Suburban Series Part 4: Here are 5 of Miami’s Best Suburbs – Miami Shores

Are you over the hustle and bustle of actually living in the city, but not quite ready to give up easy access to its charm? The suburbs surrounding Miami provide many perks, including tight-knit community feels, water-access, great restaurants and tropical atmospheres. While there are many suburbs to choose from, here is Part 4 of Miami’s 5 best neighborhoods for singles and families alike.

Miami Shores

Miami Shores is a dreamy neighborhood, Golden Girls-esque on the northern edge of Miami. Young families love Miami Shores for its activities, community feel, safety and downtown strip. It even has its own police force! There is a golf course and country club, and access to the commercial shops of North Miami Beach is quick and easy. Part manicured and part jungle, the population is as diverse as they come. Considered the “Brooklyn” of Miami, it’s an especially easy place to live for couples with young children. Watch out for the peacocks who like to peruse people’s backyards on occasion!

Miami Shores Aquatic Center: When the beach feels too far, there is Miami Shores Aquatic Center. Let the kids enjoy the multitude of slides, wading pools and Shipwreck Cove while you lounge on a chair nearby. Or, leave the kids with an Olympic-trained swim instructor while you enjoy some laps in the 8-lane pool. As you can see, it’s much more than a water park!

Miami Shores Country Club: Play a round on a championship golf course at Miami Shores Country Club. Follow it up with lunch or dinner with your friends at the clubhouse where you can choose from 28 different beers or an array of scotches. If you aren’t quite at championship level, sign up for one of many clinics or simply opt for tennis instead. This is a beautiful facility that caters wholeheartedly to its prime activity.

Ancient Spanish Monastery: While this isn’t technically located in Miami Shores, it’s a stone’s throw away by car. Despite its short distance on a map, the Spanish Monastery will transport you far, far away to the medieval land of Segovia, Spain. It was built over an 8-year period, starting in 1133. For 700 years it was the home of Spanish Monks until the cloisters were sold and converted into a stable. By the 1920s, William Randolph Hearst found it, bought it, dismantled it, and sent it to the USA where it remained in a Brooklyn Warehouse until two Miami businessmen relocated it to North Miami Beach. And there it stands, to this day, for tourists to spend a delightful afternoon in peace.

Suburban Series Part 3: Here are 5 of Miami’s Best Suburbs – Key Biscayne

Are you over the hustle and bustle of actually living in the city, but not quite ready to give up easy access to its charm? The suburbs surrounding Miami provide many perks, including tight-knit community feels, water-access, great restaurants and tropical atmospheres. While there are many suburbs to choose from, here is Part 3 of Miami’s 5 best neighborhoods for singles and families alike.

Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is a peaceful, suburban island cove detached not too close, not too far from the city. Access to downtown is easy (just a 10-15 minute drive over the bridge and you’ll find yourself at the edge of Brickell) and yet Key Biscayne gives off a suburban, community feel. You will find everything you possibly need including good schools, grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, fitness studios, golf, and not one, but two gorgeous state parks!

Crandon Park: Play a round of golf, lounge on the beach, meet up with friends for tennis, meander the botanical garden. Crandon Park is a great way to pass an afternoon with family, friends, or by yourself.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park: Does an image of a white lighthouse come to mind when you hear the name Key Biscayne?That lighthouse is right here at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which can be toured with a local guide for history buffs. If movement is your thing, there are plenty of trails to bike or trek. No Name Harbor offers overnight anchoring. There are fishing, paddling and bird watching opportunities. In short, you could come here every weekend and find something fun to do!

Rusty Pelican: The Rusty Pelican is one of Miami’s most recognized restaurants, as it offers delightful seafood dishes amidst a stunning view of the city skyline. It is a prime place to sip on a handcrafted cocktail during happy hour. Or, gather your best friends for a swanky dinner with sparkling city lights in the background.

Suburban Series Part 2: Here are 5 of Miami’s Best Suburbs – Coral Gables

Are you over the hustle and bustle of actually living in the city, but not quite ready to give up easy access to it’s charm? The suburbs surrounding Miami provide many perks, including tight-knit community feels, water-access, great restaurants and tropical atmospheres. While there are many suburbs to choose from, here is Part 2 of Miami’s 5 best neighborhoods for singles and families alike.

Coral Gables

Coral Gables is not only beautiful as its nickname The City Beautiful suggests, but also fun. It’s lush and elegant and offers a multitude of activities, from golf to gardening. There are plenty of fitness studios like yoga, pilates and martial arts. Cafe Abbracci and Pascal’s on Ponce, as well as more of Miami’s most well known restaurants are here. Top schools of every level can be found here, including University of Miami.

Venetian Pool: Transport yourself to the Mediterranean for a day at the Venetian Pool. It was created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry and much of that coral rock was used in the pool’s design. The pool holds 820,000 gallons of spring water which is sourced from an underground aquifer. During the hottest seasons, the pool is drained and refilled daily. Grottos, waterfalls and palm trees add to the Italian-style scenery, taking visitors on a mini-vacation across the pond.

Biltmore Hotel: The Biltmore is an iconic fixture of Coral Gables. Here you can golf, swim, enjoy a spa treatment, sip a drink over jazz, learn to cook at the Culinary academy or watch a drama at GableStage. There are plenty of dining options, including Fontana in the elegant courtyard or Cascade by one of the USA’s largest pools. Gather your friends and family for a delightful afternoon enjoying Sunday Brunch in the Biltmore Courtyard.

Coral Gables Art Cinema: Film buffs will love Coral Gables Art Cinema. Did you know it is one of South Florida’s highest grossing art houses? Watch independent and international films, as well as classic throwbacks. Saturdays and Sundays are Family Day, where favorites like Babe or The Sound of Music are offered on a donation basis. Keep an eye out for outdoor screenings as well.

Suburban Series Part 1: Here are 5 of Miami’s Best Suburbs – Pinecrest

Are you over the hustle and bustle of actually living in the city, but not quite ready to give up easy access to its charm? The suburbs surrounding Miami provide many perks, including tight-knit community feels, water-access, great restaurants and tropical atmospheres. While there are many suburbs to choose from, here is Part 1 of Miami’s 5 best neighborhoods for singles and families alike.

Pinecrest

Ranked top of every list, Pinecrest is Miami’s premier suburb. The crime rate is low, the schools are top notch, adult fitness classes and youth groups abound. Pinecrest offers delicious dining, breweries and cozy cafes.

Pinecrest Gardens: Year-round events include dance lessons, art festivals, gardening workshops and live concerts in the garden. The gardens are open seven days a week and there is always something going on. Browse more than 1,000 varieties of rare and exotic tropical plants on your own or with a guide.

Pinecrest Farmers Market:  This farmers market is arguably one of Miami’s best and is open every Sunday. The market motto says it all: We advocate the growth of sustainable farms, artisans & small local businesses for the betterment of our community. Come here to buy everything from salsa to lobster, cheese to fruit, and everything in between.

Matheson Hammock Park: While technically considered Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock Park is close enough to Pinecrest to count. Here you will find over 600 acres of walking and biking trails, beaches and places to picnic and to kayak. The views are stunning. Check out Redfish for a waterfront meal.