Great Ways to Get Active Around Miami

Miami is pulsing with energy – and heat – this time of year, and there are plenty of ways to get outdoors and into the action. In fact, if you’re thinking of moving to the area or relocating to a different neighborhood, it’s a great way to explore your options. Whether you’re a fan of water sports or more comfortable getting into gear on land, there is an activity for you in across Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding at Matheson Hammock

The calm waters of Matheson Hammock Park’s manmade tidal pool is the perfect place to test your balance with this challenging water sport. Then, once you’re ready to go, there are plenty of inlets and canals nearby to go explore. Rent boards from the Adventure Sports Miami concession at the park, and then refuel after a morning adventure with lunch at the waterside Red Fish Grill, located inside the old beach pavilion. The 630-acre coastal park is just south of Coral Gables, bordering the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Kayaking Along the Coral Gables Canals

Spend the day winding through the peaceful canals that make up the Coral Gables Waterway, which meanders for several miles through the City Beautiful. Check out the Gables’ historic landmarks, like the luxurious Biltmore Hotel, from a unique vantage point, and enjoy some sneak peeks into the backyards of some of the enclave’s stunning homes.

Running the Old Cutler Trail

This 11-mile trail is an outdoor oasis for Miami’s running contingent. Pass through pretty residential sections and nature expanses while swooping banyan and ficus trees loom overhead. Popular detours include Pinecrest Gardens, the Fairchild Tropical Garden, and Matheson Hammock Park. Start at either the northern trailhead, located at the traffic circle where Old Cutler Road, Sunset Drive and Le Jeune Road converge at Cocoplum, or at the south end, where Old Cutler Road meets SW 87th Avenue in Cutler Bay.

Renting a Boat on Key Biscayne

Just a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway is the leisure hub of Key Biscayne. Rental outfitters abound (try Tropicalboat Charters, for one), offering the chance to spend a warm day out on the breezy waters in a powerboat, sail boat, catamaran, or yacht. Play captain for the afternoon, or let a crew do the work while you enjoy a sundowner. Pick up some snorkel gear while you’re at the marina and explore the underwater sights, too.