Explore this quirky part of Miami to find art galleries, murals, hand-rolled cigars, meat markets, herbal stores, Cuban music and dance.

Nestled among downtown Miami’s modern streets, you’ll find Little Havana, a section of the city reminiscent of old-world Cuba. The area is bustling with social, political and cultural activity and is home to some of the city’s most historic architecture.

Explore some of the many art galleries and studios, where you’ll find a variety of artwork, including off-the-shelf folk art, contemporary graffiti, locally crafted pieces, unique works from well-known Cuban artists and giant abstract sculptures. A popular art festival, Viernes Culturales, is held in Little Havana on the last Friday of every month. The annual week-long Latin street festival, Calle Ocho, attracts thousands of visitors every March.

A visit to one of Little Havana’s parks is a pleasant way to spend a sunny day. Watch a domino game at the famous Domino Park, cook up a barbecue lunch at Henderson Park, or see boats float down the Miami River at Jose Marti Park. Try Sewell Park for a romantic picnic or meditation. There’s also a small playground to keep children entertained.

In the evening, there are plenty of choices when it comes to deciding what to eat. Authentic Cuban, Argentinean, Columbian, Dominican, Bolivian, Spanish, Thai, Uruguayan, Venezuelan and Honduran restaurants line the streets.

Enjoy live music and dancing at restaurants and venues around Little Havana after dark. If you want to learn some moves, there are a number of dance and music lessons available. Choose from flamenco, tango, Afro-Cuban dance and Zumba. Local musicians will also teach you how to play the guitar, congas, trumpet and Afro-Cuban bata drums.

Little Havana is named after Cuba’s capital city, Havana. It’s a short walk from downtown Miami and is easy to get to on a city bus. The Little Havana Visitor Centre is at 1442 SW Eighth St. The area is a 10-minute drive from the Miami Airport and a 20-minute drive from Miami Beach. There are several free parking lots and buses from downtown Miami also service the area.