I visited the Historic Hampton House today and received a splendid, history tour from Nyota. The…read morehistory deserves to be told and shared of its origin, renovation and significance today. Highly recommend visiting this remarkable place.

Located in Miami's Brownsville neighborhood, the Historic Hampton House was once known as the…read more"Social Center of the South." Originally built in 1954 as the Booker Terrace Motel, it became a premier place for African American travelers during the Jim Crow era and remains one of the few surviving Negro Motorist Green Book hotels in Miami. Published by Victor Hugo Green from 1936 to 1966, the Negro Motorist Green Book was an indispensable travel guide for African Americans, listing hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and businesses where Black travelers could expect safe and respectful service. At a time when segregation and discrimination made travel dangerous, the guide provided a lifeline for families on the road. Publication ended after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed legal segregation, making the guide's mission increasingly unnecessary. The Green Book later inspired the title of the 2018 Academy Award-winning film Green Book. The Hampton House also gained renewed attention through the 2020 film One Night in Miami, which dramatizes the evening of February 25, 1964, after Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston to win his first heavyweight championship. The film imagines Ali celebrating at the Hampton House alongside Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke. According to local history, it was here that Ali enjoyed the famous bowl of vanilla ice cream he had promised himself after the fight. More than just a motel, the Hampton House became an important gathering place during the Civil Rights Movement. It welcomed influential figures such as Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who is said to have practiced an early version of his "I Have a Dream" speech here in 1960. Its renowned pool and jazz club also attracted legendary performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, and many others who could entertain audiences on segregated Miami Beach but were prohibited from staying there overnight. Following desegregation, economic activity gradually shifted away from Brownsville, and the Hampton House closed in 1976 before falling into decades of neglect. Thanks to determined preservation efforts led by the Dade Heritage Trust and local community advocates, notably Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, the Historic Hampton House was saved from demolition in 2002. Miami-Dade County purchased the property, and a $6 million restoration project transformed the abandoned motel into a museum and cultural center, that opened in 2015. In 2022, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today you can tour the two-story, fifty-room, modernist style inn featured a jazz club, restaurant, and swimming pool. Tickets are $25 for a 45 minute tour but they sometimes host events with free tours. Check their website for dates and details. As someone who loves history I appreciate this time capsule of mid century modern design but more importantly the Hampton House is an important symbol of resilience, civil rights, and Black history that continues to educate and inspire.

The embodiment of maximalism. Visually overwhelming in the best way. Great music, great vibes, cold…read morebeer, 20/20

Very cute outdoor venue. I went for a concert that was sponsored by Hennessy. Enjoyed the time I…read morewas there. Is absolutely go for another event.

The Miami Springs Historical Society, founded in 1986, runs a small, free museum in Charles B. A…read moreStafford Park. It is open on Saturdays from 12-4 PM. When I arrived the door was locked and I thought they were closed but if you knock they will let you in. Maria, a member of the historical society was volunteering her time and she could not have been nicer showing me around and answering questions. She told me that the museum collection was curated by one gentleman who donated it to the historical society. The City of Miami Springs donated the building. Without dedicated people like these so much history would be lost and I am grateful that they donate their time and effort to keep history alive. The purpose of the museum is preserve the city's heritage along with that of neighboring cities. Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-locka were founded by famed aviator Glenn Curtiss who was a contemporary of the Wright brothers. Curtiss started his career building and racing motorcycles. From there he moved into building airships racking up many flying firsts along the way. His innovation in planes helped the military in the run up to WWI. His planes were also used during WWII. His accomplishments and inventions are too many to list. He was considered the Henry Ford of the aviation world. Curtiss moved to Miami in the 1920's where he founded 18 corporations and developed Miami Springs in the Pueblo Revival architectural style. He passed away at the young age of 52 from complications from appendicitis surgery in 1930 but he left his presence all over this area. Some of the displays are about his development company. In a side room there is an interesting 10 minute movie about Fair Havens and Dr. John Harvey Kellogg of the cereal fame. The building was originally the opulent Hotel Country Club and the Battle Creek built in 1926 by Glenn Curtiss in the Pueblo Revival style to give prospective home purchasers a place to stay. In 1929, during the economic downturn, Curtiss sold the hotel to his friend, health, and wellness expert Dr. John Harvey Kellogg for the sum of $10. Dr. Kellogg lived and worked out of the Miami Battle Creek Sanitarium for many years where he treated patients, developed new soy-based food products, wrote, and raised his large adopted family. Kellogg was ahead of his time with his ideas on health and wellness. He lived well into his nineties. The room the is set up to look as it would have during Kellogg's time. Today the building is an elderly residents home. Many of the other displays are about Pan Am and Dinner Key. Dinner Key was used as a base of operations for the U.S. Navy, Pan American World Airways, and the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1917 the first continental naval air station in the country was created. During WWI Dinner Key was used as a Naval Air Base. In 1930, Pan American World Airways built a large terminal and hangers for flying boat service to Latin America. The City of Miami purchased Dinner Key in 1946 and one of the Pan American hangers was turned into the Dinner Key Auditorium. Fun fact, this is where Jim Morrison of the Doors was arrested in 1969 for indecent exposure at a concert for 10,000 people. He was convicted but died in Paris before he could be made to serve his sentence. Today Dinner Key is the site of the Miami City Hall that was created from the Pan American terminal in 1954. Three of the four Pan American hangars are used for boat storage and Dinner Key is now a marina. Anther display is about the Hialeah Park flamingoes. Considering that this is a small space, there is a lot to look at if you take your time. The flight attendant outfits for Pan Am through the years is a fun display from a fashion perspective. Thank you Maria for sharing your time with me. Although the museum does not charge a fee they accept donations and they have a small gift shop. If you too like history and are in the area on a Saturday afternoon, I highly recommend you stop by.

I had the pleasure of visiting this museum after a free yoga class hosted by Miami Dade College as…read morean activation. The museum is beautiful, very modern, with a lot of interactive stations. It is also a lovely tribute to the Cuban immigration story to the United States, and their indelible impact on the development of Miami. They had real accounts of Cubans and how they were not only processed through the Freedom Tower but also glimpses into the Cuban exodus as a whole. I happened to go while the FIFA exhibit was still there, and was very impressed with what they were showcasing, but also how it was all presented. Overall, if you're visiting from out of town or a local who wants to learn more about Miami, this cool historic building (that once also housed the Miami Newspaper) is a definite must-see.

Had the opportunity to finally visit the Freedom Tower and was amazed by the architecture and…read morecurrent exhibitions. I came for one of the recent MoAD panels discussing Purvis Young and his work. Looking forward to coming back and spending more time with the exhibitions to really appreciate the work, history, and intention of the space.

It's been a while since we watched a concert here and I have to say it was quite nice!…read more Set up was nice, concert was awesome, staff were friendly and helpful, even parking (we parked in the garage underneath) was close and fast. Overall would certainly attend another concert here, even though it means driving through Miami to get here.It's been a while since we watched a concert here and I have to say it was quite nice! Set up was nice, concert was awesome, staff were friendly and helpful, even parking (we parked in the garage underneath) was close and fast. Overall would certainly attend another concert here, even though it means driving through Miami to get here. The overall vibe was perfect for a concert, and there's a couple different options for food.

I've been to the arena several times to watch NBA games and though the service is decent, as is the…read morefood, unfortunately the atmosphere can be ruined by some guests smoking, and vaping in the arena. It happens every visit and when you are visiting with someone who suffers from asthma it's really uncomfortable.

When my sisters and I found out back in '25 that our niece would be getting married here on June…read more27, '26, there was no question- we aunties were all in for a destination wedding. The excitement started wayyy before we packed our bags, but once I saw the venue my niece had chosen, I totally understood why. She and her husband live in Miami, so it seemed only right that they chose such a beautiful South Florida location. The moment we came to Vignette Gardens, we were speechless. The palm trees were all over the property, giving that lush greenery feel that instantly made the venue feel like an oasis. Every shaded corner seemed like a secret hideaway and picture-perfect backdrop. This is one of those places where nature did most of the talking. The wedding ceremony was beautifully arranged on the lawn, where rows of chairs faced a gorgeous floral arch under the palm trees. My niece's wedding was intimate and romantic that blended perfectly with the landscape. After the ceremony, guests made their way under the spacious reception tent. Honestly, that was the best place to be once that South Florida sun and humidity settled in. The tent offered tons of shade, a cool breeze from the fans and a comfortable space where everyone could relax while also celebrate and dance the night away without battling the sweltering heat. I honestly don't know every detail my niece selected for her wedding, but I do know one thing- her village showed up. Us four aunties, along with her mom (our oldest sister- yes, we're 5 sisters) were all hands on deck, each with our own assignment. Our oldest sister (her mom) took charge of putting together the centerpieces and other touches. My other two sisters were responsible for the seating display, inspired by a cool TikTok idea. They arranged an assortment of drinking glasses, each labeled with a guest's name and the corresponding table number. It wasn't just functional- it became part of the décor AND a keepsake. My twin sister worked on the ceremony arch, decorating it with lush florals and a flowing cream-colored fabric that gave the display a soft, organic, romantic feel. And I took charge of the welcome sign. I went to Lowe's and had a 20"x40" wooden board cut to size, then ordered a custom stencil with their names+ wedding date+etc from Etsy. Around the border, I placed faux greenery as a base before weaving in fresh flowers to give it that natural, organic touch. One thing that totally impressed me just as much as the venue itself was the awesome staff here. Every employee knew exactly what needed to be done and when to do it. But there was one woman- probably a manager(?) who truly stood out. She took charge with making sure every detail of my niece's and her husband's wedding came out smooth. She also made sure the entire team stayed on the same page. They worked like a well-oiled machine, as I always like to say. Everyone was in sync, and every transition happened like butter smooth. That's exactly what you hope for when choosing a wedding venue. After seeing it firsthand, I seriously believe Vignette Gardens could host just about any celebration- from anniversaries to birthdays, family reunions, baby showers or milestone events- just ask though. If you're looking for a venue that's both naturally beautiful and well-managed, Vignette G. is worth reaching out to inquire about what they offer.

Beautiful space for wedding. Drinks and food were delicious. Would highly recommend.read more

This hotel really impressed! I was personally and warmly greeted by Walmary's (Head/Director of…read morecleaning staff) who offered to provide additional and unique concierge services on top of just being extremely kind and hospitable. She and her staff have done an outstanding job at restoring these rooms to mint condition, the grounds and the entire hotel, as well . The rooms are spotless. The bathrooms are pristine, wow! The bed/bedding was super lux, comfortable and the linens smelled divine. Abundant sunlight all day and great views which I loved. The pool, grounds and lobby were all so beautiful, too. They have much to offer at this hotel. 5 star experience. Much appreciation, Global Luxury Suites!

I love the way they are building up the stadium. Every time I come see something new…read more I came here for a football game ( GOOO CHIEFS !) and I loved my seats even though the sun was o u t ! I gave four starts bc it's really hard to get an uber to go the stadium, they either take you to a side road and you have to walk 3 blocks or they take you/drop you off to Betty T ...which is still a distance from the stadium so you're kind of forced to use the golf cart service which you have to pay for. Overall I understand safety precautions and the busy roads but be prepared for a walk regardless if you take uber/ lyft or park outside the stadium grounds.

I had an amazing experience. The only thing I noticed that the parking is quite far with the…read morebridge in between to cross over walking. The fact that it is open makes it extremely hot. But overall I enjoyed the concert itself. The way the seat are make it very uncomfortable and not easy to come in and out if needed a restroom or to grab something to drink from the concession stand. No