Welcome to Miami

Living an hour or so north of Miami, we visit often. As a result of living so close, this post will be subject to frequent updates. Miami is everything that you think it is. It is an an urban oasis with South Florida flair. There are too many cultural and ethnically diverse groups to name, but it you’re looking for anything from the Caribbean, South America, Central America, or Latin America, you can find it in the greater Miami area. The Miami Modern architecture is unique and quite famous. Home to the world’s busiest cruise port, Miami entertains natives and tourists year round.

There are so many things to go, and we have a few suggestions that everyone should consider. One of the first things we do everywhere is to ride the Hop on Hop off bus. While the quality of the narration varies, they always provide us with tour of the city and familiarization with the locations associated with the most popular landmarks. Additionally, there are other tours of Miami that will give you unique perspectives. We have enjoyed the following tours, but there are even more; The Segway Tour, Bay Boat Tour, and Antique Car City Tour are all excellent choices. Tours of The Everglades, especially in an air boat are also very popular!!! Bayfront Park has a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. It is also where you can book and begin The Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour, Bay Boat Tour, and many others.

The vibrant, Little Havana is full of Cuban art, food, and culture. In the “Calle Ocho” area, SW 8th street, there are art galleries, live music, and restaurants. We suggest that you have a Cuban sandwich is one of the restaurants. Having a Cuban coffee and visiting Domino Park to witness the majesty of locals playing dominoes is incredible.

Domino Park in Little Havana

Karen in Little Havana!!!!

If you visit South Beach and plan to stay in a hotel there, you should not stay on the ocean side unless you’re planning to participate in the lively nightlife. It is very noisy and the party goes on all night. While, the beach is beautiful and the water is clear and blue, don’t go too early in the morning. Early in the morning, there are numerous homeless people on the beaches and are known to take showers in the showers on the beach. While in the South Beach area, visit The Versace Mansion. Versace Mansion, is a small boutique hotel as well as a restaurant. The hotel is very expensive, and if you’re planning to dine at the restaurant, you should make a reservation well in advance.

Miami offers a number of shopping opportunities. There are large malls, small local shops, antique stores, and outlet malls.

One of the coolest things to do in Miami is to visit the Wynwood neighborhood. The area is full of cool shops and restaurants.

Funky and Delicious Mac and Cheese dishes

Wandering around looking at all of the beautiful and interesting murals is an afternoon well spent.

Wynwood Monopoly Man

Wynwood Mural

Wynwood – Frida Kahlo

There are several excellent concert venues in the Miami area. Concerts, sporting events, and various festivals take place year round. While Hard Rock Stadium is an excellent venue for soccer, football, and concerts, it is a nightmare to arrive and leave from via taxi, Uber, Lyft, etc. If you attend an event here, driving yourself is the best option. Plan to arrive early, there are a lot of things to do at the stadium. We also suggest that if you are not leaving early, you should pack food and drinks for a post event tailgate. Hanging out for 30 minutes to an hour afterwards will prevent sitting in a traffic nightmare.