Isn’t it amazing when you hang out with a New Yorker and they tell you they’ve never been to the Statue of Liberty?
It’s unreal.
We too, are guilty of similar sins as Miami locals.
13.4 million overnight visitors came to Miami in 2011, according to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
What are all these people coming here to see and do? Maybe a lot of stuff you haven’t done yet. Or in a looong time. And you live here!
Here is my list tourist-like things to do in Miami that will last longer and are more fulfilling than a $16 dollar drink at Mansion.
-full moon bike ride at Shark Valley in the Everglades. Last time we did this ride Tony mistook an alligator for a dark shadowed pot hole in the road. Nothing says adventure like a near-miss toe to toe with a gator!Here’s a tip: Def bring your extra strength insect repellent. The view at the top of the tower at the 10 mile halfway point is worth it. This ecosystem [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades] is the only one of its kind on the planet.
-Go to the beach…north of 15th st. I mean, North Shore Park on Collins between 79th St and 86th. This park is a gem, packed with massive shady sea grape trees and BBQ grills. This is also a spot known for the full moon drum circles.
-Go out on the off-nights. Chocolate Sundays at Purdy Lounge is an awesome local mainstay and really any weekday night there is great. Bonus: Right across the street is a little marina that is open in the evening and you can just sit on the pier, catch some fresh air and have an intimate chat. Another fave is Massive Wednesdays at The Stage. Local promoter, Anders is doing a great job of booking some underground acts you won’t see anywhere else.
-Go to art galleries. Not during art walk. Art Walk in Wynwood is fun but it’s hard to really take in the work alongside the drum circles, food trucks and foot traffic. My personal fave is The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse. I’m sad to report that the collection is closed for re-installation until fall 2013. But it’s been there forever.
-Also check out our good ol’ standby museums. My picks are MOCA in North Miami (which just appointed a young curator, Alex Gartenfeld, who comes with a hefty resume that includes curating, writing and editing Art in America and Interview online) and the MAM in downtown. Go to the MAM in it’s original location while you can. It’s historic Miami, currently flanked by the library and the Historical Museum, sitting on a beautiful outdoor plaza. MAM stands for Miami Art Museum. Soon it will be relocated to Bicentennial Park (in case you haven’t seen the construction for the last two years from the 395) and will be re-named for Jorge Perez, the benefactor who pumped 15 million worth of his ca$h and art collection into the new building, resulting in the new acronym: PAM (Perez Art Museum).
-Kayak off Key Biscayne.
-Bike Oleta
-Take the Metrorail
-See Miami through the eyes of others. Volunteer
These are just some of my ways of digging into our lil’ piece of paradise.
What are yours?
Looking forward to hearing ya,
hugs,
cuci
