Miami’s best parks for a barbecue

Everyone knows that the grills at Crandon Park are as ample as the parking, making this a perfect place for gatherings with an endless guest list. While Tío Pépe fires up, you can duck under shelters or take a dip on the beach only steps away from what’s cooking. And if the hot dogs get a little too crisp, you could always call up El Chiringuito, Key Biscayne’s very own Paella spot, with beachside delivery on demand.

Bill Baggs is so Florida, it’s nothing like Miami. Home to El Farito, as locals lovingly call the iconic 176-year-old lighthouse, this Florida State Park boasts history, trails to hike and bike on, swimming, fishing, camping via boat and four picnic areas equipped with shelters, tables and grills. Cast a line into Biscayne Bay for a fresh saltwater catch, then clean and cook it on the barbie. Just be sure to read up on the latest state laws for fishing licenses. And, if the snapper burns to ashes, there are two delicious waterside restaurants to save the day.

Want a green space that’s equidistant for everyone? Head to Tropical Park! This is classic Miami, and every local can tell you they’ve been here for a kid’s birthday party or a softball game at least once in their life. There are pavilions and grilling areas sprinkled throughout (be sure to reserve), however, if you want an indoor reprieve, the Mary Abreu Community Center has an outdoor grilling area. Tropical Park also boasts an equestrian center; basketball, tennis and racquetball courts; nature trails and a no-leash bark park, because Fido needs to work up an appetite for all the scraps.

Grill amongst the mangroves at Miami’s largest urban park, where picnic tables and barbecue pits are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Work up an appetite by biking 13 miles of rideable trails or rent some paddles and make your way through wildlife-filled marshes. There are also fishing piers where you can reel in something fresh to grill up, or simply keep it classic with the all-American staples.

Let’s say you pay your Kobe beef-selling butcher a visit. You need a setting that’s just as savory, right? Dine amongst mossy oak trees at Matheson Hammock. Though it’s known mostly for its gorgeous atol, marina and the delicious Redfish Grill, this lush, mangrove-filled park on Old Cutler Road touts huts and barbecue pits. What we’re raving about, though, is the two-story coral rock pavilion with a lakeside view, which was built in 1930. It’s outfitted with two grills, a working sink, outlets and a stoic concrete table. People rent it for weddings, engagements, showers, family reunions and other celebrations, so look into it for the next get-together that could use a little more pizazz.

If Hialeah is the butt of all your Miami jokes then you haven’t visited Amelia Earheart. This here is home to the Miami Watersports Complex, which offers wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing and any other adventurous water activity that ends with -ing. But back to what we’re here for: a good old-fashioned B-B-Q! There are pits sprinkled throughout this entire 515-acre park, as well as pavilions that are popular for bridal showers, reunions, kids parties and more. While the cooks are in the kitchen, you could let the dogs run (or swim!) wild in the five-acre dog park, take the little ones to Tom Sawyer’s Play Island or the petting zoo, or simply lounge about and enjoy a peaceful day.

Sandwiched by the beach to the east, a skate park to the west and delicious mom-and-pop restaurants to the north and south, North Beach Oceanside Park is a great place to get your buns nice and toasty. And by buns, we mean burger buns – don’t get fresh now. You, yourself, won’t be getting too toasty as this is a highly canopied park with several pavilions outfitted with grills. Like Crandon, it’s the perfect place for a beachside cookout with family and friends, only made better because dogs are allowed and can run free at the dog park onsite.

Matheson Hammock isn’t the only park with an atol in which to take a leisurely swim. Homestead Bayfront Beach Park has grills and pavilions right on the sand, so you can enjoy barbecued beach bites until the sun sets. The vibe is festive here, with throngs of families sitting around picnic tables with music blasting and food and drinks laid out. So take the hike to South Dade (or dock your boat here) and enjoy a picnic with a view of Biscayne Bay.