72 Hours in Miami
It’s not the number of days that matter when I travel, it’s the amount of time I get to spend in the streets that really mean the most to me.
I don’t believe you can say you’ve been somewhere if you’ve never touched the streets, and brushed shoulders with those who call that area home.
Our goal, my wife and I, when traveling is to genuinely get a vibe for the location, to develop a connection with people and neighborhoods.
This collection of photos reflects our experience getting re-familiar with Miami. It’s been about 20 years since we both spent quality time in the city. At times it did feel like I was walking in the shadows of my younger self, expecting some of the neighborhoods and “spots” to still be what they were 20 years ago. The times have change, the city has developed beyond what I could’ve imagined. My expectations were misaligned, and that’s the mybad for layering nostalgia over what I was experiencing. Overall, the food was delicious, the new developments were interesting, and nightlife was still very active.
I won’t make this a lengthy post, I’m really excited to share our experiences via the photographs.
Although, I would like to share a few thoughts about how to explore a city, without looking or feeling like a tourist.
Touching the Road:
See what’s walkable from where you’re staying. If possible, stay somewhere that’s central to everything you’re planning to do in the location you’re visiting.
Try more 3.5 Star lunches might give you the best opportunity to get a genuine flavor for the city. Typically, most food spots the 3 Star range have delicious food, but maybe lack luster service — because they’re not really tourist hot spots.
Get lost quickly, and take your time getting “home”. There’s something really cool about taking the streets, getting off the beaten path to find what you’re looking for, which should be good food and solid vibes.
As always when traveling, be safe, be smart, be respectful.
Peace!
