In 1965, jazz legend Cannonball Adderley recorded a live album at a community college on the edge of what is now Miami Gardens. It was raw, electric, and proud—just like the city that would grow around it. Today, Miami Gardens is one of Florida’s largest predominantly Black cities, and it pulses with music, food, sport, and a style that doesn’t need permission.
To outsiders, Miami Gardens is often reduced to a stadium. But those who know better? They come for the cultural flavor, the deep roots, and the real-deal ribs smoking behind church fundraisers.
Start your day at Rolling Oaks Park, one of the city’s hidden green jewels. Early mornings bring joggers, tai chi groups, and pickup basketball games under mossy shade trees. But stay a while and you’ll hear the buzz of conversations in Creole, Spanish, and Southern English—a reminder that Miami Gardens isn’t just one culture. It’s a crossroads.
From there, head to The Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, a massive campus with walking trails, a performing arts amphitheater, splash pad, and indoor track. It’s not just a park. It’s the soul of the city. On any given weekend, you might catch a gospel showcase, a reggae workout session, or a youth chess tournament—often simultaneously.
But let’s talk about the centerpiece: Hard Rock Stadium. Yes, it’s where the Miami Dolphins play. Yes, it’s hosted Super Bowls, College National Championships, and F1 races. But it’s also home to the Orange Blossom Classic, one of the most historic Black college football events in the country. The halftime show? Often more electric than the game.
And once a year, the stadium becomes a global stage for the Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival, where tens of thousands gather for two days of soul, hip hop, gospel, and jazz. Past headliners? Jill Scott. Erykah Badu. Charlie Wilson. LL Cool J. The fried fish sandwiches alone are worth the trip.
Hungry? You’re in luck.
Stop first at Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill—a neighborhood institution. Jerk chicken, curried goat, and honey cornbread all make appearances, and the oxtail is rumored to be the best in Dade County. Bonus: they serve breakfast all day, and the shrimp and grits deserve a fan club.
Next, try Sundays Eatery, the brainchild of rapper Trick Daddy and a local favorite for comfort food with swagger. The fried ribs are legendary, and the macaroni and cheese is baked, not scooped—a key distinction. Expect a wait. It’s worth it.
Looking for dessert? Head to Ice Cream Heaven for handmade scoops and sundaes named after local legends. “The Miami Meltdown” comes with guava syrup, pound cake, and a fire emoji warning.
Need to walk it off? Visit Bunche Park, named for the first African American Nobel Peace Prize winner. It’s a community staple with a pool, walking paths, and an aviation-themed playground that nods to the city’s proud ties to the Tuskegee Airmen. Miami Gardens doesn’t forget.
For indoor exploration, visit the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (a short drive away in nearby Fort Lauderdale). It hosts rotating exhibits, family story hours, and a collection of over 85,000 books and artifacts chronicling Black history in Florida and beyond.
Want to shop like a local? Check out the Carol Mart Indoor Flea Market, affectionately known as “The Flea.” It’s loud, labyrinthine, and filled with everything from vintage sneakers to soul CDs, Afrocentric fashion to hair products your grandma swore by. Go with cash and curiosity.
If you’re visiting with kids, don’t miss Topgolf Miami Gardens—a three-story entertainment zone that combines golf with arcade energy. The food’s better than you expect, and even non-golfers will get hooked on smacking balls into color-lit targets while music bumps overhead.
For a slower pace, head to Scott Park. It’s quieter, more residential, and home to impromptu domino games under shaded gazebos. Older locals might teach your kids a rule or two—or just give them a side-eye until they figure it out.
Where to stay? Miami Gardens doesn’t have beachfront resorts (it’s inland), but nearby Stadium Hotel offers family-friendly lodging with pool access, mini golf, and walking distance to Hard Rock Stadium. For a more upscale stay, book a room at The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock, just a 15-minute drive south. It’s glitzy, bold, and a spectacle in itself.
Need a local tip? Skip the highways and take NW 27th Avenue for a real slice of city life. You’ll pass strip malls with barbershops bumping rap battles, churches with open doors and open hearts, and car washes where the shine comes with side-eye approval from elders in folding chairs.
And if you’re lucky enough to be here on a Sunday afternoon, find a church parking lot with a smoker out front. That’s where the best barbecue hides—in the whispers of the neighborhood, not in the Yelp reviews.
For art lovers, check out the rotating murals and Afrocentric installations scattered across municipal buildings and community centers. One standout is the vibrant mural at the Miami Gardens Police Department, which depicts local leaders, historical figures, and themes of unity. Art isn’t an afterthought here—it’s part of the narrative.
Want a taste of history? Look into Norwood Elementary School, once a key site during school integration efforts in the 1960s. The school still serves the community—and locals haven’t forgotten the students who crossed invisible lines to make a better future.
In the evening, grab dinner to go and head to Rolling Oaks Park again. It’s quieter now. The sky goes pink. The breeze settles. And you might see a group of teens practicing step routines, or elders walking laps, or toddlers chasing bubbles across the lawn.
Miami Gardens isn’t flashy. It doesn’t try to be Miami Beach. What it is: proud, loud, rooted, and rising. It’s a city of family reunions and food trucks, football and faith, swagger and soul. It’s Florida, without filters.
Bring your appetite. Bring your dancing shoes. And bring respect—because this city, like its jazz soundtrack, knows exactly who it is.
