If you love elephants and art, then this exhibit is a must for you to see and experience. Never did…read moreI think that I would see 100 lifelike elephants on the beach in Miami Beach. You can get up close and personal for free until December 8 while Art Basel 2024 is happening in Miami and Miami Beach. The exhibit is located between 36th and 37th Streets on Collins Ave behind the 36th Street Park and the Faena Hotel. There is plenty of free parking. The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraising adventure to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race, to share space. I am so thrilled that we were able to view this exhibit ahead of the official opening on Dec. 2. It lasts until Dec. 8. After Miami Beach, it will be traveling to Montana. It migrated from New York City to Miami Beach by truckload.

Located on the 36th Street beach behind the Faena Hotel - always a primo spot for their creative…read moreMiami Art Week installations - you will find a herd of elephants! Well, not actually real elephants, because then it would be an episode of Jumanji, but instead a Public Art piece intended to educate and embrace the nature around us. There are a few educational posters, lights to see the exhibit at night, and of course Pachyderms! These wooden (it looks like a rattan-type wood) masterpieces were crafted by artisans in the Nilgiri Hills of India, and the craftsmanship was superb. You can see the differences in each of the creatures, including expressive eyes. The elephants on exhibit range from a full adult size to babies. As a side note, there is also an adjacent installation of what look to be foam blocks arranged in the shape of a starfish. I was told the plan is to use those elements to construct an artificial reef offshore after the exhibit is complete. There is also an adjacent sculpture made to look like a sinking ship (though when I went at night the "sails" weren't up).

Ocean Drive is the most iconic street in Miami Beach, running along South Beach with historic Art…read moreDeco buildings, restaurants, and cafés. The pastel-colored hotels and neon lights make the area feel lively both day and night. Walking here gives you the true South Beach vibe with music, sports cars, and beach views. Even a short stroll along this stretch feels like stepping into a movie scene. At night, the whole area takes on a completely different vibe. Since it's a one way road, you really notice the kind of cars cruising through--and some of them are just incredible to see. The party energy spills out everywhere, with people roaming around freely until the early hours of the morning.

If you haven't been, it's a nice place to visit. We've been numerous of time so it wasn't like we…read morehad ti stop and see and do everything. It is a major tourist trap along the strip with restaurants and bars. They'll solicit you in with deals but once inside, it can be very pricey. Also, be careful with your bill, so many different fees added on as well as gratuity. You may end up tipping double if you don't check. Places does get pretty wild and loud at night and especially on the weekend. It was pretty mellow during the daytime as evening during our stay mid week. Also, weather wasn't that great either. Beside that, it's a staple of your in Miami.

Super cute and a nice photo op too. This 120 year old Banyan tree is a central inside the cute and…read morelush Upper Buena Vista, a sanctuary that offers local independent shops, and cute restaurants. This tree is known as is "the Bodhi Wish tree." Adorned in colourful ribbons. This tree is reputed to have special magnetic and spiritual values. An ancestral Asian tradition suggests that writing a wish on a ribbon and tying it to the tree could lead to eternal blessings. If you look closely at the ribbons, you'll find that each one carries a special wish! Upper Buena Vista partners with non-profit One Tree Planted, which plants trees in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific to support reforestation and preservation of nature. So, purchase a ribbon, write your wish and there will be a tree planted in your honour.

I love a historic tree so much that I even have a collection on Yelp. I discovered the Bodhi…read moreWishtree on a recent visit to Upper Buena Vista. The Bodhi Wishtree is a 120 year old banyan tree located in Upper Buena Vista retail and dining development which was actually designed around it. The tree is said to have spiritual and magnetic properties. According to Asian tradition you can write a wish on a ribbon, tie it to the tree, and receive eternal blessings. Ribbons used to be sold by the The House of Findings for a $1 donation given to the non profit One Tree Planted foundation that seeks to support reforestation in four continents. The House of Findings is currently closed except for appointments so I'm not sure how they are handling ribbon sales now. The tree is the centerpiece of the Upper Buena Vista complex providing shade, shelter, and positive energy to visitors. Beneath the tree is a giant colorful Pinocchio sculpture. Tons of people were getting their picture taken in front of the tree and it is the perfect backdrop for an Instagram shot of one of the amazing drinks from Amazonica.. Upper Buena Vista is such a cool place and the Bodhi Wishtree is front and center of all of the fun.

More like 4.5 stars. I like Little Havana. I really don't come here very often. In fact, I have…read morebeen more on the west side of 8th Street compared to Little Havana. I find the Little Havana area to be charming. There are some nice restaurants in this area. I got to eat at Ciao Havana and was happy eating there. There is Old's Sandwich near there. That looked really good. I would like.to.eat there at some point. I like this area because of the history. I walked by a barber shop and saw how busy it was and how the barbershop seemed to be taking pride in their work. That is so nice to see. I look forward to coming back to this area. It is a nice break from Broward where I live.

Review #1,000 The…read morefinale to our Miami tour, booked to kill time before heading to the airport. This was the day that we disembarked from our Caribbean cruise. After Cuba's fall to Fidel Castro, Miami received an influx of Cuban migrants, some 150,000 at the time. And this community became their hub. We were tantalized by our tour bus guide's verbal preparations of his Cuban heritage found here, especially the Cuban coffee. Lunch at the popular Cuban restaurant La Esquina de La Fama, our first stop, delivered on the Cuban coffee hype. As did the mojitos for some, which they're probably most famous for. Then other than the guide's walking tour option to the nearby Cuban cigar factory which we passed on; we had toured a similar hand rolled cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. So we were now free to explore on our own. Colorful murals, especially in what is known as Art Park, surround you. Nearby Domino Park is open to the public, but playing dominoes there is reserved only for the local elderly. But feel free to stroll around the various games going on. There is also a very popular ice cream parlor that came highly recommended but we passed on it. And per the guides strong protest to please avoid/tongue-in-cheek, the McDonald's smack dab in the midst of it all, that advice went unheeded by more than a few lol. My wife crossed the street to check out a small strip mall, joining another group of tourists headed that way. While I remained in a cool shaded spot to avoid the encroaching Miami humidity. Oh, and if you feel a need for a bit more positivity in your life, try rubbing one of the large chickens, you can't miss them, for "good luck" they say. Little Havana, a nice way to kill some time when in town.

Starchild is a 50 foot tall figural sculpture made of powdered coated aluminum and steel. The piece…read morewas commissioned by the City of Miami Beach For Art Basel 2022. Founded in 1970 in Switzerland, Art Basel is the most prestigious art fair in the United States. It is held each year in in Basel, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Paris, and here in Miami Beach. Starchild was created by Friends With You, the collaborative art project of Los Angeles based artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III. They have been working together since 2002 to create modern art with a message of spirituality and to make a positive impact on the world. Their art is a physical embodiment of the traits of kindness and positivity and they work in the mediums of sculpture, paintings, animation, live performances, virtual reality, and digital art. Friends With You has had their art displayed in public exhibitions, museums, art galleries, and public spaces across the world. Their fine art exhibitions have been held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the NSU Art Museum, and the Dallas Contemporary. Their Little Cloud balloon was a part of the 2018 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Little Cloud Sky on Espanola Way was another public art installation commissioned by The City of Miami Beach. They also created the animation series "True and the Rainbow Kingdom" for Netflix. Starchild is the main character in the Friends With You series where they rename the earth ocean as a means of unifying the planet. It is meant to resemble a "falling star or comet imbued with humanoid features." The myth created around the project says that Starchild is an intergalactic emissary sent to unify our world. "Ocean is a collection of metaphors conjuring our combined humanity; where most belief systems highlight what's unique to them, Ocean's mythology aims to unearth the common myths and viewpoints that exist in everyone, deep in the human psyche, to create a mythology that everyone can not only relate to but be a part of, regardless of cultural background. The closer we get to the truth of our existence, the more we can sense the power of our nature. The unification and creation of a better society has to start with this understanding which allows us to be more compassionate to each other as well as seeing every living thing as us." Starchild marks the beginning of life on ocean and is a symbol of light, power, and nature. This cheerful sculpture is currently brightening Henry Liebman Square on the corner of W 41st Street and Pine Tree Drive next to a fountain. The bright orange color and quirky nature of the piece made me smile. I applaud any art that wants to bring more joy, kindness, and love to the world.

I absolutely love South Beach! This was my second time visiting, and it was just as much fun as I…read moreremembered. The atmosphere was so lively, and even though it was super hot, I loved every minute of it. Since the FIFA World Cup was coming up, there were decorations and displays around the area that added to the excitement. It made the whole beach feel even more energetic. There's so much to do besides just relaxing on the sand. You can walk the beachfront trails, check out the outdoor workout areas, visit the nearby restaurants and shops, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. The beach itself was amazing. The sand was soft, the water was warm, and it was the perfect place to spend the day. Thankfully, our hotel included complimentary beach chairs, which made the experience even better. If your hotel doesn't provide them, you can always bring your own chairs or just relax on a towel or blankets. I love the Miami vibe, and South Beach is one of my favorite places to visit. It's always a fun, energetic destination, and I can't wait to come back.

South Beach is the heart of Miami Beach and famous worldwide for its white sand, turquoise water,…read moreand lively atmosphere. The beach is wide, clean, and perfect for walking, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the ocean view. When you head toward the beach through Lummus Park, the stretch of green really welcomes you. You do have to walk quite a bit to reach the sand--it's surprisingly far from Ocean Drive. I don't think I've ever seen such a large distance between a main road and the beach before, but honestly, that's part of its charm. Palm trees, colorful lifeguard towers, and the Art Deco skyline create the classic Miami postcard scene. Whether you visit for sunrise or sunset, the vibe here is always energetic. Parking: Take my words: Park at 'Miami Beach Parking Garage [7th St]', its your best bet

As a fan of public art, this sculpture really caught my eye while driving past Lincoln Road. XO…read moreWorld is one of the monumental sculptures of the XO WORLD Project which was founded by artist Daniel Anderson to promote equality, unity, peace, and love. The mission of XO World Project Foundation is to improve the quality of life for women and children in poor underserved communities around the world by providing essential healthcare. The foundation offers support of hospital infrastructure, trains medical professionals, and donates medical equipment. They also work to improve health care by increasing access to clean water, sustainable food sources. and preventing diseases by expanding health screenings. Anderson took his inspiration for this sculpture from the game of jacks. It is a recreational pastime that has brought fun and happiness to children across cultures since ancient times. The X in the sculpture represents love in universal sign language while the O is represented by a globe that is symbolic for humanity coming together as one. The sculpture is made of 20,000 pounds of stainless steel and is 12 feet high and 24 feet long. XO World was unveiled at the 40 year milestone of World Peace Day, September 21, 2021, at the World Trade Center campus in New York. It has now made its way from the World Trade Center to the entrance of the Lincoln Road Mall in Miami. Come out and see this beautiful sculpture while it is here.

If you are looking for an inexpensive date night idea this is the perfect place. SoundScape Park in…read moreMiami Beach was created by the Dutch urban design & landscape architecture firm of West 8. The park was designed by architect Frank Gehry. SoundScape Park was one of the last pieces of the Miami Beach City Center Redevelopment Plan, a redevelopment of 5.86 acres in the heart of Miami Beach's City Center district. The 2.5-acre urban park was created to be a cultural and civic center for Miami Beach. The park is in front of the New World Center and they use it for special events. During some New World Symphony performances, the outside wall of the Frank Gehry-designed concert hall features a 7000-sq-ft projection of the concert within. November 23rd and 24th kicks off the 14th season of SoundScape Cinema Series, a free movie event every Wednesday at 8 PM. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the free shows. The park is easily recognizable by its conic pergolas at the edge of the park. Their shape was inspired by the puffy cumulous clouds often seen in the sky in South Florida's tropical climate. The hand-fabricated painted aluminum structures provide shade and support for the colorful blooms on bougainvillea vines which add color to the entrance of the park.

A large, open city park that is very close to South Beach and Lincoln Way. Pretty empty on a…read moregorgeous Friday morning, with various architectural aspects/patterns around you to enhance the view. A few homeless around.

Yes, it's touristy, but it's where you go after dinner when you're not ready to go home and want to…read morebe entertained or dance. As soon as you walk in, the senses are going off. There's an intense dynamic of action throughout this joint- upstairs and downstairs. There's professional performers on the center bar top. Walk to the back and there's another live performance complete with more dancers and singing with a dance floor at the stage. What's upstairs? There is DJ dancing - popular high energy music. The drinks are definitely expensive, but that is to be expected in South Beach. The only complaint is the bartenders I visited on the bottom floor to the left bar in the back and upstairs in the DJ room looked like they did not want to be there. Perhaps, this place is too wild for a continuous eight hour shift? Who knows. The jovial atmosphere in this place makes you forget quickly though. I think I stayed here until 2am dancing my ass off. I had a colorful evening and would definitely return! - maybe the dinner and show experience?

I was very disappointed with my experience at Mango's. First, there was a $20 entrance fee just to…read moreget in. Then, when I received my bill, there was an additional $0.25 'health insurance' charge. The amount isn't the issue--it's the principle. Costs like employee health insurance should be built into prices, not added as surprise fees. To make matters worse, when I asked about the charge, the server couldn't explain what it was or why it was being added, so I left with more questions than answers. Between the cover charge, unexpected fees, and lack of transparency, the whole experience felt like a tourist trap. Customers deserve clear pricing and straightforward explanations of any charges before they're added to the bill.

One of the best meals I have ever had. Staff was attentive…read more Vibe was intimate & luxurious. 10/10

So yummy! I love the vibe of this place with the indoor outdoor seating. The street being blocked…read moreoff really gives a European feel. The inside is small, but feels even more like Europe. Food was delicious. I ordered the spaghetti with clams and our waiter suggested the linguini frutti di mare with the clam sauce and it was TO DIE FOR. Just what I wanted. The waiter was so nice and helpful with picking out and giving suggestions.