Photo Essay: Miami Street Art

As an unabashed street art fan, I was excited to see what Miami had to offer. I had seen images of the famous Wynwood Arts District and immediately added it to my Ultimate Florida Road Trip itinerary. And while you can spot street art all around town, this is where the most famous works are, like the Shepard Fairey wall above, who created the “Obey Giant” and “Obama Change” posters.

So what is Wynwood exactly? It’s a former warehouse district that has become a sanctioned arts district full of art galleries, restaurants and shops, not to mention nightlife to complete with Miami’s famous nightclubs. Their Second Saturday Art Walks bring in both locals and tourists alike.

I had originally planned to explore the area as a part of a tour, but that didn’t exactly pan out. Instead, I ended up taking 2 buses from my hostel in Miami Beach to the downtown warehouse district. Despite the hike, it’s worth the journey.

The clouds were already ominous-looking, ready to burst with rain at any moment. When I was walking around looking for the Wynwood Walls, a few men yelled out their windows at me. Maybe I shouldn’t have done this alone. But I found it just as it began to drizzle.

I quickly tucked into Panther Coffee shop with dozens of other people who were caught without an umbrella. I did my best to wait it out, but eventually I got hungry and had to venture out again into the cold.

I ended up with a massive blackened chicken panini at Jimmy’z Kitchen, a place also known for its mofongo, a plantain dish. I read an issue of the New Times and settled in for an hour.

After checking out street art all over the world, including Sydney, Melbourne, Porto, Charleston and Berlin, I can say I’m very impressed at the caliber of work here in Miami.

Getting there from Miami Beach, where most of the hostels and snazzy hotels are located, can be annoying if you don’t have a car, but it will keep you from having to find parking. The ride will take 45 minutes and cost you $2 per ride. Take bus 119 from Indian Creek Drive at 27th Street to downtown Miami. Get off at the Omni Terminal at Biscayne Boulevard to switch to the 32 bus. Get off at NW 20th Street and NW 1st Court and walk the remaining 4 blocks.

Have you seen Miami street art?

Book a tour with Urban Adventures to experience Wynwood and Miami’s other unique neighborhoods.