One thing to love about Miami, other than its beautiful beaches and near-perfect weather, is the influence of so many cultures that have helped give the city so much flavor.

Most of that diverse flavor can be found in Miami’s restaurants, especially during brunch hours.

Here’s a list of some of the best places for brunch in Miami:

Chef Creole

Born in the Bahamas to Haitian parents, Chef Ken Sejour and the late Jude Pierre created Creole cuisine for everyone to enjoy. There are six locations throughout South Florida, and while there’s not a designated brunch menu, the restaurant opens at 11 a.m.

Popular dishes on the menu include oxtails, red beans and rice, and its shrimp oxtail.

Instagram | @chefcreolemia

Jackson Soul Food

Jackson Soul Food offers two locations where local, national, and international visitors flock to indulge in traditional soul food.

The menu includes salmon croquettes, boiled fish and grits on the weekend, and traditional breakfast favorites. 

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Sunday Brunch at Swirl Bistro

With its fusion of Caribbean, European and American cuisines, Swirl Bistro lives up to its name. Visitors have so much to choose from, but Swirl Bistro is the only place in Miami where you will find Oxtail Ravioli, according to restaurant staff.

Uber Wings

With the goal of serving their community all-natural chicken and fresh food, Uber Wings is a small business started by husband and wife Kristy and Rasheed Ibraheem.

The PB&J wings and waffle burger some of the most popular dishes among visitors. Uber Wings also has options for vegan and vegetarian consumers, including scrambled tofu.

Instagram | @uberwings

World Famous House Of Mac

World Famous House of Mac is known for its spin on traditional cuisine. Here is where you will find jerk salmon pasta, fried chicken and pumpkin spice waffles, and of course, his signature World Famous Mac & Cheese.

Instagram | @worldfamoushouseofmac

Mariah Michelle Logan, a 23-year-old woman from Chicago, was struck by a car and killed while heading back to the airport after three days of spring break partying with friends in Miami.

According to the Miami Herald, she was “hanging out” of the right rear passenger window, as she yelled “bye Miami.” Then she flew out of after the driver changed lanes, landing on the highway. She was hit by a car and killed. Now authorities are looking for the driver of the vehicle, a male in a Range Rover, who fled the scene after the crash. 

RELATED: Riot Police To ‘Crack Down’ On Rowdy Spring Breakers In Miami

Her friends left only with memories.

“I’m still grieving,” said Kenyatta Burch, Logan’s friend told the Herald. “I lost my best friend, my sister. Blood cannot make us closer.”

Logan, who worked as a mental health technician in the Chicago suburbs, had traveled to Miami with Burch and two other friends. They visited the beach and partied in South Beach clubs, according to the Herald report.

“She brought energy and life. She never looked at the bad. I was told I was a special man and she made me believe it,” her boyfriend, Ray Olden, told the Herald. “We had the next five years mapped out.”

According to a journal published by University of Miami researchers, car crash fatalities at popular spring break locations like Florida, California, and Nevada are significantly higher between late February and early April. Fatalities involving drivers younger than 25 years old were far higher than deaths of older drivers, and there was a “significantly higher incidence” of traffic deaths involving out-of-state drivers.

RELATED: How Safe Is Mexico For Spring Break?

To make things more complicated, Burch told the Herald, Logan’s family and friends are trying to find a way to bring her body back home to Chicago.

“As if dealing with this loss and heartbreak, now we have to figure out how to send her home. It’s expensive. It’s a nightmare,” Burch said.

It’s 2019, and the age of Black and brown college students having fun is officially over.

Miami Beach officials recently announced their plan to “crack down” on rowdy crowds and violence during the 2019 Spring Break season. Under this plan, 25-member police units will patrol the Ocean Drive area in full riot gear. If that wasn’t enough, visitors can also expect to see police vans, ATVs, and barricades set up along the main beach area in case people need to be taken off to jail for getting out of hand.

RELATED: 8 Destinations That Are Perfect For Spring Break

Miami commissioners decided to put these tactics into place after several videos surfaced on social media of visitors getting into fights, people stumbling down sidewalks intoxicated, and crowds being overly rowdy. In other words, welcome to a spring break town in America.

It’s no surprise that many of the videos that have been used as examples feature people of color in them.

“This is going to be challenging work, and at times it may not be pretty, but I’ve assured senior command staff, I’ve even spoken to our union president, that I, the administration, stands behind our officers to do everything they need to do to take control of the beach,” City Manager Jimmy Morales said yesterday during the emergency meeting. Morales also complained that South Beach has somehow morphed into what he called a “promoted party scene.”

This is an interesting “revelation” by the city manager since Miami has been known to be one of America’s most popular party cities for decades.

Miami officials have been accused of racism in the past. In 2017, officials attempted to shut down Urban Beach Week, which is known to bring in Black tourists for a week of fun. It was alleged that residents (mostly white residents) had an issue with the noise coming from parties along Ocean Drive.

In the most recent meeting, city officials and residents repeatedly complained about “losing control” of the city.”We’ve dealt with this on Memorial Day weekends,” Morales said. “We know what we can do.”

Is this simply a case of officials wanting to take precaution or is it a case of over-policing? You be the judge.

Related: 5 American Cities Where Your Money Will Go Further

This is one of Frontier Airlines’ biggest sales of the year. This flash sale allows you to fly domestically for as low as $20.

If you’ve been thinking about a quick getaway or forgot to plan for spring break, then this deal is for you. Offers run until mid-April with the airline’s flash sale.

Here’s a roundup of what you will find.

From Atlanta

Those of you departing Atlanta will find Flights to Orlando and Sarasota for $20. Flights to Miami are running for $34. If you want to get out of the south, a one-way flight to New York is just $64.

Thinking something different? One-way flights to San Juan are $74.

From Charlotte

Flights to Tampa are $20, Orlando is $25, and Trenton is $34. Heading west? Flights to Denver are $64.

Find the deals from Charlotte here.

From Chicago

Jacksonville, Florida is the cheapest option with flights priced at $25. Palm Springs is on sale for $34, and if you have more to splurge, flights to Denver are $54.

From Denver

Denver is Frontier Airlines’ hub so it should come as no surprise that there are more options for travelers. Flights to Omaha and St. Louis are just $20.

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From Las Vegas

One of the best deals Frontier is offering is from Las Vegas, where those of you departing from the popular city can head to San Francisco for just $20!

 From Los Angeles

Similar to the deals from Houston and Dallas, flights from Los Angeles to Denver are priced at $64 one-way.

So What’s The Catch?

You have until March 20 to book a flight under this flash sale and your dates must be at least seven days before your departure date, according to the website.

Related Post: Here’s How To Tell If A Cheap Flight Is The Real Deal

Travel dates have a tight window between March 26 and April 17 and seating is limited.

Lastly, with any budget airline carrier, be sure to familiarize yourself with the baggage fees.

Visit the website for a complete list of Frontier’s deal.

In an increasingly connected world, it comes to no surprise that people are vacationing more and choosing to do it alone.

A recent survey by Agoda, a group of online travel agents, revealed that travelers are opting for solo travel adventures to take a break from the stresses of modern living. The survey found that 61 percent of respondents prefer to travel alone versus 48 percent of those surveyed who would travel with friends.

And while places like Japan and Thailand rank among the top destinations for solo travelers, domestic road trips are up there on the list.

Related Post: The Pros And Cons Of Traveling Solo 

It may come as a surprise that what many thought to be an experience left in a time capsule could be so popular, but for many people, the nostalgia from road trips that keep them yearning for adventure, according to a survey by Zipcar. 

With beautiful cities such as Atlanta, Washington, Miami, Boston, Baltimore, and Charleston, the East Coast offers a great road trip for people looking for a variety of scenery.

If you’re planning a road-trip adventure on the East Coast, here are some things you should consider:

Safety First: Car Inspections

You cannot take a road trip without a car that’s been fully inspected.  You want to be prepared for the unpredictable weather on the East Coast. Be sure to have your brakes, tires, lights, battery, and fluids fully inspected before your trip

Communicate Your Plans

Speaking of safety, because you are traveling alone, be sure to tell someone about your plans. Discuss your accommodations and the routes you plan to travel. Don’t forget to check-in with your person of contact as you reach each destination.

Have Your Technology and Battery Backups

It’s wise to have backup devices and batteries to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop in the event of an emergency.  Put backup batteries in the glove compartment and purchase a converter to plug in during your drive to charge your things.

Even though technology is wonderful, we can be too reliant on it at times. Dig out your physical road map and have it as a backup just in case you wind up in a dead spot.

Pack An Emergency Car Kit

AAA strongly urges drivers to keep emergency kits in their cars at all times. Kits should include jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, warning devices such as flares, first aid supplies, a basic tool kit and nonperishable snacks and water.

Stock Up On Entertainment

Chances are you are embarking on a solo trip to enjoy the scenery but there are those ugly times where you may be in traffic.  Be sure to stock up on entertainment, including music, audiobooks and podcasts.

Know The Laws

If you are renting out an RV or planning to camp in your car, know the laws in each state you are visiting on the East Coast. Some states allow you to stay overnight at rest stops and others do not.

 Take Breaks

Don’t overdo your adventure. Make sure you are taking frequent breaks from driving and getting an adequate amount of rest.

With below-freezing temperatures the East Coast has witnessed this winter, now is the time to consider a vacation in warmer weather. The recent price reduction in airfare from the East Coast to the West Coast could not have come at a better time.

Right now, flights to Los Angeles are significantly lower from New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. For optimal deals, you should try and book a one-week stay in Los Angeles.

Related Post: How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Los Angeles 

Here’s how to book a round-trip flight for as low as $179 round-trip.  Flight deals below are listed by the cheapest departure city:

From Washington D.C. 

Okay, DMV’ers. You won’t want to miss this round-trip flight to LA priced at $151 round-trip on American Airlines.  Use dates April 1 through April 9 to find the deal.

From Philadelphia 

With flights priced at $179 round-trip, Philly also has the best options to LA, according to Google Flights. Use dates April through May 9 for this cheap flight option.

From Boston 

A few flight options are leaving Boston that are below $200 round-trip, but Delta and JetBlue are offering the best deals.  Plug in May through May 8 as your travel dates for a round-trip flight priced at $197. These dates are among the cheapest, according to Google Flights.

From New York City 

There are tons of options leaving New York City for $219 round-trip. The best part is that most of these flights are nonstop.  Use April 29 through May 7 as your travel dates in Google Flights. These deals are $96 less than normal.

From Miami 

The cheapest option from Miami is on Frontier Airlines in early May, according to Google Flights. Use May 1 through May 8 as your travel dates. The only thing with this flight option is there is a 12-hour layover in Denver.

For roughly $40 more, American Airlines has non-stop flight options from Miami on the same dates for $271 round-trip.

Related Post: Best Los Angeles Brunch Spots 

In recent years, there have been numerous reports of passengers being thrown off of planes for various reasons. Some passengers are rowdy and others are just plain inappropriate. But lately, it seems that the reasons are getting more and more random.

It was a stinky situation for a couple from Michigan after they were kicked off an American Airlines flight last Wednesday. According to the flight crew and other passengers, it was due to “intense body odor.” Reports say fellow passengers complained that the smell of Yossi and Jennie Adler bothered them when the couple boarded the plane with their infant daughter at Miami International Airport. Confused, Adler demanded to know the real reason why they were being escorted off the aircraft. “There’s no body odor that we have,” Yossi Adler said. “There’s nothing wrong with us.”

RELATED: A Flight Attendant’s Clever Handling Of Unruly Passenger Goes Viral 

“All of a sudden, as soon as they took us off, they closed the gate and then they said, ‘Sorry, sir, some people complained you had body odor and we’re not letting you back on,'” Adler remembered. Embarrassed and frustrated, the Adler family asked other travelers in the airport if they had a foul scent and no one agreed. To make matters worse, the Adlers say their luggage stayed on the plane they were kicked off, leaving them to vouch for themselves with only the clothes they had on their backs.

The airline released a statement trying to explain what happened. “The Adler family were asked to deplane last night after several passengers, along with our crew members, complained about their body odor. The family were provided hotel accommodations and meals, and rebooked on a flight to Detroit today.” Even though the gesture was thoughtful, the Adlers aren’t buying it. The family sent a text message to their local news station letting them know they made it back to Detroit safely and their luggage was there when they landed. But it doesn’t make up for what happened to them.

“I want them to own up to what really happened and to tell me the truth,” Adler said. “What was it?”

If travelers are flying out of this Miami airport, they may want to get there sooner than later. Not because of traffic, but because one of their concourses will be shutting down earlier than usual.

Miami International Airport will be shutting down Concourse G early at 1 p.m starting on Saturday and reopening Monday. Passengers will have no access to the terminal after the checkpoint closes. Airlines flying out during afternoon hours have been forced to shift flights to other terminals throughout the airport. If passengers arrive after 1 p.m, they will still be able to exit the terminal normally, but all businesses in the wing, including restaurants will be closed.

RELATED: TSA Employees Are Working Without Pay This Week Thanks To The Government Shutdown

“Due to an increased number of TSA screeners not reporting to work, we have decided to take this precautionary step and relocate about 12 flights to adjoining concourses in the afternoons,” Miami International spokesman Greg Chin said. “We felt we had to make a decision before the weekend. They’re erring on the side of caution.” Miami International is one of the largest airports in the country and a top gateway to Latin America. With TSA workers calling in sick at two times the national average, TSA and other officials weren’t confident they would have enough screeners at all of the airport’s checkpoints.

Concourse G was selected because of its minimal traffic over others. United Airlines is the biggest carrier flying out of the terminal but generally hosts flights for Aruba Airlines, Bahamasair, Frontier and Sun Country. Chin said only 12 flights leave from G after 1 p.m. on a typical business day. Regardless, Miami airport had been advising passengers to arrive early since the start of the government shutdown. “Due to the federal funding lapse, we recommend arriving at least 2 hours before your domestic flight and 3 hours before your international flight this weekend,” the airport tweeted.

Today is the first day that federal agents, including TSA agents, will be missing a paycheck, so industry observers are trying to see how that affects travel.

Photos and words by Erin Douglas 

What I love about traveling is the opportunity to meet new people and photograph them. Art Basel provided a uniquely diverse space for creatives of all backgrounds to be amongst each other.  The level of poppin’ melanin walking confidently in those Miami streets was refreshing to say the least.

This was my first time at Art Basel and it feels like I didn’t even scratch the surface, going back is definitely in future plans. People have their own opinions about it. Getting my art there one day would be amazing, but the creativity, color, culture, and people are inspiring enough. 

Photo courtesy of Erin Douglas

RELATED: Burning Man Isn’t Just For White Hipsters

Here are my tips on how to do Art Basel the right way:

• Do a little research ahead of time, but go with the flow also.
• Skip the main show at the Convention, if you don’t mind. You’ll be thankful. Its huge and could take days to get through. Instead, hit up the satellite shows and other independent spin off shows going on.
• Talk to as many people as you can. I started a conversation with almost every person I Lyft pooled with; which landed me a free day pass to Scope art show. It was amazing.
• Visit Wynwood and just walk around.
• RSVP to as many events and parties as you can, just in case you can’t get into one.
• Network like nobody’s business.
• Try to find as many artists of color to visit and support as possible.
• If you are a creative of any kind, just go. 
• Own your creativity- You don’t have to be a “artist” to do so.

If you thought Royal Caribbean Cruises couldn’t get any cooler, you were wrong. The world’s largest cruise ship, called Symphony of the Seas, will make its US debut on Thursday.

Departing from Florida’s Port Canaveral, the ship holds 6,680 passengers and has been making waves on trips through the Mediterranean since first setting sail in April. It will now find a home at Royal Caribbean’s new terminal at the Port of Miami. “Port Canaveral is proud of its partnership with Royal Caribbean,” Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said.  “While Symphony of the Seas is home-ported in Miami, our cruise partner trusts the capabilities of this port. We are ready to support the arrival of the world’s largest and most sophisticated cruise ship in the industry.”

While docked at Port Canaveral, Symphony will be inspected by the United States Coast Guard and is scheduled to clear customs. Passengers that remain onboard will have to get off the ship while it is certified but will be allowed to get back on board later that day.

Adding to Royal’s 25 other ships, Symphony is made for vacationers who enjoy big fun like mini, on deck water parks and live entertainment. The ship takes after Royal Caribbean’s 2-year-old ship Harmony of the Seas, who was the previous size leader in cruising but Symphony beats its sibling by more than 1,000 tons. It also has more cabins than Harmony and carries more passengers at double occupancy. Symphony and the Harmony are the latest, biggest vessels in Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis Class” series. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas debuted in 2009 and 2010.

One major standout on the Symphony is the Ultimate Family Suite. The massive two-level, 1,346-square-foot suite features an in-room slide, private cinema, floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall and a 212-square-foot balcony outfitted with table tennis and a full-size whirlpool, leaving no excuse to leave the room. Other features on the ship include seven different onboard neighborhoods, the tallest slide at sea with the Ultimate Abyss and a glow-in-the-dark laser tag game.

Just tell us where to sign up.

They say if you work together, great things will happen.

After Hurricane Irma, the city of Miami was sure it was going to take a while before tourists were filling the streets again. Turns out they were wrong. Despite all the damage, Miami brought in a record-breaking 16 million visitors between late 2017 and mid-2018. Overnight visitors are the real heroes, bringing in $26.5 billion just in spending money, which is an amazing two percent increase compared to the previous year.

If you’ve ever been to Miami, then you understand why people flock there. The culture, vibrant colors, tasty food, the beaches, not to mention plenty of eye candy to go around. On top of that, there are many places to stay, which was evident as hotel performance grew as well. Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, went up more than ten percent over the same time period the previous year, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Tourism growth was predominately due to leisure business as the $620-million renovated Miami Beach Convention Center remained offline to conventions during the construction process,” the GMCVB said in a statement. “Now, as the new MBCC nears completion and can once again host citywide conventions, the destination is poised to benefit from further economic impact generated by the meetings industry.”

Let’s talk about this brand new convention center. Costing close to $620 million, the new space will include a new 60,000 square-foot-grand-ballroom, 500,000 feet of exhibit space, 84 breakout rooms, and a new six-acre public park to serve as incremental event space. It sounds like we need to book something there just for an excuse to go. Two organizations have already taken advantage of the new digs. The American Health Information Management Association hosted an event there in September and this week the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery will settle in. Both events are set to bring in close to $10 million for the Miami community.

This growth in tourism couldn’t have happened without the help of the community that embraces visitors every day. “Thanks to community partnerships, tourism infrastructure investment and GMCVB destination marketing programs, the tourism industry remained vibrant and steadfast while fueling growth in hospitality jobs for the community,” President and CEO of the GMCVB, William Talbert, III said in a statement. “The travel industry’s future is bright for Greater Miami.”

New marketing initiatives like “Hotels First” and “Found in Miami” have also helped. Hotels First focuses on making hotels the focal point of a visitor’s vacation, while Found in Miami is a global campaign focusing on the rich heritage of greater Miami’s multicultural neighborhoods. To add to that, the bureau also formed two new divisions, Multicultural Tourism & Development division and the Sports & Entertainment Tourism, to help re-energize two sectors and generate increased hotel demand.

Now you can have “squad goals” even if you’re taking a solo trip, thanks to modern technology.

Life House, the first hotel backed by Silicon Valley, is hoping to revolutionize the hotel experience. By staying at this hotel, guests get the chance to have company on their solo trips with its very own social network. The mobile app allows guests to interact with each other, as well as locals in the community, to meet up for drinks or just make plans with like-minded travelers.

The tech-centric brand launched yesterday with its first location set to open in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood in December, with a second location opening in April 2019 in South Beach. The Little Havana location has stylish rooms with fancy Le Labo toiletries, a rooftop pool, and one of the only bars and restaurants in Miami with breathtaking panoramic skyline views. The hotel brand will feature amenities and programming specific to the vibrant communities they’re set in, but all locations will share dreamy design-forward interiors like herringbone floor, vintage furniture, edgy artwork and a mix of shared and private accommodations.

The best part of the deal is the expense to stay here. There will be an option to book a night for less than $150 regardless of the location or the season. While Life House is the first hotel coming straight out of Silicon Valley, the hospitality industry is taking full advantage of the new technological advances. Hilton Hotels unveiled their new affordable lifestyle brand called Motto by Hilton, that empowers guests by giving them the freedom to create their own experiences using Hilton’s Connected Room technology allowing guests to control features in their room like temperature, lighting, TV and window coverings from their Hilton Honors mobile app.

Life House is expected to open more than 20 hotels in spots like Brooklyn and Denver by the end of 2019.

Miami has some of the most popular multicultural neighborhoods, similar to New York City, L.A. and  New Orleans. Its neighborhoods are known for their artsy communities and diversity of music, food, and culture. Each area offers a different look into the environment and the culture in hot Miami.

The city is so much more than Ocean Drive and its vibrant nightlife. From the luxurious South Beach to the crevasses of Little Havana, these are the best neighborhoods to visit on your next trip to Miami.

Wynwood District 

Love art and graffiti? Wynwood is an essential neighborhood to any Miami experience. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are galleries, walls, and signs of beautiful graffiti and urban art.

The Wynwood Walls, a mural project, became an ode to art visionary Tony Goldman and his commitment to street art and graffiti. Artists from all over the world including Brazil, Belgium, Greece and more have come to be a part of this project. Once a month, the art galleries open at night for a huge Art Walk, including food trucks, drinks, DJs, dancing and pure fun in the Miami nightlife.

The Rubell Family Collection is a famous gallery drawing in over 40,000 visitors a year. They were the first art gallery in Wynwood, opening in 1993. The collection has featured pieces from iconic Jean-Michael Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama and other contemporary artists from all over the world.

Start or end your day at Wynwood Diner. Its outdoor/indoor open space make for the perfect hangout spot with handcrafted cocktails and modernized American food.

@les_photos_de_raph | Unsplash

Little Havana

Miami has always had an attachment to the Latin culture. After the 1960s, a flood of Cuban refugees fled to town and headed to a community that has become the heart of Cuban culture in South Florida.

The sizeable Cuban presence in Miami is like a blast back to the past with chic art, brick homes. A favorite leisure is Domino Park, where older Cuban men meet to talk past memories, play dominos and smoke cigars, probably from the Cigar Factory. 

The Viernes Culturales street festival encompasses the whole of Cuban culture into one night on the last Friday of every month. Visitors will see salsa dancing, authentic Cuban food, mojitos made with white rum and more. Finish in ice cream heaven at Azucar Ice Cream Company. Made from natural ingredients and exotic fruits from Latin America, its plethora of flavors include guava, dulce de leche, sugar cane and more.

Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is not your typical downtown. It’s a great place to learn about the history of the city and art but also to experience the other side of the nightlife. Walk along Bayfront Park for live music shows, shops, and restaurants right along the water for the perfect view.

@perryavgerinos | Unsplash

Sit amongst a sold-out crowd watching the Miami Heat play at the American Airlines Arena, or explore the biology of humans and the solar system through interactive exhibits and shows at the Frost Museum. Miami’s historic performing arts center is home to a plethora of events, concerts, and performances such as The Moth, a live monologue storytelling showcase.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove is one of Miami’s oldest and luxurious neighborhoods. It is also is home to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a national landmark built in the early 1900s, known for its Italian-styled architecture and cultural and environmental resources used to build the estate.

Take an intimate walk through Miami’s upscale community near the CoCo Walk, which is lined with incredible restaurants, cafes, unique shopping boutiques, a movie theatre and more. Some would say it acts as an outdoor club. The CoCo Walk was recently renovated to accommodate a modernized, open-air look.

Design District

The Miami Design District is the perfect blend of luxury and creativity. Perfect for designers, rebuilt warehouses and contemporary architecture, the Design District offers some of the city’s best amenities. This vibrant neighborhood embodies fashion, art, and design for the ultimate innovative experience.

One of the district’s newest attractions, the Institute for Contemporary Arts opened last year. It houses exhibits and public programs that encourages contemporary creators to develop critical thinking skills.

The annual Design Miami exhibit is a connecting space of influential designers, critics, collectors, and artists from all over the world.

Love tacos and food trucks? La Pollita dishes an essence of authentic Mexican food, with fresh tortillas, and various toppings like roasted tomato salsa and charred scallions.

South Beach

South Beach is more than just Ocean Drive. Stroll through the streets and feast on the beautiful art deco style of South Beach Miami. Take a 90-min tour through the neighborhood with historians and architects to learn the history of nearby buildings and hotels. Take in a wall cast concert or symphony at the New World Center.

Where’s one place you can get a beer and a dog at the same time? It’s called “Yappy Hour.” In dog-friendly South Florida, a string of hotels have begun a new trend to help dogs get adopted. The Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel has an internal pet adoption program called “Bleau Adopts.” It pairs employees with dogs from nearby local shelters, which means one less homeless dog on the streets.

Stay at the 1 Hotel South Beach on Collins Ave and enjoy the best amenities without having to leave. Nurture your mind, body, and spirit at the first U.S. Bamford Haybarn Spa. They create individual treatments for each guest with natural and organic ingredients for facials, massages in one of their 12 treatment rooms.

Float over the sea while dining at Watr At The 1 Rooftop restaurant for South American inspired cuisines with seafood medleys.

Top off the night with a distinctive, yet fun cocktail. Upscale Juvia Miami serves a bold cocktail with a little-added accessory, a little rubber duckie, served in a plastic pouch rather than a glass.

@oliverragfelt | Unsplash

Looking for a winter escape? You’re in luck.

Multiple airline carriers including Frontier, American, and United, have lowered fares to the “nation’s city of the most beautiful people.” The lowest priced fare can be found leaving out of Atlanta for only $77 on Frontier Airlines.

Other departure cities with low fares are Charlotte, Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago. Use Google Flights to find pricing for your departure city. Dates span from now into early 2019.

Miami is the perfect city when you need to soak up some sun and waves on U.S. soil. No matter what your interests may be, there is something that will appeal to you in Miami.

Related: An Art Lovers Guide To Miami.

Indulge in Miami’s diverse cuisine.

Miami is home to some of the world’s best cuisine. If you are looking for a black-owned experience, try Bahamian Pot Restaurant. Stewed conch, oxtails, and grouper are the main draw, and don’t be surprised if you make multiple trips here during your stay in South Florida.

If you are looking for vegan fare, check out Soul Tavern. The eclectic menu appeals to those that are health-conscious and the full bar offers craft cocktails, draft beers, and a large wine menu.

Visit one of the many art galleries in the city.

While art may not be the first thing you think of when you hear Miami, this city holds its own against other major cities when it comes to its collection of art. Check out N’Namdi Contemporary Gallery where you will find black artists that are rarely featured elsewhere.

You can’t talk about art in South Beach without talking about Art Basel. Every December, the world’s most high-profile art dealers, collectors, and artists make their way to Miami for a week of exhibits, parties, and A-list events.

Related: How To Spend A Day In Black-Owned Miami.

Work on your tan on South Beach.

South Beach is a no-brainer if you visit Miami. With some of the clearest water in America, you can’t miss this beautiful and lively beach. Rent a scooter for the day and joyride up and down Collins Avenue.

Grab this deal fast because it won’t last long.

No one can deny the beautiful and vibrant Latin influences that can be found in Miami, Florida, but the city also has a deep Haitian and black American history that has helped to give Miami its distinctive flavor. A city with style and a vibe that’s all its own, we’ll tell you how to enjoy the energy of Miami while supporting black-owned businesses along the way.

Stay at a black-owned hotel

Start your trip by booking accommodations at one of the few black-owned hotels, which range from a beachside resort to B&Bs. The Hilton Cabana Miami Beach is owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, one of the many hotels from BET founder Robert. Johnson, and is the picture of South Beach sexiness.

Hospitality industry veteran Jamila Ross co-owns vintage-inspired The Cooper Door B&B with her fiancé Akino West, another Overtown property that’s cool, chic, and boasts a home-like feel while offering the amenities of a hotel.

Photo courtesy of Copper Door B&B

Have a healthy breakfast at Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin

Start your day with a vegetarian or vegan breakfast at Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin, a meatless mecca that has some of the best plant-based food in all of Miami. Located in a North Miami Beach strip mall, the restaurant is unassuming, but the second you try the veggie sausage and pancakes with a tropical fiesta juice on the side, you’ll know why this place is a local favorite.

RELATED: 5 Black-Owned Restaurants To Visit In Miami

Shop for books at Liyou Mapou

Libreri Mapou has been open since 1990, and the bookstore, which specializes in tomes about  Haiti and the Caribbean that are written in French, Creole, and English, is a must-visit if you want to learn more about Haitian culture. You’ll also find art, goods, and Haitian and French newspapers, and be sure to pick up a book by one of Miami’s many Haitian-American authors.

Photo courtesy of Libreri Mapou.

Browse art at N’Namdi Contemporary

Morehouse graduate Jumaane N’Namdi owns and manages N’Namdi Contemporary, and has made it his mission to showcase black artists that are rarely exhibited elsewhere. Here you’ll find work from established artists like Ed Clark and Rashid Johnson and creatives that are just getting their start.

Have lunch at Bahamian Pot Restaurant

Nassau-native Trudy Ellis opened Bahamian Pot Restaurant in 1988 after she had a hard time finding Bahamian eateries in Miami, and the restaurant is still one of the most popular culinary destinations for both locals and visitors. Stewed conch, oxtails, and grouper are the main draw and don’t be surprised if you make multiple trips here during your stay in South Florida.

See a show at the Lyric Theater

Built in 1913, the Lyric Theater in Overtown has been a hub for black creativity, unity, and celebration for more than a century. The oldest theater in Miami, it now goes by Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, but it continues to be a venue that highlights up-and-coming black talents in a major way.

Wind down with dinner and drinks at House of Mac

End your day at House of Mac and try chef/owner Derrick Turton’s impeccable dishes like parmesan crusted salmon and jerk chicken pasta! Turton, who was Pitbull’s manager for 13 years, got his start in culinary school before entering the music industry, but he always cooked for his musician friends before going back to his culinary roots.