Onsite Review: Miami Sparkles With Art, Nature & Culinary Offerings

Recommend Standard Image TemplateMiami Sparkles With Art, Nature & Culinary Offerings By Paloma Villaverde de RicoYou’ve got that seatbelt fastened? Good, because I’m taking you on a whirlwind tour of some of Miami’s must-see spots—from a cabaret serenade to a hike along the bay under tropical trees. First, let’s hop on over to the Wynwood Arts District, the largest museum dedicated to street art in the world. This is a vibrant, ever-changing canvas that showcases the work of unbelievably talented street artists from around the globe. The hub of this open-air art museum is Wynwood Walls, made up of dazzling giant wall murals covering six buildings that change every so often in true graffiti style. Step outside these “walls” and you’ll find a dizzying array of even more concrete slabs showcasing colorful colossal pieces. Although it’s fun to walk around the neighborhood discovering pieces around every corner on one’s own, a top recommendation before going solo is booking a tour with Wynwood Buggies, specifically a Wynwood Buggies Tour Guided by a Street Artist experience. On this journey through the Wynwood Arts District, you’ll learn the stories behind the pieces, and hear and even feel the passion these artists have for what they’re creating and for how they’re beautifying a once-left-to-its-own-devices neighborhood. While exploring this colorful neighborhood, recommend clients take a lunch break at 1-800 Lucky, a trendy 10,000-sq.-ft. Asian food hall with indoor and outdoor seating. They’ll have plenty of food to choose from with seven vendors, from ramen to Vietnamese sandwiches, plus there are two bars and a tucked away karaoke lounge. Hopping on a boat while sightseeing in Miami is pretty much de rigueur, but what about if we twist that boating adventure a bit and you hop on a Zodiac instead, the kind used by the DEA, FBI and Customs officials to patrol the waters and shorelines. That’s what Ocean Force Adventures Boat Tour offers—a 6-person group tour on this small vessel guided by a licensed captain who knows how to tell a tale and enrapture you with Miami’s fabled history. During this 2-hour tour, passengers start off from one of Miami Beach’s marinas and set off by water to explore Star Island, with its waterfront mansions, and Fisher Island, the most expensive zip code in Florida. Then the boat zips off past PortMiami to get up-close to the dazzling Downtown Miami and Brickell skyline. The boat is then embraced by the city’s imposing skyscrapers as it glides down the Miami River with the captain pointing out historic landmarks, quirky sites and top restaurants. This was my favorite part of the tour as we felt immersed in the city and its history, learning how Miami came to be one of the most dynamic destinations in the U.S. Oh, and if you’re extra lucky, you’ll see wild dolphins delighting in their surroundings (we saw about three!). For a view of Miami from another angle, tell clients to head to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center at Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park. There they’ll find a shaded trail along Bear Cut Nature Preserve, a precious sliver of natural bayfront in Miami; it leads them to a hidden beach with spectacular views of the South Beach. Or clients can explore the area on two wheels via the bike trail. EateriesThe new speakeasy-style Delilah Miami restaurant is going to have your clients swooning. After finding the tucked away door and burly bouncers that led us into this aesthetically pleasing restaurant, we were delighted beyond our expectations. Delilah Miami is drop-dead gorgeous and it has to be to get Miami’s culinary enthusiasts’ tongues wagging. Located in Brickell, one of Miami’s buzziest neighborhoods, Delilah Miami is awash in a palette of light pink, teal and gold, with intricate ceiling soffits with bright wallpapers; a rich, Turkish burl wood lobby; a grand stairwell entrance and luxury marble and stone throughout. The centerpiece is a custom stage where the spotlight is on the cabaret-style singer and band as well as feathered dancers swaying their hips to the lovely tunes. Oh, and the food is scrumptious, ranging from West Coast oysters to ceviche served in a coconut shell, a scallops dish and a tasty carrot souffle. Of course, we couldn’t say no to cocktails (it’s a speakeasy restaurant, after all) so we opted for the vodka-based Cafecito Martini (a nod to Miami and its Cuban flavor)—what a smart move on
our part. For coastal Italian dining, tell clients to head to the new eatery Mirabella by Michael White at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The menu selection is tops, with everything from prosciutto di Parma and shrimp gratinati to red wine braised octopus, ossobuco and risotto. This is the perfect dining spot for a big gathering—think a celebratory dinner during your client’s vacation. Another dining recommendation that offers beautiful beach views is Ocean Social by Chef Tristen Epps at Eden Roc Hotel Miami. It offers a playful take on “surf and turf” with Caribbean flavors and a touch of Miami. Contact Information Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau: miamiandbeaches.com/travel-professionals
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