Why You Shouldn’t Miss Wynwood, the Epicenter of Miami Street Art

Over the past two decades, Miami has become a global art destination. A large part of that, of course, has been driven by the world-renowned art fairs that come to town each December and transform the city. But there’s a thriving art scene year-round, too, thanks to a healthy roster of galleries, museums and exciting local artists. This itinerary is all about getting to know that new art scene.

You’ll start the morning in Wynwood, where murals from international artists cover just about every millimeter of wall space. Then, pick one of the world-class museums that are just a short car ride away. And a long day of thoughtfully contemplating art demands a laid-back evening—so we’ve included some of our picks for Miami’s most exciting restaurants (and one Wynwood bar that’s too fun to pass up). 

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Murals, Coffee and Art in Wynwood

You’ll hear people call Wynwood an arts district even though nearly all of the original galleries have left the area. But it’s still the epicenter of Miami street art. Make the murals the focus of this trip—after all, they’re what put Wynwood on the map back in 2009—and be sure to walk the length of the neighborhood (about a mile) to check out more outdoor works.

Wynwood Walls

You come to this outdoor gallery to see murals (which rotate annually, around Miami Art Week) displayed on big concrete walls. Expect a mix of up-and-coming talent alongside big names like FriendsWithYou, Kenny Scharf and David Choe. The gallery was free for years, but general admission now costs $12.

Panther Coffee

Start your day the right way: with a latte from Panther Coffee. (Photo by Ivana Cajina)

When the call for caffeine strikes, the answer is Panther. This Wynwood classic makes a satisfying latte and a dangerously strong cold brew. There’s not much room to sit inside, but the outdoor patio is a great place to take a break and people-watch under a shady tree.

Bakehouse Art Complex 

You might meet Miami’s (or the world’s) next big artist at this nonprofit incubator, which operates out of a huge building that used to be an industrial bakery. Now, it’s filled with exhibitions by local artists, many of whom you can watch at work in their studios during Bakehouse’s daily public hours, noon to 5 p.m.

The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse

For art with a roof (and air conditioning), head to The Margulies Collection. This 50,000-square-foot space displays contemporary art from the collection of its namesake, real estate developer Martin Z. Margulies. Admission is $10, and you can spend well over an hour walking between massive paintings, sculptures and video installations. Check the website before you go; the museum occasionally closes between shows.

Squeeze In a Souvenir Side Quest

Art is the main event in Wynwood, but a couple of creative shops let you bring home a slice of its bright, big-energy sensibility.

Peachtree Revival

If Miami had a Depop outlet, this would be it. From the minute you see this secondhand boutique’s teal facade and bubble-letter sign, you know it’s going to be a good time. The kitschy-cool, upbeat vibes are a perfect backdrop for flipping through racks of playful designer-label pieces and one-off vintage accessories.

The Wynwood Shop 

Push past the throng of selfie-taking tourists outside this concept shop (they’re drawn to the huge murals on the side of the building) to find a grab bag of hypebeast-y goodies: framed limited-edition prints from local street artists like RodriDesigns, Basquiat-print sweatshirts and shelves groaning with collector-worthy, slightly esoteric modern art toys.

More Great Art Less Than a 10-Minute Drive Away

The best museums and galleries are spread across Miami—but thankfully, many are just a short drive from Wynwood. Whether you want to see works by big names up close or step into an immersive installation, these venues have you covered.

Pérez Art Museum Miami

PAMM will take you a while to work through—it’s a fortress, with dozens of rooms and multiple floors—but it’s worth prioritizing. The rotating artists on display are as big as it gets (Andy Warhol, Christo), but the thoughtfully curated exhibitions will almost always introduce you to a new favorite. Come a little hungry, too, because the on-site restaurant, Verde, has one of the best waterfront views in town.

Rubell Museum

Step into one of Kusama’s storied “Infinity Rooms” and explore new dimensions on a visit to the Rubell Museum. (© Yayoi Kusama. INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER, 2017. Photo by Ivana Cajina)

Rubell used to be one of the big Wynwood galleries, but it’s since moved into a new, much bigger space in the Allapattah neighborhood. The museum’s massive collection counts works by Keith Haring, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons; but the highlight is Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Rooms,” dazzling displays of mirrors that feel endless (and have become a Miami selfie must).

Superblue

Superblue’s installations practically demand participation. You can walk through a vast maze of mirrors by Es Devlin, manipulate digital art with your hands and enter one of James Turrell’s largest creations ever, which swallows you whole in a breathtaking “light experience” that no words (however expertly written) can do justice to.

Locust Projects

Miami’s self-proclaimed longest-running alternative arts space offers a great excuse to check out Little River, a neighborhood about 10 minutes north of Wynwood that’s rapidly filling up with galleries and restaurants. This is the one to prioritize though, because it’s free and is always hosting some sort of ambitious, often immersive exhibition.

Grab Dinner at One of Miami’s Most Exciting Restaurants

Miami’s food scene is as worthy of discourse as its art scene. Below you’ll find a sampling of spots that prove it, from an explanation-defying restaurant with a funny name to a Peruvian shop whipping up one ceviche to rule them all. And none of these places is more than a 15-minute drive from Wynwood.

Boia De

If you don’t already have a reservation, you’re probably not getting into this adorable (and tiny) Italian restaurant wedged into a strip mall on the edge of Little Haiti. So here’s our advice: Show up 15 to 20 minutes before it opens—they always hold seats for walk-ins. The chopped salad and perfect pasta are worth the effort.

Walrus Rodeo

The menu at Walrus Rodeo is suitably eclectic. Go sharesies on a rodeo ‘za, cantabrian anchovies and more. (Photo by Ivana Cajina)

Right across the way, Boia De’s sister spot defies categorization, but all you need to know is that it’s a blast. Nearly every dish—a mix of pasta, pizza and vegetable-focused things like a tartare made completely from carrots—is cooked in a wood-fired oven. Don’t bother trying to make sense of the moodily lit dining room, which is somewhere between a diner, a disco and a body shop. Somehow, it all works, and its bar can be a useful place to kill time if you’re waiting for a table at Boia De.

Tâm Tâm

Miami isn’t known for its Vietnamese food, but this downtown spot could be the most fun dinner of your trip. The impossibly crunchy chicken wings, sticky with fish-sauce caramel, are life-changing; the stylish crowd all seem to be having the night of their lives; and the second bathroom on the right has a karaoke machine inside.

Maty's

The only downside of coming to this big Peruvian restaurant in midtown? It might forever ruin ceviche for you. The fresh, punchy version here, along with the tiraditos, are exactly what you want to be eating while sitting this close to the ocean. If it’s a really special occasion, book a table at Itamae AO, a tasting-menu spot next door run by the chef’s brother (which might forever ruin seafood for you, in general).

Dante's HiFi

The DJs at Dante’s HiFi spin upbeat tracks in a mellow, cooler-than-cool space. (Photo by Ivana Cajina)

This Wynwood “listening bar” hosts some of the best DJs in town, who pluck vinyl from the massive wall behind them and keep the beats flowing well past midnight. But don’t expect a silent, contemplative crowd. This is Miami, after all, and Dante’s HiFi tends to feel more like a house party that just happens to be the home of some seriously talented beatmakers.

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