Came in the morning around 8am for Raccoon Coffee breakfast and riverside views. Grateful they had…read morea fan and shade. Noticed the area was easy for kids to run around, and some posters about weekly events related to the church and community events. Nice little patch of green among concrete.

Decorated beautifully for the holidays with red green and gold trees and decorations. Who says you…read moreneed snow, coats & mittens? Very cool!

(From March, 2023)…read more Apparently there's a large history behind this place based on Ariel's review from May, 2018. As a site of native americans, it went from a possible luxury condo complex to one of the most beautiful parks/walkways in the city. It's a fabulous spot to get steps in and soak in the sun while you hear the sounds of water and boats navigating the sea. The park is clean from what I saw and the citizens take proper care of it as they should. I happened to stop here from my morning stay at the Hyatt to get a nice glimpse of the views before heading to the ports for my ships sail. City is lucky to have this historic exhibit of history in this location and a nice park to complement it!

Miami with history? well yes if you know where to look! Here is all the information you need…read more Prehistoric !! Discovered in 1998, the origins of the Miami Circle - an archaeological site in downtown Miami - remain one of the city's most intriguing mysteries. Known by a few different names - the Miami River Circle and Brickell Point, to name two - the Miami Circle was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2009, seven years after it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The circle was uncovered in early 1998, when property developer Michael Bauman commissioned a routine archaeological survey of the site. Part of a plan to demolish the existing apartment complex in order to build luxurious condos, the plans were brought to a screeching halt when surveyors discovered hundreds of strange holes beneath a layer of limestone. After further investigation, it was discovered that 24 of the largest holes formed a perfect circle with a whopping 38-foot diameter. Several artefacts were also unearthed - including human teeth and pieces of burnt wood - and radiocarbon dated at roughly 1,800-2,000 years old. According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Circle is perhaps the only evidence of a prehistoric structure in bedrock on the East Coast. Based on the results of the radiocarbon dating, along with the similarities in tools, it's believed that the circle might have been the work of the Tequesta Native American tribe. Some have speculated that the holes were once part of a structure, and most likely a building for ceremonial use. The Tequesta tribe is believed to have settled by the Miami River, occupying coastal terrain along the neighboring Atlantic areas. The tribe was made up of hunters and gatherers, who likely would have used shells and shark teeth for tools - both of which were unearthed during the excavation of the site. With the Miami Circle likely dating back over 1,000 years, it's remarkable that around 85% of its structure is still perfectly preserved. Today, visitors to Miami can head to the site and see the ring of limestone for themselves - although the holes are now covered with soil and grass for protection.

If you've only got a few hours in Miami, a drive over the William Powell Bridge is totally worth…read moreit. It gives you awesome, elevated views of the colorful Brickell waterfront and Biscayne Bay in just minutes. It's a quick, easy way to take in the city's beauty without much effort. Just make sure to check traffic before heading out -- it's the only road to Key Biscayne, and it can get pretty backed up. But if you time it right, it's a perfect little Miami moment.

The standard review for this bridge would be there is a precast concrete structure that connects…read moremainland city of Miami to the village of Key Biscayne, to the north of this bridge, one can catch a view of downtown Miami and Miami Beach and to the south the bay and Coconut Grove. We know about Key Biscayne and what we've had a Yelpies event as well as a couple restaurants I've been to before and reviewed. However did you know that the shoulder of the bridge is one of Miami's prime running areas and doing it is considered an achievement for those of us into sports and working out? Besides the car lanes, there's a painted bike lane each way ad well as the shoulder aka the sidewalk of the bridge that a lot of Miami's weekend warriors take to jogging. It's a little over 70" tall (my smart watch has reported 71 and 74 feet) and roughly one mile over our beautiful bay. Park at the nearby Vizcaya metro rail station like I did and enjoy a 5 mile round trip run.. Why put yourself through this exercise? Well besides the health benefits of working out there's THE VIEW!! This is the place where you can catch a beautiful sunset (or sunrise), check out our shimmering downtown skyline, cranes from the Port and look at the party boats below cruising under the bridge. Besides, now in the time of "that which shall not be named " it's a great spot to see and meet other people. Here's to many more miles!!

Another iconic building in Downtown Miami. Definitely worthy of a visit. If you do go, hit the…read morebutton to the top in the elevator, to see sweeping views. The public are allowed to go there. Once you are up there, you can see this area of Miami from a different wow factor insight. Check out my pictures for a taster.. The Miami Tower is a 47-story, landmark office skyscraper in Miami, Florida, United States. It is located in central Downtown. It is currently the 16th tallest building in Miami and Florida. Add to your "must see" list for Down town Miami.

Newly renovated "Sky Lounge" is awesome! The gym is nicer than some gyms you have to pay for. Staff…read moreis nice and the building is clean.

Beautiful church. The parishioners made me feel welcome and the service gave glory to the Lord.read more

Grew up going here. Do be aware of events happening near Bayside whenever you go. Great service,…read morebeautiful designs, great cafeteria downstairs!

You never forget your first bridge in Miami. For me, it was the Rickenbacker. I had just moved…read morehere--wide-eyed, sunburned, and dragged off to the Seaquarium by my cousin's parents. I remember the smell of salt in the air, the thrill of dolphins splashing, and that first view of the causeway arching toward Key Biscayne. It was like a gateway to another world. In the '80s and '90s, this was our playground. Fishing off the side of the road with a Styrofoam cooler full of Publix subs. Sneaking down to the beach with friends, pretending we were locals when we still smelled like outsiders. Later, in the mid-'90s, it became the launching pad for something bigger--adventures with Alberto Ramirez and the MUST and MUST+ programs, those science camps where we learned more under the Miami sun than any textbook could teach. By the time I attended MAST Academy, the causeway wasn't just a road anymore. It was a lifeline. Every morning, crossing that bridge felt like entering a secret society--a school on an island, surrounded by the same water we studied in class. Science, adventure, and a sense of wonder, all tucked between the mangroves and the bay. The Rickenbacker is more than concrete and asphalt. It's Miami's front porch--a place where families fish, kids discover, and teens carve out their first taste of freedom. A place where memories are baked in by the sun and salted by the sea. It gave me recreation, an education, and adventures I'll never forget. That's five stars right there. Because sometimes a bridge isn't just a bridge--it's the beginning of a story you keep telling for the rest of your life.

Very nice beach! Found allot of pretty shells. Loves seeing the dogs having fun on the water with…read moretheir owners

The Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) begins in downtown Miami at Brickell Avenue and for many miles it is…read moreCalle Ocho, running through the heart of Miami's historic Cuban community. About 20 miles west of downtown, at Krome Avenue, the city is behind you and the road heads into the Glades. If you have ever driven in South Florida, chances are you have driven on Tamiami Trail. Also known as U.S. Highway Route 41, this long stretch of road , as its name suggests, connects Tampa to Miami. The attached pictures show landmark signage of the start of the Tamiami Trail right by Brickell Ave. The Tamiami Trail runs through some of the most beautiful land in South Florida. From the Trail you can spot alligators, a multitude of birds, turtles, and other wildlife, so if you are adventurous, you can start at this reference point in downtown Miami and continue towards the Everglades fo some wilderness and green spaces.

On April 25,1928, the Tamiami Trail officially opened to travelers. It is part of I-75 which goes…read moreall the way to Michigan. The name Tamiami was given to the road because in Florida it connects Tampa to Miami. Also known as U.S. 41, in South Florida it links Miami and Fort Myers through the Everglades. Construction on the east-west section of the road took 12 years. Without the road few travelers were able to complete the 108 mile journey across the wetlands and cypress swamps filled with alligators and mosquitoes. Barron Collier who Collier county is named for financed construction of the road way. At the time he was the largest landowner and developer in the U.S. state of Florida, as well as the owner of a chain of hotels, bus lines, several banks, and newspapers, and of a telephone company and a steamship line. While the road was a benefit to travelers and people who wanted the business they brought, construction of Tamiami Trail had the unintended impact of disrupting the water flow which impacted the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades. The sign on the pilar in this location is part of the new Underline Park built under Miami Metrorail. It marks the southern end of the Tamiami Trail at Southwest Eighth Street and Brickell Avenue. In Little Havana the section of the road runs through Calle Ocho famous for their festivals, restaurants, and nightspots. Some of my favorite destinations along Tamiami Trail include Everglades National park, Shark Valley, Big Swamp Cypress National Preserve, the Skunk Ape Research Site Headquarters, and the Miccosukee Indian Village. I love the more natural section of the trail after the Tamiami Trail leaves Miami and heads into the Everglades. I enjoy the airboat rides, biking, and hiking that can take take you up close to alligators and many other native Florida plants and animals.

In all the years that I lived in Miami, I never once visited Viscaya; I live in shame. Mostly…read morebecause when you're local the mentality is, "why pay to see a fancy house? you can drive by coral gables or south beach and see them for free". I will say, the grounds are absolutely delightful, especially if you go in the Springtime as we did where flowers are all in full bloom, that alone is worth the ticket price. The architecture is exquisite! A feast for the eyes in so many ways. When we came to visit, they were doing renovations. You could see the water damage on the roof and walls, probably caused by one of the many Summer storms, because of that the tickets were at a discount that day but we were still able to appreciate the beauty of Viscaya. There are two cafe's. One in the garden of the main house, and another across the street where farm animals use to be kept. Surprisingly, the food and drinks are reasonably priced. The day we were there, a wedding was going to take place and there was a lot of commotion going on. Fancy tables being set up, fine china, crystal glasses, the whole works. We asked a security guard how much it costs to have a wedding reception there and he said: "Just to rent the space, no tables, no nothing, starting price is 100k". So if you have 100k lying around, and plan to get married soon, this could be an option for you. Jokes aside though; I'd definitely visit again.

Imagine being transported to a palatial European setting...except you're in Miami. We took the…read moremetro to Vizcaya and made the ten minute walk to the gardens. The property and history is pretty amazing. As many other reviews have mentioned, a good portion of the rooms and structures are closed for renovations. They have reduced the entry to $20 from $25 but it still was a little disappointing that the casino building and several rooms in the house were closed. Being that it was the offseason, some of the gardens did seem to be past their peak. We hope to return when everything is open in season and tour the whole facility.

The Miami Marine Stadium is located on the west end of Virginia Key. The 6,566 stadium was designed…read moreby 27-year-old, Cuban-born architect Hilario Candela and built by the Millman Construction Company of Miami Beach at a cost of around 2 million dollars. Land for the stadium was once owned by the Matheson family who deeded it over to the City of Miami for the creation of a stadium that would be used as the world's first power boat racing stadium. When the stadium was poured in 1963, its 326-foot, fold-plate roof was the longest span of cantilevered concrete on earth. Sadly, on the stadiums opening day, December 27,1963, speedboat racer James Tapp was killed. The Miami Marine Stadium would go on to see more fatalities when Hank Bowman was killed on January 8, 1966 and Skip Walther died on June 2, 1974. The Miami Marine Stadium is considered a masterwork of civic architecture and modern construction. Miami Marine Stadium has been the setting for countless boat races, concerts, and even religious services, In 1967 it was used as the backdrop of the Elvis Presley movie Clambake during Elvis's speedboat race. Memorable concert performances held here include Queen, The Beach Boys, Steppenwolf, Dave Brubeck. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Miami Philharmonic, Ray Charles and many more. Phil Donahue once did a show here. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Miami Marine Stadium was deemed unsafe. Today it sits fenced off and covered in graffiti. Plans to demolish the stadium in 2008 sparked the creation of the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium (FMMS) who formed on February 20, 2008,to develop a feasible plan for the restoration of the property. FMMS was able to secure a historic designation by Miami's Historic Preservation and Environmental Board. in 2009 the stadium was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservations 11 Most Endangered List. The National Trust of Historic Preservation has listed more than 300 sites and has been very successful in galvanizing preservation efforts to save all but a handful of them In 2018 the stadium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One year ago Cuban-American architect Hilario Candela, who designed the iconic stadium, died at age 87 from complications with COVID-19. Urgency to save the stadium in his memory continues. Last year Miami had plans to hire to a contractor to see where the stadium needs restoration. Bond money is expected to be used to fund the project. Local celebrities like Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffet have been vocal in their support for restoration. Right now the area in front of the stadium is being used for the Magic Mike show. In the past the city has staged Covid testing here. I have been keeping an eye on this Miami landmark for years without seeing much going on. Hopefully 2023 will be the year real work begins.

At the first glance, Miami Marine Stadium looks like a relic of an ancient time. Something that the…read moreRomans built after they completed colosseum. Hard to believe not too long ago, in the 60s, this stadium, and the body of water it faces (we call it basin) was the center of attraction in Miami. As Miami hosted speed boat races featuring the likes of Ms. Budweiser, the stadium was filled with spectators, and later on in the evening, the was a giant raft, which was still around a couple of years ago, which they used to equip with a bar and a DJ, and dozens of people would dance the night away, floating in the basin. As those days faded away, the stadium was left to rot away, and now it has become what it is. Marked as a Miami historic site, it cannot be demolished, and no company is willing to take the responsibility of fixing it up, as the damage to its core is pretty significant. The stadium is closed to public, but you can get a good view of it from the basin. If you paddle a small boat, you can go under the stadium and see that it is covered with graffiti. I see the stadium several times a week, and every time I look at it, it makes me sad, thinking about how beautiful it once was, and now it is left to rot

While visiting the Miami Circle, arguably one of the most important archaeological finds in North…read moreAmerica, I first came across this sculpture called the Pillar of History, located mid-span on the Brickell Avenue Bridge where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay. Miami is built on land first inhabited by the Tequesta nearly 2,500 years ago. The Tequesta were an Indigenous people who inhabited southeast Florida from Boca Raton to Key West, as well as the Everglades. They lived on fish, shellfish, berries, and small game, and were well adapted to the environment of South Florida. They thrived for nearly 2,000 years until they became victims of war and disease brought by Europeans in the 1500s. The prevailing theory is that the site of the circle was used by the Tequesta and may have served as the location of a council house. Many artifacts, including shell tools, stone axe heads, and human teeth, have been found at the site. The Pillar of History, created by Cuban artist Manuel Carbonell, memorializes Miami's first people, the Tequesta. It was commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation and marked the department's first effort to integrate public art into a bridge design. The piece was installed in 1995 during the reconstruction of the Brickell Avenue Bridge and remains one of Florida's largest bronze monuments. The base features 16 bronze bas-reliefs honoring Miami's early pioneers, including Henry Flagler, D. A. Dorsey, William Brickell, Mary Brickell, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Julia Tuttle. There are also 12 bronze bas-reliefs of local wildlife adorning the base of the flagpoles. The 36-foot-tall column consists of 158 figures that narrate the history of the Tequesta people. At the top of the column is a sculpture titled "Tequesta Family." It portrays a Tequesta warrior aiming an arrow toward the sky, searching for his place in eternity. Beside him is his wife, searching for a better life, while their son covers his face with his hands, aware of his people's inevitable extinction. The Brickell Avenue Bridge symbolically connects Miami's earliest inhabitants, the Tequesta, to its earliest pioneers, such as the Brickell family, for whom the area is named. As someone with an ardent passion for both art and history, the Pillar of History is one of my favorite public art sculptures in Miami. Now I look forward to seeing it every time I cross the bridge.