The city of Miami Gardens is located in north-central Miami-Dade County. It is roughly 16 miles north of downtown Miami. Its borders extend from the I-95 corridor east to 2nd Avenue Northeast. There are many different things to do in Miami Gardens.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an 83-acre botanic garden with an extensive collection of rare tropical plants. It is located in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County. The garden is bordered by Matheson Hammock Park.
It has a large collection of plants native to Florida and Puerto Rico. It is home to rare plants such as the African baobab, which dates back to David Fairchild’s days. The garden also has a 2-acre rainforest and a pavilion dedicated to endangered plant species.
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an excellent place for families to enjoy a relaxing day. Kids will love the variety of plants. The gardens also feature many photo opportunities. The Fairchild Gardens is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends. Among the exhibits are the Simons Rainforest and the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion, which displays exotic fruits native to tropical climates.
Another attraction in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is the Geiger Tropical Flower Garden. There, visitors can view tropical flowers from around the world. A number of these include the Ceiba pentandra, or the Kapok Tree. You can also take guided tours of the garden or participate in the mindfulness activities offered there.
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located about a half-hour’s drive from central Miami. It’s open seven days a week and costs $25 for adults. Admission is available for families and groups, and discounts are available.
Monkey Jungle
Monkey Jungle is a 30 acre zoological park in Miami, Florida. It was established in 1933 by Joseph DuMond to exhibit rare, endangered monkeys in semi-natural habitats. DuMond released six Java Monkeys in the subtropical forest, and today the park is home to over 300 primates.
In response to the recent animal abuse allegations, Monkey Jungle defended its treatment of the animals. While the zoo had faced challenges after Hurricane Irma, it has recently defended its treatment of all animals. The zoo said that former employees were mishandling some animals and that they took advantage of Hurricane Irma.
The park is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and the ticket office closes at 4:30 p.m. The park is located south of the city, and visitors must navigate several highways to reach it. During the summer months, traffic at Monkey Jungle is heavy, so plan accordingly. However, the semi-natural rainforest provides ample shade for visitors.
Monkey Jungle has three different habitats that allow visitors to learn about the animals they see. The Camaroon Jungle, Mandrills and Parrots of the World, and Amazonian Rain Forest are just some of the habitats the monkeys call home. The park also provides guided tours of the different animals and habitats. It takes approximately two hours to visit the park, including a guided tour.
Dolphin Mall
The Dolphin Mall is a state-of-the-art value center that has over 240 designer brand name stores. Many big name brands are represented, including Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, Gap Factory Store, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and more. It also has dining options and family entertainment centers.
Visitors can also take advantage of the Passport to Shopping program. This pass gives shoppers discounts at over 80 stores. All you need to do is present a valid photo ID to receive discounts. This program is sponsored by Miami Orthodontist Group and Jackson Health System. It will be available in the Information Booth at Entry 3.
Dolphin Mall is one of the largest malls in the area. It is a destination for people of all ages and is home to some of the best outlet stores in the country. Located five miles west of the Miami International Airport, this mall is convenient and offers many types of entertainment for the whole family.
The mall was very clean and well-maintained. There were several restaurants and cinemas in the complex. Finding parking is tricky, so have a map or write down the location of the nearest parking. If you want to eat, the mall has an excellent food court with a huge variety of options.
Yarumba Restaurant & Lounge
Yarumba Restaurant & Lounge serves Caribbean and Dominican cuisine. The menu features grilled prawns, mofongo, flans, and coconut ice cream. The restaurant also offers juices and live music. In addition to the extensive menu, Yarumba offers an authentic Caribbean experience.
Zoo Wildlife Foundation
Zoo Wildlife Foundation in Miami Gardens, Florida is a unique zoo that specializes in guided and intimate wildlife tours. These tours give visitors a close look at the animals and allow for hands-on interactions. The zoo’s onsite educational program also teaches visitors how to care for the animals.
The zoo’s African loop features a variety of animals found in different parts of Africa. These include reticulated giraffes, African bush elephants, eastern black rhinoceroses, greater kudu, nyala, ostriches, and mountain bongo. There are also chimpanzees, otters, and okapis.
The Zoo Wildlife Foundation in Miami Gardens, Florida, is an accredited zoo and conservation facility that educates visitors about the plight of endangered and rare species. The zoo, which is just south of Miami, houses more than 150 animals. In addition to dozens of exotic and rare species, ZWF Miami also offers man-animal interaction opportunities that are unparalleled in other zoos in southern Florida.
The zoo has received criticism from animal activists after it was featured in a controversial documentary about big cats. The zoo has also been cited for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. In one incident, a lion cub bit a guest. The incident caused a public outcry.
The Zoological Wildlife Foundation in Miami Gardens, Florida is nothing more than a roadside petting zoo masquerading as a “wildlife foundation.” In contrast, real wildlife foundations never breed or sell animals or allow the public to hold wild animals. They also do not cart them to entertainment venues.