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Little Havana is one of Miami’s most famous neighbourhoods. With Cuban culture synonymous with the city, this 9 square kilometre district is where it can be most readily experienced. While I haven’t been to Cuba (its on my list!), I’ve been told that Little Havana is the closest one can come to Cuban culture outside of the island nation itself. The reason for that is the area became an enclave for Cuban immigrants who escaped their homeland following the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Since that time, the area has become extremely touristy (its one of the top spots to visit in Miami as a whole), but it still seems to retain its authenticity. If you’re visiting Miami, you should stop by. In this post, I’m going to cover some of the best things to do in Little Havana.
Little Havana is on the Miami mainland, to the west of Downtown Miami. As with many attractions in this city, unless you’re staying in the immediate vicinity, you’ll likely have to rely on Uber to get there. All up, the neighbourhood covers the area between Douglas Road and SW 4th Avenue, and NW 20th Street and SW 16th Street. That’s a fairly large zone, but luckily the spots you’ll want to see are all grouped together. Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) is the main thoroughfare that passes through Little Havana, and is the street you’ll want to be on during your travels to the area. The most lively part of Little Havana sits on that road over 5 blocks spanning between 11th and 17th Avenues.
If you’re coming to Calle Ocho from Miami Beach by Uber, its about a 20 to 25 minute trip, dependent on traffic. I actually visited Little Havana after spending the morning at the Vizcaya Mansion & Gardens, which is only about 10-15 minutes away by car. I personally think Little Havana makes a great place to stop by around lunch time when you’re touring Miami’s mainland attractions, especially if your hotel is in South Beach across the Bay.
I spent about two and a half hours in Little Havana. If you don’t have other plans, you could spend more time here, browsing the area’s shops and stopping in at its bars (I’ve heard great things about Ball & Chain!). I actually met a fellow traveller back at the Vizcaya Gardens, so Little Havana made for a relaxing area to hang out and enjoy the ambience over a bite to eat. I feel like in that time I was able to get a good sense of the neighbourhood, though I’d definitely like to spend some more time there on my next visit to Miami. Having seen the main sites on my visit, here are some of the best things you can you do in Little Havana.
While there’s countless (great) Cuban restaurants in Miami, none are more famous than Versailles. This institution of Cuban cuisine opened in 1971. While it is extremely popular, its worth waiting for your table. Unlike many popular restaurants, you can’t actually make a reservation here (though you can order takeaway Cuban sandwiches online). We rocked up to Versailles just before midday, and honestly, the wait wasn’t that bad. I’d say it was maybe 15 minutes to get a table for two. Note that the restaurant is some way from the main part of Calle Ocho, so it makes sense to get dropped off here to start your Little Havana adventure.
Once you go inside, the restaurant is huge. And there is SO MUCH to choose from on the menu. While you have to try a Cuban sandwich if you’ve never had one before, if you’re wanting a bit of everything, the Sampler is an excellent choice. You’ll get to try Cuban delicacies such as Ropa Vieja (shredded beef), tamales, fried pork, sweet plantains and so much more. Make sure you order a mojito or two to wash it all down. Its the Cuban cocktail of choice!
Versailles is so well known for embodying Miami’s Cuban society hat the restaurant is often a popular spot for the media and politicians when campaigning and reporting on issues affecting the Cuban community. Even to this day, Versailles is known to be frequented by members of Miami’s Latin elite. The best part? The food remains extremely affordable (and delicious)!
Okay you probably won’t feel like it right after a meal at Versailles (I was full!), so do some other things first, but make sure you stop by Azucar Ice Cream company before you leave Little Havana. It has a reputation for being one of the best ice cream parlours in Miami, and I have to say it lives up to the hype. Mind you, this isn’t your traditional choice of ice creams. Part of the fun is deciding what to get – Azucar has over 100 flavours to choose from, including the appropriately named Burn in Hell Fidel (chocolate with with cayenne pepper). You can read the whole list of flavours on their website (or the giant board inside the store).
In addition to serving excellent ice cream, making Azucar a popular choice on a hot Miami day, the store is very instagrammable. You’ll see the storefront from a mile away with its brilliantly coloured giant ice cream cone facade.
Right across the road from Azucar Ice Cream Company is one of the most famous spots in all of Little Havana – Maximo Gomez Park. Ofter referred to simply as ‘Domino Park’, there’s perhaps no better place to get in touch with the roots of Little Havana’s community. Maximo Gomez, whom the park is named after, was a Cuban hero in the War of Independence from Spain in the late 19th century.
The relatively small park is frequented by elderly men socialising, cigars in hand while slapping down dominoes. This past time is extremely popular among older Cubans in Miami and watching a game or two can be quite the sensory overload. There’s trash talking among chums, quick wit and even quicker moves made on the table. Obviously you should remember that this is an actual community activity rather than a tourist attraction, but the men who were playing were happy for us to watch along. In a strange way, watching them play dominoes is the memory I take most fondly from my visit to Little Havana.
Speaking of those cigars, is there any product more associated with Cuban culture? There are tons of cigar shops along Calle Ocho, and while many cater to tourists, they still have an authentic allure. The Little Havana Cigar Factory is right next to Azucar Ice Cream Company and has been rolling the finest Cuban cigars for over 100 years (though the current store opened on Calle Ocho in 1994). Other nearby stores include Cuba Tobacco Cigar Co and El Titan de Bronze, both of which are popular also choices.
Even if you’re not a smoker (like me), I still recommend stopping by to watch the cigar rolling process. The stores sell various other souvenirs as well (and strong Cuban coffee!). If you don’t buy anything but come to watch the cigar makers at work, its common courtesy to leave a small tip.
There’s a lot to see on Calle Ocho itself. First of all, the streets are packed with vibrant murals and artwork, drawing from artists in the Cuban community. One of the most prominent is the central Calle Ocho mural, which you’ll want to take a photo with. Its out front of the Tower Theater, next to the Domino Park. Along with a myriad of street paintings, there’s also an assortment of colourful rooster figures along Calle Ocho. They date back from an art initiative in 2002.
Just like Hollywood, Little Havana has its own Walk of Fame. The trail of stars pays tribute to celebrities of Latin culture and runs from 12th to 17th Avenue along Calle Ocho. You should also stop by the Cuban Memorial Park nearby. Located on SW 13th Avenue, it contains the Brigade 2506 Memorial. The eternal flame here commemorates those exiles who died in the 1961 Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion.
Little Havana definitely has a distinctive feel unlike the rest of Miami. In this post I’ve covered only a few of the things you can do in Little Havana. If you decide to spend more time in the neighbourhood, I’m sure you’ll find others. Whatever you do, make sure a stop along Calle Ocho is part of your Miami itinerary. If you’ve been to the area, let me know about some of the spots that I haven’t covered.
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When I planned my trip to Miami, I was surprised to learn there is a Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach. The horrific genocide carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II wasn’t something I had associated with this South Florida city. Upon visiting, I learned that Miami Beach is actually home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States of America. That was a huge part of why it was deemed appropriate to create the massive monument near South Beach. The Miami Holocaust Memorial makes for a stark contrast with the atmosphere of fun and frivolity just a few blocks south, but is an essential stop when visiting Miami. Read on to learn about it.
Miami’s Holocaust Memorial opened in 1990, however its construction was not without controversy. Plans for the site first came about in 1984, when a small number of Holocaust survivors went on to form the Holocaust Memorial Committee. With Miami’s aforementioned Jewish population, the committee felt the city was the perfect site for a large scale monument in memory of the six million Jews killed under the sick Nazi regime. At the time, it was said there were some 20,000 – 25,000 Holocaust survivors living in the Miami Beach region alone.
There were those who objected to the Memorial’s construction. Developers argued that it would put a somber blemish on Miami’s booming reputation as a fun filled summer escape for tourists. Others simply opposed it, claiming such a monument contrary to the separation of religion and state. All arguments came to a head on November 17, 1984, when dozens of Holocaust survivors from all over Florida attended a Miami Beach Planning Board meeting. Emotional pleas were put forth, and the Memorial was unanimously approved. Kenneth Treister was subsequently commissioned to design the project.
The site of the Memorial wasn’t coincidental. Its address at numbers 1933 – 1945 matched the years over which the Nazi genocide was carried out. Some claimed the location was chosen by fate.
It goes without saying, but this isn’t the place for loud conversations or running around. The Holocaust Memorial is a somber place of reflection. When you’re here, you need to show respect for the lives that were lost. While its just a few blocks from the beach, that means you’re expected to at least wear a shirt and shorts on the memorial property. The memorial is outdoors, but smoking, food or drink are all prohibited. If you’re visiting with more than 10 people, you also need to contact the Memorial office in advance before arriving.
If you’re visiting Miami with children, I’ll leave it to you to decide whether its appropriate for them to visit the site. They should obviously be made aware of the significance of the site so that they act appropriately. Some parts of the Memorial, which I’ll cover below, are quite confronting, so keep that in mind.
Arriving at the Memorial, the first thing you’ll notice is the giant bronze arm at its centre. It stretches up into the sky, invoking images of someone suffering and reaching up for help. The bronze arm, officially titled the Sculpture of Love and Anguish, stands at 40 feet tall. It is surrounded by a reflecting lily pond with a 200 metre diameter. Its definitely eye catching, even though its finer details are still obscured from this distance.
When I got to the site, I was greeted by an extremely knowledgeable staff member. Unfortunately I can’t remember his name, but he told me a lot about the history of the site and some of the aspects of symbolism throughout. Right by the spot where we talked, we spoke about a smaller sculpture, this one depicting a woman, seemingly shielding two young children. Behind the sculpture was a quote from Anne Frank – “then in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart”. Those words stuck with me as I look around the Memorial. Its important to look back on times of evil that have been carried out in history, so as to ensure they never be repeated.
Just by the entrance to the tunnel that leads into the main part of the memorial, there are a few information panels. They provide some context to the events of World War II and the Holocaust. After a series of photos depicting some of the horrible events, the panels turn into a list of names of Holocaust victims that wrap around the rest of the site.
Following the panels, you’ll pass through the Arbor of History. This tunnel is comprised of Jerusalem stone and winds towards the centre of the memorial. The tunnel culminates with an eternal flame and the words of Psalm 23 – “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow and death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me”. Wandering down through the Lonely Path, you’ll see Jewish symbols such as the menorah and Star of David, whilst the eery voices of children speaking Hebrew fills the area. You’ll pass the names of various concentration camps, a simple, but stark reminder of some the most evil acts in modern history.
Then you step back out into the open. You’re right at the base of the giant arm that you saw the moment you entered the Memorial grounds. Now however, you can see the more intricate aspects of its design. The hand is swarmed by an immense swath of naked figures, their faces frozen as if crying out in helpless anguish. The way some are desperately stepping over others invokes images of true horror and hopelessness as these representations of those persecuted attempt to escape a horrid fate.
They’re joined by those that couldn’t make it to that point. Scattered around the base of the arm, there’s more figures. Some stand alone with signs of malnourishment, some seek hopelessly to console others, some are draped over the floor, perhaps already having perished. I didn’t expect the imagery at the Memorial to be quite as confronting as it was here, but when you think about what the victims of the Holocaust endured, its entirely appropriate.
I left the site of the Miami Holocaust Memorial with a fresh reminder in my mind of just how horrid the crimes committed against the Jewish population under the Nazi regime truly were. The Memorial forces you to think about the pain and suffering that was inflicted in the pursuit of power. The Holocaust was a symbol of the evil that can brew in humanity. While I like to believe that the words of Anne Frank at the Memorial’s entrance about the good in humankind is true, there’s no doubt that the evils of the Holocaust must be remembered and that we fulfil our humanly duty to condemn any who would take a similar path to attain their goals.
Visiting the Holocaust Memorial invokes a completely different mindset than you’ll likely experience for the remainder of your trip to Miami. I’m glad I visited the site. It surpassed my expectations, both in terms of scale and content, and in my view it is presented in a tasteful manner. Have you been to the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach? What did you think? What message did you take from your visit? Let me know below.
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Disney Springs is a huge shopping and dining complex in Walt Disney World. Its basically an outdoor shopping mall filled with over 100 retailers and more than 60 restaurants. You can go to Disney Springs for all your needs when at Walt Disney World. Its also quite scenic, being on the edge of a large lake. Disney Springs originally opened as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in 1975, and has gone through a number of phases since. The most recent refurbishment commenced in 2013 and saw the then Downtown Disney repurposed into the complex we know today.
A lot of Disney guests rave about Disney Springs. Believe it or not, until my latest Disney trip, I hadn’t been. Deciding to change that, I got on the bus to Disney Springs as soon as I checked into my hotel this time around. Having now been, I wouldn’t say Disney Springs is a must-do on a Disney trip. It is good for an arrival day or rest day activity though, if you’re looking to get away from your resort.
For a long time, I didn’t know what to expect when it came to Disney Springs. If you’re in that same boat, hopefully this post will change that as I give a brief overview of this retail district.
Disney Springs is made up of 4 distinct areas. If, like me, you’re arriving by bus, the first area you’ll enter is the Town Center. This completely new part of Disney Springs is themed as an old waterfront Florida town and is filled with traditional retailers. Its the part of the complex that most resembles a traditional high end shopping district. There’s over 30 shops and a plethora of restaurants here.
To the left (looking towards the lake) of the Town Center is the West Side. This reimagined area of the old Downtown Disney has taken on an industrialised theming and is basically the main entertainment zone. Its the largest part of the complex, covering over 340,000 square feet. There’s plenty of options to keep you entertained here – ranging from a bowling alley (Splitsville Luxury Lane), a cinema (AMC) and even a Cirque du Soleil show (Drawn to Life).
At the opposite end (to the right) of Town Center, is the Marketplace. This is the most quintessentially Disney part of the complex and is the area I spent the most time in on my visit. Major shopping destinations have you covered with merchandise here. The World of Disney store is actually the largest Disney retailer in the world! There’s also an assortment of kid friendly rides (think a carousel and mini-train), and a volcano that you can watch erupt regularly (the inside of which houses the Rainforest Cafe).
Finally, you’ve got the Landing. The former Pleasure Island is filled with waterfront dining and is just a great area to chill out. There’s often buskers and street performers adding to the ambience, and there’s 2 really unique attractions here as well (which I’ll touch on below).
With over 100 shops in Disney Springs, there was no way I was going to stop by all of them. I did spend most of my time in the area checking out some of the more well known retailers though, mostly throughout the Marketplace. The World of Disney store that I’ve already mentioned was the first place I visited. Now let me just say, this place is HUGE. Covering over 50,000 square feet alone, this store spans across 12 rooms and is packed to the brim with pretty much any Disney related merchandise you can think of. Its so easy to get lost in here while wandering through. I was overwhelmed, not knowing where to start.
My personal favourite shop was a little further into the Marketplace. The appropriately named Marketplace Co-op is comprised of a number of “pop-up” type stalls each offering different types of custom products. In particular, I loved the Disney artwork available for purchase at the WonderGround Gallery (and naturally grabbed an original postcard for my growing collection!).
If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll be sure to love Once Upon a Toy and the LEGO Store. I didn’t go into either (there was actually a line if you wanted to go inside the latter). However, I did take some time checking out the life-sized LEGO creations of Disney characters outside. They were really cool!
At over 60 venues, there’s so many food options in Disney Springs. Needless to say, I have not tried them all (or anywhere near them all). One of the most popular though (which I did stop by for dinner) is Planet Hollywood. Located in the West Side, its housed inside a old-fashioned observatory dome. The menu is loaded with delicious American cuisine (think burgers, steaks, sandwiches and more) and there’s clips of various Hollywood blockbusters playing while you dine. Even if you don’t plan on eating here, you should stop by to check out the memorabilia displayed throughout the restaurant.
Another popular restaurant is the Boathouse. Its on the waterfront in the Landing area. I didn’t eat here, but its Florida surf n turf style. I did make my way down this way after dinner however and soaked in the atmosphere, while stopping at a nearby bar for a cocktail or two.
While the Rainforest Cafe is cool due to being inside the functioning volcano, I’ve heard the food isn’t that great.
If you’re planning on dining at one of the more popular restaurants in Disney Springs, you should book in advance. If you don’t have a reservation, don’t worry, there’s tons of counter service options throughout the complex. You definitely won’t go hungry here.
In addition to the abundance of bars and entertainment venues in Disney Springs, there were two attractions in particular that drew my attention. The first of these are the Amphicar Tours, which depart from the Landing, near the Boathouse. Amphicars are incredibly rare vehicles (this is the only place that I have seen them) – they start out as a car, but start floating once they hit the water. If you choose to book a tour, you’ll take a 20 minute ride across Lake Buena Vista, with your guide and skipper pointing out the key landmarks throughout Disney Springs. The tours are expensive, at $125 USD per car and are available on a first come, first served basis. They generally run from 10am-10pm daily.
A (surprisingly) cheaper way to see the area is by taking a hot air balloon ride. The Aerophile experience sees guests board a custom made helium filled balloon. On board, you’ll ascend 400 feet into the sky and be rewarded with views all over Walt Disney World – you can even see the landmarks in the theme parks! Pricing is a reasonable $25 USD per adult, though you are in the air for only 8 minutes. The balloons operate daily from 9.00am – 11.00pm (subject to weather conditions). Sadly, the weather had put a stop on the balloons on the afternoon I visited. I definitely would have done this!
Disney Springs isn’t the must-do that some would lead you to believe, but as something to do on my arrival day, I enjoyed spending a little time here. This post has only touched on some of the things to do at the complex and I encourage you to explore it to find a place to eat that suits you. I’m sure I’ve missed lots of places, so tell me about your favourite spot to check out in Disney Springs.
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