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Five things to do in South Beach during Art Basel

Travel Tips | Derek Cullen | November 22, 2024

Latino food that’ll make your taste buds dance, luscious parks, a nightlife that’s buzzing till dawn, and an art scene that’s about to explode with the Art Basel Fair on December 6–8, 2024. Miami might not win any awards for being affordable, but hey, when you’ve got such a vibrant lineup, who cares? Not many gay travel spots can match what Miami offers. This East Coast gem is packed with culture, beaches, and enough variety to make your weekend unforgettable. And with Art Basel, perfect weather, and endless culture, you might just find yourself extending that stay. Why limit the fun?

Here are five things to see in South Beach during Art Basel Fair:

Check out the Amazing Museums and Fairs

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Combining music with arts, the Pérez Art Museum Miami has proved a very popular choice for visitors during Art Basel but then you can also find some incredible works by Pablo Picasso and other famous names at Nova Southeastern University Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Norton Museum of Art and Bass Museum of Art. And then there is Context Miami, Spectrum and Red Dot Miami Fair which have an incredible range of contemporary works of art on show. Some of these galleries will be in nearby neighborhoods such as Design District and Downtown but you will also find some great fairs in South Beach. Whether you are interested in arts or not, the museums and fairs have an energetic atmosphere about them while also offering a great insight into the fast emerging local art scene in South Beach.

Visit the Best Gay Beach in Miami

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Lummus Park is a beautiful leafy park on the beach front next to 5th Street but if you want to have some fun on the best gay beach in Miami, you really need to take a trip to 12th Street Beach. Predominantly visited by gay men, this beach is well marked and easy to find with bright rainbow flags next to the lifeguard huts. As far as gay things to do in Miami, this is quite possibly top of the list but if you want something a little quieter, there is plenty more sandy beach to enjoy back closer to Lummus Park.

Make the Most of Miami’s Incredible Nightlife

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The sun, sand and sea are no doubt major factors as to why Miami is such an attractive gay travel destination but let’s not forget the notoriously lively nightlife. Without any real dress code, Twist is a popular gay club which attracts a slightly younger crowd while Score is renowned for showcasing world class DJ’s from time to time including Benny Benassi. Wherever you go, there is an incredible gay nightlife in Miami and while the cover charge can be a little expensive ($20), the experience is always worth more than any monetary value.

Check out Little Havana

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After partying and relaxing at the gay beach in Miami, head to the culturally rich Little Havana in Calle Ocho. Explore top restaurants like Versailles, Exquisito, and Casa Juancho for authentic Cuban dishes. If you’re still in the mood to party, the streets of Little Havana come alive after dark. With salsa dancing and vibrant energy, it’s an unforgettable night out in Miami. For the best gay bar, check out Ball & Chain or El Patio.

Take an Airboat Ride in Everglades National Park

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The Everglades is a stunning and unique park, offering incredible scenery and opportunities to spot endangered species. During an airboat ride, you may encounter crocodiles, manatees, and the Florida panther. The real highlight, however, is exploring the wilderness at high speed. You’ll also learn about the area’s incredible biodiversity along the way.

RELATED LINKS:

What to Pack for Art Basel Miami Beach

About The Author

Derek Cullen is a travel writer and adventure tour leader from Dublin, Ireland. On his blog No Hanging Around he shares his adventures, including across the United States. Derek may be best known for his solo bicycle ride across the African continent in 2014. Depending on the time of year he is either leading overland tours through Africa or travelling around the world in on search of new experiences.

Photos by Flickr users Ines Hegedus-Garcia, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Manhunt, Winter Party, iloveagrigento.it, and Dennis Church used under the Creative Commons Attribution license

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