North Miami Beach was originally incorporated in 1927 under the name Fulford, after Captain William Fulford. Captain Fulford had explored the region in the 1800s and later purchased land when the East Coast Railroad laid tracks through southern Florida. Four years after its incorporation, the city annexed beachfront property and changed its name to North Miami Beach. This allowed the city to associate itself with Miami, which was gaining popularity at the time.

The best-known attraction in North Miami Beach is the Spanish monastery, once the property of William R. Hearst. The stone structure was originally built in Segovia, Spain in the 1100s and occupied by Cistercian monks. Hearst purchased the building in the early 20th century and had it taken apart and shipped to the U.S. He intended to reassemble the building on his estate, but it ended up in storage until well after Hearst’s death. In 1954, the monastery was purchased from Hearst’s estate and later reconstructed in North Miami Beach. Now, the Romanesque building surrounded by verdant landscaping is one of the most romantic spots of North Miami Beach.

Other popular sites include Greynolds Park and Oleta River State Park. Greynolds is located in the northeastern section of the city, between Biscayne Boulevard and the Sunray East neighborhood. Visitors may enjoy the golf course or boating and canoeing along in the Oleta River. Greynolds is also a well-known spot for bird watching.

Oleta River State Park is Florida’s largest urban park, covering 1,043 acres. The facility is located south of the Eastern Shores area on Biscayne Bay. Popular activities include swimming, fishing, kayaking, camping and mountain biking. Mountain bikers can test their skills on about 17 miles of trails, 10 of which are more suitable for the experienced rider. For beginners, there are also several miles of paved trails.