8 Things To See And Do In Kendall FL

It’s no secret, Kendall is one of the most unpopular neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County. Locals and visitors alike can tell you – it’s a boring suburb. The vast area south of downtown Miami is known as a residential neighborhood, home to middle-class families with a plethora of schools and even a Miami Dade College campus. But aside from doing the groceries at Publix supermarket and going for a clean-up at the nearby dentist office, there’s not much to do. Or so they think! Here’s what to see and do (besides visiting your mother) if you’re ever stuck in Kendall.

Tee it up

All that green space is good for a little sport, and Kendall has golf courses. The best part? They’re much more affordable than other golf courses in Coral Gables and Key Biscayne. Visit Killian Greens Golf Course, the newly renovated course offers 18-holes with cart for $45 on the weekend. You can also visit the par-31 Briar Bay Golf Course which charges 9-hole rates for $21.

Play a game of pool

Beer and a game of pool with a few friends is all you need on a low-key outing in the suburbs. Sharp Shooters Billards is the locals’ best-kept secret – located on the second floor of a quiet shopping mall on Sunset Drive and 117th Ave. During happy hour, you can get a five hours of pool for only two drink purchases.

Geek out at the arcade

Housed in a retro space, Arcade Odyssey has collectible games for real fanatics. Even if you’re not an anime or video game fan, you can make a night of it in the name of trying something different. The arcade carries a selection of pinball machines, Donkey Kong games, Crazy Taxi, Pac-Man and other classics. They also carry quirky Japanese candies and drinks with the kind of wild flavors you can imagine in a Harry Potter book.

Go shopping

They say retail is a dying business, but Dadeland Mall is living proof shoppers still want a brick-and-mortar shop. The shopping mall on Kendall Drive has been here for decades, and it got a recent modern facelift a couple of years back. Folks head here for their massive department stores such as Macy’s and Nordstrom, and other popular outlets including Zara, Victoria’s Secret, and Urban Outfitters. There mall is even home to a Tesla store. By night, good luck finding parking. The place is buzzing with families and friends coming out for a drink and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil.

Ice skate

Trade the humidity for a cold glide through the ice. Pop on ice skates and test your balance at the Kendall Ice Arena. The sprawling ice skating rink even has a section for hockey.

Drink up

It may be a residential neighborhood, but there’s an endless list of places to drink on the weekend here. Go for drinks with your travel buddy, or call up a friend who still lives in the area. Make a night of it at the Palms at Town & Country – the open-air shopping mall has a few restaurants and bars including the Blue Martini Lounge. At the end, you can stroll Kendall’s version of the love lock bridge and enjoy the waterworks from the mall’s fountain.

Picnic at the park

It may be too hot to bother, but picnicking under the shade of trees is a sweet affair anyway. Take a basket, and stuff it with sparkling rosé, fruits and cheeses, and head to the park. A few parks in the area are Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Snapper Creek Park, and the Tropical Park on 56th street.

Horseback riding

Whether you’re a regular equestrian or you need a horseback-riding lesson, Kendall is almost horseback country. There are a few places to visit such as the Miami Equestrian Club, a 17.5 acre farm offering horse riding and training lessons for amateurs. The Jesse Williams Ranch also offers lessons, and even houses a petting zoo with exotic animals.