Jeremy’s Miami Beach

Jeremy Albelda was born and raised in Philadelphia, but when it came time to choose a college, he decided to trade in those northern winters for endless summer in Miami Beach. The city hooked him, hard, and he’s been a proud resident ever since. Though Jeremy’s gig as a travel blogger means he spends a large portion of his time abroad, the MIA always finds a way to reel him back. Here are some of his favorite things about the coastal gem he calls home.

Follow Jeremy’s travels on his website, TheWorldorBust.com, and on Twitter at @TheWorldorBust.

Miami Beach is My City

When someone comes to visit me, the first place I take them is South Pointe Park because it rests at the very southern tip of the island of Miami Beach, and at the very end of the neighborhood of South Beach. It is a very well maintained park that over looks Government Cut where all of the cruise ships enter and leave Biscayne Bay–a pretty awesome sight.

Winter (where you are) is the best time to visit my city because it doesn’t exist here.

You can see my city best from MacArthur Causeway, the road that connects Miami proper to Miami Beach. As you leave the city of Miami, the full skyline of Miami Beach comes into view, the azure water reflected on the many modern buildings’ windows.

Locals know to skip Ocean Drive and check out Sunset Harbour–where there is a nice park overlooking the bay and great restaurants like Burger and Beer Joint and Barceloneta—instead.

Washington Avenue is the place to buy authentic, local souvenirs.

In the past, notable people like Gianni Versace, Anna Kournikova, and Hulk Hogan have called my city home.

My city’s best museum is the Wolfsonian because it showcases paintings, graphics, furniture, media, and more from the Industrial Revolution to WWII in the heart of the Art Deco District.

If there’s one thing you should know about getting around my city, it’s that it’s easy! Rent a DecoBike and return it at over 50 stations. Another fun option is to rent a scooter at one of the many stores that offer them. You can also get around on foot very easily.

The best place to spend time outdoors in my city is on the beach south of Fifth Street.

My city really knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July because there are firework displays in Miami Beach, over the bay, and on the mainland.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they speak Spanglish.

For a fancy night out, I have dinner at Prime 112, one of the best steakhouses in the world, then head to Hyde, a chic club at the SLS Hotel that has great music and ambiance and overlooks a glowing infinity pool.

Just outside my city, you can visit Little Havana, the epicenter of the Cuban community in Miami.

My city is known for being a party city, but it’s really a hub for contemporary art, gastronomy, and international culture.

The best outdoor market in my city is the Sunday farmers market on Lincoln Road.

Taste Cafe is my favorite place to grab breakfast, and T-Mex is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read miamibeach411.com.

My city’s biggest sports event is the Miami Beach Polo World Cup. Watch it at the beach behind the Setai Hotel.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go for a walk and people watch on Lincoln Road.

To escape the crowds, I go to Flamingo Park in the center of South Beach; the park has a public pool that relatively few people know about. It’s a nice, “mostly locals” alternative to the beach.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Kim Kardashian because it’s all about glitz, glam, fun, and sun (she owns a shop here, too!).

The dish that represents my city best is fried plantains (you can get them with everything), and a “Sex on the Beach” is my city’s signature drink.

The Delano Hotel is my favorite building in town because it is a beautiful example of tropical Art Deco architecture.

The most random thing about my city is this guy. If you walk around Ocean Drive long enough, you’re sure to see him!

Ocean’s 10 is the best place to see live music, but if you’re in the mood to dance, check out Purdy Lounge.

In the spring you should go to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. It’s amazing.

In the summer you should stay in the water.

In the fall you should enjoy the best weather of the year.

In the winter you should escape where you live and come for a visit!

If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), you won’t want to miss Monkey Jungle.

The best book about my city is Miami: Then and Now. See, through pictures, how a city just over a hundred years old developed into the megapolis it is today.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “Miami,” by Will Smith (especially because we’re both originally from Philly!).

In 140 characters or less, the world should heart my city because it’s not quite mainland Miami and it’s definitely not quite the USA. It’s what people want it to be: a sexy seaside melting pot.

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