Guide to Hialeah
Guide to Hialeah
Hialeah's history, food, things to do, schools, community, and real estate.
In 2009, Forbes magazine cited Hialeah as one of the most boring cities in the United States. Clearly, they’d never been to Hialeah.
Hialeah is one of the most vibrant communities in the state of Florida. It is the mecca for Cuban culture in the United States. Forget Calle Ocho. If you want a real Cuban sandwich and authentic picadillo like abuela used to make, the best place is Hialeah.
Located in Miami-Dade County, Hialeah is situated between two major airports, only four and a half miles from Miami International Airport and 29 miles from the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Hialeah is home to about 234,000 residents, and over 90% of them speak Spanish as a first language. With the largest Spanish-speaking population in the nation, Hialeah is the cornerstone of the Latin American community in the United States. And while most of Hialeah’s residents are Cuban-American, there is a sizable population of Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and other Hispanic groups.
The best part about living in Hialeah is the culture. There’s nowhere else like it in the United States. Driving through Hialeah, you’ll see countless Cuban cafeterias, fruit stands, and roosters. If you’re stopped in traffic, there’s a 90% chance that a man will walk by your car and try to sell you a bag of limes or a bushel of flowers. Most of the signs All of the signs are in Spanish. And while you don’t have to speak Spanish to live in Hialeah, it definitely helps.
To say the least, Hialeah is an interesting place that definitely has its quirks. But after you’ve visited Hialeah and met the people, you’re sure to fall in love. Hialeah is one of the most authentic places you’ll ever find. And it’s hard to believe that it’s only 12 miles away from the plastic surgery capital of the world, South Beach. Hialeah is so much more than fancy cars and Instagram influencers. It’s real. It’s the one place in Miami where you can find a community full of good people who have your back no matter what.
Aside from the culture and the people, living in Hialeah also comes with other perks. It’s easy to find an amazing restaurant, Cuban or not. There’s plenty of things to do. And the city has numerous parks and a number of public pools. Amelia Earhart Park is a local favorite for its wakeboarding park, recreational fields, and mountain bike course.
And if you’re still not sold on Hialeah, consider that there are a multitude of affordable homes in this great community. So if you’re ready to experience what living in Hialeah may feel like, contact the best Hialeah realtors, AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty.
Hialeah’s History:
Miami-Dade’s real Cuban neighborhood
Hialeah’s story began in 1921 when aviator Glenn Curtis and cattleman James H. Bright got the idea to build the Hialeah Park Race Track. Curtis and Bright only intended that Hialeah become a working-class town with a booming race track, but today, Hialeah is one of the largest cities in Florida and has the highest concentration of the United States’s Cuban population.
The Hialeah Park Race Track drove the development of Hialeah. It opened the same year that Hialeah became incorporated,1925. And with the Hialeah Park Race Track, Hialeah quickly became a hotspot for entertainment.
During the 1920s, people came from all over the country to Miami for warm winters and underground speakeasies. But Hialeah made the trip even more exciting with its gambling prospects. Even America’s elite—the Kennedys, J.P. Morgan, and Harry Truman— couldn’t resist making the trip to Hialeah to rub elbows, let off some steam, and bet at the race track.
However, Hialeah’s days of luxury and glamour were short-lived because, in 1926, the Great Miami Hurricane devastated much of the South Florida coastline. And Hialeah, along with the rest of Florida started the early decline into hard times that the rest of the nation would face with the Great Depression.
However, in the 1960s, Hialeah would become important again. Making a stark transition from its original days of affluence and extravagance, Hialeah became a safe haven for Cuban expatriates fleeing the Cuban revolution. And with the influx of Cubans, new life came to Hialeah. After years of stagnation, Hialeah finally began to grow again. It became a thriving, culturally rich working-class community that has made its mark on South Florida.
Since the Cuban Revolution, Hialeah has maintained its roots. Over 94% of Hialeah’s population is Hispanic, but it’s not just Cubans that live in Hialeah. No, Hialeah is a culturally rich city welcoming to all immigrants, paying homage to the idea of the American dream.
Top 5 Food Spots in Hialeah
Forget Calle Ocho or anywhere else in Miami. Hialeah is the place to come for the best Cuban food in the United States. But Hialeah doesn’t just specialize in Cuban cuisine. Living in Hialeah, you can experience fine dining and bar food along with Puerto Rican, Argentinian, American, Caribbean fare, and so much more. Check out the top 5 restaurants in Hialeah.
La Careta
5350 W 16th Ave. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-823-5200
You can’t go to Hialeah and not have Cuban food. And La Careta is the best Cuban restaurant in Hialeah... and possibly in all of South Florida. The first La Careta opened in 1976 on Little Havana’s famous Calle Ocho, and since, La Careta has expanded to nine restaurants throughout the Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Stop by and enjoy classic Cuban comfort food like crispy chicharrones, gooey imperial rice, and tender guava barbeque chicken.
El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara
2050 W 56th St. Suite 33 Hialeah, Fla. (305)-819-5590
Of course, Hialeah is the best place to go for all things Cuban, but what about Puerto Rican? El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara is the best place in Miami-Dade for authentic mofongo. However, El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara isn’t completely traditional. The restaurant blends Cuban and Puerto Rican cuisines, serving Cuban tamales and Alcappuria. But its greatest dish combines two of each culture’s specialties, Mofongo con Chicharrones. Classic plantain mofongo topped with crispy, fried pork rinds, the love child of the best Puerto Rican and Cuban food. Stop by El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara today and experience real Puerto Rican with a Hialeah twist.
Don Camaron Seafood and Grill Market
9491 NW 77th Court Hialeah Gardens, Fla. (786)-350-1414
A half fish market, half trendy restaurant, Don Camaron Seafood and Grill Market is the place to go if you want to cook at home or eat out. Don Camaron’s fish market offers fresh, daily selections of locally caught seafood. And it is one of the best places to get reasonably priced stone crabs. Don Camaron’s restaurant also features a great selection of locally caught seafood cooked the same day it's caught. Order the fish tacos, shrimp tostones, conch fritters, or the grilled fish of the day. Whatever you do, just be sure to try Hialeah’s best seafood, Don Camaron Seafood, and Grill Market.
Morro Castle
1201 W 44th Place Hialeah, Fla. (305)-556-4252
Legendary is probably the best word to describe Hialeah’s Morro Castle. Morro Castle is a longtime local favorite. Open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day except Tuesdays, Morro Castle is the best place for all your late night Cuban cravings. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast or a midnight snack, you won’t be disappointed with Morro Castle’s papa rellena, frita cubana, croquetas, vaca frita, or medianoche.
Graziano’s Restaurant Hialeah
5993 W 16th Ave. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-819-7461
Between the ambience, the marvelous Argentinian fare, and the stellar wine selection, Graziano’s is the best date night restaurant in Hialeah. Take your partner, family, friends, or just treat yourself to Graziano’s locally sourced steaks, generously seasoned and cooked over an woodfired grill, the Argentine way.
Honorable Mentions:
Chick-fil-A
1600 W 49th St. Hialeah, Fla. (786)-422-1500
Yes, you may have been to Chick-fil-A before and think you know what it’s all about. But since Chick-fil-A opened its doors December 3, it has been the hottest place to eat and hang out in Hialeah. It’s the first Chick-fil-A to open up in Hialeah, and it’s more than a big deal. At lunch, the line trails around the restaurant, and the drive-through line backs into the street. Maybe it’s the golden waffle fries? Maybe it's’ the crispy chicken fingers, or maybe it’s the Chick-fil-A sauce? Whatever it may be, read more about Hialeah’s Chick-fil-A in the Miami Herald.
Chico’s Restaurant
4070 W 12th St. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-556-8907
With so many amazing Cuban restaurants in Hialeah, it’s hard not to include them all on this list. However, it would be criminal to not mention Chico’s Restaurant. Chico’s is where your abuela goes when she doesn’t feel like cooking. It’s classic Cuban, simple and traditional. Serving Hialeah for over 40 years, Chico’s is a local favorite and one of the best places for a late night Media Noche.
Things to do in Hialeah
One thing is for sure. If you live in Hialeah, you’ll never be bored. Adventure sports. Gambling. Santeria. Need I say more? Check out the top 5 things to do in Hialeah.
Amelia Earhart Park
401 E 65th St. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-685-8389
Amelia Earhart Park is the best place to go in Miami-Dade County for adventure. You can spend the day at Miami Watersports Complex and learn how to wakeboard at their cable park or behind one of their state-of-the-art wake boats. You can explore one of the park’s mountain biking trails which range from beginner to advanced. Or you can play disc golf and fish in one of the park’s many lakes. There are also multiple playgrounds and recreational fields along with numerous biking and walking paths. So relax and bring the whole family. There’s even a dog park for the family pup to enjoy.
Hialeah Park Racing & Casino
100 E 32nd St. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-885-8000
Where else in South Florida can you see wild flamingos and gamble? Step back in time and experience Hialeah in all its glory at the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino. Look over the “World’s Most Beautiful Horse Race Course” while you try your luck at roulette or blackjack. And after you’ve hit the jackpot, grab a bite at one of the casino’s fantastic restaurants. Or if you’ve lost all your winnings, you can still walk around the beautifully landscaped 200 acre park and see the famous Florida flamingos. For upcoming promotions and events, check out Hialeah Park Racing & Casino’s website.
Leah Arts District
1501 E 10th Ave. Hialeah, Fla.
Looking for something more cultural? Head over to the Leah Arts District in Hialeah. The Leah Arts District is Hialeah’s own version of Wynwood. Come by to see the works of popular local artists. And as you walk through the area, admiring the mind-blowing wall murals, grab a beer and chat with the locals at Unbranded Brewing Company. To find out about upcoming events and new art installations, follow their Instagram.
Opa-Locka Hialeah Flea Market
12691 NW 42nd Ave. Opa-Locka, Fla.
It’s impossible to experience real Hialeah without going to the Opa-Locka Hialeah Flea Market— try saying that five times fast. It’s open 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., so you can come whenever and spend your entire day browsing from over 700 vendor stands. The vendors range from locally woven baskets to santeria ritual products. And yes, I mean the santeria where sacrificing chickens is involved. However, the entire flea market is not devoted to the eclectic. Stop by one of the food tents to experience authentic Cuban food, courtesy of abuela. And whatever your reason for coming to the Opa-Locka Hialeah Flea Market is, I can promise you won’t be disappointed.
Westland Mall
1675 W 49th St. Hialeah, Fla. (305)-823-9310
If you prefer shopping in places that don’t sell chicken bones, then don’t worry. Hialeah also has something for you. Visit Westland Mall for all of your normal shopping needs and wants. Westland Mall has a variety of your favorite shops: Macy’s, JCPenney, H&M, American Eagle, Foot Locker, and many more. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. So spend the day at Westland and get your weekly...or daily dose of retail therapy.
Other things to do in Hialeah:
One of the great things about Hialeah is that it’s close to a lot of great cities and parks. South Beach is only a short drive away, and the Everglades are practically in your backyard. To find out more information about other cities, towns, and things to do in Broward County and Miami-Dade County, check out these other city profiles.
Hialeah School Education
Find the best schools in Hialeah
Moving to a new place and finding a new school for your kid is intimidating. There’s a multitude of factors to consider, and carefully weighing the pros and cons of numerous schools can be overwhelming. But don’t worry. We did the research and found the best schools in Hialeah from the compiled ratings of greatschools.org, niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report.
The school network in Hialeah consists primarily of Miami-Dade County public district schools, a series of Miami-Dade County public charter schools, and a few private schools. However, the best schools in Hialeah are a part of the Miami-Dade County public school system. Still, all of Hialeah’s schools are rated highly according to greatschools.org. So you’re sure to find a great option for your child’s education no matter their age.
Elementary Schools in Hialeah
The top recommended elementary schools are Hialeah Gardens Elementary School, Highly Inquisitive and Versatile (HIVE) Preparatory School K-8, and Palm Springs North Elementary School, and Meadowlane Elementary School. Hialeah Gardens Elementary and HIVE Preparatory were rated a 10/10 by greatschools.org. And Palms Springs North Elementary School and Meadowlane Elementary School were both rated 9/10. All received an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report, so you really can't go wrong with any choice.
All the schools listed are a part of the Miami-Dade County public district school system. However, HIVE Preparatory is a part of Miami-Dade County’s public charter schools, so prospective students must fill out an application to attend.
HIVE Preparatory leads the pack in standardized testing, with all scores in math, English, and science well above the state average. Hialeah Gardens Elementary follows close behind in English and math, but its science standardized test scores are at the state average. Meanwhile, Palm Springs North Elementary and Meadowlane Elementary’s standardized test scores are above state average in every subject.
In terms of academic performance, all of these schools are great options. To decide which school may be the best fit for your child, visit each of the schools’ websites and go greatschools.org to read parent testimonials.
Middle Schools in Hialeah
Continuing to middle school, the top-recommended middle schools are Highly Inquisitive and Versatile (HIVE) Preparatory School K-8, Jose Marti MAST Academy 6-12, and Mater Gardens Academy Middle School. All received an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report. But once again HIVE Preparatory was rated 10/10.
However, note that the data compiled for HIVE Preparatory is a compilation of both the elementary and middle school standardized testing averages along the student to teacher ratio. So it may be worth doing a little more research to see if HIVE Preparatory is right for your child for both elementary and middle school.
Jose Marti MAST Academy was rated a 9/10, and Mater Gardens Academy Middle was rated a 8/10. Jose Marti MAST Academy exceeds the state standard in standardized testing in every subject by at least 19 percentage points, scoring a 90% proficiency in English, 93% in math, and 70% proficiency in science. And while Mater Gardens Academy Middle exceeds state standards in English with a 72% proficiency and in math with a 83% proficiency, it falls far below the state standard only achieving 16% proficiency.
In addition to great testing scores, Jose Marti MAST Academy was recognized in the top 100 best schools in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Consider that data was collected from around 24,000 schools, and you can see that Jose Marti MAST Academy has a clear commitment to academic excellence for all of its students, 6-12.
Jose Marti MAST Academy is also a recognized magnet school that emphasizes math and science. And because Jose Marti MAST Academy teaches grades 6-12 on the same campus, middle schoolers have a unique opportunity to take challenging, high school level courses.
One Jose Marti MAST Academy parent said, “Best school in area & one of top schools in Dade/FL. Specially focused on math & science, but robust offerings in electives, clubs, and even sports for grades 6-8.”
High Schools in Hialeah
Hialeah has a wide range of high schools rating from 1/10 to 10/10, so it’s important to be vigilant when deciding which Hialeah high school is best for your child. The top recommended high schools in Hialeah are Jose Marti MAST Academy 6-12, Mater Academy Lakes High School, and Imater Preparatory Academy High School. And when it comes to choosing a high school for your child, you can’t get any better than these three.
Even though greatschools.org does not rate all of these schools 10/10, they all receive an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report. And they’re all highly ranked in the U.S News and World Report for best high schools in the United States. Out of data from about 24,000 schools, Jose Marti MAST Academy ranks #94, Imater Preparatory Academy ranks #587, and Mater Academy Lakes High ranks #1,444.
Additionally, all of these schools have a minority enrollment of at least 95% with the majority of their students participating in AP and honor programs. Jose Marti MAST Academy and Mater Lakes High have also earned the College Success Award for their efforts in preparing students for college and later careers.
As you can see, all of these high schools would be a great option for your child’s education. However, Mater Lakes High and Imater Preparatory Academy do not have many parent testimonials or reviews on greatschools.org. So explore each schools’ website to find out which school would be the best fit.
For more information about each of these schools’ COVID-19 protocols, check out the Miami-Dade County public school website. Also, visit greatschool.org or niche.com for additional parent testimonials and to explore Pembroke Pines schools in more depth. And to see the criteria for Florida Department of Education ratings, go to their website. Note that all quotes listed above come from parent reviews at greatschool.org.
Get Involved in Hialeah
Learn more about the Hialeah community
Hialeah is a culturally diverse community with a rich history. From its early days as a small town on the edge of a large racetrack to its integral role as a safe haven for Cubans expatriates, Hialeah has transformed over the years to become an indispensable part of Miami. Hialeah is the mecca for Cuban culture in the United States. And more than just that, it’s a great community that truly cares about its members. So learn more and get involved with the Hialeah community.
Hialeah has a strong mayor form of municipal government which means that the mayor is not only the head of the city but also the city manager. The seven members on the city council vote on mandates and other forms of municipal legislation. And the mayor has no voting power within the council. However, the mayor may exercise veto power which can be overridden by a 5/7 vote from the council. Both the mayor and the council members serve four year terms. And elections are staggered, occurring every two years.
The current Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernandez has a long history of service in Hialeah. Prior to becoming mayor, Hernandez served the Hialeah community as a police officer for 22 years. In 2005, he started his career in public office when he was elected as a council member and then reelected in 2009. In 2011, Hernandez was appointed as acting mayor after the then-current mayor, Julio Robaina resigned from office. And since then, Hernandez was officially elected mayor in 2013 and then reelected most recently in 2017.
For more information about Hernandez or any of the other council members, check out the city’s website for their full biographies and contact information. To become more involved with the municipal government, attend a council meeting and see the council members in action. Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday every month at 7 p.m. at Hialeah City Hall. To see the complete schedule of council meetings, go to the city’s website.
If you want to get even more involved, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in Hialeah. Go to the Miami-Dade County’s website to see how you can help maintain various Hialeah parks. Volunteer with Engage 305 to foster a grandparent, help feed the homeless, or work with Habitat for Humanity. Also, check out the Community Improvement Organization, an organization that aims to improve living conditions for underprivileged members in the community. Or if you just want to get out and enjoy the community, check out Hialeah’s public Garden of the Arts and the Leah Art District. In whichever way you want to be involved in the Hialeah community, make sure you follow the city’s social media, so that you can stay updated on what is happening in the community.
Hialeah Real Estate
Find the best Hialeah Realtor near you
If you’re interested in making Hialeah your new home or want to know a little more about the area, don’t stress. We have you covered. Not only are the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty the best Hialeah realtors, but they can provide the inside scoop on everything Hialeah from cafecitos to pastelitos. For more information about Hialeah or houses for sale in Hialeah, call (305)-680-3268 or check out their Facebook.
