del paque Lummus tiene algunos de los edificios mas antiguos de Miami, es un lugar tranquilo, con bellos paisajes y queda frente del rio Miami.Alli encontrara el bellisimo Edificio de la Logia Masonica Scottish Rite, El Fuerte Dallas y la casa Wagner constriuda en 1857 junto con otros edificios y casa de principios de 1900 solo por mencionar unos de ellos. el parque cuenta tambien con un area de juegos infantiles y cancha de Basketball

Bryn B.

Lummus Park was included on my "not to miss" tour of historic Miami. It is in the very heart of downtown just off of the Miami River and in front of the Scottish Rite Temple. It is a well-kept park that I understand has recently gone through a bit of restoration. I loved the benches that had "Miami" etched out of them and were strategically located for watching the pickup basketball game that was in session amongst some local boys. (My favorite quote of the day was "Hey, you're on my team!' ;) A few paces from this modern scene is historic Fort Dallas that is a testament to what Miami was way back when. The building was used as plantation slave head quarters and during a time when the Native American of the area were being shipped off. Now a Black man is president and the sign is in Spanish and English for yet another ethnic group that I prominent in the city. Oh Miami - how you change.

Brad R.

Great place to spend the day. It is right next to the City of Miami police hours stables. I enjoy watching the horses. They also have a large playground for the kids, a commons section for cards, chess, etc. There is also a pavilion for events or gatherings. They also have a few historical buildings on sight. Not to mention they have a basketball court as well.

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9 years ago

Great views... sure an historic symbol for miami and the surrounding areas. Nice dog park, and place for picnics, family fun and more..!

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Bayfront Park - Look at that view though

Bayfront Park

4.1(107 reviews)
0.9 miDowntown

Bayfront Park, originally named Royal Palm Park, is the oldest public gathering space in Greater…read moreMiami. It was established in 1896 and began with a pavilion and green space used for sports activities. The park was also used for political and religious gatherings near the railroad tracks and tidal marshes. In 1922, the city constructed a retaining wall to create a formal park. Warren Manning, who had worked for Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., was commissioned for the design. The 62-acre park officially opened in March 1925 and included pathways, tropical landscaping, and a wide pedestrian promenade that extended from East Flagler Street to the bay. The 1926 hurricane destroyed much of the park. A year later, the city installed a bandshell, a grotto, and a rock garden on the waterfront. During World War II, the U.S. Navy took over the park and used it as part of its critical operations in the area. In 1943, the Navy installed the Dade County War Memorial. The military returned the park to the city in 1950, but it was in a battered state. The city built a library that blocked the view of the bay, and the following two decades saw little investment in the park. In 1980, the City of Miami approved a budget of $10 million to redesign the park. Famous Japanese-American modernist artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi was chosen for the task. His inspiration was to create a village green for downtown Miami. He convinced the city to remove the R.C. Gardner Bandshell, which had fallen into disrepair, as well as the library, and to restore Manning's pedestrian promenade. His plan also called for adding new amphitheaters and a large fountain at the end of a promenade flowing from East Flagler Street. The busts and statues of Hispanic leaders were relocated to an area outside the park. Eventually, the project ballooned to more than $40 million, much of it paid for through grants. Noguchi passed away during the construction of the park, but the torch was passed to his longtime collaborator, Shoji Sadao, who carried out his plans and vision. Today, Bayfront Park is maintained by the Bayfront Park Management Trust, a limited agency of the City of Miami. It is smaller than when it originally opened and currently encompasses 32 acres. A highlight of the park is its stunning views of Biscayne Bay. The park is also a culturally important outdoor museum, with art and monuments that add beauty and historical perspective. The Dade County War Memorial was restored in the 1990s, and there are statues honoring Claude D. Pepper and Julia Tuttle, the "Mother of Miami." The park still contains all of the major elements of the Noguchi plan, including the centerpiece fountain, although it is currently closed for repairs. It also features the Lee and Tina Hills Playground, open lawn spaces, a sandy beach area, the tropical rock garden, and the historic waterfall from 1926. A visit to downtown Miami would not be complete without a stop at Bayfront Park. The park is within walking distance of attractions such as the Freedom Tower, Bayside Marketplace, Kaseya Center, Museum Park, and numerous restaurants and entertainment venues. If there is a downside, it is that parking in downtown Miami is scarce and expensive. I have attended many outdoor concerts here through the years, and it is also the site of the popular Ultra Music Festival every March. In June, the park will host the FIFA Fan Festival when Miami welcomes the World Cup. A recent visit found me admiring the many sculptures throughout the park. Bayfront Park is still evolving, and future plans call for new lighting, a café, and additional redesign elements. Known as "Miami's Front Porch," it remains a vital outdoor oasis of green space for residents of the surrounding towers and visitors to the city alike.

I came with the company I work at for the Lexus run. Definitely a good space for hosting such a…read morehuge event. We had a great time walking and

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Bayfront Park - Running up the McArthur Causeway

Running up the McArthur Causeway

Bayfront Park - That's my Coach! OTF was one of the fitness sponsors

That's my Coach! OTF was one of the fitness sponsors

Bayfront Park - My team and I

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My team and I

David T. Kennedy Park

David T. Kennedy Park

4.4(111 reviews)
3.4 miCoconut Grove

This iconic Coconut Grove park was named in honor of David Thomas Kennedy (April 7, 1934 -…read moreSeptember 4, 2014). Kennedy was an attorney and politician who served as the Mayor of Miami from 1970 until 1973. Kennedy is credited with drafting the plans for the creation of Miami's Bicentennial Park which opened in 1976. David T. Kennedy Park is 20 acres and sits on the coastal mangrove shore of Biscayne Bay where there is access for kayaking and paddleboarding. Benches are set up so you can catch the sunrise and sunset and bay breeze. Park amenities include a dog park, open lawn, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic table, playground, and volleyball court. The expansive lawns, tree-lined walking paths, and a range of recreational facilities make this park a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Also in the park is A.C.'s Icees frozen lemonade truck selling refreshing treats near the parking lot. This frosted lemonade stand has been a park land mark since 1978. Even on the weekend, the park is spacious enough to never feel crowded. If there is one drawback, it would be the lack of parking during peak use time. Overall, David T. Kennedy Park is a fantastic representation of the Miami Dade Park system by combining relaxation and recreation in one beautiful location. Whether you're visiting for a few hours or spending the day, the park provides a welcoming recreational space for outdoor activities and leisurely enjoyment.

A beautiful park next to the ocean/bay only a few blocks from downtown Coconut Grove. I love to…read morewalk around the entire park and take a few extra minutes to relax on the wooden walkways watching the fish and marine life!

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David T. Kennedy Park
David T. Kennedy Park - Views

Views

David T. Kennedy Park

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Matheson Hammock Park - 64 degrees and breezy and dropping on this nice cold front sunset views!

Matheson Hammock Park

4.0(187 reviews)
7.7 mi

On my first day of my Miami vacation, I NEEDED to get in the…read morewater. So, after a quick Google map search, I headed out to Matheson Hammock Park. While it's not your traditional beach, it certainly got the job done for me ‍ I honestly loved the lake like feel. The fact that there were small fishes grazing along the surf and the muddy like sand upon reaching the water (which definitely smoothed away some calluses while I swam)! It truly is a great beach for families with kids, something I learned there while entertaining a whole bunch of kiddos with my hula hoop (which I, personally, didn't mind since I love kids but wanted to give a heads up for anyone that's looking for something more kid free). Once the sun began to set, I grabbed some wine from the beach's restaurant. The wine was amazing and very reasonably priced but what was even BETTER? The song selection! I stayed a whole extra 30 minutes just to vibe out There couldn't have been a better way to start my vacation, honestly! I think it's more than worth it to visit this spot the next time you're in South Florida

Matheson Hammock has a special place in my heart. I grew up going here as a kid, and have grown to…read morelove it and appreciate it more as an adult. I recently came to take some photos for a friend and the scene was an absolute dream. From the beautiful trees that make it look like a fairytale, to the lagoon that gives it the perfect Miami signature touch -- every area in the park is lovely, relaxing and the no service makes it an even better way to disconnect!

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Matheson Hammock Park - 64 degrees and breezy and dropping on this nice cold front views of downtown!

64 degrees and breezy and dropping on this nice cold front views of downtown!

Matheson Hammock Park - Currently 64 and very breezy as the sun sets at the ATOLL pool

Currently 64 and very breezy as the sun sets at the ATOLL pool

Matheson Hammock Park - Strong winds brings the wind surfers out

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Strong winds brings the wind surfers out

Crandon Park - Crandon Park_Sanju-4

Crandon Park

4.0(180 reviews)
5.7 mi

Crandon Park is popular for its beautiful beach, rich coastal environment, unique fossilized…read moremangrove reef, protected wetlands, birding sites and extensive range of sports and outdoor activities. Crandon Park is home to various ecosystems, from dunes and mangroves to coastal hammock and seagrass beds and rare plants like the Biscayne prickly ash and beach peanut. Underwater, fossilized reefs and colorful sea life give divers and snorkelers plenty to explore. Crandon Park comprises the northern portion of Key Biscayne (almost 7 miles southeast of Miami). The key began as a coconut plantation, before being donated with the stipulation that Miami-Dade County uses the land as a public park. With its golf and tennis facilities, unique eco-adventures and breathtaking beach, Crandon Park offers something for everyone Parking: Weekdays $7 and Weekends $10

I was here as a child when it was a zoo. I'm happy to see it remains a park with beach access…read more More importantly, the beach often hosts some endangered migratory birds, Piping Plovers. These birds are adorable, but they are threatened by habitat loss. There is a volunteer who regularly checks for Piping Plovers during migration, and she looks for bands that reveal the path of the bird's migratory flight. It's important that we have places for these birds to forage, and I hope the city continues to protect this beach for that use. The bathrooms were a welcome amenity. I had problems paying the parking fee, it was a complicated process. There were about 10 peafowl (peacocks) that roamed the park, a remaining vestige of when this was a zoo. There were many wild birds throughout the park.

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Crandon Park - Crandon Park_Sanju-3

Crandon Park_Sanju-3

Crandon Park - Nature trail

Nature trail

Crandon Park - Just landed

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Just landed

Lummus Park Historic District - parks - Updated May 2026

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