Miami is one of the most popular vacation spots in the United States, and for good reason.
Its proximity to the tropics ensures warm weather almost any day of the year, and Dade County’s eastern border has miles of coastline.
Plus, there’s so much more to experience in Miami than expensive cabanas, parties, and Cuban food, especially if you want to support local social, cultural, and economic diversity,
Having lived here for over six years, here are some of my favorite parts of Dade to visit — and one you may want to skip.
Immerse yourself in culture in Little Haiti.
Before moving to Miami, I didn’t realize Southern Florida was home to such a large Haitian and Haitian-American population.
If you’re unaware like I was, do yourself a favor and spend a day immersing yourself in Little Haiti. Stroll through the Little Haiti Cultural, Complex, soak in the neighborhood’s murals, and eat some pikliz and Haitian patties.
Be sure to stop into Libreri Mapou, a bookstore that sells French and Creole titles year-round. Or, if you’re a literary enthusiast, plan your trip in the spring so you can swing by the Little Haiti Book Festival, which has tons of booksellers, authors, and more.
Allapattah has some incredible Dominican food.
You’ll know you’re officially in Allapattah when you see lampposts and street corners adorned with signs depicting alligators.
“Allapattah” is the Seminole word for “alligator,” and the name stuck even though these reptiles mostly live in the Everglades now.
It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Miami, and many locals consider it one of the best places to order Dominican food in Dade. Club Tipico Dominicano is a popular pick.
Plus, Allapattah is home to Rubell Museum and SuperBlue, two destinations where you can enjoy a renowned art scene.
Liberty City and Brownsville have some of the city’s best-preserved African American history.
Liberty City and Brownsville are historic neighborhoods within Miami.
Take a step back in time when you visit the Historic Hampton House in Brownsville, a converted hotel that once hosted the likes of Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Then, stop into the Joseph Caleb Auditorium or the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center to enjoy a local show from some of the neighborhood’s most talented performers.
Finally, end your day by ordering food from some of Liberty City’s best restaurants, like World Famous Theo’s Seafood and Pasta or World Famous Rib Shack.
There’s a lot to do in Downtown Miami.
Situated on Biscayne Bay, Downtown Miami is an expansive neighborhood bustling with activities.
This part of the city technically includes Brickell, Miami’s Financial District, but I want to focus on all the attractions just north of the Miami River.
This part of Miami is one of the few walkable places in the city, so ditch your car and spend time on foot or exploring via the free Metromover.
Definitely take time to explore HistoryMiami Museum, Frost Museum of Science, Pérez Art Museum, and Bayside Marketplace.
Stay in the county but leave the city with a visit to North Miami and North Miami Beach.
North Miami and North Miami Beach technically aren’t part of the City of Miami, but they’re part of Miami-Dade County and worth a visit on your next vacation.
Outdoor activities are popular in these areas. If you have a day to spend in nature, hike or kayak through Oleta River State Park.
Alternatively, if you only have a few hours to spend here, drop by Greynolds Park or the Ancient Spanish Monastery to enjoy an afternoon surrounded by sun and palm trees.
Consider skipping South Beach.
Similar to North Miami, South Beach isn’t technically in the City of Miami. It’s part of Miami Beach, the official name for the city that lies just to the right of Miami proper.
You have to cross one of Dade’s many bridges to get to Miami Beach, and South Beach is one of the most popular parts of the beach you can visit.
If you’ve never been to Miami, by all means, pass through South Beach. Its beaches, architecture, and nightlife are famous for a reason.
However, I don’t think it’s the best beach in Dade. From a resident’s perspective, South Beach often gets too crowded, and the amenities aren’t as nice as you can find on other stretches of sand.
Plus, parking is expensive on South Beach. Whether you want to book a hotel on Ocean Drive or spend a day on the sand, expect to pay a decent chunk of change.
If you’re looking for something quieter, try North Beach or Hollywood instead.
The post I’ve lived in Miami for years. Here are 5 neighborhoods worth visiting on your next trip — and one I’d skip. appeared first on Business Insider.
