Okay, so today I finally knocked out that Miami buildings thing I’d been meaning to do for ages. You know how it is – you live nearby, you see these cool spots, but you never actually go. Well, I made myself get up early yesterday, chugged some coffee that tasted like motor oil (my fault, brewed it too strong), and just drove down.
First thing hit me? Dude, parking. Total nightmare around South Beach. I circled like a vulture hunting roadkill for what felt like an hour. My phone GPS lady sounded annoyed with me. Eventually snagged a spot way down Collins Ave, practically in the next county, and decided to just hoof it. Bad idea? Kinda. Humidity was like walking through soup. But anyway!
Walking Through Candy Land (Art Deco District)
Headed straight into the Art Deco District. Man, it’s like stepping into a giant, sun-bleached candy store! All pastel pinks and minty greens and baby blues. Every hotel and apartment building looked like it escaped from an old movie. I kept staring up, trying not to trip over my own feet. Saw the famous Cavalier Hotel with that weird fin thing on top – looks like a ship’s smokestack got lost. And the Carlyle Hotel, big blocky letters, super clean lines. Best part? Totally free to just wander around Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. You’re basically swimming in it. Took about a zillion pictures until my phone started screaming about storage space.
Needed a break from the sun trying to fry my brain, so I grabbed this absolutely huge iced coffee and a slice of key lime pie (research purposes!). Sat on a bench watching neon signs blink on even though it was barely noon. Tourists on those giant quadricycles kept almost running me over. Good times.
Big Ol’ Cake in Downtown
After that sugar rush, I fought my car back out of the parking spot and drove over the causeway towards downtown. Felt a bit like entering Mordor with all the tall buildings. My target was the Freedom Tower. Wowza. Seen pictures, but standing right under it? That thing looks like someone stole the top of a gigantic wedding cake and plonked it on a box. Super ornate, gold details kinda shining in the light. Felt kinda weirdly historic, you know? It was super crowded around there, people hustling and buses honking, but the tower itself just felt… big and important. Couldn’t go inside without tickets for whatever exhibit was on, but staring at the outside is free and totally worth it. Got another zillion photos.
Bonus Round: Finding a Secret Garden (Kinda)
Still had some daylight burning a hole in my pocket, and honestly, the drive back north sucks, so why not? I remembered everyone raving about Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Okay, confession: I thought it might be free. Big nope! Tickets cost more than that key lime pie and coffee combined, easy. But, figured I was already sweating through my shirt, might as well commit. Got my ticket, stepped in… WHOA. It felt like teleporting to Italy or something. Crazy fancy old house, right on the water. But the real star? Those gardens! Walking through those weirdly shaped hedges near the secret garden felt like being in a fairy tale, just minus the fairies and plus a ton of mosquitoes. The views over Biscayne Bay? Absolutely killer. Yeah, not free, but man, it’s famous for a reason. Pictures came out amazing.
Wrapping Up (& Dripping Sweat)
Called it quits around late afternoon. Sun was winning, I was losing. Started the slow drive back north, legs feeling like lead. What did I learn?
- Water is life. Drank like a camel.
- Good walking shoes >>>> looking cute. My feet are thanking me today.
- Parking is the actual devil incarnate in Miami Beach. Seriously, give yourself extra time, maybe bring a sacrifice.
- Art Deco District: Free, iconic, feels like another world.
- Freedom Tower: Free to see outside, looks insane in person.
- Vizcaya: Costs bucks, kinda hurts the wallet, but totally unique.
Honestly, I just wanted to see these places properly, you know? Mission accomplished. They look even cooler in real life than on Instagram. My phone’s gallery is now basically a Miami architecture shrine. If you’re down that way, definitely go check at least a couple out yourself! Just maybe in winter…
