Bucket List Dreams- Miami Beach and South Beach

 

Downtown Miami

 

The DNA of Miami is made up of iconic shorelines and skylines, quintessential Art Deco architecture, and elaborate history and culture. In Miami, you are in your own slice of paradise. Miami offers world-famous beaches, world-famous attractions, and a world-famous night-life. Miami is pure eye-candy showcasing aqua beaches, towering palm, and coconut trees, and bright sunshine beaming down that puts off that famous Miami heat.

The Downtown Miami Historic District has a rich history. Some of my favorite explorations in Miami include Little Havana, Little Haiti, and the Art Deco Historic District. Miami offers incredible scenic views, glorious beaches for days and magnificent skylines.

Miami’s Art Deco District includes 800 historic and retro buildings from the 1920s-1930s. The Miami Art Deco District in South Beach is the largest cumulation of historic Art deco buildings including hotels, theatres, museums, and clubs in the world. The architecture is stunning and timeless. Old Miami should certainly be appreciated.

I genuinely love learning about culture and customs. I enjoy visiting historical landmarks and markers, taking cultural tours, trying authentic cuisines, and wearing handmade native clothing and jewelry.

One of the top highlights of my Miami trip was to see my first burlesque show. I attended the Fillmore theater for the Dita Von Teese Art of the Teese Burlesque Revue. Dita was very elegant and true to character. She fit perfectly at this theater with her Old Hollywood pin-up style. The show was phenomenal. We laughed, we were shocked, and we were all completely enthralled.

Some cons of the theater are that one small bottle of water costs six dollars. Another negative is that the seats are close together with no arm-rests which make for uncomfortable seating for two plus hours. The last drawback is self-parking is especially atrocious. Valet parking is 25 dollars, and the area surrounding the theater is packed. We rode street to street and came across a parking garage for only 1 dollar an hour! Theater tickets ran us around 200+, and then there’s amenities, food, drinks, and merch.

The production, the lights, the sound everything was spot on. As far as the theater goes, the theater itself is quite elegant. It’s classic Old Hollywood glam complete with red walls and hanging chandeliers. I’d come back here and watch another live show because I like the history of the theater and the elegance which transforms and heightens the entire experience!

 

Miami Beach

 

When you enter Miami, you realize it’s precisely how it looks in the all of the movies and television shows you’ve ever seen. There are massive white buildings, fancy yachts, and expensive cruise boats stretched out across the azure blue ocean.

I love looking for seashells, and I found a good amount of them. There is also beautiful seabirds floating overhead and walking along the banks. I am also always on the look-out for dolphins and other marine animals.

The beach waves can get pretty big, but they weren’t too terrible. There are lifeguards on duty which are always welcomed. I was a little taken aback some by parts of the beach that had the dirty water, seaweed and many rocks in the water as you wade through it.

The beach actually stays open until midnight and reopens at 5 a.m. Also, the beach is bustling and crowded, and parking is a challenge, but that’s to be expected. There is a walking trail that goes around the beach that is perfect for sightseeing. It is also elegant for jogging, running and biking. With such perfect weather and scenery, it’s easy to stay out all day exploring.

Miami Beach is perfect for both relaxation and lounging around. If you’re looking for water activities, there are plenty to choose from. There are many ways you can have fun in the sun with all of the water sports and recreations offered.

Miami Beach is perfect for sights and entertainment. There is a multitude of places to explore such as Little Havana, Little Haiti, Millionaire’s Row, Ocean Drive, Art Deco District and more.

Miami has blue-sky waters that beckon you to them, and magnificent sunsets in the evenings. And there is still much fun to have even after the sun goes down.

 

South Beach

 

South Beach, Miami is party central. Ocean Drive is so “Miami.” It’s festive and fun, equal parts divey and glamorous, of course, iconic, and lifestyles of the rich and famous, all set against a beautiful backdrop of Miami Beach and South Beach. With their flashing neon lights, gorgeous Miami skyline, extravagant Millionaires Row and brilliant Art Deco, it’s no wonder why Miami is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

The pastel-colored architecture in the Art Deco District is tremendous. I love all of the geometrical shapes especially the round and cylinder shaped buildings. There are hundreds of elaborate old restored hotels and businesses in the area. Miami is home to the biggest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Miami is remarkable and finely detailed in every way.

We drove the strip down Ocean Drive, South Beach and also walked it. I love all of the Puerto Rican, Cuban, Reggae, Reggaeton, and Latin soul music blaring for days. You’ll definitely feel some salsa coming on.

Ocean Drive has many restaurants and live entertainment venues.  When walking the strip, you’ll see hundreds of open-air restaurants, hookah bars, lounges, and nightclubs. The strip highlight fast cars, tight bodies, and loud music. There are so many people in Miami! You’ll see loads of people decked out in rich threads with blinging jewelry, riding in flashy sport and luxury cars, bikes and trikes, hoverboards and more.

Miami is a vibrant city combining art, food, culture and the great outdoors. Miami is made up of perfect shorelines, tanned bodies, island jams, ocean-front dining, a vibrant nightlife, tropical vibes and so much more!

Until next time! I’m off to wash all this road trip dirt off my car.

With All My Love,
The Vintage Gypsy

“My dream is to walk around the world. A smallish backpack, all essentials neatly in place. A camera. A notebook. A traveling paint set. A hat. Good shoes. A nice pleated (green?) skirt for the occasional seaside hotel afternoon dance.”