Best Places for a Walk

The Beachwalk is the spine of Miami Beach walking. The city describes it as a nine-mile oceanfront pedestrian promenade, completed in June 2022 as a wider ADA-accessible paver pathway that connects Miami Beach to Surfside and Bal Harbour. It runs from South Pointe Park to 87th Street along the beach and is open 24 hours. If you only remember one walk, make it this one.

• Route: South Pointe Park to 87 Street
• Best for: The default oceanfront walk
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/beachwalk/

South Pointe is the best short walk when you want water, cruise-ship views, beach access, and a park loop in one compact route. The city lists beach access, seating, public restrooms, paid parking, outdoor fitness, and a playground. Start near the park, walk the water edge, then connect north toward the Beachwalk if you want more distance.

• Address: 1 Washington Avenue
• Best for: Short scenic loop plus beach access
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/south-pointe-park/

Lummus is the classic South Beach walk: Ocean Drive on one side, sand and Atlantic breeze on the other. The city lists paved paths for walking or biking, beach access, public restrooms, playgrounds, volleyball, and outdoor fitness. It is busy, but it is also one of the easiest walks to explain to a visitor or repeat before dinner.

• Location: Ocean Drive between 5 Street and 14 Place
• Best for: South Beach energy and a paved beachfront path
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/lummus-park/

North Beach Oceanside gives you the calmer end of the city: 79th to 86th Streets along Collins, beach access, pavilions, benches, public restrooms, a playground, and an interior walking path with outdoor fitness stations. It is the move when you want trees, shade, and a less compressed beach walk than central South Beach.

• Location: 79-86 Streets & Collins Avenue
• Best for: Quieter North Beach walking
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/north-beach-oceanside-park/

Lincoln Road is not quiet, but it is one of the city’s defining pedestrian corridors. The city’s redevelopment project page describes work on the pedestrian mall from Washington Avenue to Lenox Avenue, including pedestrian surfaces, lighting, street furnishings, and crosswalk enhancements. Walk it when you want people, errands, food, and a civic-commercial read on the city rather than a beach path.

• Route: Washington Avenue to Lenox Avenue
• Best for: Errands, people-watching, and a car-light commercial walk
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/projects/lincoln-road-redevelopment-project/
• Mobility note: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/transportation/bicycle-and-pedestrians/

SoundScape is a short walk rather than a long one, but it earns a place because it sits in the cultural and civic heart of Miami Beach. The city describes the 2.5-acre park as a flexible urban space next to New World Center, with cultural events and outdoor movie nights from October through March. Pair it with Lincoln Road, the Convention Center, or the Botanical Garden for a fuller loop.

• Address: 1670 Washington Avenue
• Best for: Cultural-district strolls
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/miami-beach-soundscape-park/

The Botanical Garden is the slowest walk on this list, in the good way. The city describes it as an urban green space in South Beach showcasing orchids, tropical plants and trees, a Japanese garden, and a living wall. It is not a fitness walk; it is a reset walk, especially when you are already near City Hall, the Convention Center, or the Bass.

• Area: Convention Center / City Hall district
• Best for: A quiet garden reset
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/office-of-organizational-development/resident-resources/youth-arts-culture/miami-beach-botanical-garden/

Maurice Gibb is a small waterfront park on the Intracoastal side, useful when you want a short, enclosed-feeling walk near Sunset Harbour. The city lists a perimeter fence, water fountain, boat ramp, kayak launch, and playground overlooking the Intracoastal. It is not a destination trail, but it is a good neighborhood walk when the beach side feels too exposed or crowded.

• Location: 18 Street & Purdy Avenue
• Best for: Short Intracoastal-side reset
• Source: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/parks-and-recreation/parks-facilities-directory/maurice-gibb-park/

For distance, choose Beachwalk. For views, choose South Pointe. For civic-commercial texture, choose Lincoln Road. For quiet, choose North Beach Oceanside, the Botanical Garden, or Maurice Gibb. Use it when you want a walk that feels specific to Miami Beach, not just a map pin.

• Best long walk: Beachwalk.
• Best short scenic walk: South Pointe Park.
• Best shaded/calm walk: North Beach Oceanside Park.
• Best non-beach walk: Botanical Garden plus SoundScape/Lincoln Road.