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.

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.

Legend has it the name Haulover came from a fisherman named Philip Edward Baker (1832-1898) who…read morewould haul his sponge boat from Key Biscayne over the dunes by cutting a path through the mangrove forest. An area on the maps marked it as Baker's Haulover in 1823 which people then called Haulover as other generations of fisherman continued the practice. During the Prohibition era, boats would arrive from the Bahamas to deliver whiskey. Alcohol would be to be hauled over the beach to the bayside where speed boats would take it north up north up the Intracoastal Waterway. The inlet where Haulover is located was created in 1925 to increase access to the Atlantic Ocean. The Haulover sandbar was created as the tide rolled in and out over the north end of Biscayne Bay in Miami. The sandbar had a sand shoal that surfaced during low tide. It was as if there was an island oasis in the Bakers Haulover Inlet. When the weather was good, the sandbar was highly visible. Hundreds of boats would converge to enjoy floating concession stands and people would hang out and party on the clean sand left behind by the inlet currents. Alas the Haulover Sandbar is no more. It was dredged in 2021 by the US Army Corps of Engineers who felt it was blocking boat traffic and that the beach-quality sand could be put to better use by shoring up nearby Bal Harbour Beach. Thanks for the great memories and RIP Haulover Sandbar.

Gorgeous sandbar with plenty of nice people to meet. My friends and I spent nearly the entire day…read morehaving a blast at this sandbar yesterday. There are people who sell food, treats, and can also help you book fun water activities. There's so much space so you're able to dock your boat anywhere and just enjoy! Very relaxing. Can't wait to go back.

Mugshot Gummy Bear is really an art piece named The Vandal Gummy Bear by Brooklyn artist WhIsBe,…read moreshort for What Is Beauty. WhisBe first started making the The Vandal Gummy in 2011 as a nostalgia piece. As the artist explains it "At first, it represented the idea of innocence lost. Some represent my take on health and nutrition to my concerns about incarcerated youth, pharmaceuticals and addiction in this country." Some of the bears are translucent and filled with pills to represent addiction while others have a multicolor ombre effect which is popular during Pride Month. WhIsBe created a $60,000 pink one to represent Miami during Art Basel week in 2019. He also accepts commissions. No matter what color, The Vandal Gummy Bear signature look is a candy bear holding a Department of Corrections sign as if it were posing for a mug shot. It is a juxtaposition between the sentimental sugary treat and the alarming mug shot. You can find the red Vandal Gummy Bear at 296 NE 62nd St in Miami. He is parked between two buildings. Perfect for a quick photo shoot or your social media.

Very cool. It's now become a place that I visit a few times a year for special events. I highly…read morerecommend it. It doesn't feel like you're in the city when you visit this place. You can bring kids or you can just come with adults. Awesome place. Very beautiful.

What a wonderful experience! I enjoyed visiting the NightGarden at Fairchild to get some holiday…read morevibes in our tropical climate. After 6pm, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden lights up with disco balls, fairies, and lots of light shows. My son loved the talking tree that you could talk to. I enjoyed the fun light show inside the Rainforest area. While their restaurant and cafe are closed at that time, they do have food trucks and a bar for this event!

We love art! You got to--to appreciate this space. Great staff Rachel (so informative), Alex in…read morespray paint, and Alex -the one checking tickets- all sooo friendly and great. Rachel is above and beyond awesome. Beautiful art space outdoor and indoor (this was a great break from the heat). The outdoor fans, great idea but they aren't cold so not helping anyone cool off hehe On our second visit we brought the kids and did some spray painting on canvases and a skateboard. Such a great experience. Alex and her partner Andres were so helpful made the experience very enjoyable.

Wynwood Art Walk Tours isn't just walking past murals. It's walking with someone who knows which…read morewalls have stories attached, which artists took risks, which pieces cost the neighborhood something. The murals themselves are massive and they're professional, but scale alone doesn't make art work. Context does. Shepard Fairey's augmented reality layer is the differentiator here. It's not a gimmick. When you scan a mural with your phone, the piece opens up into layers and motion. It's the artist's way of saying "there's more here than what you see." It works because it's restrained, not constantly pulling you into your screen. You're still in the neighborhood. You're just seeing deeper. The guide we had knew the economics of gentrification in Wynwood. Knew which artists have been here for years and which are new money. Knew the politics of murals, why some walls get painted and others get buffed, why some artists collaborate and some don't. That knowledge cost something to build. You're paying for it. We took three teenagers, ages 14-17. Not a group naturally inclined to stand still for street art. They asked questions about technique, about why certain artists choose certain walls, about whether the AR experience changes how you see the piece or adds distraction. They engaged. That's not about impressive art alone, that's about the tour structure creating room for actual thinking instead of passive consumption. The neighborhood is dense and chaotic and intentional all at once. You'll see pieces that are technically flawless next to pieces that are deliberately rough. Some murals are massive, some are character-scale. Some artists are making statements about politics, some about beauty, some about ownership. The variation is what keeps it alive. A sanitized art walk would kill this. Walking it yourself is free and worth doing once. Walking it with the tour is $29 and worth doing if you want to understand why these walls matter to the city and why some artists chose to paint them. The difference is context. Context costs something, but you leave with more than photos. The sun hits different at 4 PM than at 11 AM, so timing matters if photography is part of your thing. The neighborhood gets foot traffic but it's not overwhelming. You're in a real place, not a theme park. That texture is part of why this works.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this Italian Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. Built between 1925 and 1926, the French Country Village was inspired by 18th-century rural French provincial farmhouse estates and chateauxs. There are two different style of architecture. Architect Frank Forster designed country homes and farm buildings and architects Edgar Albright and Philip L. Goodwin designed a rustic chateaux style of home. They were all built in the country style and they have have spacious yards and gardens. Design elements include steeply-pitched roofs, turrets, carved wood and wrought-iron balconies, red brick, and tall ceilings. You can find them on the 500 block of Hardee Road. When you see this neighborhood you feel like you stepped into Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle sings there must be more than this provincial life but I would be quite happy here. Since there are only 12 homes the demand for them is extremely high. When they do hit the market the price is over 2 million if you could even be lucky enough to get one.

See my other reviews there are a few "villages" in Coral Gables to depict different styles from…read morearound the world, this area is French country. See below for some information. French Country Village On the 500 block of Hardee Road are homes inspired by 18th century rural French architecture. This thematic district has two evident styles. Architect Frank Forster designed the farm styled homes, while architects Edgar Albright, and Phillip L. Goodwin designed the homes that are more rustic in style. I came for a drive around during covid - and definitely saw "French architectural styles" from the car, check out my pictures and you decide!

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.

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).

This is a pop up garden inspired by the Baroque gardens of the 17th century with a twist. It was…read morecreated in the Jungle Plaza by the Swiss watch maker OMEGA in the Miami Design District. OMEGA has made medical watches, kick started trends, launched watch technology, and reimagined the classics of the past. Last summer they did a tribute to time keeping in the Olympics pop up. The garden opened on July 31st and it is open until August 14th. The garden was designed as a tribute to women and the brands jewelry watches of the early 20th century. There is subtle history around every corner. For instance when you enter the garden there is a display of vintage posters. Rooms are set up so you can take Instagram pictures. The backdrop of one has walls covered in Toile de Jouy: the same French inspired pattern that is on the straps of OMEGA's De Ville Mini Trésor watches. I love that mirrors set up inside make you look thinner than you actually are. LOL Throughout the garden you will find fountains, rooms, mirrors, benches with pillows, tables and chairs, topiaries, and other props so you can take your best photo. It is worth getting dressed up for. At the exit to the garden you will find a golden gazebo with images and quotes from all seven current OMEGA ambassadors: Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Allyson Felix, So-hee Han, Dongyu Zhou, Kaia Gerber and Kiko Mizuhara. Overlooking the garden is a giant mural featuring four of the ladies. I love the interactive feature of this installation which exudes an Alice in Wonderland English garden vibe. Gather your friends and family for a photo shoot at this must see pop up in the Design District.