NEIGHBORHOODS WE LOVE
It’s flashy, it’s colorful, and it’s often very weird—but that’s what we love about America’s most iconic waterfront. While it’s referred to as “beach,” it’s actually a miniature city in and of itself, known for legendary beach resorts and well-preserved historic Art Deco architecture. Here, many of the city’s most well-known hotels and restaurants are clustered along the coast, which is broken down into the locally-beloved North Beach, up-and-coming Mid-Beach, and of course, the tourist central that is South Beach.For tourists, the party’s mostly happening down in South Beach with all its legendary clubs like Nikki Beach, Mango’s Tropical Cafe, and Twist. Perhaps most notable of these is LIV, a rite of passage for locals and visitors alike. Thankfully, they’re all pretty close to Miami’s best hotels, including both longtime staples like the Delano as well as trendy newcomers like the cute and affordable Generator Miami hostel and the wildly blinged-out Faena Hotel.
Street art heads should head to the Wynwood Arts District, where the Wynwood Walls have been drawing locals and tourists alike with graffiti and murals from the likes of Ron English and Shepard Fairey. Once you’ve checked out the art, wait in line for a cold brew at Panther Coffee, a Miami-based specialty coffee company, or grab lunch at shared-plates hotspot Beaker & Gray, which is set in a former factory space.
Photo by Christina Arza
Located just west of Downtown Miami, the city’s storied Cuban-American neighborhood should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Miami. Stroll down the famous Calle Ocho strip, between 12th and 27th Avenues, and immerse yourself in the culture at local Cuban coffee shops or outdoor fruit stands. And if you’re visiting in March, be sure to check out Calle Ocho Festival—the biggest street party in the country with over 1 million attendees coming to dance in the street and catch performances from Latin America’s superstars.
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
Soaring rents in Wynwood drove many galleries down to this colorful Caribbean enclave that’s home to some 30,000 Haitian-Americans, many of whom sought asylum in the 1980s. Geek out over French-Creole literature at the Libreri Mapou, or walk north from 54th Street to find tons of murals that tell the story of Haitian culture. Oh, and definitely check out Botanica Negra Francisca for all your Santería needs—including perfumes, incense, candles and religious figurines.
Developed in the early 2000s, the fresh-faced and fashionable Miami Design District connects Wynwood to Little Haiti and the Upper East Side. Shopping is the main activity here: we recommend a visit to En Avance, a luxury womenswear boutique that’s been showcasing global brands and labels for over two decades.Downtown Miami
With an ever-growing skyline of towering buildings, Miami’s city center has been slowly transformed from its colorful 1980s self to a refurbished modern hub of museums, restaurants, and bars. Play tourist at the neighborhood’s most iconic building, Freedom Tower, which has been called the “Ellis Island of the South,” complete with exhibits about Cuban refugees and the Cuban diaspora. If outdoor time is more your thing, head to Bayfront Park, a waterfront green space on Biscayne Bay.Coral Gables
It’s a long-but-worth-it trek to Coral Gables, a historic city near Miami developed during pre-Prohibition times. The walkable area is home to the famed Venetian Pool, a historic public pool—in fact, the largest freshwater pool in America—built in 1924. For shopping and dining, hit the pavement on Coral Way’s Miracle Mile, chock full of designer boutiques and bridal stores. And for a slice of history, check out the Coral Gables City Hall—a Mediterranean Revival-style building built in 1927 and registered with the US National Register of Historic Places.
A hop-skip from Coral Gables, this boho-chic neighborhood offers a visual departure from the pastel-hued Art Deco buildings of South Beach. If you make it out here, stop at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, an Italian Renaissance-inspired villa built in the early 1900s and filled with tons of antiques and art dating back to the 16th century. For outdoor-loving visitors, there are open-air farmers’ markets, parks, and The Kampong, a nine-acre botanical garden.
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
If you head west of Dade County and stop just short of the alligators, you'll find a new-ish arts scene budding in the adjacent communities of Hialeah and Opa-Locka, as ridiculous rents in more central areas have pushed art makers and young scenesters out west. While you're visiting the "Leah Arts District," make a stop at the Ali Baba–themed Opa-Locka City Hall, the most recognizable structure in the wonderland of Moorish and Islamic Revival architecture that is Opa-Locka.Homestead
Homestead is far—like, really far from everywhere else in Miami. But the thing is, you drive through it on your way to the Keys or the Everglades, so you might as well stop because it's really the only place to get good Mexican food in South Florida. And there's Robert Is Here, an old-time tropical fruit stand selling really fucking good shakes. It also randomly has farm animals and vintage tractors, because Florida.
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
BASIC ETIQUETTE (HOW TO ACT)
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
El Rey de las Fritas, photo by Christina Arza
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
Ball & Chain. Photo by Christina Arza
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
Alter, photo by Christina Azra
The Broken Shaker. Photo by Christina Arza.
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
SPORTS
You should go where the Heat play, if just to witness it, because AmericanAirlines Arena is full of people dressed like they're going to the club. (To. The. Nines.) But if not, the best place to watch the game by a million miles has always been Mike's at Venetia Restaurant and Irish Pub.
Domino Park, photo by Christina Arza
Even though they have, without question, the best unofficial theme song in the entire MLB courtesy of sad Creed frontman Scott Stapp, the Marlins are absolute garbage, and to root for them almost means you hate the city. They play at Marlins Park. There aren't really any Marlins' bars, per se. Almost 100 percent of the time, if you ask people to put a Marlins game on at a bar, they think you're kidding.Football
Hard Rock Stadium—whose previous names have included Joe Robbie Stadium and Sun Life Stadium—still has our hearts—even if the Dolphins are being run by human piece of lint Stephen Ross. The best place to watch the Dolphins would be the early 1970s. Second best place would be Shuckers. Third best place would be on a yacht with DJ Khaled. Don't watch the Dolphins unless you're getting beered up at Shuckers. They will only leave you cold, alone, and 6–10.
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Photo by Christina Arza
Photo by Christina Arza
Vizcaya, photo by Christina Azra
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
WHERE TO PARTY
Photo by Christina Arza
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor
Sweat Records. Photo by Christina Arza
WHERE TO SHOP
Books & Books, photo by Christina Arza
Base Superstore, photo by Christina Arza
Photo by Ian Patrick O'Connor