Wynwood, Miami's Art District Guide - Time Out

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Wynwood, Miami neighborhood guideA one-stop guide to Wynwood's best sights, restaurants, bars and moreSaturday December 2 2023ShareCopy LinkFacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsApp

Written by Ashley BrozicContributorAdvertising

Known for blocks upon blocks of incredible, world-renowned murals, Wynwood is a neighborhood dedicated to the pursuit of fun, creativity and pleasure. Around every corner, you’ll find interesting shops, great restaurants (and the scene's getting even better), vibey bars fit for every mood and a number of Miami’s top breweries. Plus, it’s filled with tons of activities for everyone in the family, making it a great destination to explore from morning all the way into the wee hours of... the next morning.

What’s the deal with Wynwood?

The Wynwood Arts District is one of Miami’s most exciting zip codes, a globally recognized neighborhood with creativity flowing year-round. Don’t blink or you’ll miss all of the changes happening. Cranes are as common as spray paint cans, as new developments and midrises stack up like Lego blocks. Now, this once uninhabitable spread of warehouses is a lively place to work, play and stay.

OK, so tell me a little bit of Wynwood history.

That’s not to say the residential blocks surrounding Wynwood's warehouses haven’t always been a thriving community. The neighborhood was once nicknamed “Little Puerto Rico” in and you’ll still find longtime locals flaunting their Boricua pride with tasseled flags on their rearview mirrors and congregating at the last mini markets standing.

The warehouse part of Wynwood was once Miami’s garment district. Enticed by cheap rent, the artists and collectors moved in around the early ’90s. These galleries needed clients, so they began enticing potential buyers with free wine on the second Saturday of every month. And so, Wynwood started to get its artsy reputation. There were studios, small galleries, art complexes, and even bigwig galleries like the Rubell Collection (now in Allapattah) and the Margulies Collection (still in Wynwood) sprinkled throughout. But unless you were really in the know, you’d probably think there was nothing to see here around that time.

In 2004, the late Tony Goldman bought up about 18 properties, and over the next five years, he began rolling out his vision for the neighborhood: "a kind of Williamsburg," he told the New York Times "but with a Latin/Caribbean flavor." He wanted "a place where things develop unexpectedly," and by golly, he got it.

By 2013, Wynwood was making local and international headlines. These were the early years when “Wynwood was Wynwood,” as locals reminisce. The Wynwood Walls were free to visit and there were a handful of places where you could ride the craft beer wave and shake your booty all night, including Wood Tavern (RIP), Gramps (still there!), Cafeina (also there!) and Wynwood Brewing Co. (Woohoo! This too!). People still came for the free wine at Wynwood Art Walk, but it was getting so crowded that the barrels dried up.

Wynwood’s creative spirit, however, has not. Over the past decade, the neighborhood has unfolded block by block—and it feels like every week each block sheds its old skin to make way for something new.

Where exactly is Wynwood?

Officially, Wynwood is bordered by I-195 to the north, I-95 to the west, NW 20th Street to the south, and the train tracks along Edgewater to the east. You’ll likely spend most of your time in the 25 jagged blocks between NW 29th and 20th streets.

If you only do one thing…

Walk around! We know, we know: that’s a copout answer. But we can’t name a better neighborhood for endless exploration and discovery, especially with so many world-class murals just footsteps away from each other.

Pop in and out of the amazing boutiques, refuel at one of the neighborhood’s best restaurants, then spend the day or night drinking and dancing with friends at Wynwood’s best bars. And if it’s your first time visiting—or even your first time in a while—be sure to pop by Wynwood Walls, the outdoor museum that started it all.

How to get to Wynwood

By car: Whether you’re coming from I–195 to the north or I–395 to the south, you’ll want to get on North Miami Avenue, turn on NW 29th Street (from the north) or NW 20th Street (from the south) and then make your way to NW 2nd Avenue where all the action is. There is ample metered street parking (especially past 23rd St), but you can also park at the Wynwood Garage on NW 26th Street.

By public transportation: Unfortunately, the Metrorail doesn’t extend here, but you could get off at Government Station and take the MetroBus (Route 2) to NW 2nd Avenue and NE 25th Street. There’s also the Miami Trolley. The Wynwood route picks you up at the Omni Metrorail station, drops you off right in the heart of Wynwood and even extends to the Design District.

Where to eat in Wynwood

You could eat at a different place every day Wynwood for an entire month and you’d still have a few blank boxes to check off on your list. We’ve got a definitive guide to the best Wynwood restaurants, but here’s a quick overview to keep in your back pocket.

Breakfast and coffee: Suite Havana Café, Novela Café Social, Zak the Baker, Panther Coffee, Enriqueta’s, The Salty, La Colombe at Walt Grace, Alex Coffee Roasters, Mama Leone BakeryHealthy bites: Love Life Café, Café Smood, Sweet Green, Ono PokéBucket list musts: Pastis, Uchi, Hiden, Doya, Hiyakawa, Marygold'sEveryday favorites: Momosan Wynwood, Junkanoo Jamaican Kitchen, Omakai Sushi, Le Chic, Kush, Grails Sports Bar, Barcelona, Freehold, BartacoQuick and vibey: Tacombi Wynwood, La Tiendita, La Sandwicherie, Pizza Tropical, The Taco Stand, The Mad Butcher, Freehold Miami, Joe's Pizza, Tacombi WynwoodFood halls: Oasis, 1-800-Lucky, Smorgasburg (weekends only)Something sweet: Fireman Derek’s, Dasher & Crank, Salt & Straw, Night Owl Cookies, Cielito Artisan Pops, Paletas Morelia

Where to bar hop in Wynwood

There are more bars within walking distance of each other in Wynwood than in any other neighborhood in Miami, and for that reason, it’s the perfect place for a proper crawl. Wynwood has got speakeasies, breweries, rooftops, gastro clubs and even a Japanese listening den—whether you want to sit around and chill or you want to drop it low to bangers on the dance floor. Here’s the definitive list of Wynwood bars, and here’s CliffsNotes version.

You like good music: Danté’s Hi-FiYou’re craving really good cocktails: The Sylvester, Spanglish, Beaker & Gray, PastisYou just wanna dance!: Perro Negro, La Otra, El Patio, Rácket, Centro Wynwood, The Dirty RabbitYou like views: Astra, Higher GroundYou wanna get weird: GrampsYou like not-so-secret speakeasies: Coyo, NDA at Mad ButcherYou wanna dance, but you’re also hungry: 1-800-Lucky, OasisYou’re here for the beer: Wynwood Brewing Co., J. Wakefield, Cervecería La Tropical, Veza SurYou like patios & wine: LagniappeYou are a Queen: R House

What is there to do in Wynwood if you’re not hungry or thirsty?

As we mentioned, Wynwood packs in loads of fun. Embark on an artist-led neighborhood tour with Miami’s Best Graffiti Guide or hit up the Paradox Museum for an immersively though-provoking (and Instagrammable) time.

If you’re looking to get crafty, make some candles at Candle Land Miami. Then, do a little shopping at one of Wynwood’s best boutiques or get your game face on for laser tag and arcade classics at FunDimension. Brands are always popping up along Second Ave with experiential activations, so keep an eye out for surprises and freebies.

On a rainy day

Visit theMuseum of Graffiti! You’re probably wondering: why would I pay to see graffiti when I can see it for free all over the neighborhood? We wondered the same thing! But the world’s first museum dedicated to graffiti art packs in loads of history and facts, giving you the context to appreciate what you see outside on a deeper level.

Get off the beaten track

Set in an old industrial bakery, the Bakehouse Art Complex has been fostering emerging artists for over 30 years. With around 100 resident and associate artists and 60 studios to explore, you’ll be inspired (and even perplexed) by all the different themes, mediums and practices to explore—whether on canvas or a hypothetical stage. Bakehouse is open daily from noon to 5pm and admission is free.

What else is nearby?

Wynwood is south of the Design District and Little Haiti, north of Downtown Miami, west of Edgewater and east of Allapattah. It’s easily accessed from South Beach via the Venetian and Julia Tuttle Causeways.

Neighborhood guide to Miami’s Wynwood Arts District

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