Miami, Florida, has mild weather all year-round and is an international recreation destination. Miami offers plenty of healthy and free activities, including hiking and biking along scenic ocean vistas. It's waters offer opportunities for water sports and swimming. In addition, Miami's trendy streets offer arguably the best people watching strolls in the country.
Fitness Course
The North Shore State Recreation Area is located at 79th and Collins Ave on Miami Beach. Here you can find a great shoreline spot for playing volleyball, walking the trails and of course swimming
However, the most engaging aspect of this area is what they refer to as the "Vita Course." The Vita Course has 20 stations in groups along a beach side trail. You will do core work, push-ups, assisted pull-ups and much more.
This fitness course is among the best you'll find anywhere in the country and afterwards you can cool off immediately in the Miami surf.
Nature Trail
A few miles south of downtown Miami on the southern end of Key Biscayne, you will find Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. You have a lot to see and explore here for free including climbing the winding steps of a lighthouse originally constructed in 1825.
You will also hike down a seaside wilderness trail that winds for miles on the north and west sides of the park. Your 5-mile journey will take you through the mangrove wetlands and along a rocky coastal strand that runs southward.
Although beaches are open for swimming along the park's Atlantic trail, you should exercise caution since the beaches have no lifeguards.
Biking
Oleta River State Park is located on Biscayne Bay and Intercoastal Waterway of Miami. The park provides over 10 miles of bike paths. You can bike paved shoreline trails that are for beginning and intermediate riders, all the way up to off-road trails with challenging terrain for seasoned bicyclists.
Biking the 4 miles through the north end of the park, you will pass primitive cabins and a beautiful mangrove forest featuring native South Florida plants and wildlife. As part of its safety-first program, Oleta River Park has a loaner program for helmets.
Running
Tropical Park at 7900 SW 40 Street in Miami is the home of the Miami Runners Club, which is one of largest running groups in the United States. The Park features 10 miles of paved running courses designed by the Club.
As you run you will see plenty of scenery along the 9 mile South Bay Bike Path including Coconut Grove. You will also have options to take a detour for a few miles through Matheson Hammock Park where you will see a few hundred acres of beautiful mangroves. Your path will also take you beachside along Ocean Drive at 5th Street through 15th Street.
Tropical Park's other free activities also include four lakes for swimming.
Art Deco Walking Tour
Free guided walking tours are available in Miami's Art Deco District provided by the Miami Design Preservation League. As you walk the miles, you will learn about early Miami architecture and those who have called South Beach home over the years including the underworld art deco of Al Capone.
Each January Miami's Art Deco District also features a long festival weekend along the entire length of Ocean Drive. Here you will dance to live music and stroll 3 miles in the annual parade.
To avoid parking problems, visitors are encouraged to use the South Beach Local Shuttle that runs on Washington Avenue from South Pointe Park to 17th Street.
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