Curator's Voice Art Projects

Late real-estate mogul Tony Goldman envisioned a thriving, outdoor showcase of edgy and ever popular graffiti and street art on the once abandoned streets of Wynwood in Miami. From this ambitious vision, Wynwood Walls was born. This outdoor museum is a collection of warehouse walls in the Wynwood district where world-renowned artists created exciting and intriguing graffiti artwork. The Walls not only gave birth to the resurgence of Wynwood, but it's becoming one of the most happening places to be in Miami.Best and worst time to go to Wynwood WallsThe best time visit Wynwood Walls is on Saturdays. Wynwood Art Walk provides a several tours of the Walls and neighboring art galleries. The tour guide gives interesting information on the history of each piece and the artist that created it. Seeing the masterpieces up-close is a unique treat.The worst time to visit Wynwood is when the weather is bad. Since it's an outdoor museum, rainy days makes it hard to see the outdoor artwork. (Besides, it's kind of hard to enjoy an art tour when you're soaked.)Must see/do at Wynwood WallsThe Street Art Tour with Lunch/Brunch is one of the best ways to experience Wynwood Walls. After taking in the visual feast of the street art, you can indulge in a culinary feast at The Butcher Shop. The lunch/brunch offering includes a prefix menu of elevated brunch classics, like French toast, steak and eggs, and eggs benedict.Admission to Wynwood WallsWynwood Walls is open to the public seven days a week; admission is free. Guided or private tours charge a fee; rates vary depending on the event.Parking and public transportation to Wynwood WallsOn-street paid parking and public parking lots are available, provided by the City of Miami Parking Authority. Miami-Dade Transit provides service to Wynwood Walls, via Route 2 that travels on NW 2 Ave. Driving is typically best to get to Wynwood Walls, since getting there by public transit will most likely require a transfer from at least one additional bus.Food at Wynwood WallsTwo popular local eateries surround Wynwood Walls – Joey's Italian Café and the Wynwood Kitchen and Bar.Joey's offers fining dining with in a refined atmosphere without being pretentious. Dishes like the Spaghetti Pomodoro, homemade gnocchi, and creative selection of pizzas demonstrate its rich Italian heritage and dedication to serve quality, authentic Italian food.The Wynwood Kitchen and Bar is a modern, eclectic dining venue what displays artistic flair in its food and décor. Artwork by famed artists Santiago Rubino, Shepard Fairley, David Benjamin, and Christian Awe are featured throughout the restaurant. The menu consist of small plates of gourmet food with a Spanish flair. Popular dishes include the Shrimp Tacos, 48 Hour Crispy Pork and Lemon-Pepper Calamari.Insider tip for visitors to Wynwood WallsVisiting Wynwood Walls at night is a special treat. The entire neighborhood bustles with hungry foodies and eager art enthusiasts. The streets are lit up with bright lights, illuminating the outdoor art. The cool and hip vibe will make you feel like you're part of the "it" crowd.Author's bio: Shawanda James is a busy freelance writer, wife, and mom of four in Miami. She giddily writes about travel on the It's All Travel Blog. She's written local and national articles for CBS. Follow Shawanda on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.