If I’ve learned anything from my recent trip to Miami, it’s there are too many things to see! There are a trillion and one things to do, taste and explore. My most recent visit to Miami resulted from my relationship with Hyatt House. As a spokesperson for Hyatt, I had the good fortune to experience their Hyatt House-Miami Airport location and enjoy “the real Miami.”
After checking in, I spoke with the Hyatt House host and shared my plans of seeing the not-so-typical Miami attractions. I wanted to venture off the beaten path and see another side of what Miami had to offer. He green-lighted my itinerary and told me “you are going to see the real Miami.” And I believe that I did!
My delicious breakfast plate!
Before venturing out on my first day, I fueled up with a delicious breakfast compliments the Hyatt House. They serve up a hot complimentary breakfast of awesome variety every day for all of their guests.
It was awesome to get ready for the day and know there was a hot, scrumptious breakfast waiting for me downstairs!
Selection of the hot buffet at Hyatt House Miami.
A short 15-minute drive toward the coast from the hotel will get you to the Wynwood Arts District. One of the most prominent and largest creative communities in the United States, the Wynwood Arts District rehabilitated unused buildings, neglected warehouses, and shutdown factories to house over 70 art galleries, shops, restaurants, and other creative businesses.
Every month, Wynwood hosts a Second Saturday Art Walk. Unfortunately for me, the timing of my trip didn’t allow me to visit the Art Walk. However, I was able to witness first-hand the amazing influence this creative hub had on Miami’s economy and culture!
Streets of the Wynwood Art District.
Did I mention the Wood Tavern was pet-friendly?!
Next, we made a relaxed stop to the Wood Tavern in the Wynwood District for an afternoon snack. Just as their motto suggests, it was laid back and local! The outdoor seating is everything you’d expect from a hipster tavern in an art district, complete with muraled walls and hanging lights.
The courtyard is framed around a gutted out antique car that has been transformed to an outdoor kitchen that serves fish tacos. What a great afternoon snack we enjoyed!
My brother-in-law, Mickey (left), with Jackson Rossi (center), and Wood Tavern owner, Cesar Morales (right).
One of the many fruit vendors in Miami.
Next on our itinerary was checking out a local cigar shop, Cuban Crafters. On the way, we passed beautiful fruit and veggie stands. It was too tempting to not stop! Locals pull their cars right up to the vendors for curbside service.
On our way to Cuban Crafters, we passed many houses that had beautiful mangoes and papayas growing in their front yards. Again, it was too beautiful to keep driving! We stopped and spoke to a few locals who were happy to talk to us and share their fruits and veggies.
Papayas growing in a local front yard.
Once we arrived at the historical Cuban Crafters, we spent and entire afternoon there. This is definitely the “real Miami.”
Hand-rolled cigars at Cuban Crafters
Cigar rollers hard at work at Cuban Crafters.
The historical cigar shop was steeped in heritage. We learned how the cigars get hand-rolled and met the master cigar roller.
Locals don’t just stop by to grab a cigar, but visit to get a haircut, play a game of dominoes, and enjoy a café con leche. After purchasing some hand-rolled cigars for my dad for Father’s Day, we were on our way to dinner.
Cigar docent and cafe con leche connoisseur, Alex Herrada.
A game of dominoes at Cuban Crafters.
Miami’s best barber – Ernesto!
We ended our night at Cafe Versailles. A hotspot for celebrities, presidents, and political figures during their trips to Miami, Versailles often hosts local, national, and international guests.
Serving up authentic Cuban cuisine since 1971, Versailles considers themselves the “World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant.” And I think I agree!
My dinner at Cafe Versailles.
Plantains at Cafe Versailles.
The food was beyond amazing. We left full and happy, eager to enjoy a restful evening watching the Heat game from the comfort of our Hyatt House full living room.
After a restful night’s sleep and another hot, complimentary breakfast, we prepared for a cookout at the Hyatt House pool. We knew a few people visiting to see the Miami Heat play live, so we invited them over to enjoy an old-fashioned poolside cookout before the game.
Grilling out at the Hyatt House!
At the Hyatt House pool, I enjoyed spending time with these out-of-town friends and colleagues. Building relationships while traveling is networking at its best! Restful and happy times like this solidify relationships and create cherished memories. Relaxing poolside with delicious food in hand was the ideal setting during a business trip to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones.
I had such fun exploring Miami on my recent business trip! Here are links to a few of the amazing places I visited:
