Miami is one of my favorite places in the United States. With its miles-long coastline, international vibe and mild weather; it’s no wonder that it attracts visitors from all over the world. Sadly, it’s been a while since my last visit. Recently, a friend of mine announced that she’s moving back to Miami and I took a pause to reflect on the things that I miss most about this cosmopolitan city.
1. Family and Friends
Miami has one of the biggest Latin American communities in the United States. So many of my friends and family have moved there, that I can hardly keep track of all of them. So when I visit, I get to see some of my favourite people in the world.
2. The Food
Another advantage of having a big Latin community is the food. In Miami, you can find restaurants that serve the typical dishes from pretty much any country in Latin America. Not only that, there is also a growing number of fusion restaurants that mix Latin elements with those of other world cuisines. Plus, there is also a good variety of food trucks offering good budget options. Miami is a true foodie destination.
3. South Beach
The trendiest area in Miami, South Beach is packed with action. With its art-deco architecture, chic bars and restaurants, and white sand beach; South Beach is one of the United States’ most glamorous destinations. In this iconic neighborhood you can find some of the best beach party scene in the world.
4. Speaking Spanish
Someone once told me that you can live in Miami and never speak a word of English. Although extreme, I think it is actually true. When you wander around Miami, you can hear almost any possible intonation of the Spanish language. From the lagging cadence of the Argentine accent to the fast rhythms of the Venezuelan speech, here you can experience them all.
5. The Architecture
Miami’s architecture range from stern corporate buildings, to beautiful pastel-colored art-deco houses and anything in between. The architectural cityscape is so rich that it developed its own style, the Miami Modern architecture — better known as MiMo. More recently, Miami has attracted the attention of some of the world’s most renowned architects, such as Frank Gehry, to develop new projects.
6. The Art Scene
The Magic City, as Miami is also known, has a lively art scene. Featuring an outdoor street art museum, sophisticated galleries, and several world-class museums and art fairs; Miami’s art scene is vibrant and exudes creativity. This is a place where inspiration blossoms in some unexpected ways.
7. The Music
In Miami there is something going on every night of the week. For those of us who love dancing, the options are plentiful. On one hand, there are all the clubs that play the best of Latin rhythms: salsa, merengue, bachata, etc. On the other end, electronic music fans can get their fix with the best DJs of the world. Plus, every March there is the famous Winter Music Conference, one of the world’s biggest gatherings of the electronic music industry.
If you are planning a trip to Miami and need a place to stay, check out Hipmunk’s hotels guide.
This post is part of the #HipmunkCityLove series.
Hola Bianca,
El numero cuatro me hizo reír porque también aplica para California =].
Buen post, aveces también extraño una ciudad y cuando eso pasa, veo fotos, hablo con amigos de la ciudad que extraño y después se me pasa =]