#FlyWashington Magazine Winter 2018 | Page 38

Wynwood Walls mural by Shepard Fairey Credit: Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau JUNGLE ISLAND This eco-adventure park on Watson Island was formerly known as Parrot Island but re-opened in 2017 after improvements were made following Hurricane Irma. The original park was established in 1936 and has hosted famous guests such as Winston Churchill, President Jimmy Carter and Steven Spielberg over the years. The modern iteration of Jungle Island offers something for all ages and tastes, from animal experiences with lemurs, sloths and orangutans, to the SuperFlight wind tunnel and SkyWire zipline for more daring guests. If you want to work your brain more than your body, the Escape Room challenges “detectives” to decipher clues to unlock a jungle cabin before a time bomb goes off. MIAMI CHILDREN ’ S MUSEUM Also on Watson Island, the Miami Children’s Museum offers an array of educational programs and even houses one of the best pre-schools in Miami, as well as seasonal summer camps. There are tons of choices for day visitors that are all aimed at sparking kids’ natural curiosity. Current attractions range from The Bank (which makes financial literacy fun with a six-foot piggy bank), the Construction Zone and Port of Miami, to the fantastical Castle of Dreams and colorful Sketch Aquarium. While it may be far away from Hollywood, the Miami Children’s Museum is home to the first-ever museum exhibit based on Disney Junior’s hit series, “The Lion Guard,” a spinoff from “The Lion King,” along with the traveling “Wizard of Oz” interactive exhibit, where guests go on a multi-sensory exploration of the Land of Oz. FLYWASHINGTON.COM 36 WINTER 2018/19 FA E N A F O R U M This non-profit organization offers vibrant art space in Miami Beach and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Sunday Sessions (on the second Sunday of every month) welcome rollerskating around an immersive 43,000 square-foot art installation as DJs blast out 80s hits and professional roller dancers show off slick moves. Whether you stay in one of the dreamlike oceanfront rooms or simply visit for a few hours, the adjacent Faena Hotel Miami Beach on Collins Avenue offers a unique sensory experience. During Art Basel week in December, elegant exhibits such as the jellyfish aquarium are scattered around the hotel, while the Faena Theater hosts live music and cirque- style cabaret acts. The Tree of Life is literally a living outdoor bar overlooking the ocean, serving artisan cocktails, small plates and wine. For those needing a detox from all the dining and drinking options that Miami has to offer, the Tierra Santa Healing House has yoga classes Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings ranging from kids and beginners classes to vigorous vinyasa flow. W Y N W O O D A RT WA L K Similar to Venice Beach, Miami boasts an eclectic street art scene and there’s no better way to experience it than with the Wynwood Art Walk. Every second Saturday, thousands of visitors head to the neighborhood that has long been known as “Little San Juan” due to its many Puerto Rican residents. Founded in 2003, the Wynwood Art District includes 70 galleries, five museums, seven art complexes, 12 art studios, five art fairs and the world-famous Wynwood Walls murals. During the Art Walk, Miami’s biggest block party adds food trucks serving dishes from James Beard award-nominated restaurants and craft beer from local breweries to the mix.