10 Things To Do in Miami That Aren't Sunbathing

I am not going to lie, I love sunbathing. I am a sea creature and always have been. The smell of the seaside, the warmth of the sun kissing your skin and the refreshing touch of the seawater is an experience I’d like to have over and over again.

However, I understand this may not be everybody’s taste. There’s a time and place for everything.

And it wasn’t until I recently visited my bestie Pat in Miami that I wondered: what would I do in the city if I weren’t at the beach?

OUR TOP 10-PICKS

1. South Beach Art Deco Walk

Whilst it may sound a bit of a cliche, the reality is that walking through Ocean Drive is pretty damn cool and a must if you are visiting Miami.

We recommend starting your route at the famous Avalon Hotel and follow the beach footpath that will transport you back to the American 1920s. Along the way you will see Muscle Beach (the Florida version of LA’s Venice Beach), Versace’s Villa Casa Casuarina and Mango’s Tropical Cafe, a hot spot if you like a bit of salsa dancing. How long is your walk will depend on how much time you’ve got. We suggest an hour walk up until Collins Park and round up your trail with a drink and a tee souvenir at Sweet Liberty. Pro-tip: If you go there between 4-8pm you have Happy Hour that you can pair with delicious oysters.

2.


LifeGuard
Towers Walk

An alternative walk to the Soutch Beach Art Deco happens at the beach itself.

The lifeguard towers of Miami Beach are also known for its Art Deco and colourful palettes and are a fun walk on an sunny day. Pro-tip: If you’d like to take pictures with nobody around, we suggest an early morning walk, or else you may have plenty of people around you.

Currently there are 31 lifeguard towers, so once again your walk can be as long as you like. We suggest starting on 10th street and walk your way up to The Confidante or Cecconi’s, where you can grab yourself a rewarding drink and a bite. Alternatively, you can have a pitstop at Broken Shaker at the Freehand, a great spot for afterwork drinks as well.

3. SuperBlue Miami Exhibition

If you are into immersive experiences, then don’t look further, SuperBlue is your no.1 place in Miami.

Superblue hosts a series of interactive experiences from renown artists such as James Turrell (whose art featured in Drake’s Hotline Bling Video) and Es Devlin. I could go on to explain what you’ll encounter, but I think it’s best for you to be suprised by it. And you will.

4.
Perez Art Museum Visit

Art lovers out there, you are in for a treat in Miami. The Perez Museum is only one of the many museums available in this city and all of them have great talent to showcase. We liked the Perez because it showcased a lot of contemporary Latinx, African and Caribbean artists, and also Miami based artists, something that perhaps we are not so used to see elsewhere.

5. NBA Game Experience

Even if you are not a basketball fan, coming to a Miami Heat game will be an experience of a lifetime.

The atmosphere, the excitement, the cheerleaders, the play itself. It is a major show, one not to be missed. Pro-tip: avoid being ripped off with drinks in the stadium (20$ for a can of beer!) and have a few before the game. Also make sure you arrive with enough time to go through security (30-min prior) as we cut it a bit short and almost missed the beginning of the show.

6. Dance and Discover Little Havana Nights

Little Havana is Miami’s vibrant Cuban heart, and despite what many may say, it’s a fabulous area to visit. The neighborhood is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) and it truly comes to live in the evening time. Pro-tip: visit the area on the weekend and make sure you book a table at Cafe La Trova, you can dine whilst listening to incredible live Cuban Music! Then hit the dance floor at Ball & Chain and top the night off with ice cream at Azucar.

7. Wynwood Walls

You could spend a full day in Wynwood (more on this soon), but if you had to pick one thing to do here it has to be Wynwood Walls.

Wynwood use to be a warehouse district and it wasnt until it was filled by street art and up and coming cafes and shops that it became what it is now. Pro-tip: get the ticket with the tour guide, it’s worth getting that extra information about the artists on display. After the tour, hit La Tropical brewery for good vibes and craft beer.

8. See Miami From A Boat

You haven’t experience the full Miami life until you get on a boat, pump up the tunes and drink your day away touring the caribbean sea on a private boat.

Whilst some may think this is an expensive adventure, if you gather a group of friends, say 8-10pax, you could afford a nice yatch for $100 per person for a half day session.

9. Workout In An Unusual Location with StayFit 305

From a bootcamp session at hip Undone basketball court in Wynwood to a running session at The Moxy South beach, Stay Fit 305 always has a fun and entertaining work out ready for you. Stay tuned with their latest by signing up to their newsletter.

10. Feel Like A Princess at Vizcaya

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

A National Historic Landmarket from the 1920s, the Vizcaya Musum & Gardens is one of those places that you’d never think you’d find in Miami. An Estate Home more appropiate for the English than the Americans, this beautiful villa hosts 32 decorated rooms and 10 acres of incredible gardens. A lot of quinceaneras and weddings take place here, so definitely dress the part if you want to take some lovely pics. This place is stunning.

Enjoy careless readers,

TCB xx

Miami LifeGuard Towers

There’s a je ne sais quoi that attracts me to color. The more vibrant the better. Some people say that color resonates with people in many different ways, that it affects your mood. Scientific evidence about this has been anecdotal but I do feel that we have emotional connections to color. At least I do. The color I chose for my daily outfits certainly set the mood for the day. Stricking reds, pink hues and orange tones tend to be associated with danger by most but also with passion for others.

On a regular basis, people tend to avoid strong colors when dressing up. I look for these the most. Not all is lost though. Since Valentino introduced the Hot Pink back into fashion this summer, people have gone on an adventure route. Balenciaga and Bottega’s Neon Green have also taken the London streets.

Anyhow, I am being side tracked here. Colors! Miami! The Lifeguard Towers.

Having a walk through these beautiful 1920s houses was at the top of the list of things to do when visiting Miami. It was wonderful. The sun was shining, the sea was calm and the explosion of colors in front of me made me happier than ever.

Time for a swim.

TCB xx

Manhattan Bees

Photography by Stephanie Arvelo

For a city that never sleeps and it’s always busy, I find its transportation methods always fail to excel. At least, if I compare it to my beloved London.

What can I say, finding your way to the right subway platform is certainly not easy and neither are waiting times. Looong! I guess some of us have been spoiled on the other side of the pond...

Funny enough there’s plenty of yellow taxis to fix that, but they are all taken when you really wanna grab one on the spot, ha! So much for those uber haters...

In any case, regardless of this #firstworldproblems that we take on our everyday lives, I love feeling like a busy bee in the city. Puts me right in character, one that has plenty of power and energy.

Life is tricky babies, stay in your magic.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE

SheIn Heartbreaker Pink Velvet Tee
ZARA Pleat Skort
Mango Pink Velvet Platform Sandals
Rayban Round Metal Sunglasses