Introduction
Excellent things to do in Miami. Doing what I feel will help make your trip memorable. Other blogger’s posts may present the reader with a comprehensive list. However, I have curated a list that makes Miami unique. For a real cheap airfare to go from here to there, please check out my friends at cheapOair on the banner below.
Brickell City Centre
If you are looking for a very upscale mall Brickell City Centre is your place. A five-minute walk from our hotel brings us there. Brickell City Centre’s big-name retailers have plenty of high-fashion merchandise. One could find $600 Prada sneakers if that is your thing which is not mine.
The mall is visually attractive with its openness taking advantage of the mild Miami weather. I am happy not to be enclosed in a windowless box where you do not see daylight. Brickell City Centre is surrounded by many very attractive condos and office buildings which creates quite an interesting urban vibe.
CMX Movie Theatre at the Brickell City Centre
I could not only take in a movie at the Brickell City Centre’s CMX Cinema but also order from a menu with some interesting choices. The seats were very comfortable and had the ability to recline as well. Our film tonight was The Menu which turned out to be an interesting but dark movie starring one of my favorites Ralph Fiennes. This one might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Metromovers
Our best way to get around downtown Miami is the Metromovers. You travel on automated monorail cars. which operate on elevated tracks. I could connect with many of downtown Miami’s attractions including the Brickell City Center. I might add that the fare is free. You cannot beat that.
Wynwood Art District
Miami Cultural Highlights
I wanted to see the Wynwood Arts District a gritty industrial area with lots of boutiques and trendy restaurants. Visiting Wynwood is an excellent thing to do in Miami. The outstanding feature of this neighborhood is the many graffiti-clad walls of buildings. Wynwood is just north of Miami’s downtown area. You can reach it with the metro mover and transfer to a trolley which is free as well.
South Beach ( in Miami Beach )
Miami Cultural Highlights
Another excellent thing to do in Miami is to visit South Beach. This is an interesting area to explore in which you see a part of Miami that developed in the Art Deco years of the 1930s. In the 1950s South Beach fell into decay when other parts of Miami Beach were being developed. It had become the residence of poor retirees, junkies, and other ” down and outers”. Fortunately, activists brought attention to the South Beach area as a unique place that should be preserved. The Miami Beach Architectural Districr was designated in 1979 which proved to be a turning point. for South Beach. Gentrification was underway and today we have a revitalization containing a delightful mix of historic hotels, hip restaurants, fashionable shopping, and exciting nightclubs.
The Versace Mansion
One of the more interesting buildings in South Beach is the Versace Mansion (1930) at 1116 Ocean Drive with quite a lurid story behind it. Its owner the fashion designer Giovanni Versace (1946-1997) was shot to death from behind on the front steps of his home by Andrew Cunanan a serial killer of 4 other men. Cunanan was later found dead by suicide in a nearby houseboat.
Miami Design Preservation League Walking Tour
We wanted to do a walking tour of this area and the one offered by the (non-profit) Miami Design Preservation League appeared to be very authentic. Please go online to reserve your spot as these 90-minute tours tend to sell out quickly. Check here for more details https://mdpl.org/ Remember to click on the tour link. This tour is absolutely worthwhile.
Vizcaya
Miami Cultural Highlights
Only one Metro stop from our hotel in the dense modern high-rise area of Brickell to Vizcaya the Italian Renaissance masterpiece of John Deering (Deering-Mc Cormick International Harvester fortune). Deering started his construction in 1914 and completed it in 1922 spending about $15 million. I see it as quite an ambitious project with this very European mansion together with its gardens placed in a very South Florida subtropic forest. I love this delicious contrast. Another excellent thing to do in Miami is to see Vizcaya. Check here for more details https://vizcaya.org/
Our Hotel and Forthcoming Travels
I wanted to give a shout-out to our hotel. The JW Marriott Miami at 1109 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131 with a great location as well as outstanding service. While there are other hotels in the area, however, none is as warm a place as Miami’s JW Marriott. Please visit Booking.com as I do to address your hotel and other travel needs. Save, save, and save.
I hope that you enjoyed my post and will continue to follow me. The next venture is South America with stops in Sao Paulo, Asuncion, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires this coming February. I cannot wait to bring to my readers some great experiences. Stay tuned.
Steve
