Miami's Arts, Food & Music Scene

The vibrant culture of the international art world meets the warm hospitality of Miami Beach for the 22nd year during Art Basel, December 6-8, 2024. Leading galleries from five continents display significant works by modern and contemporary art masters, as well as those of emerging notables at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

With 283 galleries and 32 first-time participants, Art Basel Miami is the largest art fair in the Americas. As the central art link between North, South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, it has an inherently global impact on what comes next in the art world at large, especially in the Americas.

Art Basel is divided into several sectors, each with a specific focus from monumental art to solo presentations by artists on the rise. A significant uptick in new collectors reflects a growing segment of art buyers finding their entry point to collecting in Miami Beach. Art Basel brings art to all ages: future art lovers can visit the show’s free kindergarten and playroom while their parents (or grandparents!) walk the show.

As in the past, this year’s fair will extend well beyond the convention center with more than 25 international art fairs featuring thousands of creatives at venues across Greater Miami/Miami Beach. Enjoy concerts, art installations, parties, street art and more during these exciting days, collectively known as Art Week Miami. Satellite art fairs and galleries abound in the Miami Design District, Wynwood, Allapattah, Little Haiti, downtown and beyond.

Collections that Reflect the Americas

The Miami Beach area’s three dozen world-class art museums offer an abundance of opportunities to view historically and culturally diverse works. Many of Miami’s internationally renowned institutions offer special exhibits to coincide with Art Basel. The following are notable for year-round content specific to the area.

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is nestled in the heart of the Everglades on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and is regarded as the global repository of more than 200,000 ancient and modern works by Seminole artists.

The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora uses art, history and culture to create a compelling narrative that transcends borders. Its rotating exhibition gallery showcases the creations of the greatest artists of the Cuban migration.

The is a Smithsonian affiliate in downtown Miami whose mission is to share regional stories, create a sense of place and cultivate an engaged community. The large facility is home to more than 2 million images and 30,000 artifacts including a 1920s trolley and a raft that transported refugees to Miami.

The Miami Children’s Museum’s 17 galleries inspire youth to learn about themselves and the culturally diverse community they live in through art, science, literacy and early childhood education.

Wynwood Walls, the world’s leading outdoor street art museum is an ever-evolving collection of narrative-driven murals and sculptures by more than 120 world-renowned artists representing more than 25 countries. Works by groundbreaking artists are admired throughout the Wynwood Arts District neighborhood.

Delicacies from around the Globe

Dining in greater Miami can feel like taking a trip around the world with restaurant offerings as diverse as its population. Two of the newer dining hotspots offer a unique twist to the classic steakhouse sizzle.

Papi Steak Miami in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood fuses Golden Era Hollywood swagger with modern big-city energy to create an entirely new steakhouse experience. With only 93 seats, the restaurant is an intimate, high-octane destination. Its namesake, the Papi Steak, is a Tomahawk-cut with the famous Papi SteakTM Sauce that is also ordered in a “Beef Case” (think briefcase and top dollar luxury). Sip at the full bar while DJs spin tunes into the early hours.

Klaw Miami pays tribute to Florida’s long history of cattle- rearing. By partnering with local ranchers, Klaw has added Florida Cracker Cattle — one of the oldest and rarest breeds in the United States — to its selection of unique premium cuts. One supplier can trace the DNA of each of their cattle back to the original herd brought to Florida shores in 1521. Talk about aged beef!

To satisfy a beachy craving, any time is “island time” at Monty’s Raw Bar featuring seafood, island dishes and cocktails, live music, plus one of Miami’s best happy hours. Find dockage at Bayshore Landing Marina.

Come by boat to hot spot Casadonna, a coastal Italian- inspired waterfront restaurant housed in the same Mediterranean Revival building as Miami’s historic women’s club in the Edgewater neighborhood. The word Casadonna translates to “house of the woman.” Signature handcrafted dishes are based around traditional recipes found in Italian Riviera towns such as Naples and Positano.

Whatever your flavor craving, it will be satisfied in Little Havana, a friendly neighborhood exemplifying the true melting pot culture of Miami. Along with its robust Cuban influence, visitors find everything from Dominican fare to tacos to high-end sushi in the area. A scoop of Abuela Maria, made with guava and cream cheese from Little Havana Azucar Ice Cream Company, is the perfect topping to any cuisine.

Nightlife for the Young at Heart

Artistic creations go beyond the walls and the plate in Miami. The area’s vibrant music scene is a fusion of genres and cultures creating an electrifying atmosphere catering to all tastes. From underground warehouse raves to Vegas-style pool parties, Miami’s best clubs are downright epic.

Perhaps no Miami nightclub is more over-the-top than E11EVEN. The place has everything: acrobats, strippers, acrobatic strippers, mesmerizing light shows and even a rooftop restaurant. It’s a favorite of Hip-hop royalty — you never know who might show up for a surprise performance.

Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern, aka “Bougies,” is a classic neighborhood bar tucked into a cozy old cottage in South Miami. It may look tired, but Bougie’s is bumpin’ most nights with drink specials and fun music. Friday through Sunday, local bands perform rock, reggae and classic covers in the “living room.” The backyard patio offers a respite with old-school hip-hop and a separate outdoor bar.

The Fillmore is a Lincoln Road icon, a perfectly preserved remnant from the Rat Pack era. The historic venue, at one point used for the filming of The Jackie Gleason Show, is now one of the most unique music venues in the nation where seats can be removed from the theater’s main floor to turn it into a pulsating dance club.

For a taste of the mega yacht life and maybe a slightly more sedate evening, try the Supreme Yacht Party at Bayside. For nearly a decade, Supreme Club Tours has been throwing parties in Las Vegas and Miami. Every weekend, Supreme hosts a three-hour party aboard a three-story, 100-foot mega yacht that holds up to 200 guests. This “nightclub on the ocean” has food, tables and a live DJ playing hip hop, Latin and top 40 tunes.