You haven’t really experienced Miami until you’ve been shopping in the atmospheric district of Espanola Way and Washington Avenue.
It might be best to decide in advance how much you want to spend when visiting Espanola Way and Washington Avenue. If you don’t, you could max out your cards in a flash because you’re going to have such a good time roving the shops of this South Beach district. The shops here are just too enticing. Bring your camera, too, because this is no faceless shopping mall, but a charming Spanish-flavored neighborhood with romantic colonial architecture that will transport you to southern Europe.
If you’ve heard of Espanola Way, there’s a chance you might be associating it with its inglorious history. Al Capone roamed the streets here, while the hit TV series Miami Vice made it seem like a hotbed of crime. Come today, though, and you’re greeted not with criminals but cocktails, not cops but crepes.
So what kind of stores are we talking here? Well, on Espanola Way you can guarantee that there’ll be charming gift shops hidden beneath pastel-colored archways and independent boutiques selling clothing, jewelry, and cigars. Washington Avenue takes on a different vibe, offering beach and surf wear and the latest outfits for a night out. Stroll beneath the palm trees of these lively streets and the shoppers in your group will find endless delights.
Even if shopping isn’t your thing, you’re in for a treat when visiting this corner of Miami Beach. The pedestrianized streets come alive with the restaurant patrons taking a seat for an outdoor dinner. It’s not just the architecture that’s Mediterranean – feast on French, Italian, and Spanish food in the dizzying array of dining destinations. You’ll also struggle to resist the scents of Cuban, Japanese, and Mexican food wafting through the air.
If you fall in love with this part of South Beach, you could always test the relationship by staying here overnight – there are great hotels for all budgets.