The Neighborhood of Morningside
Community Info
Morningside is a beautiful, historic sub-neighborhood of the Upper East Side neighborhood of Miami. Centrally located, it runs from NE 50th Terrace to NE 62nd Street east of Biscayne Boulevard. This affluent enclave has wide medians, tree-lined streets and homes with large lots. In it you will find diverse examples of the 1920’s and 30’s most popular architecture, from Mediterranean Revival to Mission Style to Art Deco. It is wonderfully warm, eclectic and thoughtfully designed for families and retirees – which makes it one of Miami’s most desirable addresses.
Here are just a few things that make the Morningside neighborhood stand out:
Morningside Park: Sitting on Biscayne Bay, it is the centerpiece of this well-planned suburb. The park has a pool (currently closed for repairs), tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, and huge open areas where you can play soccer and football. It also boasts a conveniently covered tot lot – so not even rain can stop the fun. And then, there’s the ocean. We’ll talk about watersports later.
Thousand of trees. Literally. You will not find a shadier neighborhood. Tropical wind. Rustling of leaves. Heaven. It makes your evening walk just that much better.
The security is awesome. There are two entrances to the neighborhood, each has a guard house manned by a security guard 24/7.
The Morningside Picnic Islands: Just across from the park are three islands where you can picnic with family and friends. It is easily accessible by dinghy, kayak and sailboat – as well as any vessel with a motor.
Morningside Summer Camp: Every summer the park runs one of the most affordable and most entertaining summer camps for children in Miami. That’s right. Walking distance from your home. A major plus if you have kids.
Public Boat Ramp: Do you have a boat? Morningside Park has a public boat ramp giving you easy access to Biscayne Bay. It’s free during the week, and there is a small fee on the weekends.
A short history of the Morningside neighborhood:
- Morningside broke ground in the 1920’s, making it one of Miami’s oldest communities.
- It was developed by James Hilliard Nunnally of Nunnally’s Candies, the Atlanta candy manufacturer popularly known as “The Candy of the South.”
- More than 4,000 trees were planted in the initial development of Morningside.
- In 1984, it was the first neighborhood to receive historic designation by the City of Miami.
- Some of the area’s houses were designed by Marion Manley, South Florida’s first known female architect. Women rule.
- U.S. Congressman William Lehman, two Miami mayors and Cushman School founder Laura Cushman all had homes in Morningside. History was being made here.
Restaurants & Attractions
Some of our favorite places to dine close to Morningside:
Andiamo’s: This is pizza as it was meant to be. Located in a renovated 1950’s tire shop (General Tire of Miami, to be exact), Andiamo’s serves Italian-American fare like no other. Though you can use the word “gourmet”, we prefer “authentic.” Their brick oven Prosciutto Pizza is so good, it’s hard to order anything else, but you will.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro: Nestled in the Design District, this Turkish/Greek restaurant is an unforgettable outing. Simple meals, accented by seasonal herbs and spices grown in their backyard, wrapped in the coziness of a repurposed 1940’s Florida bungalow. It is as Mediterranean an experience as you can get in Miami.
Café Roval: Personally, we just love the ambience of this one. The coral walls, oil paintings, exposed beams – it is a sweetly nostalgic confluence between a medieval European inn and a church built by the first Florida settlers. We know. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around it. Definitely check it out. It’s a beautiful restaurant and they have an impressive collection of artisanal wines.
Favorite things to do in and around Morningside:
Kayaking, Paddle boarding and Kiteboarding: Let’s return to Morningside Park. On the bay you will find Morningside Water Sports. Rent something that floats for the day, or join one of their moonlight tours and watch the stars shimmery reflection on the sea.
Farmers Market at Legion Park: Walk over to Legion Park, where every Saturday dozens of vendors with local produce, breads, food, juices and more come together to remind you what real food tastes like. Makers of artisan goods – like jewelry, art, lotions, etc – are also in attendance to share their creativity and holistic wares.
MiMo District: If you enjoy Art Deco architecture, eclectic dining and cozy bars – then welcome to MiMo. This historic district does more than preserve a design movement, their lighted crosswalks are the first steps in making Miami a more walkable city.
Bar, Gallery and Restaurant Hopping: You are so close to everything. The 55th Station Food Hall,
Midtown Shops and Restaurants, the Design District, Ironside District, and so much more. All within a 2 to 5 minute Uber ride. Then, within a 5 to 7 minute ride you are in the Wynwood Arts District or at the center of Downtown Miami. Fifteen minutes? South Beach and Brickell. Now go have some fun – on your own, as a couple or with your family – you’ve got location on your side.
Morningside’s Demographics
- There are 1181 people living in Morningside
- 77% of households are homeowners and the primary homeowners average age is 51 years old
- 27% of Morningside households are families with children
Distance to popular areas
Design District: 1.8 miles
Midtown: 2 miles
Wynwood: 2.8 miles
Downtown Miami: 5.8 miles
Brickell Center: 6.3 miles
Miami Beach (South Beach): 7.4 miles
Miami International Airport: 7.5 miles
Aventura Mall: 10.3 miles
Neighborhood Schools
Private:
Morningside Montessori School (Toddler to Kindergarten)
The Cushman School (K-12)
Public:
Morningside K-8 Academy
Phyllis R. Miller Elementary School
Miami Arts Charter – MAC (6-12)
Design and Architecture Senior High – DASH (9-12)
Are you in love with Morningside?
Email or call me (305.318.8557) to learn more, talk about what’s available and hopefully visit a few of these amazing homes. I can’t wait to show you around.