Miami is an incredibly unique city with its own culture, architectural style, and vibe. Because of this, it makes for a pretty spectacular vacation. Miami is home to picturesque beaches, art deco galore, a vibrant nightlife, gardens of the tropical variety, a bustling art scene, lively Latin American influences, and delectable cuisine. The following will explore a few reasons you might want to put Miami on your bucket list, as well as a couple of tips about how to make the most of the trip.
The Weather
Florida isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing. Florida weather is breezy and sunny and often just what the doctor ordered. If you’re traveling to Miami, you need to devote at least a few hours to soaking up all that stellar vitamin D and enjoying the perfect weather. Plan to walk places when you can and leave lots of time for meandering around, sipping a refreshing drink on a patio.
The Beaches
While we’re on the topic of the gorgeous weather that Miami is known for, the beaches deserve mention. The city is located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and this means that shimmering water and stretches of white sandy beaches are incredibly close by. You will be able to see dolphins and manatees and enjoy the soothing sound of the waves crashing into the shore. Some of the more popular beaches include South Beach, Miami Beach Boardwalk, Crandon Park Beach, Haulover Beach Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Virginia Key Beach North Point Park, Matheson Hammock Park, the Historic Virginia Key Park, and Oleta River State Park. Just be sure to do a little research on your sunscreen choices if you’re planning on swimming. Recent evidence has found that many sunscreens are destroying the ecosystem at a rapid pace. Many places are already beginning to ban most sunscreens.
Gallery Hopping
One of the most popular things to see in Miami is the Wynwood district and the design district. Packed to the brim with galleries and wine bars, these nifty districts will fulfill all your art needs. When it comes to classic Miami holidays, you can’t skip over the murals that coat Wynwood. Wandering along streets covered in art can lift the spirits of pretty much anyone, and it also makes for some stellar social media pictures (so make sure your phone battery is charged and you’ve got space for lots of photos). While you’re at it, check out a few of the many museums in the area.
Vibrant Nightlife
Nightlife is a whole culture in Miami, so you’re likely to find something worth staying up late for even if you typically like to get to bed early. Latin jazz bars, microbreweries, pubs, lounges on rooftops, cocktail bars, open-air music gatherings, nightclubs, and parties galore can be found almost any night of the week in Miami.
Art Deco Vibes
Art Deco is part of what makes Miami feel so unique. The style of visual art, design, and architecture first gained popularity in France just before the first world war but now can be found in little pockets all over the world. Miami’s architecture is filled with bold lines, tropical motifs, and pastel color palettes, leaving you feeling like you’re wandering in a candy-land version of life where things are shiny, and anything can happen.
Little Havana
Little Havana is one of Miami’s most famous neighborhoods; it’s home to many Cuban exiles, but also immigrants from all over Central and South America, and so Cuban culture but also a wide variety of Latin American influences are woven throughout the neighborhood. Located between Southwest 37th Avenue, Southwest 3rd Avenue, Northwest 7th Street, and Southwest 22nd Street (Coral Way), Little Havana is a must-see location in Miami. You can find stellar food, music, shopping, and a laid-back vibe all throughout Little Havana, and if you’re lucky enough to be traveling during one of the neighborhood’s festivals, you don’t want to miss the experience of attending. This is also an excellent place to tour some beautiful churches if you’re interested in that. The neighborhood is also filled with parks and museums worth your attention.
The above list contains a few of the reasons you don’t want to miss out on a trip to Miami. This sunny city feels like nothing else in the world, given its rare cultural and historical formation. Make sure to bring a few bathing suits and some comfortable sandals for walking as well as your snazziest nightlife outfit if you want to be fully prepared.
