Pinecrest Gardens in Miami

Pinecrest Gardens in Miami is a hidden gem!

Pinecrest Gardens in Miami is a beautiful quiet park located just off historic Old Cutler Road and Red Road in south Miami Dade County, Florida. It’s a botanical garden with many elements that appeal to all ages, currently charging just $5 for seniors and an $8 general entrance fee.

*At the time of this blog being published, ACTIVE MILITARY AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS GET IN FREE with ID! Thank you Pinecrest Gardens for showing your appreciation for our nation’s finest, currently serving.

There are koi ponds and waterfalls, an amphitheater with lots of seasonal shows and events, botanical gardens, petting zoo and water playground for kids and so much more.

This park used to be home of the historic Parrot Jungle, home to free roaming parrots and birds of all kinds. That park moved further north in Miami.

Do you remember visiting the iconic Parrot Jungle as a kid? Here’s a great map of the original park that you can buy on curtiswrightmaps.com Parrot Jungle… for a little nostalgia!

The City of Pinecrest now runs this park and has kept it’s original beauty, added many community events and family-oriented activities.

The botanical garden is about 14 acres with some beautiful natural coral rock basins and sloughs and habitats. Here are some things you’ll enjoy:

Cypress slough
Turtle island
Iconic Banyan tree
Picnic Area
Natural koi ponds
Kid’s Splash n Play
Petting Zoo
Concessions and cafe
Outdoor performing arts theater

Many of these garden elements are original to Parrot Jungle. Here’s a link to the Pinecrest Gardens map here.

There’s always something going on at Pinecrest Gardens. This day when visiting, we found a mangrove reclamation project in progress.

There are lots of community classes happening throughout the week as well, and plenty of holiday themed events to attend. Check out the Pinecrest Gardens Calendar of Events here.

Tips: The park has lots of shady windy pathways throughout the gardens with multiple types of ecosystems and habitats. It’s a wonderful long walk around the gardens. The pathways are wheelchair friendly.

Parts of the gardens are in direct sun, so generally it’s good to assume the best time to visit is in the morning. Check hours of operation. Bring a water bottle.

For more information on community events held here, and days and hours of operation: Pinecrest Gardens official website here.