Kendall is a laidback and welcoming suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
You’ll find this census-designated place just ten miles southwest of the Downtown Miami area.
The suburban area was incorporated in 1996 and had a population of more than 80,000 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. census.
Kendall used to be surrounded by rock lands, fields, and groves but rapidly developed in the 1950s into the modern-day Pinecrest and Kendall CDP.
The suburban region is home to one of Miami’s premier shopping centers and a flourishing culinary location.
It also has excellent golf courses, indoor and outdoor recreation sites, family-friendly public parks, and fascinating museums nearby.
Enjoy the best things to do in Kendall, Florida!
Averette at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dadeland Mall, located on Kendall Drive, is Miami’s iconic shopping and dining mecca.
The shopping center has over a hundred retail stores across one million square feet.
The mall also houses Florida’s largest Macy’s and Macy’s Home Gallery & Kids outlet, along with other fashion brands like JCPenney and Saks Fifth Avenue.
You’ll also find chic world-class brands like BOSS Hugo Boss, Urban Outfitters, 7 For All Mankind, Rebag, and Stuart Weitzman, to name a few.
You’ll never run out of dining choices here.
Choose specialty restaurants like Aoki Teppanyaki and Texas de Brazil, Earls Kitchen + Bar offering al fresco dining overlooking the Dadeland area.
Likewise, enjoy sumptuous dishes from CVI.CHE 105 and Cantina Catrina.
Shop and dine with the family at Dadeland Mall.
Continental Park is one of the public parks in the Kendall suburb that you can enjoy on a sunny afternoon.
The park sits at 82 Avenue and offers plenty of sports facilities and amenities to get you to stay active.
You can play at the eight lighted tennis courts or get tennis lessons from the center.
Play baseball and basketball games or join summer and spring camps and various local activity programs.
For a more relaxing time at the park, you can stroll on the walkways or grab and enjoy lunch or snacks at the picnic shelter and pavilion.
Other amenities at Continental Park include playgrounds and a recreation center.
Ghee Indian Kitchen on 72nd Place will surely fix your craving for Indian fare.
This upscale Indian restaurant offers delectable specialty meals prepared by Chef Niven Patel with ingredients sourced from the family’s farm.
Try their snack servings of Yellowfin Tuna Bhel, made of puffed rice with avocado cilantro dressing and vegetables, also topped with Sev and fresh tuna marinated in Kashmiri Chili.
Have a plate of crispy cauliflower with roasted red pepper sauce, or the potato and coriander samosa served with roasted red pepper chutney.
Take a delightful bite of their curries on the menu, like the roasted calabaza curry, Kerala lamb curry, and vegetable kofta.
They also have bread selections like seed naan and garlic seed naan, delicious desserts like sticky date rice and masala chai, and wine and beer selections.
You can also purchase pickles and chutney flavors in a jar, like the cilantro chutney, tamarind chutney, and apple chutney.
Enjoy a lunch or dinner feast at Ghee Indian Kitchen.
Cao Chocolatesoffers you nothing less than premium chocolates that will keep you wanting more.
Venezuela-born Ricardo Trillos and Anelith Ortega started the business in 2009.
They brought their passion for chocolate to the U.S.
They make their products from locally sourced cacao beans from South American countries like Venezuela, Costa Rica, Brazil, Nicaragua, and many more.
The Miami New Times also recognized them as the Best Chocolatier of Miami in 2019 for their bean-to-bar concept.
Miami’s famous chocolatier not only shares his advocacy for chocolate through tasting workshops but also supports local businesses and donates to various local and nationwide organizations.
Indulge their variety of chocolate selections like truffles, bonbons, orangettes, gingerettes, and chocolate bar flavors.
You’ll find Cao Chocolates at 77th Avenue.
Test your pool skills and billiard wits at Sharp Shooters at 117th Avenue.
Housed at a shopping center, the pool hall welcomes you to a game once you step inside.
If you’re a pool enthusiast, you’ll enjoy playing at their Gold Crown tables and Simonis cloth features.
You can also join the happy hour specials and Thursday ladies’ nights with half the price for cocktails, 12-once drafts, pitchers, and bottles of beers and wines.
Sharp Shooters also offer cues, accessories, apparel, pool furniture, and table supplies for your billiard needs.
Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com
Bring out your love for arts and drop by thePatricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum.
The museum is housed at theFlorida International University on its Modesto Maidique Campusat 17th Street.
You can find this place in Miami, 13 minutes from Kendall.
This art museum presents various pieces and collections on Latin American and modern American art, Haitian paintings, and an expanding number of works from contemporary Latin artists.
photravel_ru / Shutterstock.com
The American Alliance of Museums accredited the museum in 1999 as part of the Smithsonian Affiliations program.
Check out over 6,000 objects, artworks, and masterpieces that explore Cuban and Haitian themes, plus unique artifacts from Africa and Asia, like the Japanese netsukes collection.
Visit the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum!
photravel_ru / Shutterstock.com
You’ll see South Florida’s military heritage highlights at theMiami Dade Military Museum.
The museum is at 152nd Street, on the World War II grounds of the Naval Air Station Richmond.
You can find it in Miami, Florida, ten minutes from Kendall.
You’ll see artifacts from South Florida’s veterans who served during various wars.
Tour the historic building and see the World War II Gallery that tells the tales of military activities and the active navy base at the height of the war.
Explore and learn about the story of Cuba and the Cold War and how Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood planned its operations at the building.
Revisit the Vietnam War to the days of Desert Storm, depicting the military heroes who served during these events.
You’ll have a great learning experience at Miami Dade Military Museum.
RuthAS, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You’ll learn about the famous veterans and aviators who paved the way for civilian and military aviation at Wings Over Miami Museum.
Pilot Kermit Weeks started the museum inside a hangar facility, housing his vintage aircraft collections for the public.
After its destruction in 1992 by Hurricane Andrew, the museum’s new board members Larry Ploucha, Walter Orth, Tom Righetti, and Vincent Tirado worked with Weeks to arrange and add to the collections.
Check out the F-14D Tomcat and other aircraft displays with tour guides and pilots assisting you.
Drop by the gift shop because you’re likely to find keepsakes.
The Wings Over Miami Museum is at 128th Street, Miami, ten minutes from Kendall.
As the only ice arena in the county, Kendall Ice Arenaoffers great family entertainment and an excellent training venue for ice sports.
This arena on Hammocks Boulevard features two NHL-sized ice rinks, a workout gym, a ballet room, and a gaming arcade.
You can visit the place for public skating sessions.
For a unique skating vibe, you can catch live disc jockeys on the weekends.
The arena also offers the Florida region’s largest Learn to Skate Program, with classes open for boys, girls, and adults.
They also offer hockey and figure skating programs for youth and adults.
Visit the shop, too, and avail yourself of ice hockey and figure skating equipment.
Otherwise, enjoy the food and drinks at Columbian Cuisine.
If you have private events and celebrations, Kendall Ice Arena is also open for rentals.
This ice arena is in Miami, ten minutes from Kendall.
Carlosenrique, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bring your family and catch exciting horse shows at Tropical Park.
The park at 40 Street was originally a horse track but now features more than thirty shows yearly.
You’ll watch award-winning horse breeds like Arabians, Paso Finos, and Western-style strut their way to compete for prized ribbons and trophies.
The venue provides two clay show ring areas, grass courses, and a 1,000-seating capacity.
They also have an excellent promenade, over 250 stalls, vehicle hookups, and a modern show arena.
You can also catch scheduled rodeo shows, dog shows, and concerts at the venue.
On regular days, you can enjoy a bike ride, run some laps or enjoy a quick stroll on the pathways.
You can also use the fitness courts or do boxing at the center.
Other amenities at Tropical Park include tennis courts and racquetball facilities.
This park is in Olympia Heights, Florida, 13 minutes from Kendall.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Locatedon 152nd Street at the former Naval Air Station Richmond, Gold Coast Railroad Museumoffers a place to learn about railway history and catch displays of antique rail cars.
The idea for the museum came from William Godfrey, a student at the University of Miami.
He heard about an abandoned railroad track area at the southern part of the campus.
He then proposed to University PresidentDr. Fay F.W. Pearson to put an operating steam engine on the tracks for educational purposes and as a historic site.
Dr. Pearson, who had a penchant for railroads, didn’t think twice, and the attraction officially opened in 1957.
The museum also became one of Florida’s State Railroad Museums in 1984 and the county’s first National Historic Landmark the year after.
You’ll find the Ferdinand Magellan, the only private car built in 1928 exclusively for the U.S. President.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Take a peek at the SAL Passenger Combination Baggage-Coach #259, also known as “Jim Crow.”
Check out FEC #136, used during the 1935 Labor Day hurricane evacuation, or see FEC #1996, the U.S. Army Hospital Car #89436, and much more.
Become an Engineer for a Day and join the train crew on a 30-minute actual control of one of the museum’s locomotives.
Otherwise, take a ten-minute train ride with your choice of a caboose or passenger car.
View the model display room, the Naval Air Station Richmond exhibit, and other antique rail equipment.
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum also has the Thomas Play Tables, a sandbox for little tots to enjoy, and a plaza area with picnic tables where you can eat lunch.
Check out this place in Miami, ten minutes from Kendall!
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Youcan head off toBriar Bay Golf Course for a quick round of golf.
This par-31 executive golf course opened in 1975 with designs from acclaimed golf course designer Robert Von Hagge and former Australian Open champion Bruce Devlin.
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department operate the 30-acre course.
Play like a pro at the nine-hole fairway and enjoy the relaxing views of palm trees and water features.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or want to play for fun, the par-3 and par-4 holes are sure to give you rounds of a good game.
You can rent a set of golf clubs from the clubhouse if you need clubs.
You’ll find Briar Bay Golf Course at 134th Street, Miami, six minutes from Kendall.
photravel_ru / Shutterstock.com
Zoo Miami, also called The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, is Florida’s oldest zoo garden and the country’s only sub-tropical zoo attraction.
You’ll find this 750-acre park and garden at 152nd Street, Miami, 11 minutes from Kendall.
Your family will enjoy the sight of over 500 animal species from different regions across the globe, like the Amazon, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Enjoy plenty of activities with your little ones, like feeding and seeing the animals or up-close.
Learn about the life and habitats of unique animals at the Wildlife and Critter Presentations, and you’ll also have the chance to meet the zookeepers.
Irina Wilhauk / Shutterstock.com
Experience exciting zoo rides like the Lost Man’s River Ride, Safari Tram Tours, Pedal Boats, and Wildlife Carousel.
Have your family join the Animal Fun Factory, where you’ll learn about conserving the environment and animal welfare and create items for the zoo’s animal residents.
Aside from the animals, you’ll also enjoy and discover flora around the area like Baobab Tree, Bismark Palm Trees, orchid species, and flowers like Asian Trail and Corpse Flower.
Take pictures of the colorful murals on Zoo Miami Walls, and don’t forget to drop by the Gift Shop for some tokens to bring home.
Michal Ninger / Shutterstock.com
If you’re looking for classic arcade games and beers to enjoy, check outArcade Odysseyon117 Avenue, Miami, six minutes from Kendall.
Do you still have fighter’s skills? Does a game of shoot-em-ups make you feel nostalgic?
They have all games at the arcade, from retro and classic to unique and new, to rhythm games and pinball machines.
You’ll also enjoy hours of gaming at the Lan Center and Esports Arena, with a wide selection of consoles.
If you get hungry, you can get snacks from Bawl.
Order Mexican and Japanese snacks like Ramune, ramen, and yakisoba.
Likewise, there are plenty of drinks to enjoy, like imported beers, cider flavors, sake, and bubble teas.
So for a fun night, head off to Arcade Odyssey.
Brandon Trentler, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kendall Indian Hammocks Park,located on 79th Street, offers plenty of outdoor activities for the family.
The large park area opened in 2011 and also features an impressive 32-acre scenic hardwood hammock and nature preserve.
You can go for a relaxing nature trip, spot some birds, and stroll along the nature trails.
The park has several fields and courses for outdoor sports activities like softball, soccer, and disc golf.
If you want to work out, the park offers an outdoor fitness area built with tension equipment.
Brandon Trentler from USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Your kids can enjoy skating at the 14,000-square-foot park, with ramps, a vertical wall, grinding rails, and obstacles designed for skaters of any level.
Have a fun family barbecue picnic at the shaded picnic shelters or the oak-covered picnic deck, providing grills, tables, water, and electricity.
Kendall Indian Hammocks Park also has two family playgrounds, one for little tots aged five and younger and another one for older kids.
The park is also in Miami, eight minutes from Kendall.
Kendall, Florida, offers a unique mix of family attractions, community parks, excellent restaurants, and recreation venues.
There’s much to enjoy with your family in this growing suburb.
This place is worth your time to visit for some laidback vacation or just a place to drive to on the weekend.
You’ll surely enjoy the best things to do in Kendall!
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
