Old Cutler Trail050

This is a great paved trail that leads to many of the sought after attractions in Miami. Park at the traffic circle (called Cocoplum Circle) where Old Cutler Road, Sunset Road, and LeJeune Road (SW 42nd Avenue) meet. Hop on your bikes and head south. About two miles south of the circle you'll reach Matheson Hammock Park and Marina. If you're not in for a long haul, stop here for a swim and lunch. Next door you'll find Fairchild Tropical Garden. Bikes are not allowed inside, but you could hop aboard the tram for a relaxing cruise through the beautiful gardens. This part of the path ends just south of Fairchild Tropical Gardens at SW 105th Street. If you'd like to pedal further, cross Old Cutler Road at SW 105th Street (there's a traffic light) and head into the Snapper Creek Lakes neighborhood. Follow Snapper Creek Road as it winds through this picturesque area and look for a narrow bike bridge that crosses the canal at SW 104th Street. Once you cross this canal, you can head north (right turn) to Wayside Garden Market for a refreshing milkshake. It's famous for strawberry, but offers some other interesting choices as well. If you continue north on the paved trail, you will eventually reach South Miami, with its multitude of restaurants and shopping places. Be careful if you head this way with little ones, though, because the path is discontinuous and you'll need to cross a busy road. If you head south (to the left) as you cross the canal at SW 104th Street you'll eventually (about seven blocks' ride) reach Parrot Jungle and Gardens, another South Florida hot spot.