Summary
Situated on Biscayne Bay in South Dade, Palmetto Bay is a village that gained incorporation in 2002. However, the neighborhoods here have a longer history and have endured significant challenges, notably when Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992.
Along the eastern shoreline of Palmetto Bay lies Old Cutler Road, which features an accompanying paved trail. This off-grid road gracefully winds past a number of elegant historic residences.
Many of the locations mentioned in this article, ranging from luxurious bayfront estates to renowned botanical gardens, are interconnected by this road and trail.
Palmetto Bay is conveniently located near several of South Dade’s major attractions, such as Zoo Miami, The Falls shopping center, and the vibrant Pinecrest Gardens.
1. Deering Estate
Source: Felix Mizioznikov / shutterstockThe foremost attraction of Palmetto Bay is the exquisite bayfront estate of the late industrialist and International Harvester Corporation executive, Charles Deering (1852-1927).
Covering over 400 picturesque acres, this property served as the winter retreat for Deering and his family.
Reflecting Deering’s environmental advocacy and passion for art, the estate includes what is thought to be the largest remaining old-growth coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the contiguous United States.
The Mediterranean Revival residence, known as the Stone House, was constructed in 1922 and serves as an impressive venue for various art exhibitions.
Visitors can tour this residence and the stunning Richmond Cottage (1896), and participate in naturalist-led explorations of the estate’s verdant nature.
2. Old Cutler Trail
One of the most enjoyable ways to discover Palmetto Bay and its neighboring areas is via the 13.5-mile trail bordering Old Cutler Road. This trail predates urban planning and originated as a wagon route, tracing a limestone ridge adjacent to Biscayne Bay.
Numerous elements contribute to the road’s intrigue. For instance, it traverses some of the most beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County.
This trail is enveloped by a nearly uninterrupted canopy of mature banyan and moss-covered live oaks. Furthermore, it provides access to many of the highlighted locations in this article, spanning from the Deering Estate to the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock Park.
3. Coral Reef Park
Source: Roberto Pascual Gomez / shutterstockSpanning over 50 beautifully landscaped acres, Coral Reef Park stands out as my premier choice among Palmetto Bay’s public parks.
A significant part of its allure stems from the serene canal that runs north to south, bisecting the park. This canal features three footbridges, and offers abundant birdlife along its verdant banks.
The east side of the park hosts a weekly farmers’ market, which will be discussed later, while the west side contains recreational facilities for baseball, tennis, pickleball, racquetball, volleyball, and additional sports.
Moreover, amenities include a gazebo, a concession café in a LEED-certified building, exercise stations, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
4. Thalatta Estate Park
Located just south of Deering Estate, Thalatta Estate offers another elegant bayfront property. This estate, owned by the village, features a Mediterranean Revival house from 1926 set within four acres of stunning grounds.
It comes as no surprise that this magnificent venue is frequently chosen for photography sessions and weddings. As a public facility, it is open for exploration. The interior is preserved with a maritime theme, functioning as a museum.
Beautiful landscaping surrounds the estate, and the pathway along the water connects with the Old Cutler Trail. By Biscayne Bay, visitors may encounter pelicans, herons, and marine iguanas nestled among the mangroves.
This park hosts a diverse array of public programming throughout the year, such as art classes, yoga sessions, and gardening workshops.
5. Palmetto Bay Farmers’ Market
The parking area on the Palmetto Rd side of Coral Reef Park is home to a year-round farmers’ market, taking place on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This market is bustling with local vendors.
Beneath a beautiful tree canopy, visitors will find seasonal fresh produce, plants, flowers, seafood, honey, fresh bread, baked goods, and crafts, ranging from candles to jewelry and handmade hammocks.
This market ranks among my favorite destinations for lunch on the weekends, featuring selections such as Puerto Rican delicacies, BBQ, burgers, dolmades, and arepas, to name just a few.
6. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Renowned for its impressive collections of rare tropical plants, this esteemed botanical garden was established through a friendship.
Robert H. Montgomery (1872-1953), a businessman and plant enthusiast, founded the garden for his friend, the legendary plant explorer and botanist, David Fairchild (1869-1954).
Fairchild played a pivotal role in introducing countless crops to the United States for the first time, encompassing an array of plants from bamboos to nectarines.
The Fairchild Tropical Garden consistently ranks as one of the best in the United States. Its collections are astonishing, featuring 125 species of bamboo, numerous varieties of ginger, and a plethora of rare orchids, bromeliads, cycads, and flowering trees from around the globe.
A highlight is the “Wings of the Tropics” exhibit within The Clinton Family Conservatory, which houses hundreds of butterflies, many sourced from Central and South America.
Additionally, there’s the flowering cannonball tree planted in 1938, celebrated for its fragrant blooms, alongside an impressive growth of tropical rainforest consisting of plants retrieved from the Amazon.
7. Pinecrest Gardens
Located just five minutes from Palmetto Bay, this public attraction is a multifaceted destination. Promoted as ‘South Florida’s Cultural Arts Park’, Pinecrest Gardens merges botanical beauty with major outdoor events.
A devoted article could be written to detail all that occurs here. To begin, the memorable Banyan Bowl, a 530-seat amphitheater beneath a geodesic dome, hosts an extensive array of musical, theatrical, and dance performances, alongside film screenings.
On Sundays, the park features a bustling farmers’ market, while a key event on the calendar is the Art & Design Fair held annually in January, which has been a tradition for over two decades.
There is much to admire during a regular visit. Pinecrest Gardens includes natural habitats and cultivated gardens such as a mangrove forest, a tropical hardwood hammock, fern-rich lower gardens, and elevated dry gardens.
Moreover, visitors will encounter a splash pad, a petting zoo, and the inviting Cypress Café.
8. Matheson Hammock Park
Adjacent to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, this unique public park features a man-made atoll pool replenished daily by the tides of Biscayne Bay.
The gentle, shallow waters of the pool are perfectly suited for families with young children. The western section is bordered by a lovely sandy beach adorned with palm trees.
Furthermore, the reliable sea breezes here make Matheson Hammock Park an ideal location for a variety of watersports. A kiteboarding school situated next to the pool also provides kayak rentals.
Additionally, the park features a series of coral rock structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. The main building near the parking lot is now home to NOMA Beach at Redfish restaurant.
9. Zoo Miami
As Florida’s largest zoo and the only tropical zoo in the nation, Zoo Miami is merely minutes away from Palmetto Bay. Housing 2,500 animals, the zoo surrounds visitors with lush natural habitats across 750 acres, complemented by four miles of paved walkways.
With distinct zones such as The Everglades, Asia, Africa, Amazon, and Australia, it offers a captivating journey around the equator within a few hours.
This includes encounters with koalas, jaguars, condors, giant otters, spider monkeys, wombats, kangaroos, African elephants, giraffes, and many more.
Given the zoo’s expansive layout, renting a safari cycle is highly recommended. These cycles, equipped with a canopy, can accommodate up to six individuals (four adults and two children).
Additionally, Zoo Miami features water play areas, animal feedings, interactive educational exhibits at the Conservation Action Center, and opportunities for animal encounters.
10. The Falls
Across US-1 from Palmetto Bay, one can find an upscale open-air mall, known as The Falls, which opened its doors in 1980 to considerable acclaim for its tropical landscaping, waterfalls, ponds, and sculptures.
Upon my visit, the center was well-maintained, hosting over 100 tenants, many of which occupy the high-end market segment, including Abercrombie & Fitch, L’Occitane, and Apple.
Similarly, the dining establishments are upscale, featuring offerings from sweetgreen, P.F. Chang’s, and Shake Shack. Visitors can spend an entire day at the 12-screen Regal UA Falls theater.
This theater screens both first-run films and classic movies, as well as performances from the Metropolitan Opera.
11. Palmetto Bay Park
In the 2000s, shortly after Palmetto Bay’s incorporation, this public park underwent an expansion from five acres to 25 acres. Centered around a two-story concession building and an observation deck, it stands as a cherished public asset for the village.
The park offers numerous amenities, including six softball fields, a skate park, an accessible playground, open green spaces, and basketball/pickleball courts.
During my visit, the village had just finalized improvements at Palmetto Bay Park, focusing particularly on the excellent playground. Enhancements included new equipment, fencing, benches, and modifications to the shade structure.
12. Bill Sadowski Park
This modest canal-side park, located near Deering Estate, offers several appealing features. Within its 30 acres, visitors can discover three distinct native habitats.
Along a half-mile trail, one can explore tropical hardwood hammocks, pinelands, and a drained Everglades slough. What intrigues me most are the geological aspects found within Bill Sadowski Park.
The park boasts fascinating karst formations and solution holes, providing a glimpse into a limestone landscape that has mostly remained obscured in the region.
On the northern side, the canal offers an excellent spot for launching canoes or kayaks. Furthermore, the park functions as an observatory site for the Southern Cross Astronomical Society, which holds regular free stargazing events.
13. South Dade Trail
A notable feature of the South Miami-Dade area is the accessibility of bicycle routes leading to various destinations. One can ride directly from Palmetto Bay to downtown Miami.
This journey can be made partially via the South Dade Trail, which primarily runs alongside US-1, established along the former corridor of the Florida East Coast Railway dating back to the early 20th century.
The trail stretches from Florida City in the south to Dadeland Mall, where access to the M-Trail leads directly into the heart of Miami.
Parking presents no difficulties, as Metrobus stations line the entire route. No permit is required to utilize these buses, which come equipped with bicycle racks.
14. Ludovici Park
Situated along the Old Cutler Trail, this quaint park is located adjacent to the Palmetto Bay Branch Library. Ludovici Park is easily overlooked, yet offers a delightful retreat on sunny days, excluding the summer months.
To the east, the park is bordered by a protected stand of mangroves along Biscayne Bay. It features a spacious lawn framed by tall palms and meticulously maintained gardens along paved pathways. Visitors will find multiple benches in shaded areas, perfect for resting or enjoying a book.
The park’s gazebo serves as a venue for regular outdoor musical performances and various public events.
15. Palmetto Golf Course
Source: Palmetto Golf Course / FacebookJust beyond US-1 lies a well-maintained municipal golf course that was acquired by Miami-Dade County in 1967. The same canal system that flows through Palmetto Bay traverses this 18-hole par 70 course.
A mosaic of small lakes adds to the visual appeal of the Palmetto Golf Course, presenting both beauty and numerous hazards. True to its name, the fairways are adorned with neatly arranged rows of palmettos.
For practice enthusiasts, the facility includes a driving range with 22 tees, as well as a lighted putting green.
Families will appreciate the charming mini-golf course here, featuring 18 holes amid lagoons, a cave, waterfalls, and lush tropical landscaping.
