Little Havana in Miami (Miami, USA) — description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.
The Latin Quarter, one of the oldest in the city, borders downtown Miami and is located to the west of it. Its second name is “Little Havana”, and he deserved it because it was here that emigrants from Cuba settled. This continued from the 1970s to the 1990s, but now there are enough natives of Central and South America in the Latin Quarter.
The most attractive part of “Little Havana” is Calle Ocho (officially – Eighth Street). There are authentic Latin American shops and restaurants here, and most of the locals speak only Spanish. Every year, Calle Ocho hosts a parade that, by some estimates, can be called the largest street festival in the world.
While Little Havana is colorful and well worth a visit, and is now much safer than it used to be, it’s not a good idea to wander around the area at night. This is especially true of its eastern part (everything east of 17th Avenue). See topschoolsoflaw for brief history of Kansas.
You should definitely eat in Little Havana. Or at least buy food.
Among the architectural and historical attractions of Little Havana, the Cuban Memorial Boulevard occupies a place of honor. There are many statues and monuments along it, and the Eternal Flame burns here in memory of the events in the Bay of Pigs that took place in 1961. Here you can also see a large relief map of Cuba with a quote by Jose Marti. Another attraction of the boulevard is an old sprawling ceiba tree with powerful roots sticking out of the ground.
The impression of the tree is slightly spoiled by piles of chicken bones under it – evidence of ritual sacrifices, which are carried out here by adherents of the Afro-Cuban belief, santeria.
Gomez Park (or Domino Park) is located on the corner of Calle Ocho and 15th Avenue. It was named after Maximo Gomez, a Cuban commander during the War of Independence at the end of the 19th century. This little park got its second name because the section of 15th Avenue between Calle Ocho and 9th Street is paved with a beautiful writhing domino pattern, and domino motifs are ubiquitous in the design of the park too. This theme was chosen because this place has traditionally been the main point of the evening gathering of the elderly, who came (and continue) here to play board games.
A notable architectural landmark of Little Havana is the Tower Theater on Southwest 8th Street. This is a very funny example of art deco architecture and a working cinema.
You should definitely eat in Little Havana. Or at least buy food (for this, for example, the Sedanos market is suitable). It is also worth visiting the Los Pinareños fruit shop on 8th Southwest Street. This is an authentic Latin American fruit market selling smoothies and coffee. And it is best to take a traditional local drink here – sugar cane juice.
Practical Information
The easiest way to get to Little Havana is by car: there is enough parking here. There are also several buses from downtown. But Metrorail trains do not go here.
Patricia and PhillipFrost ScienceMuseum
Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (Miami, USA) – expositions, opening hours, address, phone numbers, official website.
In the interactive museum, you can take a fascinating journey into the world of science, technology and wildlife: see the laws of mechanics and optics in action, study the structure of the human body, touch the secrets of the Universe and learn about the technologies of the future. It is interesting here for both children and parents, and scientific exhibits are allowed to be touched, twisted, disassembled and even broken. The amazing museum has been operating in Miami for almost 70 years. Its history began in 1950 with a small private institution, which quickly turned into a large museum complex. In 2017, he moved to the Museum Park.
What to watch
Today, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science occupies 4 buildings: the North and West Wings with interactive exhibits, a planetarium with a state-of-the-art observatory, and a large aquarium with rare fish species. Each of the high-tech buildings is equipped with systems that collect energy from the sun, water, wind, and even the kinetic energy generated by visitors.
The huge inclined dome of the planetarium, 6 3D projectors and surround sound create the effect of flying into outer space. The three-level aquarium seems to take you from the water surface to the depths of the Gulf Stream: going down from the upper deck, guests can watch how different ecosystems replace each other.
In one of the museum’s laboratories, children and adults are invited to explore the work of the human body and brain through tests, puzzles and simulations. The exhibition “Strange Matter” reveals the secrets of familiar things and the unusual properties of the materials from which they are made.
The complex also includes a Wildlife Center, where veterinarians and biologists rescue injured birds of prey: owls and falcons. Every year more than 400 birds are nursed here, many of them are released into the wild after rehabilitation.
Practical Information
Address: Miami, 1101 Biscayne Blvd. Website (in English)
How to get there: by bus number 9 to the stop. Ne 1 Av & Ne 10 St.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 9:30 to 18:00; Saturday-Sunday from 9:30 to 19:30. Entrance for adults: 29.95 USD, for children from 3 to 11 years old: 21.95 USD. The prices on the page are for December 2021.
