The Rolling Loud summer festival takes place in Miami this year. Hip-hop fans from all over the country are preparing to visit the lively city to get an up-close-and-personal look at their favorite rappers and hip-hop artists. But that’s not all that Miami has to offer. The major city is a great place to explore for its unique culture, vibrant nightlife, and tropical beach vibes.
Things To See and Do
Miami is a bustling city in Florida that attracts tourists from all over the world. It sees millions upon millions of visitors, lending to its booming tourism industry. As a result, it’s become one of the top U.S. destinations to explore for its many things to see and do.
For a taste of Black Miami history, visit the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, or “BAHLT” for short. There, you can find a number of historical Black artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia.
And N’Namdi Contemporary is a contemporary art museum where you can find beautiful and inspiring artwork from some of the most phenomenal international Black artists.
Dining
You can’t take a trip to Miami without trying some of its local cuisines. Known for its diverse cultures, Miami is home to some of the best food in the nation.
Red Rooster is a popular Black-owned restaurant serving delicious comfort foods that can give any Southern Black grandma a run for her money. Their “Red Red Shrimp and Grits” with merguez sausage, spicy stewed heirloom tomatoes, and zucchini is a customer favorite. And the mini banana pudding cheesecakes from Sweet Delight Cheesecakes are the perfect finish to a good meal.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do while in Miami. And if you’re planning to attend the Rolling Loud summer festival, you can take advantage of all the city has to offer during your trip. Here are six must-see Miami hotspots to visit during your downtime from the 2022 Rolling Loud fest:
Libreri Mapou
Libreri Mapou is a small, local Black-owned bookstore located in the heart of Little Miami. With a mission to keep Haitian culture alive in Miami and around the world, the bookstore sells a number of literary works from Haitian and African authors.
There, you can find English, French, and Creole books that span a wide selection of genres. From religious texts to recipe books, Libreri Mapou is a good resource for avid readers who want to learn more about Haitian history and culture.
Even better, the books at Libreri Mapou are affordable so that all diaspora members can have better access to educational materials that unite us all.
World Famous House of Mac
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The World Famous House of Mac is a popular dining establishment with an even more popular list of celebrity customers. Founded by Derrick “Chef Teach” Turton, this Black-owned restaurant serves the gooiest, cheesiest mac and cheese around.
As the former manager of rapper Pitbull, Chef Teach is no stranger to causing a stir. But now, instead of scaling the music industry, he’s focusing on the food industry. And fortunately, his recipes are ranking well there, too.
From Nashville hot chicken to Caribbean-inspired jerk chicken pizza, this restaurant is a must-stop destination on your Miami itinerary. And don’t forget about their famous mac and cheese, enjoyed by celebrities like Rihanna and Dwayne Wade.
Try their “Seafood Mac & Cheese,” filled with loads of lobster, shrimp, and cheese in a housemade scampi Alfredo sauce!
House of Food P*rn
If you like sushi, you might enjoy The House of Food P*rn, a restaurant that serves sushi with a twist. Inspired by his Cuban heritage, founder and chef Francisco Antonio Blanco incorporates authentic Cuban flavors with his love of sushi. The result is a culinary masterpiece.
Located in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami, the restaurant offers one of the most Instagrammable dining experiences in Florida. There, you can find a wide selection of sushi rolls that are as beautiful to look at, as they are to eat.
But remember to make a reservation before showing up, as the restaurant doesn’t accept walk-ins!
Flamingo Gardens
The Flamingo Gardens is a natural oasis filled with lush greenery and pretty pink flamingoes. The 60-acre garden and wildlife sanctuary is home to a variety of trees, plants, and flowers, including orchids, tropical ferns, and Florida Champion trees. It’s a nature lover’s paradise!
The Flamingo Gardens Wildlife Sanctuary houses permanently injured or non-releasable wildlife native to Florida. There, you can find American crocodiles, river otters, panthers, bobcats, turtles, and a number of bird species. But the stars of the show are the Caribbean flamingoes. At the Flamingo Pond, you can get up close and personal with the bright pink birds. And if you’re up to it, you can even feed them!
Riverfront Gondola Tours
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Fort Lauderdale is recognized as “the Venice of America” due to its sizeable canal system. And at Riverfront Gondola Tours, passengers can float along the canals of Fort Lauderdale to enjoy the sparkling blue waters. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind after spending a busy weekend at the Rolling Loud summer festival.
Each exclusive gondola tour includes bottled water, cups, cake plates, plastic utensils, and a wine chill bucket, complete with ice, a wine opener, corkscrew. Passengers are welcome to BYOB.
For an even more unforgettable experience, you can take a dinner cruise with the company instead. The dinner cruise includes a meal from local restaurant, Casa Sensei, delivered right to you!
Sips Coffee Roasters
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For a chill vibe following a wild and crazy festival weekend, try out Sips Coffee Roasters. The Black-owned and family-owned cafe is a local favorite for its calm, laidback atmosphere and good food.
Uche and Gail Azodo are the couple that started it all. Their love of coffee and community bolstered their desire to start the company. And the result is nothing short of delicious. From creamy and sweet iced coffees to warm, comforting lattes, Sips Coffee Roasters is the best place to kickstart your day.
And if you can’t get enough of the coffee, you can enjoy it at home! Their flagship product, Coffee Drop, is a monthly subscription service where you can have “the best coffee” shipped right to your door!
