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Cruises, clubs and Cuban culture: Miami is the place to be

T / Travel

Cruises, clubs and Cuban culture: Miami is the place to be

Nightlife, shopping, beaches, Latin culture… This vibrant city in America’s south has it all

by Natalie-Elizabeth Tan  /   January 31, 2023

Credit: 123rf

We’ve all heard plenty of things about Miami. Whether good or bad, one thing is for sure — it’s a city unlike any other.

Miami is a melting pot of Latin cultures, owing to the many immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, to name a few. As a matter of fact, you’ll mainly hear the locals speaking Spanish, rather than English, amongst one another.

As the unofficial capital of Latin America, Miami is also well known for its flashy nightlife, exciting arts and culture and idyllic beaches. On my recent trip there, I was blown away by all this and more. There’s truly something for everyone here, whether you’re seeking some rest and relaxation or you want to go on a bender and hit up all the hottest nightclubs in town.

Many major cities in America seem pretty cookie-cutter — after you’ve been to a few, you may feel that the cities don’t seem to have any distinct personality that makes them stand out. Of course, this doesn’t include big, glittering cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I’m talking about cities like Denver and St. Louis.

So, speaking as someone who’s been to over thirty cities in America, you can take my word for it when I say Miami is one of the most unique and exciting destinations in this country.

Here, I’ll share the things you absolutely must do while in this fabulous city.

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https://www.herworld.com/gallery/life/travel/why-miami-is-the-place-to-be/
Cruises, clubs and Cuban culture: Miami is the place to be
Stroll along breezy Ocean Drive
image

Miami is synonymous with Art Deco architecture of the roaring ‘20s, so it’s a definite must-see here. Located parallel to Miami Beach, Ocean Drive, lined with Art Deco-style buildings, is the perfect place to get a glimpse into the bygone era. On our stroll along this road, we were wowed by the gorgeous buildings and the vintage cars parked in front of some of them — we felt as if we had entered a bygone era.

Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Enjoy a holiday within a holiday
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There’s a reason why Miami is also known as the cruise capital of the world. Due to the city’s convenient location in the southern tip of the US, Miami houses PortMiami, the world’s largest and busiest cruise port. And you know what they say — when in Rome… So why not embark on a leisurely cruise while you’re here?

That’s exactly what I did. I boarded the Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship which brought us to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.

While the ship sailed the vast Atlantic Ocean, we entertained ourselves with the countless activities available. I raced my friends in go-karts on a three-level race track and experienced The Drop, a thrilling free-fall ride. And when I wanted to simply relax, the Mandara Spa was there.

Oh, did I mention the unlimited open bar? There’s nothing quite like having a drink whenever, wherever… onboard the cruise at least, with multiple bars and charming bartenders who were more than happy to serve.

Unexpectedly, the cruise was actually my favourite part of the trip and it’s something that I reminisce ever so often. My cruise sailed to the Bahamas, but other destinations that NCL’s cruises sail to are Puerto Rico, Mexico and Belize among others!

Book now
NCL
Chow down on authentic Cuban fare
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Cuban cuisine here is as authentic as it gets without actually going to Cuba. Havana 1957, a popular Cuban restaurant chain with multiple locales around town, is one of the best places to sample Cuban food. Ropa vieja (steak stew) and lechón asado (roast pork) are two must-haves.

The steak was tender, while the roast pork was juicy and the skin was crispy. Despite not being that hungry, we scarfed our meal down in minutes! To quench your thirst, I recommend the classic Cuban mojito. Fair warning, the Cubans do not mess around with the strength of their alcoholic drinks!

Available at multiple locations

Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Marvel at street art in Wynwood
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When strolling through this hip ‘hood, keep your eyes peeled for art — the electrifying neighbourhood of Wynwood is chock-full of it. And it’s not just on the walls, you can spot it on the pavement too! There’s art that carries strong political messages, but also art with thought-provoking quotes about love and life.

If you can’t get enough, pop by Wynwood Walls, an outdoors street art museum with murals like you’ve never seen before.

2516 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

123rf
Dance the night away at a club
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In a city where the nightclubs are always open, and I mean ALWAYS open — some of the biggest clubs are open 24/7 — how can you miss out on the nightlife there?

Cover charges for some of the big clubs, like LIV, STORY and E11even, are easily US$50. However, I dare say it’s worth it. After all, where else can you watch A-listers such as Gucci Mane or Steve Aoki in action at this price tag? If you’re up for it, you can easily party till the sun comes up — a friend I met there recounted how he once unintentionally left E11even at 10 in the morning!

But if you’re just looking to have some good ol’ fun, we had a ball of a time at The Dirty Rabbit (pictured above) and 1-800-Lucky, both clubs in Wynwood, where the music was great and the vibes were even better.

One thing to take note of, drinks in these clubs can get expensive (I’m talking US$14 tequila shots) so your best bet would be to pre-game beforehand. And if possible, head there on Ladies’ Night for free entry!

Dirty Rabbit: 151 NW 24th Street #107, Miami, FL 33127
1-800-Lucky: 143 NW 23rd Street, Miami, FL 33127

Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Sip on a cuppa, Cuban style
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Here, forget lattes and Americanos — cafecito is where it’s at. For the uninitiated, it’s a sweetened shot of potent Cuban coffee that’s drunk straight.

Get your caffeine fix from the famous Café Versailles, a local favourite that attracts a queue everyday. It’s a great spot for fuss-free coffee, best accompanied by a pastelito, a puff pastry with guava or cream cheese filling.

Speaking from experience, this tiny cup will wake you right up, perfect for mornings after the club. If you prefer your coffee with milk, order a cortadito instead.

Feeling peckish while you’re there? Grab a bite right next door at its sister restaurant, Versailles Cuban Cuisine.

3555 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135

123rf
Immerse yourself in Latin-American culture at Española Way
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Open till late, this century-old pedestrian-only street is home to stores and plenty of restaurants serving up Spanish, Cuban food and more. Initially modelled after Mediterranean villages, the street has evolved over the years to become something special. We loved dining al fresco (Havana 1957 has an outpost here) and people-watching — Miami has a lot of interesting characters, for sure.

Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Relax at Miami Beach
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There’s a reason why Florida’s nicknamed the Sunshine State, so set aside a day to lounge by the beach or take a swim. While there, you definitely won’t miss the flamboyant lifeguard towers which make a great photo op. These towers aren’t just for show — there actually are lifeguards inside keeping a watchful eye.

I definitely recommend bringing your own towels or mat if you’re making a stop here — you can probably speak to the concierge at your hotel to see if they have any for guests. That said, towels, mats and even cabanas are available for rent at booths scattered along the beach.

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Shop till you drop in the Design District
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If you’re a shopaholic, the Design District is the place to be. This mecca for shoppers has every store you could possibly want, from Hermes and Maison Margiela to Alo and Reformation. Most of all, I was thrilled to shop at Glossier and Cult Gaia, both of which unfortunately don’t have a locale in Singapore. When we needed a break from retail therapy, we stopped by Swan (co-owned by Pharrell Williams!) for some delish profiteroles.

Design District: 140 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137
Swan: 90 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137

Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
Ogle world-class art at a museum
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Institute of Contemporary Art (pictured above), Pérez Art Museum, Superblue and the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science. These are just a few of many renowned museums situated in Miami, showcasing contemporary and interactive art. Although we only made a short stop in ICA en route to dinner, I was impressed by the variety of artwork housed in the space — from sculptures to canvas paintings — by local and emerging artists.

Be sure to drop by at least one of these museums for an experience you won’t forget. Even better if you visit during the week of Art Basel, the world’s largest international art fair — you’ll get to mingle with tastemakers from all over the globe!

Institute of Contemporary Art: 61 NE 41st Street, Miami, FL 33137

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Natalie-Elizabeth Tan
  • TAGS:
  • America
  • Florida
  • holiday
  • miami
  • north america
  • travel
  • United States
  • united states of america
  • usa
  • vacation
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