A trip to Hialeah can combine nature, outdoor activities, art and history. Amelia Earhart Park brings together lakes and outdoor activities; the Garden of the Arts combines native plants with works of art. Hialeah Park Racetrack and Cuban Culture in Exile Heritage Park offer their own historical perspectives. To plan your stay, it helps to first consider whether you want to focus on active pursuits, outdoor art or history.
Lakes and Sports at Amelia Earhart Park
Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah covers 515 acres and has five lakes. Its wooded mountain bike trails are 5.5 miles long and suitable for beginners, intermediate riders and experienced riders. They can be used free of charge year-round from sunrise to sunset. This makes the biking trails a specific outdoor option, whether you are just getting started with mountain biking or already have experience.
The park’s water sports include cable wakeboarding, wakeboarding behind the award-winning Super Air Nautique G23 wake sport boat, wakesurfing, water skiing, kneeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. Biking and water sports offer different ways to spend active time outdoors. Hialeah Park is a separate destination: it is officially designated by the Audubon Society as a sanctuary for the American Flamingo.
Art, Plants and Cuban Remembrance
The Garden of the Arts combines South Florida’s native plant life with works by local artists displayed throughout the park. A walking path passes a variety of these artworks and offers a peaceful setting. A small amphitheater is suitable for smaller events such as weddings. The walking path, art and amphitheater give the park several distinct features, without implying any particular event-planning arrangements.
Cuban Culture in Exile Heritage Park is also locally known as Monument Park. The enclosed open-air museum features dedication plaques and monuments honoring Cuban exiles who sought and found freedom in the United States. The site offers its own perspective on the memory of Cuban exile. Those interested in this part of history will find a different subject here than at parks focused on trails, plants and sports.
Historic Sites and Traditions
Hialeah Park Racetrack is one of the oldest surviving recreational facilities in South Florida. On March 2, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. On January 12, 1988, the property was deemed by the Secretary of the Interior eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark. These dates refer to different historical milestones: its listing on the Register and the later determination of its eligibility for Landmark designation.
The annual Jose Marti Parade is also one of the city’s recurring traditions. It takes place at the Walker Community Center, honors the late Jose Marti and recognizes his influence on the Cuban community. Together with Cuban Culture in Exile Heritage Park, it offers another way to explore themes of Cuban history and community in Hialeah.
The attractions also differ in the kinds of activities they offer: Amelia Earhart Park focuses on biking and water sports, while at the Garden of the Arts, a walking path and art lead through a peaceful setting. The historic sites, by contrast, focus on monuments, memorial plaques and historical recognition. These differences can help you choose the focus of your stay in Hialeah based on your interests.
Be sure to check the status of Bucky Dent Water Park: according to the city, it was temporarily closed until further notice as of September 5, 2026. Check its current status before planning a visit.
Discover more destinations: Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Golden Beach, Cutler Bay, Country Walk, Miami, Aventura, Glenvar Heights
For the broader travel overview: Miami-Dade.
