(Mar 27, 2023)
Hialeah is known for its ethnic diversity and has a notably large population of Hispanics. 94% of its population is Hispanic, making it the city with the second-highest proportion of Hispanic Americans outside of Puerto Rico.
The city also has a strong business and industrial sector and is home to plenty of attractions and recreational activities. Hialeah also has a competitive real estate market thanks to its serene and stately neighborhoods.
In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about its attractions, school system, and housing market. So, without much ado, let's jump right in.
School System in Hialeah, Florida
If you're considering moving to Hialeah, Florida with your family, chances are you're interested in learning about the school system. The city of Hialeah is served by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the largest school district in Florida and the fourth largest in the entire U.S.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools has a total student population of 334,261 in grades PK and K-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 26 to 1. State test scores also reveal that 59% of the students are proficient at reading while 61% are good at maths.
Some of the best public schools in the area include:
- Mater Gardens Academy
- Hialeah Gardens Elementary School
- Mater Academy
- Palm Springs North Elementary School
- Hialeah Gardens Middle School
- Joella Good Elementary School
- Miami Lakes Elementary Center
- Mater Performing Arts and Entertainment Academy
- Meadowlane Elementary School
- North Twin Lakes Elementary School
- Bob Graham Education Center
Attractions and Things To Do In Hialeah, Florida
When most people think of visiting Florida, Hialeah is often overlooked in favor of other more famous places like Miami and Jacksonville. However, the city of Hialeah is an exciting place to visit and is home to numerous attractions and things to do for both singles and families alike.
Here are some of the top attractions to check out in this quaint city:
Hialeah Park
Situated 12 miles north of downtown Miami in Hialeah, Florida, Hialeah Park is an iconic racetrack with an illustrious history spanning a century. Opened in 2021 as a greyhound racing track, Hialeah Park Racetrack has become one of the most beautiful horse racetracks in the world. Some famous people who have made their names here include Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
The Racetrack was closed in 2001 after a new law in Hilaeh barred it from securing race dates from competitors such as Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park. It wasn't until 2009 that Hialeah Park was reopened and later expanded to include a casino. It also has a bar, lounge, restaurant, and bird sanctuary.
Amelia Earheart Park
Located in northern Hialeah, Amelia Earheart Park is a sprawling 515-acre urban park that offers plenty of green spaces and recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. It's named after the legendary American aviator Amelia Earheart who was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic.
In addition to having a soccer field and bicycle trails, Amelia Earhart Park also has a pony rink, a petting zoo, and a tree fort to unwind. The park also has a small lake covering about 90 acres. If you enjoy water activities, you should visit this place to practice waterskiing, paddle boarding, and more.
Leah Arts District
The city of Hialeah is known for its vibrant art scene, a distinction that it holds thanks to Leah Arts District essentially. Founded in 2015, Leah Arts District is home to an art gallery, a performance space for artists, a joint workshop, and a live music venue.
Six of the neighborhood's blocks are made up of light industrial, antique shops, restaurants, and retail. The area is intended to highlight Hialeah's arts and cultural sector and give local artists a place to mingle, exchange ideas, and showcase their artworks.
Most of the buildings in the district are covered in beautiful murals, and other pieces of art line the streets, which you can enjoy as you stroll.
Garden Of The Arts
Since its founding in 2015, Garden of the Arts has quickly garnered popularity as one of the most picturesque green spots in the area. The park is a cross between a museum and an art gallery with numerous sculptures, murals, and installations on display.
Garden of the Arts is also home to a theater that hosts many events throughout the year. There are also plenty of green spaces to stroll through or ride a bike.
Miami Watersports Complex
The Miami Watersports Complex is a state-of-the-art water sports complex located inside Amelia Earheart Park in Hialeah. The complex has the most recent technology and design features, including two full-size cable systems and a two-tower system.
If you're looking to enjoy some wake surfing, wakeskating, wakeboarding, waterskiing and kneeboarding in Florida, then this is the place to be.
Florida Gun Center
The Florida Gun Center in Hialeah is a cutting-edge, modern gun range that offers a welcoming, safe, clean environment for those looking to test their shooting skills or even learn how to handle a firearm responsibly. The shooting range includes movable targets with a maximum range of fifty-five feet.
It's equipped with the latest safety features, including fabricated walls and ceilings that are ballistically secure. The facility also offers firearm training for beginners.
Best Activities For Families and Kids In Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah, Florida, has no shortage of things to do with kids. There are some of the top activities to do in this part of Florida, from parks and museums to restaurants and shops.
Kings Dining and Entertainment
Kings Dining and Entertainment near Doral offers a unique and memorable culinary and entertainment experience for families in a retro-style setting.
One of its main attractions is its fourteen-lane bowling alley, where you can enjoy gaming with your kids before or after a sumptuous meal. The venue also offers other sporting options, including foosball and air hockey. There's even a Karaoke room where you can retreat to dance to some delightful Latin rhythms.
The establishment features an expansive menu with plenty of culinary delights to suit everyone's preferences. Some notable dishes on their menu include spicy jambalaya pasta and house tacos.
The Venetian Pool
Situated near Coral Gables, The Venetian Pool is a one-of-a-kind swimming facility that offers year-round water-based fun for families living in and around Hialeah. The pool, created in 1923, is dug out from a coral rock quarry and features two historic lookout towers from where guests can soak in the sights and sounds of the area.
An underground aquifer feeds clean spring water into the massive 820,000-gallon pool every day during the spring and summer. The pool also connects to two waterfalls and a cave-like enclave to give visitors a unique swimming experience. That being said, kids below the age of three are not allowed to the pool so expect to provide proof of age for your kids when you visit this location for outdoor fun.
Goodlet Park
Located north of Miami International Airport, Goodlet Park is one of the most popular parks in the city of Hialeah. It boasts numerous sports facilities, including 5 racquetball courts, a tennis court, and a 440-yard athletic track. So, if you're looking for a place to engage in some workout and sporting activities with your kids, this is most definitely the place to be.
The facility maintains high safety standards and has a spacious playground where kids can enjoy soccer and kite flying with friends. The park is also home to a 220-seat theater that hosts numerous events and shows throughout the calendar year.
Main Street Miami Lakes
Thinking of taking your family out for a laid-back afternoon in Hialeah? If so, you should consider going to Main Street Miami Lakes. This venue has plenty of stores where you can shop after enjoying a delicious lunch at one of its many restaurants.
There are also plenty of playhouses for kids to mingle and play with friends. Main Street is also a popular hangout for teenagers, and you'll see them roving through the streets doing window shopping and having a good time with their mates.
Action Town
Nestled at the heart of Hialeah, Action Town Family Center is an excellent place for kids and adults to enjoy daytime fun.
The venue offers plenty of competitive sporting events and games, including paintball, miniature golf, laser tag, bumper cars, and other activities. Its laser tag arena also features high-tech music to enhance the sensory experience during the games.
Milander Park
Milander Park is one of the most popular parks in Hialeah. It's surrounded by green lush woodlands and is a family favorite for picnics and other outdoor events. The park also has plenty of recreational amenities for kids and adults alike, including a soccer field and a baseball park.
The park also has a significant butterfly presence thanks to the many flowering plants available. So, if your kids are interested in the wild outdoors, this is a great place to take them for a stroll or picnic.
Cuisine in Hialeah, Florida
As mentioned at the outset, the city of Hialeah is home to a significant Hispanic population. It's, therefore, no surprise that a lot of its restaurants and cuisines are influenced by Hispanic culture.
If you're planning to go eat out in the city, whether alone or with family, here are some of the places worth checking out:
La Fresa Francesca Petit Cafe
Founded by the Hialean native Sandy Sanchez and the French-born Benoit Rablta, La Fresa Francesca is one of the most beloved cafes in Hialeah.
This restaurant combines its owners' French and Cuban influences to create a colorful menu with an assortment of treats that will leave your tongue tingling with delight.
Some notable items on La Fresa Francesca's diverse menu include escargots, cheese crepes, Croque madams, and savory ham.
You can also enjoy some Cuban flavor imbued in items such as Cubano in Paris sandwich, made from marinated braised pork, pickled and caramelized onions with melted gruyere cheese, and Dijon mustard.
Graziano's
Looking to take your family for a steak dinner in Hialeah? If so, Graziano's is the place to be. This steak house, owned and managed by the Graziano family, is famed for its premium wood-fired meat cuts that rival the best in Miami.
The establishment's dining area is warm and inviting, featuring dark wood paneling and wine shelves that create a cozy and homey ambiance. Some of the must-try items at this establishment include beef short ribs, chicken breast, hand-cut ribeye, and ravioli. You can have any of these with truffle risotto, asparagus, or polenta.
Best Neighborhoods To Live In Hialeah, Florida
The city of Hialeah is a fantastic place to live for families, with many of its neighborhoods offering a laid-back suburban lifestyle. Compared to other cities in Florida, Hialeah has a reasonably affordable housing market, with the average price of a home standing at $256,900.
Roughly 46% of the residents of Hialeah own their homes, while 54% rent. While the cost of housing is pretty affordable, it's still significantly high compared to the average household income in this city.
That being said, if you're looking to move to this part of Florida, here are some of the best neighborhoods to live in.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is one of Miami's most distinctive neighborhoods and a great area to live, significantly if you're raising a family. This area is home to numerous top-notch restaurants and many outdoor recreation opportunities like trips to the lighthouse, biking, and playdates with kids at the neighborhood park.
Key Biscayne is also one of the safest places to live in Miami, so moving there will allow you to relax and not worry about the security of your loved ones. The community of Key Biscayne is also very welcoming and close-knit, so you can expect to make friends and experience different cultures.
Pinecrest
Pinecrest is a very liberal suburban community with a population of 19,183. About 79% of the residents of this community own their homes, while only 21% rent. If you're considering moving here with kids, you'll be pleased to know that there are many opportunities, including entrance to Ivy League colleges and the best public schools.
The neighborhood is also home to a great public library, a testament to how much it values and prioritizes education and learning. Pinecrest also has an excellent police force that endeavors to keep residents safe and secure even though crime is virtually non-existent here. If you have teenagers in your household, you can encourage them to join the Youth Advisory Council, which offers many opportunities.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables is a quaint suburb in Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, with a population of 49,937. More than half the residents of this neighborhood own their own homes, with only about 36% renting. The welcoming, peaceful, and beautiful community provides the perfect setup to raise a family.
The area is also home to numerous restaurants serving various local and ethnic cuisines. That said, the influx of families into this neighborhood over the past couple of years has driven up the cost of housing significantly, with the median home price currently at $856,600. But considering the quality of life available here, it's worth moving here if you have a young family.
Wrapping Up
Whenever most people think of moving to Florida, Hialeah is hardly the first name that comes to mind. Even so, the city of Hialeah is one of the Sunshine State's best-kept secrets, with plenty of attractions and things to do for singles and families alike.
An above-average school district also serves it with plenty of high-performing public schools and affordable neighborhoods. So, if you're looking to relocate to Florida, Hialeah city is worth considering.
(Mar 27, 2023)
