Okay, there are a lot of free things to do in Miami that don’t revolve around the beach or window shopping. In the summer time, free days are offered at a variety of local venues so take advantage and go explore our home town.
August 2 Planetarium Star Show 7 p.m.
August 3 ArtCenter Studio Crawl
August 7 Free Day at Fairchild Garden
August 12 Gables Gallery Night
August 17 Free Day at Deering Estate
August 30 Cultural Friday Gallery Walk
Looking for something to do with the family this weekend? Start out tomorrow with a fee-free P.L.A.Y Saturday at Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay. P.L.A.Y stands for Preservation, Learning, Adventure, Year-Round and the day incorporates all of these in a beautiful, bay-front setting.
I recently visited Ecuador and enjoyed running on the Chiquinan Trail, a 20 km bike and running trail converted from an old railway trail.
While I was running, I thought it would be great if Miami-Dade had something similar. I was thrilled to find out it does, though most of it is still in the making. It is called Bike 305 and so far 130 miles, out of the 5o0 planned, have been completed. The current routes include Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. I have run along several of the routes, without even knowing it was part of a grander plan to interconnect greenways, bike lanes, and trails. I look forward to running more portions of the route as they come on line!
One of my favorite things about summer is that it is mango season. This year, Fairchild’s Mango Festival features the mangoes of Mexico. I have no idea where the mangoes I buy from my neighborhood pop-up mango stands are from but they are all delicious. When you are done at the Festival, drive through the streets of Pinecrest and stop by one of the stands. They are Miami’s version of the kid’s summer lemonade stand up north and if you get more mangoes than you can eat, freeze the overripe ones for making smoothies, deserts, and salsa, long after the season is over.
If you still have your Sunday, July 7 copy of the Miami Herald, there is $2 coupon for the Fairchild Festival on page 3M.
I will be spending the 4th of July at a friend’s house, celebrating her birthday. If you don’t have plans for the day, here are some ideas on where to celebrate and watch fireworks:
On land (FREE)
At Sea:
Today is the beginning of Miami Spa Month, which is really two months since it lasts through August, where you can get $99 treatments at some of Miami’s most luxurious spas. I tried the Aquavana Experience at Canyon Ranch and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking to squeeze in a couple more before the end of August.
There are many exotic, fun, and expensive cars in Miami. Audi R 8, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, are all fairly common here. If you do not own one and still want the heart pounding experience that driving one of these cars brings from the moment you hear the engine roar, consider the Miami Exotic Auto Car Racing experience at the Homestead Speedway. You get to choose between the Audi R 8, Ferrari 430, Lamborghini, or you can drive all three for the ultimate thrill.
My husband was skeptical when we gave him the gift certificate for Christmas, but was convinced it was the real deal when they hit 100 miles an hour in the Audi 4S during the “test” run with a driver showing him the course.
Makes for a great Father’s Day gift!
I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, so I am thrilled that the first ever Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show is coming to Pinecrest Gardens this weekend. One of my favorite chocolate stores, Romanicos on Coral Way, will be there as well as Valor chocolates from Spain. Romanicos’ chocolates are pure artistry from their Tropical Collection, with painted fish motiffs, to their Nostalgia Habanera, with chocolates filled with dulce de leche and guava paste. My favorite from Valor is their 70% dark chocolate bar with banana. Pair any of these with red wine and…heaven!
I am looking forward to tasting chocolate from all of the chocolatiers that I don’t know yet and adding to my current stash.
In case your activity calendar hasn’t been full enough with the boat show, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Art Wynwood, SoBe Wine and Food Festival, you can add to it with all of the events coming in March.
Tonight kicks off the 30th Annual Miami International Film Festival. Over 100 films will be shown through March 10.
The Cadillac Golf Championship comes to Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 6-10.
Two music events overlap when the Winter Music Conference, March 15-24, and the Ultra Music Festival, March 15-17 and 22-24, come to town.
March 18-31features the Sony Open Tennis on Key Biscayne.
All this is great for our local economy and our social calendars, but I am looking forward to the “lazy” days of summer!
Okay, I have to admit that although I love my husband, family, friends, clients, south Florida, referrals, wine and dark chocolate, but am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. As my husband said early on in our dating, every day should be Valentine’s Day, not just a day where flower prices sky rocket, restaurant reservations are scarce, and Hallmark cashes in. So instead of celebrating just one day, go out and celebrate all weekend! There is so much to do between the boat show and Coconut Grove Art Festival that you will find plenty of reasons to love living in, or visiting, south Florida.