Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

With its close proximity to the Caribbean, Miami (distinct from nearby Miami Beach) stands at the crux of two separate worlds. The city – the sixth most densely populated in the U.S. – marries the frenetic energy of a thriving global metropolis with the languid pace of sun-soaked island life. A weekend in Miami means dipping into both worlds in a sometimes bewildering, but always irresistibly alluring way. After all, it’s called the 'Magic City' for a reason.

For some of us, living the dream means waking up to the smell of salty ocean air and walking to a warm, sandy shore less than 10 minutes from our bed. But what happens when you’ve got Miami/LA/Hawaii-sized visions on a Lansing, MI budget? You head to Hollywood, of course. Hollywood, Florida that is.

Drive two hours from Nashville or Memphis, and you’ll find a hidden gem, a town where French sensibilities mingle with deep-fried Southern tradition on the banks of the Tennessee River. In America’s version of the city of lights, pairing a glass of local wine with catfish is not only accepted – it’s expected. And that’s just the beginning. Welcome to Paris, Tennessee.

The percussive rumbling of timbales. The smell of tobacco and fried pastry in the air. The bright mamey-and-marigold-colored cafes and galleries lining the bustling Calle Ocho. In Miami’s Little Havana, it isn’t hard to lose yourself in the arresting ambience and let your senses lead the way.

It’s a mid-December morning and you’ve just opened up your weather app to get the forecast for the day. 85 degrees and 75 percent humidity in winter? Can’t be. But before you delete your malfunctioning app, here’s the thing: In Miami, that’s the norm. Winter is a bright and balmy affair here, with poolside barbecues and sandals standing in for Crock Pots and fleece-lined boots.

Whether it’s playing a game of Frisbee with their pups at a bayfront park or taking part in one of the neighborhood’s wacky-but-endearing street festivals, Coconut Grove residents don’t just like living in their neighborhood—they’re downright fanatical about it. You’ll find this lush community nestled against the waters of Biscayne Bay, between the stately Mediterranean mansions of Coral Gables and the glittering hi-rises of Brickell. Coconut Grove also offers its residents direct access to U.S. 1—one of the city’s main traffic arteries.

Situated east of Biscayne Boulevard, between Edgewater, Miami Shores, and Little Haiti, lies the charmingly retro Upper East Side. Also known as the MiMo District, the area is home to one of the largest collections of Miami Modern architecture in the city—a unique building style developed in the post-World War II period. The Upper East Side is made up of smaller neighborhoods-within-a-neighborhood connected through a shared love for its one-of-a-kind midcentury style, central waterfront location, and quirky creative spirit.

Think galleries and museums are the only source for the latest and greatest works of art? Miami’s Design District is poised to shake up that notion on 16 May with the opening of its highly-anticipated Museum Garage, a seven-story parking structure featuring the work of five world-class artists and architects.

While east coast cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale give Florida a dose of international cool, the west coast of the state has plenty of hip sights and sounds that are worthy of a family getaway. St. Petersburg, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is one of those spots, with sun-drenched beaches and a charmingly quirky/artsy vibe all its own. Looking for a rundown of family-friendly spots in St. Pete & nearby Clearwater? Check out our 25 favorites.

Sun, sand, surf and balmy winter weather – Miami’s beguiling climate has charmed more than its fair share of visitors. One of the best ways to experience the perks of being on a warm-weather peninsula is with a frosty beverage in your hand and water views for days. Surprisingly, finding a bar with that kind of real estate in Miami isn’t as simple as you might think.

In much of the world’s eyes, Miami and Miami Beach are one and the same, often used interchangeably in conversation. It’s a sentiment that was reinforced by LeBron James back in 2010, when he told the world he was ‘taking (his) talents to South Beach.’ After uttering that infamous line, Miami residents collectively rolled their eyes. The NBA superstar had just signed a contract with the Miami Heat – not the Miami Beach Heat.

You can study the rapidly changing skyline for clues of Miami’s evolution, but what do the interior of the buildings themselves reveal about a city? That’s the focus of Miami Motel Stories, a real-time immersive theater experience taking place inside hotels and motels in developing neighborhoods. The three-part series launches on October 27 at Little Havana’s Tower Hotel (1450 SW 7th St), former stomping grounds of Billie Holiday and other jazz legends.

No bones about it: Miami pooches aren’t exacting ruff-ing it in the Magic City. Our overabundance of sunny days, dog parks, vets and puppy supply shops has earned us a spot on Reward Expert’s most pet-friendly U.S. vacation destinations list and a ranking on WalletHub’s most pet-friendly cities of 2016. And pet owners here would agree—their dogs have it pretty great.

Living in Miami can be fantastic. After all, you get to spend your waking hours enjoying a city most people pay top dollar to vacation in. Crashing ocean waves and salty breezes at your fingertips? Check. Croquetas? You better believe that’s a “check.” It’s a bustling international city with world-class museums, five star restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene and a decidedly tropical island vibe. What’s not to love? Turns out, the Magic City isn’t magical for everyone who moves here.

Summer is Miami’s low season for a reason. The potent mix of heat and humidity here is enough to take down a well-seasoned local, not to mention the garden variety tourist. And sure, we’ve got a little something called the Atlantic Ocean to help us stay cool, but coming home with sand uncomfortably entrenched in every bodily crevice starts to get old quick. Plus, trying to clean it out of your car afterwards is definitely not recommended for beating the summer heat. What’s a local to do? Well,

For years, Cuba has remained largely out of reach to U.S. travelers. Located just 90 nautical miles from the southernmost point in the United States, the island nation sits less than an hour’s flight away from Key West—its sights, sounds, scents and tastes dangling temptingly out of reach. Last month, Sunset Key Cottages launched “Cuba, Curated,” a 12-hour day trip exploring the country’s culture through private tours with local experts.

Sharing its name with the legendary baseball slugger of yore, Fort Lauderdale’s Yankee Clipper has seen a few things in its time. Built in 1956 as one of the few beachfront hotels in the city, it welcomed a luminous Marilyn Monroe, who enjoyed some R&R and the company of a Yankees’ special instructor: the great Joe DiMaggio. In its mid-century heyday, the hotel served as a home base for many Yankees greats, who trained—and partied—in the city. But today, the historic resort has a new lease on life.

There’s a transformative quality about the drive from Miami to Key West. In between these two cities—each known for distinctly different styles of sun-soaked revelry—lies a drive that lulls even the most anxious soul into a placid state of serenity. Truth be told, it’d be a shame to lose that rare moment of ocean-induced zen. That’s the allure of Oceans Edge Key West, a 20-acre property from the family-run Singh Resorts that opened its doors to the public in January 2017.

During the day, Miami’s museums are mild-mannered treasure troves of art, photography and sculptures. But after hours, the city’s cultural institutions come alive with evenings full of music, cocktails and dancing. (And, yes, even some art.) Here is where to head for a cultured night out.

When it comes to Miami, South Beach and Wynwood get the lion’s share of the world’s love and affection. And though both have rightly earned their time in the spotlight, a new class of neighborhood is stepping up to give them a run for their money. Case in point: These five on-the-verge areas are making waves with an influx of compelling art, creative wares, great restaurants and lip-smacking cocktails. Admittedly, Miami neighborhoods can be a bit tough to define, but make no mistake, these districts are distinctive, diverse and deserving of your attention.