Art Basel in Miami Beach is a conglomerate of the art/cultural world and is one of those trips to add to your bucket list. Running December 4-7, this year’s event will show off modern and contemporary art in 250 galleries and is expected to draw nearly 100,000 people. With so much to see and a small window of time to cover all the ground, here are some tips to maximize your visit.
Early bird gets the art: The party crowd will be up late, to events late and out late. To maximize your visit, rise early, see the exhibits early without elbowing your way in, and make reservations at the best restaurants early to ensure easy in & out. The more you plan the less you’ll stress. Be early, have a plan, and enjoy.
Look Local: Check out a few local Miami art galleries while you’re there. A few worth visiting are; Alejandra Von Hartz Gallery (2630 NW 2nd Avenue, Wynwood, Miami), Locust Projects (3852 North Miami Avenue, Miami) and Diana Lowenstein Gallery (2043 North Miami Avenue, Wynwood, Miami).
Pop Culture Art: Musicians are artists too, and Art Basel has quite a lineup of musical acts this year including FKA Twigs who is performing with hip-hop producer Clams Casino on the YoungArts Campus on Thursday, December 4 on the YoungArts Campus. Doors open at 7PM. James Blake will be performing at the YoungArts Campus on Friday, December 5. Also on that day, Kitsuné will stage a show with Twin Shadow, The Knocks, and Fred Falke will play at the Soho Beach House.
Packing: Pack light and include versatile options that can take you easily from day to night and can transition through any unforeseen weather that may arise. Flat shoes for day are a must as you will be covering a lot of ground. Sunscreen will be a staple along with your Nomaterra
Miami Orange Blossom fragrance, of course!
Other not-to-miss highlights:
Solange curates SELECT: Solange is slated to curate a series of nightly performances along with many artists from her label, Saint Heron on Wednesday, December 3 until Saturday, December 6. 7PM. SELECT Fair 7200 Collins Ave.
Queen of the Night: Nicole Ehrlich and Up & Down present a celebration of women in art: creative royalty on December 3, 2014 at 10pm. For the first time, queen of the night, one of the biggest entertainment spectacles in performance art, will make its debut outside of New York City at a historic Miami Beach theatre. The evening will benefit the Brooklyn museum's Elizabeth A Sackler Center For Feminist Art & School Of Doodle.
Lynda Benglis Artist Talk: Lynda Benglis will kick of Art Basel's Conversations series on Thursday, December 4. 10AM-11AM. Miami Convention Center, Hall C auditorium, entrance through Lobby C, 1901 Convention Center Dr.
Stevie Nicks' Selfies: Stevie Nicks will show her self-portrait collection taken between l975 and 1987 from Thursday, December 4 until Friday, December 5 at Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Ave.
"Big Eyes" Screening: Tim Burton's upcoming film starring Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane and Amy Adams as Margaret Keane will screen on Friday, December 5. 8:30PM at the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road.
Spring time is the best time to get down to Miami. It isn't too hot yet, but the weather is definitely beach friendly. If you're making your way to Miami anytime soon, be sure to check out our weekend guide for suggestions about where to stay, what to eat, and more!
Where to Stay:
The W Hotel in Miami is the crème de la crème of places to stay in Miami. The hotel has a cool and almost understated vibe, yet totally chic at the same time. Rooms all have gorgeous beach views, spacious penthouse options for groups, and a number of additional amenities in the hotel. The W features a
Bliss Spa, a cute Wink boutique in the hotel,
and the hotel is pet friendly!
2201 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 938-3000
photos c/o The W Hotel
photo c/o the traveler-online photo c/o belle vivir
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main drag without sacrificing luxury or style, be sure to try
The Standard Miami, located on Belle Isle. This place is bohemian
Brooklyn turned tropical. 20 to 30-something year old musicians, artists, models, and the like walk around barefoot, lounge on the secluded hammocks, enjoy traditional Turkish hamams and practice yoga on the sunset yoga dock. This is a spa haven, and the treatment list is
extensive. If you aren't feeling hip enough, stop into The Shop, carrying everything from retro shades to beauty products, and which features brands like DVF,
Haute Hippie, and Melissa Shoes. Grab some small bites at the Lido for lunch.
40 Island Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 673-1717
Where to Shop:
Baseworld: Blurring the line between art and commerce, Baseworld is a totally unique and innovative lifestyle store. Music, candles, and everything in between, this is a place to shop if you're looking for highly curated items that are different. Located on Lincoln Road and in the Delano.
BASE (Flagship), 939 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 531-4982; BASE Delano, 1685 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-2000
photo c/o The Alchemist photo c/o Vogue.com
The Alchemist: Located in the fifth floor of a parking garage, this ultra-modern boutique features a fantastically curated collection, and has featured brands such as Rodarte,
Dries Van Noten, and
Isabel Marant, in addition to an evergrowing niche fragrance collection.
1109 Lincoln Rd Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 531-4653
Guy and Girl Boutique: Located in the Shelborne Resort, this store is small but they carry an eclectic collection of beach essentials and home gifts.
1801 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305)341-1392
What to Eat & Drink:
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink: Since opening in 2007, this place has been a hit for a reason. It's a bit far from central Collins Ave. in the Design District, about a 15-minute cab ride, but well worth it. Only the freshest local produce used at this cool and relaxing joint. Dishes are palette-raising, mouth-watering, and simply indulgent, without the pretentious attitude of many high-end restos. For dinner, we recommend the wood roasted double yolk farm egg, cobia ceviche, duck confit, stracciatella, pan-roasted 1/2 poulet rouge, and wood oven pizza. Desserts are created by award-winning pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, and are seriously out of this world. We recommend the strawberry shortcake and the famous lemon creamsicle pot de creme. It's a gastronomers heaven.
130 NE 40th St., Miami, FL 33137, (305) 573-5550
Daily Melt Miami: This new sandwich shop in midtown Miami is the perfect place to stop for a casual and delicious lunch. Gourmet grilled cheeses are the name of the game here; try the roasted turkey melt with provolone, spinach, and chipotle mayo; and a garden melt with portobello, Gouda, tomato, spinach, and basil pesto on whole wheat.
Open daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at 3401 N. Miami Ave., ste. 123 (305-573-0101).
photo c/o Trip Advisor
Hyde Beach: This ultra hip South Beach lounge should be your go to spot for a luxurious night out. Drinks are pricy but strong, and the vibe is both club-y indoors near the bar, and relaxing on the outside with plush wicker couches and lounge chairs by the pool. A great vibe overall, and kick-ass dj sets (our favorite was one by DJ Derek Walin)
SLS Hotel South Beach, 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305.674.1701
photo c/o The Kiwi Collection
Delano Beach Club: This elegant beach club is a fantastic place to grab drinks pre-dinner (we had freshly made French 75's).
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Tel. 305 924 4071
Sights To See:
Swim: For an alternative to the traditional Miami beaches, be sure to visit the
Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. Built in 1923 out of a coral rock quarry. The pool is fed by an underground natural spring aquifer, and features caves and two waterfalls. For more information, call 305-460-5306.
photo c/o Virtual Tourist
Snapshot: For the perfect photo location check out the McArthur Causeway, the bridge that links miami beach to mainland.
photo c/o Virtual Tourist
photo c/o Virtual Tourist
History Buff: If you're a fan of historical architecture, visit Coconut Grove, technically a suburb of Miami, to see the Plymouth Congregational. Built between 1916-1917, the gorgeous church is a fantastic example of Spanish Mission Architecture, with Spanish missions having been an important element of Florida's history.
Art: If you happen to come across bad weather or just need an escape from the heat, the
Miami Museum of Contemporary Art is a must see. The stunning structure which houses MOCA has over 12,000 square-feet of exhibition space consisting of a large main gallery with moveable walls, a separate art pavilion, a gift shop, an art storage and preparation area, and administrative offices. An outdoor courtyard is used for performances, evening film screenings and large art installations.
Art Basel in Miami Beach is a conglomerate of the art/cultural world and is one of those trips to add to your bucket list. Running December 4-7, this year’s event will show off modern and contemporary art in 250 galleries and is expected to draw nearly 100,000 people. With so much to see and a small window of time to cover all the ground, here are some tips to maximize your visit.
Early bird gets the art: The party crowd will be up late, to events late and out late. To maximize your visit, rise early, see the exhibits early without elbowing your way in, and make reservations at the best restaurants early to ensure easy in & out. The more you plan the less you’ll stress. Be early, have a plan, and enjoy.
Look Local: Check out a few local Miami art galleries while you’re there. A few worth visiting are; Alejandra Von Hartz Gallery (2630 NW 2nd Avenue, Wynwood, Miami), Locust Projects (3852 North Miami Avenue, Miami) and Diana Lowenstein Gallery (2043 North Miami Avenue, Wynwood, Miami).
Pop Culture Art: Musicians are artists too, and Art Basel has quite a lineup of musical acts this year including FKA Twigs who is performing with hip-hop producer Clams Casino on the YoungArts Campus on Thursday, December 4 on the YoungArts Campus. Doors open at 7PM. James Blake will be performing at the YoungArts Campus on Friday, December 5. Also on that day, Kitsuné will stage a show with Twin Shadow, The Knocks, and Fred Falke will play at the Soho Beach House.
Packing: Pack light and include versatile options that can take you easily from day to night and can transition through any unforeseen weather that may arise. Flat shoes for day are a must as you will be covering a lot of ground. Sunscreen will be a staple along with your Nomaterra Miami Orange Blossom fragrance, of course!
Other not-to-miss highlights:
Solange curates SELECT: Solange is slated to curate a series of nightly performances along with many artists from her label, Saint Heron on Wednesday, December 3 until Saturday, December 6. 7PM. SELECT Fair 7200 Collins Ave.
Queen of the Night: Nicole Ehrlich and Up & Down present a celebration of women in art: creative royalty on December 3, 2014 at 10pm. For the first time, queen of the night, one of the biggest entertainment spectacles in performance art, will make its debut outside of New York City at a historic Miami Beach theatre. The evening will benefit the Brooklyn museum's Elizabeth A Sackler Center For Feminist Art & School Of Doodle.
Lynda Benglis Artist Talk: Lynda Benglis will kick of Art Basel's Conversations series on Thursday, December 4. 10AM-11AM. Miami Convention Center, Hall C auditorium, entrance through Lobby C, 1901 Convention Center Dr.
Stevie Nicks' Selfies: Stevie Nicks will show her self-portrait collection taken between l975 and 1987 from Thursday, December 4 until Friday, December 5 at Dream South Beach, 1111 Collins Ave.
"Big Eyes" Screening: Tim Burton's upcoming film starring Christoph Waltz as Walter Keane and Amy Adams as Margaret Keane will screen on Friday, December 5. 8:30PM at the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road.
