Bienvenidos a Miami! We spent a weekend in Miami, a city that is a melting pot of cultures, diversity, food, art, and entertainment. Miami is unlike any other city in the US, which makes it the perfect weekend destination. It has a tropical climate, turquoise beaches, unique architecture, and a multitude of neighborhoods to explore.
Miami Travel Vlog:
Top Sights to See During a Weekend Trip:
1. Art Deco Architecture - One of the most distinct aspects of Miami is the architecture. The Miami Beach area offers the largest concentration of 1920s and 1930s Art Deco buildings, many of which are painted in pastel colors. Visit the Visitor Center for the daily walking tour.
2. Colorful Lifeguard Stands - Stroll down Miami Beach to see the vibrantly colored lifeguard stands. Each one makes a statement and is the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot.
3. Little Havana - A few minutes west of the Downtown is Little Havana, one of the most influential neighborhoods in Miami and home to the largest population of Cuban Americans. This neighborhood is a great way to experience Cuban culture without having to board a plane. The center of the action is Calle Ocho, a street filled with political monuments, cafes, cigar shops, and restaurants. Grab a cafecito at El Pub for a taste of Cuban culture.
4. Wynwood Walls - The largest outdoor art gallery, featuring blocks of murals done by international street artists. We found everything from black and white striped facades to a giant boombox.
5. South Beach - A visit to Miami is not complete without visiting the beaches, which offer pure-white sand, colorful umbrellas, and year-round warm swimming water. Relax on the beach or join the action with plenty of water sports, including boating, parasailing, and jet skiing to name a few.
6. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens - For a slice of elegant old-world charm and European style, visit Vizcaya which is only a few minutes from the Downtown. The Great Gatsby-like estate was once owned by James Deering in the 1920's who lived there during the winter months. He styled the estate with a European ascetic, which is unique as it was adapted for the tropical climate. The gardens are the perfect spot for a photoshoot and resemble an ocean-front version of Versailles.
7. Perez Art Museum - This museum is located in Miami's Museum Park and contains an eclectic collection of contemporary art. Be sure to check out the visitor favorite called "Penetrable", an outdoor interactive piece by Jesús Rafael Soto. The museum also features and expansive outdoor space with a sculpture garden and stunning hanging gardens.
Getting Around Miami:
What are your favorite sights in Miami? Comment below!
A few weeks ago, I visited Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for the first time and had no idea what to expect. What I found out is that you need to come to Pittsburgh hungry and thirsty. Pittsburgh is making a huge comeback since the steel industry and at the heart of the city's revitalization are over 30 breweries, numerous unique coffee shops, and art communities.
We scouted the city for the top neighborhood craft breweries and coffee shops. Each spot offers authentic flavors, friendly hospitality, and local neighborhood vibes. These spaces are drawing locals and tourists and offer a place to socialize, work, eat and drink. The brew tour is the best way to discover Pittsburgh, one neighborhood at a time. Pittsburgh Travel Vlog:
Top Craft Breweries:
1. Cinderlands: A tiny brewery in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. 2. Brew Gentlemen: An innovative brewery in a newly revitalized steel mill neighborhood of Braddock.
3. Voodoo Brewery: A converted vintage firehouse turned funky brewpub in Homestead. Check out the upstairs which has a jail-turned-restaurant booth.
4. Grist House: A dog-friendly neighborhood brewery that brews unique beers onsite and has a spacious outdoor Biergarten. 5. Penn Brewery - An established brewery with an awesome outdoor Biergarten and historic beer caves. You can also catch this brewery at the airport for a last-minute brew. â
Top Coffee Shops:
1. Steel Valley Roasters: Located in Homestead, this small-batch roaster is community-focused and passionate about coffee! The space also offers onsite yoga classes, the perfect accompaniment to a morning brew.
2. Pear and the Pickle: Neighborhood coffee shop and diner with a blend of vintage and hip touches, like freshly brewed Stumptown coffee. Be sure to check out the upstairs sundeck which has a garden and views of the neighborhood.
3. Commonplace Coffee: Located in the colorful neighborhood known as the Mexican War Streets, this coffee shop serves the locals and draws people from around Pittsburgh for their freshly roasted brews.
Art:
1. Warhol Museum: Museum dedicated to Pop Art icon and Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol. The museum has 7 stories of artwork including an interactive balloon room. 2. Mexican War Streets: A funky colorful neighborhood. 3. Randyland: One of America's most colorful public art landmarks.
What are your favorite breweries and local cafes in Pittsburgh? Comment below!
One of the most essential sights to visit in the Pittsburgh area is not found in the city itself, but in an unassuming location an hour and a half from the city.
We take a day trip from Pittsburgh and venture to rural Pennsylvania to visit Fallingwater, one of the greatest works of American architecture, built by Frank Lloyd Wright in the mid 1930s.
History:
Fallingwater was built for Edgar Kaufmann, a successful businessman who owned the Kaufmann Department Store chain with its flagship store in downtown Pittsburgh. He commissioned famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright to build his family's weekend residence as a getaway from the bustling city. The property is designed in modern style and includes multiple bedrooms, balconies, and terraces. It is now regarded as the "best all-time work of American architecture" by the American Institute of Architects and one of the most impressive designs.
Getting There:
We rented a car and drove an hour and a half from the city to reach Fallingwater. Be sure to bring $12 for the toll roads along the way. On the road to Fallingwater, we pass by corn fields, barns, and cows until we reach the Fallingwater estate, which appears like a mirage through a forest of trees. Best Part of the Visit: Walking up to the house, we were surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the waterfall. The pathway was lush and green, as if we were in a rainforest. The house was perched atop a waterfall with stunning modern architecture style, unusual for its day. Frank Lloyd Wright used a cantilever design that allows the home to integrate into its natural surroundings, with multi-layered terraces, glass windows and skylights around the exterior. Even in today's standards it would be considered architecturally daring, but it was built in the 1930s.
Tour Fallingwater: We took a one hour tour of the house, which showcased the home's interior, exterior, and history. ► ►https://www.fallingwater.org/ Have you been to Fallingwater yet? What is your favorite part of Frank Lloyd Wright's design? Comment below! |
Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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