Top 5 Instagrammable Places in Shenandoah

1) Calle Ocho  

762 A SW 18th Ave, Miami, FL 33135

Known for its constant celebration of Cuban heritage, from historic landmarks and monthly festivities to the country's quirky charms-- cigars, musical instruments, and tropical fruit, Little Havana is Miami's little slice of Cuba, and Calle Ocho is the icing on top!

With a sprinkling of shops that feature an array of hard-to-find Cuban delights, from hand-rolled cigars to guayabera shirts (fitting for the subtropical weather) and handmade souvenirs, Calle Ocho is the main thoroughfare of Little Havana, serving as an anchor to its social, cultural, and culinary scenes.

Meanwhile, for your IG updates, you can strike a pose in front of the bright murals and colorful painted rooster sculptures along Calle Ocho-- your followers won't get enough of these cute snaps! 

Aside from its shopping, dining, and IG-worthy spots and public art, Calle Ocho hosts one of the largest annual street festivals in the world, the Calle Ocho Music Festival, which invites participants to create a spectacle of national pride by donning the flags or colors of their home country, playing a variety of Latin music, and selling popular food dishes from nations around the world. 

It's one big party waiting to happen, and you can't miss out on this experience!

2) Máximo Gómez Park

1444 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Cuban coffee, cigars, and a round of dominoes?

As odd as this unique combination sounds, it's a 40+-year tradition Cubans have shared with the local peeps of Little Havana, which you can witness first-hand at the Máximo Gómez Park!

More affectionately known as Domino Park by the locals, the Máximo Gómez Park is a hidden gem right on historic Calle Ocho and a social spot popular with locals.

Any time of the day, you'll find regulars sipping their Cuban coffees and playing dominoes with friends, filling the park with authentic Latin energy and competitive banter-- undoubtedly something exciting to watch!

It's a good thing players don't mind the audience!

Apart from the vibrant ambiance, the Máximo Gómez Park features walkways of domino-decorated tilework, a perimeter lined with benches for spectators, and a gorgeous painted mural depicting the presidents of all American nations who attended the first Summit of the Americas, held in Miami in 1994, created by Dominican artist Oscar Thomas!

A lively crowd, an energizing ambiance, and beautiful surroundings to capture right in one place-- what's more can you ask for?

3) Life House, Little Havana 

528 SW 9th Ave, Miami, FL 33130

Are you a serial IG updater looking for "picture-perfect" accommodation in Little Havana?

Life House Little Havana may just be the perfect fit for you!

Hailed as a high-born expeditionist's tropical estate in the heart of Little Havana, Life House Little Havana is a lush Miami hotel offering luxe comfort and a tasteful display of the Carribbean's rich art and cultural offerings.

A distinct Mission Revival house with textiles, furnishings, and art collected from travels throughout the tropics, from Cuba to Martinique to Zanzibar, Life House Little Havana boasts a blend of modern designs by Hans Wegner, Cassina, and Jeanneret with the vintage displays of Afrocuban ceramics and exotic Caribbean plants, creating a homey and lush ambiance felt throughout its perimeter.

Unlike most high-end accommodations, Life House Little Havana guest rooms take you on a vivid journey through its dark woods, woven, natural rugs, and aged brass detailing, evoking balmy memories of exotic destinations throughout the tropics, complete with Le Labo bath amenities and Revival New York linens you know and love!

And when you feel like grabbing a bite or two, explore Life House Little Havana's tropically overgrown rooftop haven overlooking the Miami skyline with a bar and restaurant, the Terras Rooftop.

Here, you can dine, drink, dance, or lounge to your heart's content!

Apart from these upscale and homey amenities, Life House Little Havana features a luscious courtyard with tables and hammocks, where you can hang out and enjoy the view and rooftop sunbathing to keep you tanned and relaxed during your stay!

There's nothing like a premium four-star hotel with endless IG-worthy spots for your social media postings, am I right?

4) Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center

1465 SW 8th St #106, Miami, FL 33135

For a feel of Little Havana's lively dining and entertainment scene, explore the streets of Calle Ocho and find one of the neighborhood's go-to hangouts, the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center!

Considered a mainstay of the arts renaissance in Little Havana, Cubaocho is a museum and gathering space where art, music, dance, cigars, and mojitos converge. 

At Cubaocho, art lovers can gaze at a large collection of 19th-century and early- to mid-20th-century Cuban art as they sip on a cocktail-- it's the ultimate game-changer to your Saturday night-outs!

Besides its art collection, Cubaocho is home to a research library and cafe bar boasting an impressive selection of rums, along with a lineup of entertainment and live performances ranging from salsa bands to Latin jam sessions and Cuban jazz artists-- it's a legendary descarga come to life!

Entertainment, drinks, good food, art, live performances, and the best backdrops for your photos-- yes, Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center is the place to be!

5) Futurama 1637

1637 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

If you're feeling a bit artsy on this fine afternoon, take a trip to Futurama 1637, and ease that craving for aesthetic photos around Little Havana!

Established in 2011 as a creative workspace in the heart of Little Havana, Futurama 1637 houses 12 artist studios and five offices, including monthly events, art openings, and music productions, spearheaded by Viernes Culturales, Little Havana's popular gallery walk, which happens every third Friday night of the month!

Explore the corners of Futurama 1637 and treat your artistic spirit to a smorgasbord of paintings, murals, sculptures, and more-- it's an eye-candy and an IG-worthy destination you wouldn't want to pass up on!