Thanks to a shrewd urban redevelopment, what only a few years ago was an industrial neighborhood of Miami full of warehouses, has today become the Wynwood Art District, a true paradise on earth for lovers of street art. Strolling through the streets of this district you can breathe in an artistic and cultural ferment that has created one of the most fascinating and surprising neighborhoods of the city. So let’s see how to organize to visit the area of Wynwood and its main attraction Wynwood Walls.
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Where is it and how to get there
The Wynwood neighborhood is located north of downtown Miami, between Little Haiti and Overtown. You can use the Metromover to get close to Wynwood but not to quite get there. The nearest stop is in fact School Board Station about 20 minutes walk from the Wynwood Walls which is the geographical and artistic heart of the neighborhood.
By public transportation
From downtown Government Center you can instead use the Metrobus Route 2, which makes its stops along NW 2nd Avenue, the street that practically cuts the arts district of Wynwood in two. The neighborhood also has a dedicated line of the convenient free Trolley Miami service that will be very useful for getting around.
By Car
The neighborhood can be easily reached by car. If you are coming from the Downtown area, it can take you 10 to 15 minutes, while if you are coming from South Beach, it will take you at least 20 minutes (obviously, estimates can change depending on traffic).
Things to see in Wynwood
As mentioned, the master in this neighborhood is definitely street art in all its expressions. The main activity in Wynwood is therefore to walk and be ready to discover the many surprises that await you around every corner.
Wynwood Walls
The construction of Wynwood Walls began in 2009 thanks to the work of Tony Goldman and Jeffrey Deitch who had the intuition to use the large windowless walls of the neighborhood’s warehouses as a privileged space to host murals by artists from around the world.
Today, this small green space is the heart of the Wynwood Art District, which attracts dozens of international artists each year, as well as an unending crowd of curious onlookers. It is therefore not a static space, but a true outdoor exhibition space in continuous transformation and expansion. Even if you don’t have much time to spend exploring the rest of the neighborhood, try to include this stop in your Miami itinerary. Obviously, it is also the busiest place in the area. In high season, arm yourself with a little patience.
If you want to find something to eat without moving away head to the Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, a restaurant also appreciated by locals, specializing mainly in ethnic dishes, especially from Latin American tradition. The Wynwood Walls complex is accessible daily at the following times:
- Monday to Thursday from 10:30 to 23:30
- Friday and Saturday from 10:30 to midnight
- Sunday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm
Breweries in Wynwood Miami
The Wynwood neighborhood is not only renowned for art, but also for hosting some of the best breweries in the city. It would be impossible to list them all, but if you’re short on time, I suggest you try at least one of the three that compete for the title of Wynwood’s best brewery.
- Wynwood Brewing Company (565 NW 24th St): one of the first breweries in the area and one of the most renowned in the entire city.
- Concrete Beach Brewery (325 NW 24th St): the peculiarity of this brewery is definitely the more Biergarten atmosphere than the previous one. In fact, you can also enjoy your beer in an outdoor space.
- J. Wakefield Brewing (120 NW 24th St): if you love Star Wars, well, here you will certainly feel at home.
If, on the other hand, you want to get a more general idea of what the neighborhood has to offer in this regard, the advice is to take advantage of a local beer tasting tour that has been featured in the Wynwood tours section.
Art Galleries
At the time we are writing this article there are more than 70 art galleries enclosed in this sort of magic quadrilateral of street art. But, as you can imagine, being an artistic environment that is never static and constantly changing, the situation could change from one year to another. For this reason, it is fascinating to return to visit this neighborhood even if you have already been there. Below is a list of the most famous and important.
- Bakehouse Art Complex (561 NW 32nd St): a very large complex that operates in the arts since 1987, acting as a sort of pioneer for the rest of the neighborhood. Today, it provides space for young emerging artists and is home to, among other things, 60 art studios and two exhibition galleries.
- Rubell Family Collection (95 NW 29th St): also known for being one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the United States. Definitely, a place not to be missed.
Wynwood tour
For those who want to explore Wynwood, not on their own but accompanied by a local guide who can show you a few more interesting facts, you can check out the following organized tours. If you visit the neighborhood during the second Saturday of the month (check in case it changes with the weather) you can also participate in the Art Walk, the event that from 18:00 to 22:00, animates the streets of Wynwood. The galleries are all open beyond their usual hours and host special events or music, all seasoned with street food and impromptu artistic performances.
- Gastronomic and Artistic Walking Tour of the Wynwood area: if you want to add a tasting session in 5 different restaurants to your visit to the neighborhood, this could be the tour for you.
- Official Street Art Walking Tour of The Wynwood Walls: the tour is designed and executed by official guides who are also artists of the Wynwood Walls for about an hour. Recommended for those who want to learn about the history of the neighborhood from those who write it every day.
- Wynwood Graffiti Golf Cart Tour: those who don’t want to walk but visit the neighborhood from the comfort of a golf cart may consider this tour.
- Food and Art Walking Tour of Wynwood: as mentioned, Wynwood is not only art but also home to some renowned breweries. This tour gives you the chance to go side by side with a tasting of local beers as you explore the neighborhood with a guide.
- Wynwood Cycle Party Bar Crawl: Recommended for those who want to ride a bike bar crawl into Wynwood.
Best Restaurants in Wynwood
As you may have already realized when reading our article on where to eat in Miami, Wynwood is a neighborhood for refined palates, for those looking for offbeat dishes, or for lovers of ethnic cuisine. Strolling between graffiti, you’ll notice an assortment of Asian, Peruvian, Hawaiian, Mexican, and vegan-influenced eateries, many of which are intent on offering sophisticated, creative, and “measured” dishes (forget the big binges of typical American portions) cooked with local products.
For an American reinterpretation of Asian cuisine, I recommend Kyu, 2 steps from Wynwood Walls, where I ate excellent fish dishes, while if you want to test a refined, original, and highly creative cuisine, I suggest Alter, a block away, where you can taste the creations of chef Bradley Kilgore.
Wynwood, as you may have guessed, is not the most suitable area to go hunting for the American “cuisine of substance”, however, if you are among those who cannot give up the classic burger even for a single night, you will find your refuge, Wynwood Diner, in this neighborhood too, near Wynwood Walls: the beautiful sign and murals outside make it quite easy to notice and the burgers are good, although not everyone is always satisfied with the service.
Finally, if you’re looking for a hearty brunch of pancakes and maple syrup, Morgans Restaurant is an excellent solution, although a bit more decentralized, about ten minutes walk from Wynwood Walls.
Is sleeping in Wynwood worth it?
I would tend to say no. First of all, because the hotel offer does not offer much choice and because, as you have seen, it is not so immediate to move from Wynwood to other more touristy areas of the city. For this reason, I would invite you to read our advice on the best places to stay in Miami to find another area that suits you.
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