Whether you live in Miami or are planning a trip there, it can be quite overwhelming to figure out what you should do on the weekends in the Magic City. If the only things on your list of ideas for a great weekend are going to South Beach and LIV Nightclub, then you might just end up sunburnt, sticky from god-knows-what kind of alcoholic drink (hopefully it’s that), and overall mildly unsatisfied.
Miami is so much more than South Beach and nightclubs, and also more than its Cuban croquetas and guava pastellitos (although, you should definitely pair those three together if you can).
From a girl who’s been strolling Coconut Grove since before she could talk, let me tell you about how to have a wholesome weekend in sunny Miami:
1. Go to the Coconut Grove Farmer’s Market on Saturday
Courtesy: Parker S. Leiro
This is an entirely vegan Farmer’s Market filled with fresh produce, juices, plant burgers, pizza, kombucha, clothing, plants, soaps, massages and so much more. This is my absolute favorite place to go to whenever I’m in town for the weekend. One of the largest vendors here is Glaser Organic Farms, they’re under the big tent with all the produce. My favorite things to get at this market is the vegan sushi from the Glaser Farms tent (get it with the Pacific Asian Dressing) and definitely the Umami Burger from Plant b Cafe!
2. Eat at Big Pink after watching the Sunrise on South Beach
Courtesy: Wikimedia
This restaurant most definitely has a big menu and is most definitely pink. Big Pink is just a classic on South Beach. And no, not the kind of classic where the food isn’t very good but you go anyway. Open since ’96, the house favorite dish is their chicken and waffles, but I always love getting Pinky’s Hollywood Breakfast (minus the bacon). And if you aren’t trying to get a slice of cheesecake or a chocolate chip cookie bigger than your head, then don’t look at their bakery section (wink wink)!
P.S. you could always reverse this suggestion and eat here before the sunrise after a long night out. They’re open from 8 am-5:30 am Thursday to Saturday.
3. Have a picnic at David T. Kennedy Park
Courtesy: Parker S. Leiro
Kennedy Park is right by Coconut Grove so you could walk from there if you wanted. I always like to grab food from the Fresh Market that’s on the way there or get a refreshing juice and salad/pita from The Last Carrot, a personal favorite of mine and a long-time local restaurant of The Grove. Kennedy Park has a nice course to walk around and has varying exercise machines as well as a dog park! There’s also a hidden spot along the trail with a wooden bridge that overlooks the water. It’s quite beautiful at sunset.
4. Go to Wynwood Walls
Courtesy: Flickr
Wynwood is part of Miami’s art district and has one of the hippest vibes in town. This is a great place for visual stimulation between the art galleries inside and every wall displaying murals by local artists outside. Wynwood has The Wynwood Marketplace open from Thursday to Sunday with varying hours depending on the day. Art Walk is on the second Saturday of each month. It’s a massive block party of food trucks, local artists and vendors, plus all the stores and galleries that would be open during the day as well.
5.Visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
(or just watch a retro light show at the planetarium!)
Courtesy: Flickr
Science museums are not something to be left for 6th-grade field trips– especially this one. Open since May of 2017, this is a very new museum and it definitely shows, in the best of ways. It’s massive. It has an aquarium, planetarium and different Wings with exhibits on Earth’s living systems, the solar system, the physics behind flight and so much more. It truly is a captivating experience and a great way to spend the day for people of all ages.
Make sure to watch a light show at the planetarium while you’re there! Twice a month the Museum’s planetarium offers evening laser shows to the sounds of amazing music, old and new, from Pink Floyd to Beyoncé.
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