Guide to Miami Lakes
The Top Guide to Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes History, food, things to do, schools, community, and real estate.
Close your eyes and imagine what your ideal community looks like. Plenty of parks and greenspace? How about good public schools and award-winning community programs for the kids? Surely you'd also want somewhere with great restaurants and a lot of things to do. Maybe, near a city too? The community you’re imagining might seem like a pipe dream, but I can assure you it exists. Only 22 miles northeast of Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, lies the town of Miami Lakes, Florida’s best-kept secret.
Miami Lakes has everything you could want in a community. It’s a suburban oasis only 16 miles north of Downtown Miami and 10 miles from the Miami International Airport, you get the convenience of living near Miami without the traffic and noise.
Today, Miami Lakes is home to just over 30,000 residents and 1,700 businesses. It’s a relatively young town with around 52% of the population under 40 years of age. It’s the perfect place to raise your family. In fact in 2012, Miami Lakes was rated 100 of the Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise for its community programs that help to provide a safe and healthy environment for Miami Lakes’s youth. From 2008-2017, Miami Lakes was also recognized by Playful City USA for its playgrounds, parks, and youth programs designed to promote fitness and healthy eating habits.
And if that’s not enough, Miami Lakes has also been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation since 2007. Miami Lakes is renowned for its beautiful tree canopy which covers about 30% of the town. With over 17,000 trees, it’s easy to find a nice shaded place in Miami Lakes where you can walk.
If you’re also looking for things to do on the weekend, Miami Lakes has you covered. Take a stroll through one of Miami Lakes’s picturesque parks. Tee up for a round of golf at Shula’s golf course. Check out the farmer’s market on Saturdays, or stroll down Main Street for the town’s best shopping and food. You can also catch a play at the Main Street Playhouse, or check out the city’s website for upcoming cultural events. If nothing else, Miami Lakes is only a short drive from some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches and national parks.
Another great thing about Miami Lakes, it has also been recognized as an All American City Finalist in 2010, 2013, and most recently in 2020 for its inclusiveness, civic engagement, and innovation in overcoming community challenges. Overall, Miami Lakes is a haven for families or anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live. To find the best Miami Lakes realtors, contact the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty.
Miami Lakes History
How the Grahams transformed a dairy farm into a community
Miami Lakes was officially incorporated in 2000, but its start was a process 50 years in the making. The idea of Miami Lakes was first conceived in the 1960s when the Graham family began developing their dairy farm. From there, the Graham family contacted Lester Collins, former Dean of the Harvard School of Architecture to help plan what would become Miami Lakes. Together, Collins and the Grahams hatched an idea for a city that was different from its other counterparts in Miami-Dade county. Eventually, they would lay the foundations for a master plan that allowed Miami Lakes to grow and change in the coming decades while maintaining a relaxed, hometown atmosphere only minutes from the metropolis of Miami. It would be a suburban oasis that allowed residents the convenience of city living while feeling like they were a part of a community.
When first planning Miami Lakes, Collins struggled to find a vision that allowed for growth but strayed from the cookie-cutter post-WWII vision of suburbia: rows and rows of houses lined in grids. Inspiration finally struck. In an article with the Miami Herald, Collins exclaimed, ‘This was South Florida, and I needed to come up with something fluid and easy. No streets in grids or that sort of thing. Then, late one night, I saw it: a conch shell.’
Today, Main Street runs right through the center of Collin’s conch shell, forming the town’s center. And from the center, streets spiral out to the edges of the town, mimicking the curvature of a shell. Streets flow past neighborhoods, schools, business, and lakes, linking everything together in a fluid design. Thanks to Collin’s plan, a drive through Miami Lakes feels like a scenic stroll instead of a stressful jaunt through narrow, gridded streets. To experience what living in Miami Lakes might feel like, contact the best Miami Lakes realtors, the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty.
Top 6 Restaurants in Miami Lakes
When you think of fine dining in Miami, South Beach, Wynwood, and Brickell are probably what come to mind, and while Miami Lakes may not be widely recognized for its cuisine, it can definitely hold its own. Whether you want Indian, Spanish, Mexican, Italian, Thai, fine dining, or bar food, Miami Lakes has you covered. Check out the 5 best restaurants in Miami Lakes.
Dr. Limon in Miami Lakes
7341 Miami Lakes Drive Miami Lakes, Fla. - (305)-228-9199
Between the 14 different ceviches, the marajitos, and the modern atmosphere, Dr.Limon is the best place to relax and treat yourself after a long week. Dr. Limon specializes in traditional Peruvian cuisine, yet it adds a special Miami touch that makes the one hour wait worth it. Be sure to secure your reservation early because Dr. Limon is the place to be on Friday night in Miami Lakes.
Chela’s Mexican Beer Garden
15301 NW 67th Ave. Miami Lakes, Fla. - (786)-558-9393
Check out one of Miami Lakes’s newest pop-ups before it leaves! Chela’s Mexican Beer Garden is the brainchild of Mauricio Lacayo—one of the people responsible for building E11even and Living Room, Miami’s most notable clubs— and Julio Cabrera, the mastermind between little Havana’s Cafè La Trova. Chela’s is everything you could want and more in a classic beer garden. It has music, Mexican food, local beer, and games. Plus, it’s dog-friendly. So be sure to drop by one of Miami Lakes’s most instagrammable spots for some authentic tacos and a round of cornhole. For more information, check out the Miami Herald’s write-up on Chela’s.
Shula’s Steak 2
6842 Main St. Miami Lakes, Fla - (305)-820-8047
With a panoramic view and award-winning steaks and burgers, Shula’s is the best place in Miami Lakes to watch the game and enjoy a cold beer. Shula’s Steak 2 is one of the more casual restaurants a part of Coach Shula’s original franchise. So stop by and honor Coach Shula’s legacy as the winningest coach in NFL history with $3, $4, and $7 drink and bar bite specials Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m.
Thai Cafe
6845 Main St. Miami Lakes, Fla. - (305)-825-7752
This list would not be complete without mentioning Thai Cafe, the Miami Lakes go-to for authentic Thai and sushi. Thai Cafe has served the Miami Lakes area since 1986, and it’s easy to see why. Just one look at their artfully arranged sushi will have you wishing that you snapped a picture before gobbling it down. Visit this perfect hole in the wall hidden in the middle of Main Street to have the best Thai Donuts of your life.
Trattoria Pampered Chef
7347 Miami Lakes Drive Miami Lakes, Fla. - (305)-825-8919
Trattoria Pampered Chef is the perfect place for your next date night. Featuring authentic Italian cuisine, Trattoria Pampered Chef is sure to impress you and your date with their Cannelloni di Spinaci, Tiramisu, and stellar wine selection. Drop by and experience the ambience and feel of an authentic osteria without buying a plane ticket.
100 Montaditos
6801 Main St. Miami Lakes, Fla. - (786)-409-5516
True to its name 100 Montaditos’s menu really does feature 100 montaditos. For you English speakers out there, a montadito is Spain’s version of a little sandwich. 100 Montaditio’s montadito’s (try saying that five times fast) range from $2 original montaditos on cereal bread to $8 mighty montaditos on rustic bread. But that’s not it, you can also order authentic Spanish tapas and a $9 pitcher of Sangria. I know where I’m going next week.
Top 5 Things to Do In Miami Lakes
Miami Lakes may seem like a sleepy suburban town, but there are plenty of things to do! Whether you love being out in nature or shopping all day long, you can find something for you in Miami Lakes. Check out the top 5 things to do in Miami Lakes.
Take a walk through a park
Miami Lakes has one of the most extensive park systems in Miami-Dade County. At its various parks Miami Lakes also hosts many recreation programs for all ages. Enroll your kids in a jazz class, join in on Saturday morning yoga, or take a stroll down one of the tree-canopied walking trails. One of Miami Lakes locals’ favorite parks is Miami Lakes Optimist Park which has multiple athletic fields and a place to fish! Find out more about Miami Lakes’s parks and recreation programs.
Visit Main Street
If you’re more the shopping type, then visit Miami Lakes’s social hub, Main Street. Main Street is made up of a number of boutiques and restaurants. You can shop all day, grab a bite to eat, and then catch a movie at CMX Cinemas Miami Lakes 17. Main Street also hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year. Visit Main Street’s website to find out more.
Play a round of golf at the Senator Course
7601 Miami Lakes Drive Miami Lakes, Fla.
Stop by the Senator’s Course at Shula’s Golf Club between 6:30 a.m and 5 p.m. for a few rounds under the South Florida sun. The Senator’s Course is known as one of Miami’s best championship golf courses. It spans over 500 acres and has significant tree cover throughout much of the course. So, make your way over to Shula’s Golf Club to experience what golf should be like. To book your tee time, call (305)-820-8088, or reserve your spot online.
Check out one of the cycling trails
One of the best things about Miami Lakes is how close to nature it is. Please take advantage of Miami Lakes’s unique geography and ride one of their many cycling trails. Local groups frequently meet up and ride together, so it’s a great way to feel a part of the community while staying fit. Check out this trail map of Miami Lakes!
Miami Airsoft
7810 NW 98th St. Miami Lakes, Fla.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, then head over to Miami Airsoft, South Florida’s Premier Indoor Airsoft Arena and Training Center. It’s open seven days a week rain or shine, and the facility offers classes for all airsoft levels: beginner to advanced. Please find out more about their upcoming events and classes on their website.
Other things to do in Miami Lakes
One of the great things about Miami Lakes 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 Miami-Dade County, check out these other city profiles.
Miami Lakes Education
Find the best schools in Miami Lakes
Deciding where you want your kids to go to school can be difficult especially in the middle of a pandemic. That’s why we’ve done the grunt work for you. In Miami Lakes, there are 19 private schools and 6 public district schools. The public schools in Miami Lakes are a part of the Miami-Dade County public school system, the fourth largest school district in the United States. Overall, Miami-Dade holds a good reputation for having solid public schools committed to providing a holistic learning experience for all students.
Miami-Dade County Public School system’s recent COVID-19 protocols have been effective in minimizing the spread while continuing education in these special circumstances. From Aug. 31- Oct. 2, students have participated in remote learning only, but in-person schooling started Oct. 5 and will continue as long as there is no significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the school and the surrounding community. Miami-Dade County public schools are currently in stage 2, which blends remote learning with in-person instruction. For students that do not have access to a device with Internet access, the Miami-Dade County public school system will provide one. However, supplies are limited. For more information about how the Miami-Dade County public school system is handling COVID-19, visit their website.
The public district middle and elementary schools that serve Miami Lakes are Miami Lakes Middle School, a legal magnet school (6-8), Miami Lakes K-8 Center, and Bob Graham Education Center (PK-8). Bob Graham is ranked the best middle school in Miami Lakes by greatschool.org. Bob Graham students on average, perform well above the state average in test scores for English and math. And they outperform their Miami Lakes counterparts in math scores. However, Miami Lakes Middle School and Miami Lakes K-8 Center are not without their accolades. One Miami Lakes Middle School parent wrote, “My son just started at this school, and I'm impressed...The staff is friendly. The teachers are caring and one can tell the morale is high... My son is flourishing and getting a well-rounded education at MLM.” And 97% of teachers at Miami Lakes K-8 Center have more than three years of teaching experience, 10 percentage points above the state average.
Out of the Miami-Dade county public schools that serve Miami Lakes, there are three high schools: Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, Miami Lakes Educational Center, and Barabra Goldman Senior High School. Miami Lakes Educational Center is ranked the highest by greatschools.org. It has received the College Success Award in both 2018 and 2019 for its success in preparing students for college and later careers. There are a variety of clubs and sports for students to become involved in, and the school provides the majority of existing AP courses. Students can also apply for the school’s magnet program. Barbara Goldman Senior High School is also highly ranked by greatschool.org. One parent from Barbara Goldman Senior High School stated, “‘This school is an "A-rated'' school and is now ALL magnet. It is not a feeder school anymore. Your child must apply and be accepted. It has a safe learning environment in a safe neighborhood. Nice student body and great teachers. I have no complaints.’” For more information about any of the high schools listed, you can visit this website.
It’s also worth noting that Spanish Lakes Elementary School teacher, Teresa Murphy was just named Miami-Dade County Public Schools' 2022 Francisco R. Walker teacher of the year. Spanish Lakes Elementary School is located in Hialeah, Fla., but it also serves close-by Miami Lakes residents. Murphy was recognized for outstanding performance for keeping students engaged over Zoom while battling breast cancer in the midst of a pandemic. To read more about Murphy, check out this article from the Miami Herald.
For additional information about test scores and to hear parent testimonials about any school in Miami Lakes, check out greatschool.org or niche.com. Both sites also address private schools in Miami Lakes, many of which are specially for elementary students. Note that all quotes listed above come from parent reviews at greatschool.org.
Get Involved in Miami Lakes
Learn more about the Miami Lakes community
Miami Lakes is a town that’s been nationally recognized for its civic engagement. So if you’re looking to become an active part of the community, learn more about Miami Lakes municipal government and find what you can do to participate.
Miami Lakes has one mayor and six elected city council members. The city is largely operated by the city manager who is appointed by the mayor and the city council. The mayor and other council members are elected to four-year terms in concordance with the presidential election. No council member or mayor can hold more than two consecutive terms. However, the mayor or council member may take a break from office and return to hold two more terms.
The current Miami Lakes mayor Manny Cid has lived in Miami Lakes for 27 years and has ample experience in serving Miami Lakes residents. Prior to running for mayor, Cid was a Miami Lakes council member and senior legislative aide to two state representatives. One of his notable contributions to Miami Lakes residents as senior legislative aid includes helping secure funds for the Town of Miami Lakes Bull Run Roadway and Drainage Improvement project. As mayor and council member, he has also pushed for increasing the tree canopy in Miami Lakes, reformed how developments can lessen traffic impact, and supported the change in Miami-Dade County’s half-cent sales tax ordinance, saving Miami Lakes taxpayers $75,000 a year.
Mayor Cid currently holds office hours for residents on the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can also email him at cidm@miamilakes-fl.gov. You can get in touch with council members through their contact information on the city’s website. Council meetings are live on Zoom due to COVID-19. However, you can tune in. Go to the city’s website to view the meeting schedule and get the Zoom link.
Miami Lakes Real Estate
Find the best Miami Lakes Realtor near you
If you’re interested in making Miami Lakes 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 Miami Lakes realtors, but they can provide the inside scoop on everything Miami Lakes. For more information about Miami Lakes or houses for sale in Miami Lakes, call (305)-680-3268 or check out their Facebook.
