A GUIDE AROUND MIAMI
THINGS TO DO
The farm-to-table experience of choosing produce directly from the garden to enjoy at home, is one that can be appreciated during a visit to Miami. The Knaus Berry Farm offers visitors the chance to pick berries and other seasonal fruit. Produce from neighboring small farms are also sold at the kiosk. During the warmer seasons, plan your weekend accordingly to make it to one of their farmers market, where you can support local businesses while munching on the farm’s renowned cinnamon rolls. Depending on the season, their sunflower plot is open for visitors to create their own bouquet…or just to take pretty pictures. Call ahead to verify if there are berries/ sunflowers available to avoid disappointment.
Havana is approximately 230 miles away from Miami. Lucky enough, that same cultural atmosphere can be enjoyed while still on the North American continent. Get a small glimpse of the communal spirit by walking through Little Havana, where older men can be seen enjoying a heated afternoon game of dominoes, fueled by their caffeine spiked café Cubano. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are bodegas that serve classic Cuban finger foods; Papa rellena (a fluffy, potato dough, stuffed with well seasoned meat, breaded and fried till crispy ) is a delicious street food that can be found at almost any corner stall. Another gastronomic treat to try is a Pastelito De Coco, a flaky baked pastry filled with sweet shredded coconut. Continue exploring to find family owned cigar shops and rum bars, closely mimicking the experience one would have if they were on the island.
Grab a friend, your camera and your biggest smile, and head over to the Miami Selfie Museum in Wynwood. This artistic space uses quirky, colorful props and backgrounds, creating the perfect scenes for some awesome pictures. Ring lights and tripods in the interactive rooms aid in getting that Instagram worthy shot!
The Wynwood district was a neighborhood improvement project that has blossomed into an artistic hub. Enjoy the street art and murals that line the district, telling stories about the vast cultural and social makeup of the city. Grab your camera and take some cool pictures at the Wynwood Walls Museum or just stroll through the streets till a quirky boutique catches your eye. Stop by Lucky Records and browse their vast selection of vinyls or find a rooftop bar where you can sip on a tropical frozen margarita…or two.
Miami visitors get to see the spectacular skyline of the city from the Ferris wheel at Bayside. With a collection of shops and restaurants conveniently in this location, spend an afternoon trying out tapas and drinks while the breeze from the coast cools you off. Stopping at the Mojito Bar for a minty glass of their famous cocktail, is a great way to celebrate the day. If you have time, wait in line at Churro Mania for a sweet treat you can munch on while you stroll the storefronts.
Just outside of the Wynwood District is the extravagant Design District. With designer storefronts such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chrome Hearts, Loro Piana and Aesop, this luxurious neighborhood is a great stop to splurge during a retail therapy session. Restaurants and cafés can be found scattered throughout the district. Appreciate the artistic showcases that decorate the streets, posing in front of the murals and figures that tie the lux area together.
Modern contemporary art has found its home at PAMM. Their sculpture garden showcases works from artists that offer children and adults alike an interactive experience that sparks a certain nostalgia that must be experienced.
Hidden in the lush canopy in Biscayne Bay lies what once was the villa and estate of former businessman James Deering. Tour the property that was meticulously designed to mimic Italian Renaissance models, with much of the original furniture and artwork still well preserved. Stroll the same dreamy gardens where scenes from Iron Man 3 and Bad Boy II were filmed, stopping for a refreshing sangria at the museum’s cafe.
The Bass Museum is a contemporary art museum and gallery that showcases local and international pieces, catering to the diverse backgrounds of its audience. The recognizable, colorful Miami Mountain greats visitors at the entrance of the museum, which leads to other interactive collections such as Jim Drain’s Chess Tables. Inside the museum there are permanent pieces, many of which are from international artists. Visit the museum’s website to view current exhibits.
This collective space shared by food and entertainment vendors is conveniently placed in the heart of the Wynwood area. Cold cocktails can be sipped outside or inside the main bar. Several canopied seating areas and fans offer shelter from the heat. Scroll through their website to discover which artist is performing or what events are being hosted.
Getting glammed for a night out should be the last of your worries while in the 305. Hand over the task to Temi, the talented makeup artist behind Beam Me Up Temi. Her gentle touch and attention to detail will have you leaving flawless and glamorous.
Biscayne Bay is indeed an environmental treasure. Made up of different ecosystems- mangrove hammocks, lagoons, coral limestone keys and reefs, this natural beauty is home to an array of aquatic and terrestrial life. Take a kayak out on the water to appreciate how stunning the bay is, maybe spotting a herd of manatees grazing the ocean grass. Brave visitors can snorkel the Bay in search of manta rays, or friendlier schools of fish.
One of the gems tucked in busy Miami Beach is this stunning garden. A peaceful collection of different ecosystems in one place! The sounds of the cascading water features and jolly birds make it a serene place to read a book while enjoying a camomile tea. Stop by their gallery space and garden shop to admire the picturesque art pieces that are on display. For a complete description of event lineups and tickets, visit their website.
CLUBS/ NIGHTLIFE
Grab your sunglasses and watch the sun rise as the DJ collapses the roof, welcoming the day in true Miami style: on the dance floor. This nightclub is divided into four sections, each themed differently. The Ground, or bottom level is dedicated to live performances. The Loft has been known to be graced by DJs David Guetta and Diplo and more. The Terrace is where guests can attend the club’s ongoing daytime parties or believe it or not, break in the hangover with their morning yoga sessions.
Champagne Papi raps about this club for a reason! This high energy dance club is dedicated to bringing everyone on the dance floor through great music mixes and live performances. Their strict dress code is non-negotiable, but is worth it to enjoy a night out with great company.
Having a bad night out at this spot is impossible. Located in Little Havana, Casa Tiki is a fusion club that will guarantee a night on the dance floor. Grab tickets for their Afrobeats/ Soca night that are frequently hosted at this venue to enjoy an evening of free drinks and great tunes.
GOOD EATS & DRINKS
Founded by the one and only Tatendaishe Mahaka, Tasa Bakes is a luxury bakery that exquisitely caters to every sweet tooth. This female, black-owned bakery is known for their “Bites of Heaven”, though their vegan cupcakes have quickly climbed the fan favorite ranks. With Tatendaishe always experimenting with new flavors and seasonal fruits, the menu is always updated. The bakery currently offers pickup orders, which can be made through their Instagram page or their WhatsApp link.
Randomly finding this restaurant after a night out in Wynwood, it’s safe to say that this burger joint is one of the best in the 305. Conveniently open till the early hours of the morning, ordering their Mahi-mahi burger that’s lies on a bed of crisp arugula and dressed with a light lime sauce, is the best way to end a night of partying. Their intimate seating area makes a recap of the night spent with a group of friends, even more memorable.
Kush Hospitality Group is dedicated to serving their community through good food and social service. With a knack for providing customers with outstanding hospitality, the restaurant chain excels at creating an inviting and inclusive environment. Their rendition of the all-time American burger- the Kush Hash Burger, elevates what would otherwise be a typical dining experience, turning it into a crunchy marriage of a hash brown and a perfectly cooked patty. For the veggie lovers, their Black Bean Burger that’s well seasoned and packed with locally sourced vegetables is undeniably the best vegan burger in the city… paired with their mildly spicy chipotle crema, one would forget this is an item picked from the veggie corner!
This Cuban inspired bodega is one that must be visited while in Miami. Translating to “The Palace of Juices” as it was built on the vision where tropical Cuban smoothies could be found, the open-style restaurant offers a wide range of classic Latin American food. From Chicharrones (fried pork rind) to Arroz Frito con Camarones y Tostones (Fried rice with shrimp and fried plantain), this restaurant makes it all. The in-restaurant menu can be overwhelming to non-Spanish speakers, so it is highly recommended that you browse the English translated menu before your visit.
Entirely vegan restaurants are rapidly growing in Miami, catering to those who want to explore the power of plant-based cuisine. Planta is one restaurant that is 100% plant based, alleviating the headache of having to tweak menu items to cater to dietary preferences. Menu items named after typical meat dishes, can be deceiving, so can the uncompromised flavor of the veggie dishes.
This tropical, chic restaurant in the Design District was created by hospitality guru David Grutman and Pharrell Williams, teaming up to bring guests a fresh and bold experience through their dining. Locallly sourced ingredients are used to create unforgettable fusion flavors. Make a reservation during the weekday to enjoy their $28 lunch special, which includes a starter, main and dessert. Try their Hamachi Crudo, a plate of thinly sliced hamachi marinated in a coconut and lime sauce and topped with a zesty puree and pickled fresno chillies. For the main plate, go with their Pistachio Pizza, a fine, earthy rendition of pizza. Mellow out your palate with their mango sorbet. While there, a glass of their elegantly served cocktail The Swan, should be tried.
South Beach Food Wine and Food Festival is an annual four day food and drink festival presented by the Food Network Cooking Channel and FIU. Comprising of several different events within Miami, this festival celebrates local and international culinary arts. Celebrity chefs grace stages, giving guest the opportunity to interact with them while tasting their most famous dishes. Events range from drag queen brunches with Neil Patrick Harris, to the Burger Bash hosted by Guy Fieri, all bringing unforgettable social and gastronomic experiences. Browse the events/dates and purchase tickets on the website.
It’s almost as if gallons of warm hugs are poured into the batches of cream before they were put in the freezer… because there is no other way this ice cream can taste this good! Their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons is so smooth, paired with their irresistible waffle cone gives it that balancing crunch. The Honey Lavender, an unusual flavor for ice cream, is surprisingly light with gentle floral tones, making it a great spring favorite!
This trendy sports bar located in Wynwood is the perfect hangout spot for any sneaker head, hype beast or sports fanatic. With 70+ plus TVs playing live sports games, sharing a plate of their crispy truffle fries or Ahi Tuna Tostadas is way better than being at the game! What attracts many to this spot is their Grails “Sneaker” Cocktail, a drink served in a take home souvenir Jordan sneaker cup, which can be refilled twice. The Grails “Sneaker” Shot, is also served in a miniature sneaker cup. These drinks and more are discounted during happy hour, and weekday lunch specials make this place an ideal place to kick it with some friends (pun intended).
The west coast restaurant brought their flavor to the east coast, giving those in Wynwood the opportunity to devour their selection of Mexican tacos, burritos and churros. Try their classic carne asada tacos and top it with the spicy habanero salsa; or if you are in to try their plant based option, go for their Nopal taco which is grilled cactus, a surprisingly scrumptious meat alternative. Finish your meal with a warm churro, perfectly golden and generously coated in cinnamon and sugar.
Long before birria tacos won the tastebuds of the internet, La Tiendita Taqueria was serving the 305 with the best authentic Mexican food. The consommé served with the slow cooked beef has a spicy kick, but will having you slurping every last drop of the sauce. Balance out the heat of the tacos with a side of smoky elote which is well topped with mayo, cheese and cilantro and a sprinkle of tajin. Take advantage of their weekday lunch special, trying their combo of soups, salads, burritos and quesadillas.
La Giulietta is a cute and charming Italian inspired bakery and cafe. This artsy spot located in the Upper-Eastside of Miami, is the perfect place to grab a fairy pastry while catching up with good company. The restaurant sources its ingredients locally, ensuring that fresh produce is used for their menu items. Seasonal fruits are used in many of their pastries, a favorite being their coconut filled croissant, which can be enjoyed at the cafe or at home as their bakery is fully stocked with all their treats.
BEACHES
It would be criminal to visit Miami without making a trip down to South Beach. This tourist hotspot is usually packed with beach lovers trying to soak up as much sun as possible. Walk down Ocean Drive, admiring the colorful art deco hotels and restaurants, many of which have made appearances in several Hollywood blockbuster movies.
A quieter, more scenic beach to visit would be Crandon Park. Located on the barrier island known as Key Biscayne, this two mile stretch of land is a stunning habitat for the flora and fauna that live in the hammocks and mangroves. Upon arrival, it is clear why this beach continues to be the US’ top ranked coastal parks. Palm trees offer more than enough shade for an afternoon picnic or paint date. The warm, calm water throughout the year makes this beach an ideal location to windsurf and kayak. The vast species of aquatic life can be further appreciated by packing a pair of goggles and snorkel, and going for a shallow dive.