A rare nature preserve situated right on the edge of Brickell’s financial district, Simpson Park is a compact tropical hardwood hammock providing a much welcomed respite from the city beyond. The park protects an old-growth forest with a dense tangle of native and exotic trees. Spend an hour or two meandering along the pathways or simply relaxing on a park bench beneath the cool, shady canopy of live oaks, strangler figs, Jamaica dogwoods, silver palms and gumbo limbo trees.

Named for botanist and conservationist Charles Torrey Simpson, who first traveled to Miami in 1881 to study the local flora and fauna, Simpson Park was established in 1913 by a group of local preservationists. With more than 160 plant species on view, including rare threatened and endangered plants, it’s a wonderful park to explore on a sunny Miami afternoon.

Park Activities and Amenities

With its location in Brickell and manageable size, Simpson Park is the perfect outdoor activity to cap off an afternoon spent shopping at nearby Brickell City Centre or dining at a patio restaurant in Mary Brickell Village. If you’re a business traveler staying in the area, take a break from your workday and visit the park for some peace and fresh air. You could even grab a picnic lunch at nearby Perricone’s, a longstanding neighborhood classic for gourmet Italian sandwiches and other specialties, and enjoy an al fresco meal at one of the park’s picnic tables beneath the shade. Set on South Miami Avenue just a few blocks from Biscayne Bay, one of Miami’s most picturesque residential neighborhoods is a short walk south of the park. Lined with colorful Mediterranean revival houses and towering palm trees, the area is perfect for a peaceful sunset stroll.