Maximo Gomez Park / Domino Park

This is a historical staple of Little Havana! Tourists, I encourage you to stop by and check it out! You will see and feel the hustle & bustle of many generations of domino players. While a majority are Cuban you do find various cultures gather here for the classic game!
Beware these are some serious players!
There is also a really nice mural near the back!

This is one of those special places where what it represents is bigger than its size. It’s a small quaint area with a mural, domino tiles on the pavement and tables full of domino and chess players. Can you imagine all the stories that are told here from generation to generation. This is a pulse of the people of Cuba. A place where mostly the older generation congregate around domino games to mix mingle and tell stories of their homeland. The players paid no mind to the tourist walking in taking pics and observing their games. I’m sure they’re use to it. Everyone is so nice here. Loved all the Cubans I met. Just be courteous and don’t disturb their games. If you are fortunate to find your way to Little Havana, Domino Park is legendary.

I was taking pictures for fun in Little Havana and heard about this tiny park on the corner. It is what it says it is: a park where people play dominos! I took some great photos, and all of the people were super cool about it. The place is bustling. I actually have no clue how to play dominos so I didn’t dare get in line for a game — players seemed to be taking it pretty seriously! But they were having fun, and it was fun just to watch and take pictures for a few minutes. If you’re in Little Havana in search of some good Cuban food (See: El Exquisito, Café Versailles), then stop here for an extra dose of Cuban culture.

This is a small park located in the heart of little havana, Miami’s first and most iconic Cuban neighborhood. The park is dominated by tables especially designed for the game of Dominos. Locals congregate there and enthusiastically partake in this local tradition. You yourself can participate by renting a set of domino’s and partaking in the local tradition. Nearby you can enjoy cuban art, food, cigars, and drinks at local art galleries, bars, and restaurants.

Nice little park in Little Havana. I’ve never been to a park where you can just hangout and play dominoes. I’ve only seen parks like this on television. The locals around and who come to the park are very friendly! if you’re a tourist, I’d say this little gem should be on your list to check out.

Amazing spot!
Feels like you are in the middle of Havana in Cuba. So unique!
Simply: a must see and must experience :) You won’t regret observing local neighbors and friends playing domino, it’s somewhat magical.

Fun little spot off the beaten path to people watch. Old cuban men and women play fast paced dominoes pretending you’re not there.

Such a fun and eclectic park. Elderly enjoy playing dominoes and chess in a park seeing. Covered cabanas. Must be a Miami resident.

This is not a place I would drive way out of my way to go to. But if I’m already in the area, why not check it out. This little park is located on Calle 8, a place where you can find everything you can think of Cuban.
It was really cool to watch a bunch of old men playing dominoes against each other. They don’t seem to notice the tourists walking around taking pictures. They just go on about their business playing their games. They look so serious playing as if they were playing for money.

I have long been entranced by city parks. I think it’s because I learned to swim, ride my bike and drive all at city parks. The idea of communal urban green space has always resonated with me. I love it. Oftentimes, as well, I find parks to be centerpieces of neighborhoods; anchors of urban exploration that do much to reveal the soul of an area or community.
Such as it is with Maximo Gomez ‘Domino’ Park.
I knew when I moved to Miami, there were a few things I needed to do: have a Cuban sandwich, smoke a Cuban cigar, hit the beach, shake it on Ocean Drive, yell at strangers in Spanish, enjoy a coffee at 3:05, and come to the park to watch the old men play dominos and yell at each other. There’s not much (any?) green space to speak of. The park is a cultural institution that allows tourists to gawk and abuelos to do their thing. That’s pretty much it… and it’s entirely worth experiencing.
The space is pretty tight and there’s not much to it so come in with a plan. If you walk around to gawk and take up real estate, prepare to be yelled at (or, at least, given a good glower). One aspect of the park I really enjoyed was the mural with all the heads of state of various Latin American countries. Despite being at the park with latinos who looked like me (complexion, etc.) there was little representation of that pigmentation on the wall. It’s interesting that countries that have so much color are governed by, well, I don’t need to spell it out.
It was an interesting observation (especially given the park’s named after a revolutionary who inspired ALL Cubans against a common enemy — the Spanish).
Enjoy the park as resident or tourist and gain a sense of Miami (or, old Cuba) that doesn’t translate that well to book or video. Cross it off your bucket list or go to spend time playing a game I still don’t understand no matter how many times the rules are explained to me. Just don’t stand in the way.

If you are visiting Miami and want to get a true taste of the local flavor, you will be more than satisfied once you make a stop at Máximo Gómez Park. This time was my second visit to the park and without my Cuban boyfriend to shield me! (So kidding!)
I was in the area, getting ice cream from Azúcar Ice Cream Company, which is on the other side of Calle 8. I was wandering around, wondering if I should get in the car and go home or use up the hour of parking that I had already paid. I crossed the street and walked east and ended up here. I was a bit nervous, seeing as I don’t really blend in. But shortly after I got there, a bus full of tourists stopped in front of the park and a tidal wave of non-​natives poured into the park.
They came in, walked around, took some pictures. Don’t get me wrong, I, too, snaps some flicks. I’ll load them up later. But after the tourists left, I was left standing there, like the crazy chinita. After watching a few rounds of dominoes, I noticed that each player got 10 pieces but I didn’t understand why there was pieces at the corners of the table. After watching a bit more, I gathered up courage to ask someone who was standing by, waiting for a turn to play. He explained it to me, but I think I need to read up a little bit more. They were all in shock when I opened my mouth and were so warm once they knew that I could talk to them in their language.
I told me to get my Cubano to teach me to play and to come back to get in on a round. I think I will do just that.
I felt completely safe here, listening to political banter and occasional grunts of annoyance from those playing. I noticed only one woman playing, as well as a table of chess players. But the rest were playing the national game of Cuba. Go and have a glance, but don’t break their concentration or annoy them. While they are a tourist attraction, the players here come to really play, not to look pretty.

Totally cool and a must see for any tourist or anyone having an interest in Cuba or Cuban culture. Just looking at speaks volumes of what Cuba must have been or what life there must really be all about.
Basically it’s an elderly Cuban men’s playground of sorts; great to see and watch elderly as they play. I can only think that this lovely little park must represent the Hallmark or essence of what is known as «Little Havana.»

This is Definitely One of Little Havanas Monuments! This is a Must See if you are in the Area!
Filled with men playing Domino’s and discussing politics. Great place to hangout, watch and learn how to play if you dont’ know how. There is some Serious Playing Going on Here! You have to be a Member to Play So be Prepared! The park is clean and well kept.
I saw several Tour Buses stopping and letting people out to check out the Park!

I love this place. Very energetic group of Cubans playing dominos. Such a great atmosphere and a must see if your around the area. I wish I had the chance to play dominos but I want a member.
My most favorite place to visit while in Little Havana and Miami.

Littlle Havana est une blague, juste quelques pâtés de maison… aucun intérêt, si ce n’est à la limite ce parc où des vieux jouent aux dominos. Préférez clairement la version originale !

Hot damn this place is cool. Maximo Gomez Domino Park is a famous site. A must see for tourists. In my opinion.
First of all, the sound! The loud metallic ringing of the dominoes crashing together announces a new shuffle, a new game. The sound of excitement, of friendship, of luck, nostalgia, and freedom.
Domino park is a members-​only park where dominoes are played. There is a wait, there is service, there is an employee yelling in Spanish «Your time is up!» There is a player exclaiming in Spanish: «Today is my lucky day!»
Many cultures have nostalgic games to play. Mah Jong, chess. Backgammon, Gin, in my family. In Cuba, dominoes.
There are benches to sit at at stare at the moving scene. Cafes, bars, shopping and more on either side of the park. Pony rides available in front on the weekends. The people are very friendly here.
I met Richard, who, for no reason at all, told me all about the, park, salsa and Cuba. He tells me that he loves his job. (pronounces it yob) He asks if there is Cuban food in LA. I tell him that there is. He teaches salsa and Merenge on 8^th street in Calle Ocho. He tells me where the best salsa clubs are hiding. According to him, none of them are in South Beach.
I try to imagine the back story between these old friends that meet here every day to play dominoes with each other. And my heart feels warm.:-)

Little Havana!
Loud old Cuban men!
Dominos!

Part of the Miami staple, YOU have to come and see this! This park is filled of abuelitos playing domino and chess, but mainly domino. Domino is a fast game, pretty easy to catch up but I wonder how they make their numbers and later pay up!
The park is clean, signs all over the place. 99% of the people here are men, some women here but not that many. It’s intense how they play, and from what I hear they can be there for hours… it’s a fast game!
It made me feel like I was in a room filled of people playing Mah Jong!
Went there with a couple of tourist — their first time in Miami, they were also taking video of the players. Players didn’t mind, they were into the game.