So many of my friends complain that Miami is an expensive town. Like any city I know, it can be but there are also a ton of things that you can do for free or near free.
Here are some things to do tonight to get your weekend started:
Viernes Culturales – this event takes place the last Friday of every month in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. In addition to an art walk, there is live music, domino competitions, and latin dancing lessons.
Visit the Wolfsonian – Free admission on Friday nights from 6-9 pm
Take a picnic to the park at the New World Center on Miami Beach, watch the large screen and see what everyone is talking about.
The ING Miami Marathon is this Sunday and, with a projected 20,000 runners, there will be traffic disruptions along the route. Please plan accordingly or bring plenty of patience and courtesy. This is a pretty big event that showcases our beautiful city and we want to roll out the welcome mat. Traffic disruptions will probably start around 5:30 a.m. and last unit noon.
If you are a runner, consider joining the fun in either the 5K, 1/2 marathon or full marathon.
Today I was reminiscing over some things my nephew said last Sunday as we were walking home from the Fairchild
Enjoying Strawberry S'mores
Chocolate Festival. The whole walk, which according to mapmywalk.com was a little over a mile, he kept saying, “walking to your house is beautiful” and “this is so relaxing” and singing “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood”. It was so much fun to see my neighborhood through the eyes of a 5 year old and his 3 year old brother.
The talk may have been sugar induced or the chocolate may have released a whole bunch of feel-good-endorphins, but the boys took enormous amounts of pleasure in watching a squirrel race down a tree, grab an acorn, hold it in his two little paws and nibble away; pointing out royal poincianas which aren’t even in bloom yet; and looking for Peacocks, lizards, turtles and fish in the canals. It didn’t matter that the only animal we spotted that day was the squirrel. Just knowing that they may have spotted different wildlife kept them interested.
They never once complained about being tired, asked how much longer, or said they hated walking. This coming weekend, slow down, and enjoy your neighborhood. If you are stressed and having a hard time being positive, take your children with you. If you don’t have any, do what I did and borrow them from a family member or friend. I guarantee that seeing South Florida through the eyes of a child will bring you a new-found appreciation of the wonderful place that we are lucky enough to call home.
Crazy About You is in a great location and one of the few places you can get a good meal with a waterfront view.
The staff is attentive, they have a decent wine list that is reasonably priced, and their menu is affordable. I like the Serrano Croquettas, Calamari Flatbread, and Mikey’s Slow Braised Steak with Creamy Arborio Rice.
The chocolate festival starts tomorrow and runs all weekend. Yum!! In addition to learning all about chocolate, there are chocolate tastings and sales.
Today is the last day of Art Deco Weekend on Miami Beach. Take advantage of our gloriousMiami weather (Boston had a high of 26% yesterday) and head to the beach to learn about our backyard. Events and tours start at 10:00 a.m. so if you are a football fan, you still have plenty of time to tour and get home for the Patriot/Jets game at 4:30. Or better yet, enjoy it at one of the many restaurant/bars, such as the Clevelander, Big Pink or just about any other bar on the beach!
Art Basel Miami Beach starts Thursday, which means there are lots of art events all over town. Make it a point to attend one, whether directly related to Art Basel or not. There are plenty of satellite fairs and many of the local parks and galleries in areas with the popular art walks (Coconut Grove, Calle Ocho, Wynwood)
Coral Gables Gallery Walk is Friday night, December 3. Cernuda Arte is going to have an exhibit at Art Basel, so should have really nice artwork up. You can ride the trolly if you don’t want to walk.
Coconut Grove Art Walk is Saturday night, December 4.
Calle Ocho. Although this art walk is the last Friday of each month on 8th street between 14 and 17 Avenues, the galleries are sure to have something going on during Art Basel.
Haitian Base Tents Project Tuesday, November 30 – December 5th at Epic Residences Green, 270 Biscayne Blvd
Looking for something to do tonight? Try Wolfe’s Wine Shop‘s “Save the Tatas” , an all women winemaker tasting to benefit mammography for those who can’t afford screening. Tonight from 7-9 pm. $20 with RSVP/$30 at door. RSVP [email protected] or tweet @wolfeswines.
Wines to be tasted:
Jean Marc Lafage Cote Est, Cotes Catalanes 2009
Patricia Green Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Oregon 2009
Honig Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2008
Cote Bonneville Chardonnay”DuBrul”,Yakima 2006
Ercavio Tempranillo Roble, La Mancha 2007
Peay “Scallop Shelf” Estate Pinot Noir 2007
Doamine de Marcoux Chateauneuf du Pape 2006
Paolo Scavino Barolo 2005
Another wine tasting a little further south at 9563 South Dixie Hwy:
L’Atelier Gourmet & AB Fine Wines
Come and have taste of a Chardonnay from Mendoza,
a 90 pts Robert Parker Ribera Del Duero, a Sauvignon blanc Pouilly Fume, and a wonderful Syrah Granche
from South of France. While you are there, pick up some of the pastries for a late night snack. Their macaroons are amazing!
I just came back from a wine tasting at L’Atelier Gourment and AB Fine Wines. What a great way to spend a Friday evening! I went with some French friends who went crazy over the pastries saying they were so French they reminded them of their childhood. I tasted (and purchased) some amazing wines to start figuring out what I will be serving at Thanksgiving.
If you live and/or work in Downtown Dadeland, take a stroll across U.S. 1. They have wine tastings most Friday evenings.
