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.