It’s not hard to be content in the lap of luxury in Miami when seated poolside at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The venue for the spring 2022 She Recovers convention, was housed on a golf course/country club for the many elite retirees in sunny Florida. The hotel/resort is spectacular with Versace-esq motif and plenty of gilded corners to discover. Yet there is too much art, culture and cuisine offered up by Miami to indulge in vs. sitting still on idle sober hands.
Between the art and culture, cuisine, and shopping, Miami is a literal hotspot for foodies, explorers, and fashionistas. The weather is warm, and the palms are swaying if you are lucky enough to catch a breezy day in the sun. Here’s a brief recap of the colorful, fun, and sunny places and spaces I visited on this recent trip to She Recovers 2022.
Little Havana
If you are hungry for culture and authentic Cuban food head to Little Havana. At La Esquina de la Fama “The Chicken Queen” is one of their signature dishes served on fresh pineapple with pineapple sauce. The atmosphere is a small quant tropically decorated joint with quick service and good prices.
Walk it off by heading over to Maximo Gomez Park on Calle Ocho home to a spot dubbed “Domino Park” where locals meet up for some friendly conversation and competition. Sitting around the tables with their walkers and wheelchairs these are the OG of Little Havana playing dominos. Don’t ruin the vibe by strolling in as a tourist, but the cultural lesson is worth a walk by.
Perk up with one of the many walk-up windows to get a Cuban espresso shot or boost your blood sugar with a scoop from Azucar Ice Cream. No directions are not needed because the smell of homemade waffle cones will beckon you in.
Ball & Chain
For nightlife, the must-see of Little Havana is the re-vamped 1930s nightclub Ball & Chain. Converted into a restaurant/venue hosting live music daily, mocktails, and delicious food. They have salsa dance lessons on Friday nights starting in May. The Virgin Mojito is ultra-refreshing and leaves zero room for regret. This spot is decidedly the epitome of Cuban American nightlife complete with people watching, dancing, music, and all the trappings of hot Miami nights.
Wynwood
The Wynwood district is another must-see in Miami. An uber ride drops you into a funky, vibrant neighborhood covered in street art and amazing murals. Every building and sidewalk is covered in urban décor. There is eclectic shopping of knick-knacks, framed art, and jewelry. The music is booming from every corner and the people watching are top-notch.
Yoko Matcha
There are multiple eateries in the Wynwood district with outdoor seating and amazing food.
There are coffee and matcha bars on every corner with décor and seating to plop down and catch your breath. Check out Yoko Matcha with a fusion of Latin flavors and Japanese zest for a methodically made customized drink.
It’s also an influencer’s dream. There is an Original Selfie Museum with backdrops for any crazy photo you could imagine. Not that you need a museum, lean up against any fence or wall or a back alley in Wynwood and the art deco is picture-perfect.
For fashionistas, the shopping is fabulously made more so by outdoor venues with breezy sidewalks and swaying palms.
The Design District hosts the usual suspects of haute couture. Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior, Versace & Christian Louboutin. Purveyors can browse art galleries scattered throughout the district as well as keep time with luxury watch shops like TAG Heuer, Rolex & Hublot.
The Shops Merrick Park is a bit more friendly to middle-market consumers with price points ranging from the basics at Banana Republic to Cole Haan to Johnny Was. Merrick Park also houses a two-story Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Carolina Herrera when shopping for a bit more in the way of luxury items.
For treasure hunters, there are multiple flea markets scattered throughout Miami. The most famous is the Tropicana Flea Market with plenty of clothing and home goods to peruse.
There are also multiple consignment shops to score treasures. Check your surrounding area for listings such as Consign of the Times or Fly Boutique.
Out of the Closet
To shop for a cause hit up Out of the Closet, a thrift shop that shares an HIV testing site and pharmacy. A quaint and friendly environment that welcomes you to shop and then donates most of its profits to HIV care and services.
SOBRIETY IN THE CITY: It’s always the perfect day for a perfect day! This is your guide to substance-free adventures and events in cities across the United States. We’re bringing you hidden gems, local hangouts, art exhibits, unique attractions and pop-up events, limited shows, and tours. Being fully present allows us to enjoy life to the fullest. But we’re still taking it in all just one day at a time.
You can depend on SOBRIETY IN THE CITY for clean, creative alternatives to make the most of your time in these amazing cities.
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