I have been to Miami at least a dozen times. So in 2012 when a boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, asked me to go to Miami for four days I wanted to find something unique to experience. Searching the internet for "Top 10 Things to do in Miami" I came across Isabelle's Travel Guide. She wrote about her experience exploring the Wynwood Art District on two wheels. I love graffiti and I love Vespas so this was a must do for me.
I couldn't believe that I had never heard of the Wynwood Art District. In 2009 Tony Goldman transformed the ghetto into a gallery. The Wynwood Art District is home to 70 art galleries, retail shops, urban street art, and ultra hip bars and restaurants. These once forgotten warehouses are now used as canvases for world renowned graffiti artists such as Sheppard Farley and Banksy. (SN: Have you seen Exit through the Gift Shop? You should).
I looked into the company suggested by Isabelle, Roam There, and a few others. I thought that $125/pp was a bit expensive. After further research I found that we could rent a scooter for four hours from one of the many scooter shops on either South Beach or Miami Beach. For $50 each plus gas, which was about $5, we could explore the Wynwood Art District at our own liberty. No experience needed just a valid driver's licence and credit card.
I entered "2550 NW 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33127" (This is the address to the Wynwood Cafe and Bar) into my GPS. The Wynwood Art District was a 15 minute Vespa ride straight up the Venetian Causeway from South Beach.
Although I had seen pictures of the Wynwood Art District, the graffiti was beyond my expectations. It was a Sunday and all the indoor art galleries and restaurants were closed. We were able to explore the area on our own. We did hear gun shots in the distance so someone was definitely in the neighborhood! We rode up and down, hopped on and off our Vespas for about two hours. There was a food cart in front of the closed Wynwood Cafe and Bar. The owner explained how he moved to Miami from New Orleans and had been selling hot dogs in Wynwood before it was this ultra cool urban outdoor museum. But due to licensing laws or something he is only permitted to sell his dogs when the bars and restaurants are closed. What BS! He was there first.
One of the unique things about the Wynwood Art District is that most of the amazing outdoor graffiti is only on display for about a year. So you can continuously visit the Wynwood Art District and enjoy a different experience. I visited Wynwood again in 2013 and some of my favorite pieces were covered up by another masterpiece. Its kind of sad because, unlike other art, it is gone forever.
There is a walking tour of the Wynwood murals the second Saturday of every month. With temperatures dropping in Pittsburgh I think it's time I take a trip down south and see what's new in the Wynwood Art district.
Warning: The area surrounding the Wynwood Art District is quite sketchy so if you aren't feeling adventurous please go with a tour guide.
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