Our hotel is near Miami's park district, and both Flamingo Park and Lummus Park are easily within walking distance. South Beach parks offer a soothing rest from the thumping beats of nightlife and usually cost next-to-nothing to experience. Check out our list of Miami beaches and parks and get ready to see the wilder side of Florida.

Everglades National Park – Head out and see the alligators!  Everglades is known as the Sea of Grass, and you can take an airboat on a guided tour across the marshes to get up close and personal with the 'Gators!  Everglades is located along Hwy 41 11 miles West of Florida Turnpike.  A boat tour tends to take about 40 minutes and costs roughly $18.  You might even be allowed to hold a baby alligator!

Key West – You can easily organize to be on a day or overnight trip down this way.  This is a beautiful region.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden – as seen above, this garden, including a Japanese Garden based on perfect balance and harmony, is peaceful and beautiful, and the admission is free.

Haulover Beach – ok, this may not necessarily be what you mean by nature... But Haulover beach is Miami's most famous nudist beach!  You don't get much more natural than that.

Oleta River State Park – such a beautiful area of pristine mangrove forest, with a butterfly garden, a fishing area and bird watching, definitely a great place to go to escape from the city.

Key Largo Underwater State Park is about an hour's drive from South beach, and you can see the stunning living coral reef.

Big Cypress Natural Preserve – Home to bears, the Florida panther and white-tailed deer.