From the Swamps to the Streets: A Miami Getaway

Glistening with culture, arts, cuisine and natural beauty, Miami has a unique flavor and fauna that sets it apart from other costal cities.

From the lush low country landscapes, nature preserves, national parks and historical landmarks,Miami offers so much more than the infamous South Beach party scene.

Along with world class restaurants and nightlife, the Miami Metro area is perfect for a quick weekend getaway. Honestly, it is the perfect place to have the best of the city while enjoying the serene landscapes that Florida has to offer.

National Parks & Nature Preserves

My husband and I took a hover boat through the Big Cypress National Preserve at Sawgrass Recreation Park of the Everglades. The untamed beauty here, amidst lush landscapes and wildlife is a haven for photographers, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

1. Sawgrass Recreation Park Everglades

The Everglades has over 1,000 species of plants, including the iconic sawgrass, cypress trees and mangroves. This diverse ecosystem here also supports a wide variety of animals, including the American alligator, manatees and the endangered Florida panther.

The excitement of gliding over the tall grasses and glossy waters on an airboat is well worth it in the Flordia heat. We went with Everglades Swamp Tours and had front row seats to the pristine marsh views and alligator crossings. I gotta say, I’m a happy girl on an airboat! Wind in my hair, misty swamp spray on my cheek and a dreamy marsh mirage in my vision, just call me Marsh Girl already!

2. Long Key Natural Area

Long Key Natural Area is at secret oases just across from the Flamingo Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale. Here you can take a easy walk while immersed in wetland marshes. The area has a museum, art gallery and hosts a variety of birds, turtles and native plants. The nature path is a short walk and time well spent if you are in the area.

The nature center sits behind a luxury property residential area and felt miles away from the hustle and bustle.

Museums & Art Installations

1. Daniel popper’s “Thrive”

The Capetown based artist, Daniel Popper has an impressive public art piece called “Thrive” located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. This giant statue is of a woman peeling back her chest to reveal a verdant array of forest. Get your camera ready for this fun immersive art piece near the water’s edge. The cafe adjacent has a cute patio serving fresh pressed juices, pastries and coffee.

2. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Vizcaya Gardens has a storied history that traces back to the early 20th century. Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya was originally conceived as his winter residence. Oh how nice that would be to have this as your Miami getaway home!

The estate comprises a grand Italian Renaissance-style villa surrounded by ten acres of intricately designed gardens that reach to the shores with a replica of a Roman boat dock.

The gardens feature a series of terraces, fountains, sculptures, and lush vegetation that create a romantic and visually stunning environment. Vizcaya served as Deering’s private haven until his death in 1925, eventually becoming a public museum and garden in 1952.

3. Ancient Spanish Monastery Ruins

The Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is reportedly the oldest European constructed building in the Western Hemisphere. It holds a fascinating history that dates back to the 12th century in Segovia, Spain. The monastery served as a place of worship for centuries until the 1830s when the Cistercian monks were forced to abandon it.

In the early 20th century, William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery and dismantled it stone by stone, and shipped it to the United States in over 11,000 shipping crates. The stones lay in storage for over 26 years then later reconstructed in North Miami Beach.

4. Wynwood Arts District

The Wynwood Arts District in Miami has evolved into a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood celebrated for its colorful street art, galleries, and unique cultural atmosphere. The district is home to one of the world’s largest open-air street art installations with murals adorning the walls of warehouses and apartments.

Wynwood Walls is an outdoor installation showcasing the work of renowned street artists. In my opinion, there is plenty of mural art to see in the area without paying an admission fee at the Wynwood Walls location. However, if you happen to be in Miami during Art Basel, Wynwood Walls are open to the public.

We booked a Tee time at Puttery, an indoor mini-golf venue offering put put themed rooms and cocktail lounges. The course is a fun way to spend a couple hours while in Wynwood, especially on a hot day. The courses are tucked inside different theme rooms with screens showing your score compare to other players.

Where to Eat in Wynwood

Come hungry because you have options. Too many options! From Peruvian to Japanese, Wynwood has you covered. From $4 tacos to $600 Omakase, each location is unique and sure to satisfy your palate. I wanted everything so we decided to eat light at a couple spots that took walk-ins.

After our mini-golf adventure at Putty, we walked over to Pastis and had oysters and champagne on the patio. The Midday menu has fresh seafood options like Shrimp Cocktail, Tuna Carpaccio and Oysters mignonette.

The atmosphere is lively and restaurants, bars, coffee and ice cream are all walking distance from each other. We decided to do a food crawl and have little bites at several different spots.

From tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar to Manta Peruvian and 1-800-Lucky, the food in Wynwood is culturally diverse and innovative and not to mention, the decor from patio to bathroom is on-point.

Beach Day in Sunny Isles

Having no shortage of shoreline, we chose a beach a bit further from over-crowded areas of Miami. Sunny Isles is situated half way between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and is lined with big box resort hotels, spas, pools and private beaches. We found parking at a public parking lot for $4/hour, a major discount compared to valet ($56) at the hotels. For access to the chairs, umbrellas and service you can purchase passes online at Resort Pass for $25-$200 depending on the location. Or just pitch a towel on the sand for free!

For a quick getaway, Miami offers the best of the best. Amazing food, beaches, gardens and historic places, you just can’t beat a Miami getaway.

Keywords: Everglades National Park, Daniel Popper, cultural escape, Nature Preserve Miami, Miami treasures, Wynwood Arts District, Sunny Isles Beach