WALKING TOURS

This is a series of posts that will show you different hidden walking paths that most visitors, and even some residents, don’t know about. Some of them will take you through Points of Interest, Historic Places, but most certainly, they will take you through beautiful landscapes that will help you relax while exercising at your pace and leisure. These walking tours will also add great memories to share and remember.

So put on some comfy clothes and shoes and enjoy the walking!

Let’s Begin

Bayfront Park & Julia Tuttle Monument

This is a closed circuit that you can start at any point. For this post, we’ll start at Bayfront Park to see the Julia Tuttle Monument.

If you are driving I recommend that you park your car at any of the paid parking lots close to the Metromover so you can get to the Bayfront Park Station. Across from it, you will find Bayfront Park where the Julia Tuttle Monument is, the Mother of Miami.

This park is a great area covered with trees next to Biscayne Bay. The park connects with Bayside Marketplace, a unique shopping center with a lot of restaurants and entertainment that will be covered in another post.

After taking a few pictures with Julia and the bay, head toward the south, opposite to Bayside Marketplace, and you will find a meaningful monument.

This memorial, The Liberty Column, was erected to honor those who lost their lives in search of freedom crossing the stretch of ocean separating Cuba from Florida.

Across from this monument, depending on the season, you might see the luxurious Seafair Yacht docking. This mega yacht is a restaurant, art gallery and place that could be rented for any type of event or celebration, from weddings to anniversaries or corporate events. It’s also open to the public to visit for a cover charge.

Miami Riverwalk 

Continuing along the walkway right by Biscayne Bay, you will pass by the Intercontinental Hotel. When you get to the corner where you have to turn right to continue, in that precise place, you will be at eh mouth of the Miami River, with the river on your right and the bay on your left.

Along the Miami Riverwalk, you will find graceful palm trees and benches to rest and enjoy stunning views of Downtown and Brickell skyscrapers. Biscayne Blvd will mark the end of the riverwalk, but you will continue strolling on the sidewalk along Biscayne Blvd Way about two more blocks and will make a left at the end of the street to cross over the Brickell Avenue Bridge.

Brickell Avenue Bridge and Tequesta Tribe Monument

This is a draw bridge that will move upward to provide clearance for boat traffic. Right on the bridge, you will find the Tequesta Tribe Monument, a 53 ft (17 m) bronze statue created by Cuban sculptor Manuel Carbonell in 1995. 

The monument consists of a pillar of history with 158 figures that graphically narrates the lives of the Tequesta Indians topped with a warrior indian with his wife and child.

Miami Circle

Continue walking south to SE 5th Street and make a left as if you were entering the W Hotel, and another quick left and continue walking north along the wall by the bridge, heading back to the river.

Next to the river you will find the River Walk Trail which runs on the south edge of the Miami River. The trail will lead you to the Miami Circle.

Carry on with your walk along the walkway going south, now passing by the Icon Residences Building. The island you see across on your left is Brickell Key.

Brickell Park and First Presbyterian Church

After a few steps south you will encounter a path that will take you through Brickell Park, located right next to the First Presbyterian Church. This church was built in 1949 and designed by architect Lester Geisler in the Mediterranean Revivial style, popular in South Florida in the earlier century. 

Brickell Mausoleum

Located on the side next to the W Hotel , you’ll find the Brickell Mausoleum. Dating to 1924, it belonged to the Brickell Family who owned the lands south of the Miami River and also played a very important role in the history of Miami. They built it in what seems to be a burial place the Tequesta Indians used as a cemetery according to ascheological findings.

Both the church and the mausoleum are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The path ends at Brickell Avenue which you will cross at the corner of SE 5th Street, and continue walking west on SE 5th Street. Walk for about two blocks. At SE 1st Avenue, on your right-hand side, you will find the Metromover 5th Street Station.

Hop on the Metromover car going Downtown, not the one going Brickell Avenue. You will enjoy a wonderful bird’s view of the Miami River when crossing over to the next station, the Riverwalk Station.

Fort Dallas and Miami River Greenway

Get off the metromover and go all the way down to the street level and follow the signs to the Fort Dallas.

Fort Dallas was where Julia Tuttle resided when she moved with her husband and two children to Miami.

Take pictures and a stroll by the Miami River Greenway and have something to drink or eat at the restaurant inside the fort.

Back to the Start

When you are ready to go back to the point where we started, just hop on the Metromover again, and take the Downtown car, not the Brickell Avenue one. Ride for two more stops and get off at Bayfront Park Station. This will be the end of the tour.

CONCLUSION

I hope you do visit this area and let me know your feedback about the itinerary. Or any other comments, just use the space below to send them to me.

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Information about the Metromover

The Metromover is an automated transportation system completely free. It has 21 stations and 3 routes:

• Downtown / Inner Loop (all around Downtown only)
• Omni Loop (Downtown to Omni Area)
• Brickell Loop (Downtown to Brickell Area)

Each vehicle has a surveillance camera system, intercom with the control center, air conditioning and complementary Wi-Fi. All stations have surveillance cameras and intercom for emergencies, as well.

The main station is the Government Center Station which connects with the Metrorail System that links to the Miami International Airport.

Schedule 

The system runs every day from 5 AM to 12 Midnight and it’s subject to change due to special events.

Cars run every 90 seconds during peak hours and every 3 minutes the rest of the time.

Did you know Miami has Free Public Transportation? Read more about that here.

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