- Travel
- Where the Locals Go
JD’s Miami
Video producer and longtime travel blogger JD Andrews has visited over 70 countries across 6 continents always with a camera in hand. Although he’s frequently on the road out documenting the world, he calls Miami, Florida home. Here are JD’s insider tips to the seaside city.
Miami is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to South Beach.
When I crave good coffee I always go to Little Havana and have a cortadito (Cuban espresso.)
To escape everything I head to Port of Miami and jump on a cruise.
If I want to get wild I go to Zoo Miami.
For complete quiet, I can hide away at Fifteenth street books.
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with a mojito, cheers!
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Joe’s it has to be stone crabs.
Epicure Market is my one-stop shop for great wines, cheeses, and desserts. YUM!
Locals know to skip Haulover Beach (Miami’s only nude beach) and check out Matheson Hammock Park Beach instead.
When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Zeke’s Roadhouse on Lincoln Road for the cheapest beer on South Beach.
For a huge splurge I go to the Village of Merrick Park.
Photo ops in my city include the Art Deco architecture and the best vantage points are Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue.
If my city were a celebrity it’d be Shakira: Latin, sexy, and wild!
The most random thing about my city is no one is local; we all migrated to the beach.
My city has the most men that think they’re famous.
My city has the most strong-willed women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves volleyball on the beach, snorkeling, sunbathing, and rollerblading.
My city’s best museum is the Bass Museum of Art.
My favorite jogging/walking route is the boardwalk next to the ocean.
For a night of dancing, go to Mansion. Or, for live music, check out Tobacco Road.
News Café (open 24 hours) is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read Miami New Times.
You can tell a lot about my city from the huge mix of people from all over the world that call it home.
You can tell if someone is from my city if they have a tan (spray tan too).
In the spring you should visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens.
In the summer you should stay in your air-conditioned car and go to Lion Country Safari.
In the fall you should visit Vizcaya, the Deering Estate.
In the winter you should not miss Art Basel Miami Beach.
A hidden gem in my city is Stiltsville, wood stilt houses located on Biscayne Bay, reachable only by boat.
For a great breakfast joint try David’s Café (ask for the Cuban toast).
Don’t miss the International Mango Festival in July.
Just outside my city, you can visit Key West.
The best way to see my city is by boat, car or on foot.
If my city were a pet it would be an expensive Chihuahua that would say “Quiero ir de fiesta,” (I want to party).
- Nat Geo Expeditions
If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live (where?) Key West!
The best book about my city is Scarface.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “Welcome to Miami” by Will Smith.
If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Jungle Island.
Calle Ocho (known as the biggest street party in the country) could only happen in my city.
My city should be featured on your cover or website because it’s Miami!
For more travel tips from JD Andrews, follow him on Twitter, @earthXplorer.
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