2024 Hialeah Visitors Guide
Located in Miami-Dade County, Hialeah is part of the Miami metropolitan area and the fifth-largest city in Florida. Hialeah, which means “High Prairie”, received its name from the Seminole Indians. Its name is largely based on its location. The city is set on a high prairie between Biscayne Bay and the Everglades.
In 1921, the area caught the eye of pioneering aviator Glenn Curtis and Missouri cattleman James Bright who saw its great potential. In 1925, it was incorporated as a city and quickly become the place to be in during the Roaring ‘20s. Hialeah boasted greyhound racing, the Spanish sport jai-alai, and even a silent movie studio called the Miami Movie Studios. While a devastating hurricane wiped out much of the city in 1926, it quickly rebuilt and grew. Since the 1960s, Hialeah has grown at a rate faster than most of the ten largest cities in Florida.
The 2000 census indicated that there were 226,419 people, 70,704 households, and 57,482 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city is 88.01% White, 2.41% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.47% from other races, and 3.55% from two or more races. 85.17% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The city’s strong Hispanic and Latino population has provided Hialeah with another distinction. It ranks #1 on the list of U.S. cities where Spanish is the most spoken language. Approximately 89% of Hialeah’s population speaks Spanish as its first language.
According to the 2000 census, 36.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them and 57.4% are married couples living together. The average household size is 3.15 and the average family size is 3.39. Hialeah’s population includes 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years.
The average household income is $29,492, and the average family income is $31,621. The per capita income for the city is $12,402. 18.6% of the population and 16.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.2% of those under the age of 18 and 22.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Hialeah Attractions
There are several prominent attractions for visitors to explore in Hialeah. Hialeah Park is the home of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary for Flamingos, a trademark of the city, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On the grounds, one of the oldest, continuously operating racetracks in Florida is found, as well as landscaped gardens, historic buildings, and many other interesting sights.Triangle Park has three public memorials to remember several different groups. There is the Veterans Memorial, the Cuban Holocaust Monument and the Cuban Women Prisoners Monument for people to visit.
The Bill Graham Farm Village is located in the Amelia Earhart Park. The Bill Graham Farm Museum is a replicated pioneer farm that resembles a late-1800s homestead. This park is child-friendly. It is designed to teach visitors about the area’s agricultural past and includes a petting zoo with a number of farm animals. Also, there is an on-site demonstration of various farm activities, such as horseshoeing, cow milking and sheep shearing.
The Hialeah Swing Bridge stretches from Hialeah to Miami Springs. The bridge is a historic structure that joins the two communities by crossing over a canal that separates them. It leads into Circle Park on the Miami Springs side.
Hialeah Recreation
The Amelia Earhart Park, named after the famous female pilot, contains a number of family-friendly facilities. Trails wind throughout the grounds, leading visitors to the children’s island, the stocked fishing lakes, the Bill Graham Farm Village and many other areas. If you enjoy the great outdoors, then Hialeah is bound to please. Hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, and tennis are just a few of the activities you can enjoy. The city boasts three tennis centers, five public swimming pools, and fourteen public parks totaling more than 100 acres. Additionally, Milander Park has a municipal auditorium and a 10,000 seat football stadium.
Babcock Park, situated on 18.5 acres of land, possesses a number of recreational amenities, including a swimming pool, a playground, and lighted tennis courts. Also on the property is a recreation center, which offers visitors racquetball and basketball courts, a fitness center and a food concession.
If remaining indoors and shopping is more to your liking, visit Hialeah’s Westland Mall. The mall is home to three department stores and 100 specialty stores. With so many stores, you should have no problem locating something for everyone on your list.
Hialeah Arts
Music lovers can enjoy performances by the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Miami Beach Symphony Orchestra.Thanks to its proximity to Miami, Hialeah residents and visitors can take full advantage of a wide spectrum of cultural activities. The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts (called TOPA), and the Miami-Dade County Auditorium serve as the primary venues for concerts and theatrical performances in Miami throughout the year.
Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are presented at the historic Coconut Grove, which for more than 50 years has served as south Florida’s principal regional theater. Other theatre venues include the Florida Shakespeare Theater and the Miami Light Project, which performs artistic works such as musicals, stand-up comedy, and dance.
Hialeah Dining
Hialeah can offer you the perfect location for a romantic dinner or a casual get together with friends. Whether you enjoy traditional American cuisine or fancy something a little more ethnic, Hialeah can definitely tempt your taste buds. Here are a few notable mentions:
- Molina’s Ranch Restaurant serves up a variety of meals, including steak, burgers and more.
- Pollo Tropical serves Caribbean-flavored chicken cooked off the grill.
- The Cancun Grill serves up a variety of Mexican dishes.
- Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill provides customers with a variety of fresh seafood dishes.