Hialeah

About Hialeah

Hialeah is a city of about 220,000 people in Miami-Dade County, just northwest of Miami, and one of the most strongly Cuban-American communities in the United States. Spanish is spoken almost everywhere, and the city's walk-up coffee windows, bakeries and family restaurants make it one of the best places in South Florida for Cuban food. The name comes from a Native American phrase often translated as pretty prairie.

The city's most famous landmark is Hialeah Park, a historic racetrack opened in 1925 and known for the flock of pink flamingos that lives in its infield. Its grand grandstand and gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Palm Avenue, the city's old main street, is lined with shops, bakeries and the colorful storefronts of everyday Hialeah life.

Amelia Earhart Park, on the city's northern edge, has lakes, a petting farm, mountain-bike trails and a skate park, and Milander Park hosts sports and community events. Downtown Miami, the beaches and the Everglades are all within easy reach by car or by Tri-Rail and Metrorail.