Things to Do in Hialeah Gardens

Everglades Holiday Park unveils the natural splendor of one of Earth’s last undisturbed territories with invigorating airboat tours and interactive alligator shows. Visitors to the untamed swamp explore its wetlands and observe its animal residents, and tour guides keep encroaching gators at bay with pointed comments of historic and ecological significance. The powerful airboat fleet features covered passenger compartments for all-weather observation and an innovative zephyr-harnessing propulsion system that allows boats to swiftly skim across the Everglades’ grassy rivers while sneaking up on unsuspecting patches of spanish moss. The park is also home to Animal Planet's Gator Boys; most of the reality show's episodes are filmed here.

The park complements boat tours with 20-minute gator shows, which bring patrons face-to-jaw with the impressive mandibles of live alligators and include a presentation that sheds some light on nature’s last remaining dinosaurs. The boat captains are always available for private charters, which can be stocked with food, beverages, and ice at the park’s 24-hour general store before heading out for fishing expeditions or leisurely cruises through the glades.

The wind catches a sail, and suddenly the 41-foot vessel springs to life. The sail boat's hull cuts across the water at increasing speeds, racing alongside city skylines and a mangrove-covered shore. The man at the helm is Captain Carlin, and he guides the vessel with a confidence and ease that can only come from more than 45 years of sailing experience. The captain's charters take up to six passengers through the Biscanye Bay: a shallow estuary home to pelicans, manatees, and retired leviathans. Along the way, groups can sip wine as they bask in the midday sun or the soft glow of an ocean sunset.

Stress Less Yoga’s founder Deborah Lile harnesses her 20 years of teaching experience to help others subscribe to the anxiety-decimating mission that her studio name suggests. She harnesses elements of several yoga disciplines—including Hatha, Bikram, Iyengar, and Kripalu—to help students of all abilities improve their flexibility, strength, and balance during group and private yoga lessons. Each indoor and outdoor class incorporates postures linked with breath and meditation to banish fatigue and muscle tension, leaving students more refreshed than the web-based yule log that Robot Roosevelt chats in front of when he’s at town-hall meetings with slow internet connections.

Seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at will call.

Founded in 1999, Just The Funny Theater hosts a rotating roster of improv and sketch teams, and also opens its stage to standup comedians. The theater’s comedic cast members have numerous credits from local theater productions. Just The Funny also offers classes in the improvisational arts and sketch writing, during which instructors dispense the comedic skills they’ve learned from their own training with such groups as The Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Groundlings.

After disembarking from Captain Asaad N. Masoud's yacht, the Ra, many guests record their experiences in the online ship's log alongside pictures taken by the captain and crew, which can be shared over the internet with friends and family . The full ship's log of passengers sporting smiles and wind-whipped hair hints at Captain Masoud’s commitment to fostering a friendly, welcoming atmosphere aboard his dual-masted, 45-foot ketch.

Tours begin at Dinner Key Marina, the gateway to southeast Florida's largest estuary. From there, Captain Masoud charts a course to suit each group’s desires. To ensure a comfortable voyage, Captain Masoud has furnished his yacht with dozens of amenities including a stereo system that pipes tunes through the speaker system on and below deck.

The vessel also showcases modern safety equipment, including personal flotation devices, GPS, autopilot, and radar. Passengers benefit from Captain Masoud's nautical experience, which extends back to his childhood in Egypt, where he sailed the Nile and the Mediterranean. He became a Coast Guard-licensed captain in 1983, and has been welcoming aboard guests ever since.