Hialeah Park

The flamingo flight after the sixth race each day is quite a sight. Great Cuban sandwich in the Turf Club and excellent people watching even if you’re not a horse racing fan.

Called and emailed to get a quote for an event and never got a response. Terrible customer service.

If you haven’t already tried Hialeah Park’s FLAMINGO CAFE know that they have the most amazing brunch. They offer a complementary drink. One of two choices a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa.
The mimosa was made with quality ingredients, and tasted really good.
The food (to my surprise) was delicious, I can’t wait to go back this Sunday!
Prices are very reasonable. You can sit inside or outside. The waitress was very friendly. We enjoyed our breakfast while we watched our favorite horses race on a huge flat screen.

Best Poker Room in South Florida, if not the entire state. Great jackpot promotions (high hands, Royal Flush, Bad Beat). Professional staff, dealers, and management.

Hialeah Park is very spacious, the BMW drive experience was an adrenaline rush –as a passenger, I took it easy, but if you are a speed daemon then this is for you. I just want to test drive a convertible and have the sun in my face and wind in my hair and stereo pumping … Is too much for a girl to ask

No easily accessed exits to the Racetrack from the two exterior smoking slot areas! These two areas for smokers (my mate likes a cigar) are dumpy, not cleaned regularly w/​large loud commercial floor fans blowing your hair around…
Seems like these two smoking areas were a hastily put together afterthought, felt like I was in an unfinished basement!
Food service staff of two were nice and efficient, but due to crowds, service was slow, should be staffed by three employees during busy times. My Cuban sandwich was hot & tasty, french fries were nice & crispy
Slots were way too tight, played several machines for 4+ hours. We will definitely not return to Hialeah Race Track.

Thanks to the wonderful and lovely Bloggin Mamas, whom I accidentally met on Twitter, I was lucky enough to be invited to an event at Hialeah Park. Sure, since the casino was added I’ve been to Hialeah Park but, because I don’t gamble, I never really appreciated it like I did at this event. For the invitation I am grateful and appreciative. It is one of those moments I will never forget.
I always used to drive into the park in the 80s and 90s to admire the beauty of it. It really is an unexpected surprise. That was in the 80s and 90s when I was sure this entire complex was going to be leveled to the ground to add more housing and shopping centers to the already congested City of Hialeah.
There are plans to add a hotel and shops but, the beauty and integrity are being kept. That is, being kept as much as possible. The park was literally abandoned for many years where much of the park was literally falling apart. For that, I thank John Brunetti, the current owner of this magnificent and unique place. He and his associates could have very easily just forgotten about the beauty and history and taken the project on a whole other direction. So, thank you for saving it as much as possible.
There are two main entrances to the park these days. If you’re going to the casino, you enter on East 32^nd Street. There you will find what once was one of the many parking lots for Hialeah Park. It was closed-​off to the public for many years. These days, however, this entrance gives you direct access to the now casino, part of the racetrack and some of the outdoor gardens.
The other entrance, and my personal favorite, is on East 4^th Avenue. Here you drive down a long road nestled between old trees leading you directly to the clubhouse. It truly is an unexpected surprise one finds after driving out of the congested streets just outside. Being familiar with the park itself, this is the entrance I chose for the event since it was closer to where the event was taking place.
There is parking and access to the casino using both entrances mentioned. Once you see how large the complex is, however, you will understand, it’s a long walk to the casino from the East 4^th Avenue entrance. You can access the park directly using Metrorail. The Hialeah Station drops you off a short walk to the clubhouse.
Originally opened as a dog track by early pioneers Glenn Curtiss and James H. Bright in 1922, ancient by South Florida standards. when Hialeah and the neighboring Miami Springs were just starting to evolve, one must appreciate the fact that Hialeah Park is still standing. The City of Hialeah exists today, in large part, thanks to this park.
So, I walk through the gorgeous clubhouse and take the elevator to the third floor. Now, I’m at the event. I’m inside one of the original rooms on the third floor where many before me, many well known famous people mind you, have stood in years past. Inside the room, as well as the clubhouse, are all the original chandeliers and lighting fixtures from 1922. A gorgeous view of the track housing the now famous pink flamingos greeted me through large panoramic windows. The last time I was in this area of the park, in the 80s to be precise, this whole floor was an abandoned mess. I honestly never thought I would see it like this.
So, what I’m trying to say in a nutshell, this is an historic gem that was almost completely lost in South Florida that must be appreciated. Pay a visit some time. Appreciate the history. Things like this in Our Hometown are rare. We demolish things to make room for new things all the time.
Next time you’re considering a space for your event, keep Hialeah Park in mind. Your guests, as well as you, will be quite impressed. It is really an unexpected memorable place. Bring your camera and take a stroll. You will be quite impressed with what you find, right here, in the middle of Hialeah.
#KeepItLocal #Hialeah

During a recent trip to Miami we were surprised to learn that there were numerous casinos in the area. We decided to stop by the Hialeah Park Casino on our way to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. I was mainly interested because it was part of a race track, whereas my mom wanted to be able to have something to compare Hard Rock too.
Parking was a breeze and we were able to get a parking spot right up front. Before heading into the casino we walked around outside and explored the race track. I was so surprised to find close to 100 REAL flamingos living in the infield of the track. How cool is that?
The casino is very clean and non-​smoking (which is wonderful for this non-​smoker). We read it was the 2^nd best payout in the area, but neither of us won. There were a lot of options for slot machines (which is what we were there for), but I can’t speak to the poker. We had a nice time but it wasn’t really our speed. We talked about how it would be perfect for the older crowd, especially folks who want a non-​smoking environment.

I play poker more regularly than most (3−4x/month) and I’ve played at every card room that Dade and Broward has to offer and have been doing so for about 10 years now.
I must say that the OVERALL AMBIANCE of the place reminds me of a Vegas hotel lobby. It seems that whoever was in charge of building this place must’ve had meticulous detail for the «little things». Having been to Vegas multiple times in my life, I can assure you that I know what I’m talking about.
The downstairs area has many slot machines and video games to play which isn’t much different than every other casino in the area, however where the true difference that separates them from the rest is the Poker Room.
The dealers are EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL (if anyone has ever been to Miccosukee, please make time to come to this casino!) and CONTROL their table. The players are a little more upscale than most places and you don’t get the sense that you are sitting next to «riff-​raff» like you would in other places (again Miccosukee). The payouts are the 2^nd best in the area (try going to Magic City during Happy Hour and you’ll find better), but very respectable, especially during Holidays.
If you haven’t gone to check this place out, do yourself a favor!

Its an alright place with potential. While still containing its historical charm it could still use some modern updating. Really needs some better food, what they have is garbage. Most of the chairs and tables looks as if they raided a garage sale. Would like to see what happens in a few years.

The wait was 1 ½. What kills me, is the perfectly air conditioned lobby that we all could have made the line in. The casino it self was small but full of gamblers. The poker room while very pretty was very unprofessional. A couple were playing poker with the same hand, when I asked management about it, I was told that it was ok.
Imagine my surprise. I was not happy. Will not return.

This place is great for family outings. Good food, they have beer, and you can bet on the horses. They are also constructing a casino here for the future. Once it is complete I feel this place will be pretty exciting. A very historical place that brings me back to my childhood.

This place always reminds me of my parents back in the day. This track actually was very beautiful at one point with there famous pink flamingos in the middle of the track. I remember seeing the legendary Celia Cruz there in the VIP. My mom had her wedding pics done there. I believe its one of the most beautiful places in Miami. The GODFATHER II had scene here how amazing is that. Must love the history of it.

The nicest people at the most beautiful track in Florida. Also, the history here is just amazing

This place always reminds me of my father back in the day. We would always pass by in our car and I would always notice that the parking lots around the area were filled with cars. I always saw people trying to cross the streets trying to get into this place. I was too young to realize what was going on in there and now I feel bad I never went in until a few years later when the horse races died out at the park. This track actually was very beautiful at one point with there famous pink flamingos in the middle of the track. Hoping that when the Casino opens next year it will bring it back to the glorious years and not make it into a dump. Here’s to the future.

Just attended a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society here on Friday. the event was spectacular! it was held downstairs where the main betting windows are during the racing season. this place was and i believe will be once again a great venue where spectacular celebrations can be held!!! as we stood having some cocktails, we were able to take in the beautiful sight of where the horses actually race on and its greenery consisting of various plants as well as slender tall palm trees and the beautiful pink flamingos… this grand place still needs alot of tender loving care, but i am sure it will be restored to its greatness once again…

I live right down the street and have a boat load of memories at the park. Of course I had to attend the re opening. It’s still a little shabby. It still needs a lot of work, but even in the condition it’s in it’s still breath taking as ever. It’s great experience to be just feet away from the horses and exhilarating to see them race before your eyes.
I am looking forward to betting on the races in the future. I’ve also heard rumors that there will be a casino starting January. There are also plans for restaurants, a movie theater and even a hotel. Keeps getting better.

It’s back, baby!
That’s right, after a 9 year hiatus, Hialeah Park Race Track is open for business!
Today’s (re-)opening day festivities were fantastic, free and fun for the whole family — and that’s how it’s gonna’ stay.
Even if you don’t bet, the track has a lot to offer — with lively music, pleasant crowds, activities for all ages and, of course, the famous flamingos in center field.
The park and racetrack are registered historic landmarks dating back to the roaring 20s, when bootleggers and mafia dons rubbed elbows with famous tourists and the South Florida elite — all in a day-​and-​age before Vegas shifted the gamblers’ center-​of-​attention westward. And what’s more, the Park is an iconic image of the city, from dusty postcards to the opening sequence of Miami Vice.
Check it out for yourself and, if you’re feeling lucky, put down a couple bucks on your favorite horse. With free admission and family fun, you’re bound to come out ahead.

I might be a little biased in my rating of this jewel in Hialeah but that is only because I have some great memories and live a couple blocks away. Hialeah Park is historic site that originally opened in 1921. Driving or like I do, biking into the grounds is like taking a trip back in time. The designers arched the drive into the park so that you do not see the grandstand until the very end. The drive itself is bordered by huge palm trees and other flowers and trees on both sides. It has always reminded me of the drive into Disney World in the sense that you are leaving the outside world and entering a new one.
Fast Fact — Winston Churchill watched the races here after WW II
The grandstand is designed in the in a Renaissance style that once made it one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world and will continue to be until it’s no longer standing. Imagine Vizcaya as racetrack and you will get a pretty good picture of what I’m talking about.
Recently, weddings, and quinces have given the old girl some purpose. Quinceaneras in the know will take their pictures here and tell those that don’t know that they went to an Italian villa for their pics. The grounds have banquet halls so you could have a party here and in fact my Homecoming for Hialeah High was held here (Ah the memories). My grandmother once owned a cafeteria across the street from the stables (which have been knocked down) so for a long time she was an insider at the track and taught me how to gamble at a very young age. I remember being able to go to the center of the track and feeding the famous flamingoes. I did not know then how cool of an experience I was having.
Unfortunatly, the park could not keep up with Gulfstream and Calder and has been closed down for a while now. There is a group that is trying to save it
If you are able to make your way into Hialeah, try to bribe the security guard (a twenty spot can go a long way now a days or you can try to convince him that you might have an event there in the future and want to check it out) to let you see the grounds and I’m sure you will come away impressed.