Cozy Florida

1: Maurice A. Ferré Park This park is next to the PAMM art museum and the Frost science museum. It offers the best views of the Port of Miami which is one of the busiest cruise boat ports. Bring a blanket and a snack and enjoy watching the boats come and go.

2: Wynwood is a mecca for street art. The historically Puerto Rican neighborhood went through a major change about 20 years ago with the influx of art galleries and pop culture/taste-makers shops. You can walk around or rent a bike and see 100s of artistic and vibrant murals- some are 3 stories tall.

3: Little Havana This historically Cuban neighborhood is alive with sounds of Salsa, delicious smells, and roosters. Stroll down Calle Ocho, stop at one of the ventanitas for a cafe con leche or espresso, and then take a selfie with one of the six foot tall painted roosters.

4: Big Night in Little Haiti or any of the events at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. Haitian food is delicious with its mix of French influences and tropical spices. The center’s events always have art, musics and food booths.

5: Legions Park Farmers Market in the MiMo district most Saturday mornings. Enjoy fresh and indie products from the various booths, do some yoga in the shade of giant oaks, and pick up the local vibes. If you are a dog person you will be in heaven as the park is the place to take your pooch. Then stroll up Biscayne Boulevard and see the Mid-Century modern architecture.

I love #The305 and use it as the setting for many of my stories. Mango, Mambo, & Murder, the first book in my Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series, explores some of the neighborhoods I’ve mention in this post. It also highlights the foods and cultures that make Miami so unique. I hope that you can visit Miami for yourself but if not the next best thing might be an armchair visit via my series. ¡Bienvendios a Miami! I can’t wait for you to fall in love with The 305. ~ Raquel V. Reyes