Things To Do In Miami Gardens

Located about 15 miles northwest of Downtown Miami, Miami Gardens is known for its Caribbean influences, standout dining and best-in-class sports and entertainment events. It's also home to Florida Memorial University, Miami’s only historically Black college or university.

Whether you're cheering on your favorite team, discovering local flavors or spending time outdoors, Miami Gardens offers plenty of ways to experience a different side of Miami. These are the best things to do, see and eat in Miami Gardens.

Hard Rock Stadium

Miami Gardens is the location of Hard Rock Stadium, home to the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes football teams. This sports and entertainment hub also hosts numerous big-ticket events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Miami Open, Jazz in the Gardens and the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, to name a few. The world’s biggest musical acts also perform here if they’re making a tour stop in Miami. Everyone from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to Bad Bunny and Post Malone has made appearances in recent years.

Topgolf Miami Gardens

Great for groups or date nights, the sprawling Topgolf entertainment complex in Miami Gardens is fun for all ages and experience levels. Play from climate-controlled bays, score points with microchipped golf balls on illuminated targets, and relax with lounge seating, dedicated service and a full menu. On Tuesdays, enjoy half-off per bay all day.

Eat Your Way Through Miami Gardens

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant is Miami’s only Ethiopian restaurant, which is all the more reason to go. The menu spans meat, seafood and vegan dishes served as rich stews and platters, best scooped up with injera, the spongy fermented flatbread that comes with everything.

Start with the crispy sambusas filled with ground beef or lentils, or go straight for the Awash Platter to sample the full spread. If time permits, be sure to order the coffee ceremony – this authentic experience includes potent Ethiopian coffee served with an incense burner.

LC Roti Shop

Trinidadian-style roti wraps star at LC Roti Shop, a strip-mall eatery that’s been around for nearly half a century. The wraps are stuffed in front of you with your pick of curried goat, chicken, shrimp, potatoes or conch. Other quintessential Trinidadian street eats, like buss up shut and doubles, are also available for takeout. 

NOTE: Don’t forget to bring cash, as credit cards aren’t accepted.

Sunday’s Eatery

The good news about Sunday’s Eatery is that it’s open every day except Tuesday. Rapper Trick Daddy started this quaint soul-food restaurant, known for drawing crowds before games and events at Hard Rock Stadium. If it’s your first time, order the fried pork chop and collard greens – and definitely add the large blue lemonade that tastes like zesty citrus.

Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill

Since 2006, Matari Bodie and his mother, Lorna Westmoreland, have brought Caribbean warmth and hospitality to Miami Gardens at Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill. Fresh seafood anchors the menu – think coconut shrimp with spicy orange dipping sauce and Bahamian conch balls served with island dipping sauce. There’s also a Caribbean rum cake, rich with butter syrup and worth every indulgent bite.

Di Angelo Pizza

Di Angelo Pizza is the move for a quick bite on game day. No-fuss thin-crust pies come in classics like plain cheese or the Di Angelo Special with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, onions and green peppers. Don’t forget an order of the garlic cheese rolls. Pastas, calzones and salads round out the menu for dine-in or to-go.

New World African & Caribbean Market

No other market in Miami stocks authentic African and Caribbean groceries quite like New World African & Caribbean Market. Whether you’re recreating a dish from home or exploring new ingredients, the shelves are lined with African yams, Ofada rice, Zobo beverages, honey beans, snacks, plus natural soaps, Nigerian shea butter and other specialties.

Calder Casino

Calder Casino is the ultimate spot for dinner and fun. Test your luck on more than 1,100 slots, from fan favorites like Dragon Link and Lightning Link to newer, Vegas-style machines with jackpots worth sticking around for. The Card Room deals out Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em and Three Card Poker, while electronic table games like roulette and blackjack keep things moving on the main floor.

At the heart of the casino is the Center Bar for cocktails, big screens and the bar’s legendary chicken wings. The Kitchen is a formal sit-down restaurant that whips up everything from shrimp Alfredo to beef tenderloin.

Walt Frazier Park at Carol City

Walt Frazier Park at Carol City is a lush green space, perfect for you and your little ones. Kids can burn off energy on the playground or join a pickup game on the basketball court, baseball diamond or football field, while adults enjoy a leisurely walk along the path or a shaded picnic pavilion.

The park also honors Miami Gardens legend Walt Frazier, an educator and football coach who guided Miami Carol City Senior High School to three state championships over his 30-year career in the community.