The real 305: Miami, FL has more character than any other city in the world
You need to know Spanglish
I grew up in a city in which most people only ever vacation. People visit the 305 in hopes of going to Ultra, the coolest and most raging EDM festival, experiencing Miami Spice (cheaper food at the most expensive restaurants) and clearly to visit the beach.
Even though I was not raised on the shore, I lived about 20 minutes away. I didn’t go to the beach as often as you would think. I’ve been lucky to call Miami my home and even with its year-round muggy-hot temperatures, it was worth the frizzy hair.
La Palma wins the race for the best croquetas
Here, you can find the most culturally diverse people, regardless of where you go. Calle Ocho is home to the most interesting people in Miami (and let me just say, they have the best croquetas at La Palma). I have great memories of walking down the street after a long day of volunteering at a sports camp and stopping at some shops for a cafecito and a ham croqueta. That really hit the spot after a long and intense day.
Another great place is Versailles, and no, it’s not the palace in France, but “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant” as they call it. It’s a great place to stop and chat with strangers and eat a Cuban sandwich.
Wynwood is a pretty unique place on its own
The up and coming Wynwood area is the place to take high quality Instagram pictures and gain a bajillion likes.
Wynwood is known for its hipster and artsy vibe, as it’s home to Art Basel in December when tourists flock and invade the place, but it is worth the trip. When you finally make the trip to get here, you have to try The Salty Donut for the greatest donuts on Earth. They have alcohol-infused donut holes and pretty much everything else. I seriously recommend coming here and checking out a concert with a group of friends at Wynwood Yard.
Drum circles are all about the beat
I only recently found out about this event they have every full moon. While there are a variety of locations including in Miami Beach, I happened to go to the location in Coconut Grove on a chilly February night. All of a sudden, the drums start beating and a variety of mixed sounds bang and thump. While it starts out harsh and loud, slowly, the drums match up and create a rhythmical sound, and soon your heart matches up to the music.
Spanglish is a real thing here
Let me just tell you, Spanglish is a real language. Whether or not you know the language (you better hope for your sake you do), it is widely used here. Most people in Miami are either really good in English or really good in Spanish. If you happen to know both, you are well on your way to being a local here. It comes with the uniqueness of the city.
The beach is a wonderfully unappreciated area for locals
Before you freak out, let me just say I love going to the beach. That being said, if you live near the beach, you are way more likely to go than someone who lives 20 minutes away. Miami has some incredible beaches, like the favorite South Beach, or the less popular but superior North Beach. While some days they are packed to the brim, it is always a lot of fun and worth the effort. Oh…and everyone owns a boat.
Sometimes Miami doesn’t look like Miami
Every once in a while, you step into a place and you are completely surprised when you realize it is still your hometown. This place is definitely the Virginia Key Mountain Bike Trail, right near Key Biscayne and the Rickenbacker Causeway, where you can see the most beautiful views of all of Miami. Virginia Key is like a small forest where you can trail your bike and still see the ocean. This is an amazing place to take pictures and go mountain biking in a flat city.
Miami is a diverse and extraordinary city. We have so many diverse cultures and a vibrant energy running through. I adore it, and I am happy to call it my hometown.