The Charles Hadley Park pool was named after a gregarious politician known locally as the unofficial mayor of Black Miami. "Uncle Charlie" was honored after his death in 1985 with name dedications on an elementary school and park. His is a sparkling Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool with six diving boards and a high-dive platform that offers swimming lessons, lifeguard training, water aerobics, and public fun times for families. And thankfully, for those who don't enjoy shivering in a cold pool, the water is a solid 79-82 degrees all year. Neighbors may be hearing more splashes at Hadley than normal — in March, state lawmakers unanimously passed a law to prevent child drowning by providing swimming lesson vouchers for children ages 4 or younger in families with an income of no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Happy laps!

The gorgeous stretch of the Venetian Causeway is unbeatable in terms of accessibility and views. Spanning the breadth of Biscayne Bay, it's a thoroughfare of 12 bridges with delightful architectural details that connect Miami, the Venetian Islands, and Miami Beach. Sure, you can enjoy the ride from your car, bicycle, moped, or even Onewheel, but the 2.8-mile stretch offers joggers and runners a special kind of intimacy with the still waters of Biscayne Bay, especially at sunrise and sunset, and time to people watch. Plus, it's pretty safe, as there's enough space on the sidewalk to stay away from anyone speeding by.

The stunning 13.5-mile Old Cutler Trail cuts through some of Miami's oldest and most lush neighborhoods. Pretend you're living in the past as you enjoy a stroll under the shade of hundred-year-old banyans or jump on a bike for an easy, flat ride through nature. Along the way, you'll pass the tangled mangroves and glistening bay views of Matheson Hammock as well as the established greenery at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Pinecrest Gardens. And all in all, Old Cutler promises a safe stroll. Tree roots might trip you up more than drivers because the speed limit around the trail is about 35 miles per hour.

The South Florida Council — Scouting America (AKA Boy Scouts of America) holds its annual Scoutmasters Camporee at Markham Park every February. Nobody knows camping like a scout, so that's the flare alerting us that this is the best campground in town. Nestled in the western reaches of Broward County, Markham Park is within spitting distance of both the vast Everglades wilderness and the convenience of Sawgrass Mills shopping mall. With tent and RV sites, full hookups, charcoal grills, picnic tables, and even a restroom complex with hot showers, you may not feel like you're roughing it. But there's no shame in taking in nature while also enjoying a flushing toilet. The "luxuries" don't end there. There's also a dog park, mountain bike trails, ranges for archery, skeet, and target shooting, and even an airfield for RC planes and drones.

Have you been to saltwater beaches in other cities? They may have fish, but you sure won't be seeing them through murky waves. Here in South Florida, we have some of the clearest warm waters in the lower 48. To really get up close and personal with sea creatures, head to the uncongested 165-acre Bear Cut Preserve on Key Biscayne. Its shallow seagrass habitat is teeming with life, like colorful sponges, starfish, barracuda, or pufferfish. Bear Cut's nature trails have numerous beach access points, all ideal for snorkeling. Park at the north end of Crandon Park at the Biscayne Nature Center to ogle at the hardwood hammocks and mangroves before the trails end at an overlook of a fossilized coastal reef with a fantastic view of downtown. Pro tip: Go when the tide is low to get a closer look at the sea critters.

Slap on some sunscreen and grab your water. You're going kayaking. Launch from Morningside Park for a solid day exploring small, wild Biscayne Bay islands. It'll give you the opportunity to see bottlenose dolphins and brown pelicans as you roll lightly over the soft waves. If you don't have your own boat, hit up Morningside Watersports for rentals, guided tours at decent prices, and a complimentary ten-minute orientation. And if you're feeling a little romantic or just hate the sun, Morningside Watersports hosts a monthly full-moon guided kayak tour with a bonfire at its cozy waterfront lounge.

Sometimes Miami's natural magic butts right up to and swims underneath its traffic-snarled urban hardscape. Almost as predictable as the northbound gridlock on the stretch of Biscayne just south of 79th Street lies just below a steady stream of traffic of a different, portly, seagrass-munching sort. Yes, we're talking about manatees. The best place to see the slow-moving sea cows is between Advance Auto Parts and the BP station on a bridge that does not look welcoming to pedestrians across from a strip club. This area of the Little River Canal is a protected reserve, and throughout the season (November to April), you'll spot manatees here, often with babies in tow. The bridge provides a great vantage point, perfect angle, and distance for close viewing as they glide by below.

The Seaquarium on Virginia Key used to draw millions of tourists and locals to its dolphin and whale shows. That version of the park now only exists in memories — what remains is simply scandalous. Accusations of animal cruelty surrounding the captivity of star attraction Lolita the orca whale had dogged the park for years. In the wake of her death in 2023, horrific reports of decrepit facilities, understaffed vet teams, and sick and injured animals have led Miami-Dade County to terminate the park's lease — a more than welcome development. We'd say see it before it's too late, but we're willing to bet you won't like what you see.

Go east on NE 69th Street in MiMo, and you'll eventually come upon Baywood Park, a lovely little patch of green abutting Biscayne Bay. Come here on a Sunday afternoon to gaze upon the turquoise blue waters across to the condo towers of Miami Beach and feel the gentle cooling breeze, possibly with an iguana at your side. And stay for sunset, as the pastels fade to a black, sparkling sky. You might just forget all the nonsense and stress that comes with living in Miami and remember how truly beautiful this city is.

This might not be something you want to do in broad daylight, but for stoners looking for a place to sneak out, spark up, and unwind, Bayside Marketplace is the move. The best spot to suck down a joint is the pier in the back where the THC, soft tropical breeze, and glitter of downtown lights can hit you all at once. As the stores close around 10 p.m., the area becomes remarkably peaceful, so you can safely light up a doobie and take in the breathtaking panorama of the city skyline and the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel against the night sky. Plus, with plenty of late-night restaurants in the greater downtown area, you've got munchie options galore.