Categories
Blog

Family Trip to Miami

For Labor Day weekend, my family and I went to Miami!!!! We had not taken any trips this year, and it was our first trip as a family of four!

We rented an Airbnb right in Miami’s art district, so we were three minutes from Wynwood Walls. But before we headed over to the walls, we ate breakfast at Morgan’s Restaurant.

I had the avocado toast, and my cousin shared some of her chicken and waffles with me. Both were very good. This place has a good portion size, just not for the avocado toast. It is recommended to make a reservation prior because this place got packed as we were there.

Alright, now we head over to the Wynwood Walls. I purchased tickets in advance, but you don’t have to; art is inside and outside. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes because Miami gets HOT, depending on what time of year you decide to go.

One of the good things about Miami’s art district is that there are many restaurants and food trucks around to eat. When we first arrived in Miami, we ate dinner at El Tiesto Cafe, a Dominican-Japanese restaurant. We tried their sushi, and my husband left wanting more. Highly recommend this place. I cannot wait to return to Miami to eat here again.

The following day we went to the Miami’s Children Museum so the kids could play, mainly my daughter because my son is eight months old, but he ended up having fun too. The children’s museum has a ton of activities for kids. They have two stories of different rooms, so they have a space for construction, a bank, firefighter, police, a boat where kids can fish, a cruise ship, and a dance glow party. My daughter’s favorite part was the Publix supermarket. They have it set up where you can get groceries; the kids are the cashiers. The check-out computers have the items from the store, so the kids click on the things you choose, and then on the computer where you pay, it shows you the total. You then pick the bills and coins until you have paid the total amount, which I thought was a cool way to help kids learn about money.

After the museum, we headed to Dolphin Mall – Miami’s largest outlet shopping mall- and ate lunch at a Peruvian restaurant called Gran Inka Gastro Bar. I also recommend this restaurant. The food was so fresh and good. Then we did a little shopping. I have a sentimental feeling about Dolphin Mall because my mom used to take me there to go to Dave & Buster’s when I would visit her in the summer.

After the mall, we went to dinner at Havana 1957 Cuban Cuisine on Lincoln Road. I had been to the one in South Beach, but my husband had not tried this place before, and I wanted him to because I remember how good it was last time. It was just as good as the first time. I recommend this place to eat in Miami. After eating, we walked around Lincoln Road but didn’t do any shopping; we were over shopping.

This brings us to Monday; we had breakfast at Moise’s Bakery in Miami Beach. This place was recommended to me by my neighbor. The owners of Moise’s Bakery are from Venezuela, and the breakfast was very delicious. Unfortunately, I didn’t take pictures of my food, but we had Pan de Bono and another bread with ham inside that I don’t remember the name of right now.

On our way home, we drove by Aventura Mall, another mall my mom used to take me to, and we decided to go inside. Aventura Mall is the 5th largest mall in the United States and the largest mall in Florida. It has an art collection inside, which was cool to see. After walking around for a few hours and buying a few things, we headed home.

I cannot wait to continue to make memories like this with my little family.

With Love, Heidy

Have you been to any of these places? If so, what was your experience?

Let’s Connect!

Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Like this post? Subscribe with your email to receive my free 5 minute journal prompts and weekly newsletters on my upcoming posts! 🙂

Check out my new Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/WithLoveHeidy

Journals for sale!

You can get one or all of my journals on Amazon! Links are below! 🙂
My Prayer Journal  Into My Thoughts Journal Gratitude Journal

My poetry book – Words from the Heart available now!

Categories
Blog

Trip to Anna Maria Island

Last week was my husband’s birthday, and in June, I decided to book an Airbnb on Anna Maria Island in Florida. For birthdays I always try to do something special, and due to current circumstances, I figured that being at a beach house would be the “safest vacation” we could do.

Last week Monday, my grandfather unexpectedly passed away, so we thought it would be best to cancel the trip, but because of the cancellation policy, we would get less than half of the money refunded, we didn’t cancel.

As weird as it may sound, I’m glad we didn’t cancel the trip because it was helpful to get away and distract my mind for a bit. I’m still grieving, and it will be a WHILE until I’m back to “normal,” but the trip help to distract me instead of being home and try to force myself to get through the day to day routine of working.

THURSDAY

We arrived at the beach house in the afternoon, we got settled, went to eat ice cream – which was walking distance, and then caught the sunset at the beach.

20200813_185729
Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach was where our Airbnb was located, and it was conveniently located close to everything on the island, although the island is only 7 miles long from North to South LOL.

20200813_185457
Hubby & I

Friday

We started with having breakfast at Island Creperie French Bistro, which again was walking distance from where we stayed.

20200814_104548

I ordered the “Big French Breakfast,” which came with two crepes filled with strawberry jelly, french toast (first time trying it), and croissant all covered with powdered sugar. Hubby ordered their fresh strawberry crepes with fried cube potatoes. Everything was so delightful, and this breakfast spot is highly recommended.

Then we rode the free trolley to our next destination.

20200814_113619

The trolley is free to travel on the island, but they do accept donations.

20200814_120123

The Donut Experiment located on Pine Avenue has fresh, made-to-order donuts with your choice of icings and toppings!

20200814_120454

Due to social distancing right now, only one person per party may go inside to place the order for the donuts. They have a paper outside where you choose the toppings and icing you would like and how many donuts.

20200814_120609

Hubby ordered vanilla icing with sprinkles topping. I ordered two donuts, one with vanilla icing and Oreo toppings; the other was chocolate icing with sprinkles topping. If I had not been so full from breakfast, I would have ordered more because they were AMAZING!

Afterward, we continued walking down Pine Avenue and found the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum.  Admission to the museum is free, but they do accept donations. I had not realized how much history Anna Maria Island had until I was walking through the museum.

Outside you can walk through the Old City Jail, which was built in 1927 to place the drunks during the night. The jail was used until the roof caught fire in the 1940s, but they kept the structure standing, and it is now used as a photo op for visitors.

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We then walked to the Anna Maria City Pier, which is at the end of Pine Avenue.

 

 

20200814_125418
This picture was taken right at the beginning of the pier.

20200814_125916
This is at the end of the pier.

Back on the trolley, we went to go to our Airbnb and get ready to head to the beach. But this time we went to Manatee Beach.

20200814_145412

I fell in love with this beach as soon as I saw the water! I knew Anna Maria Island had beautiful beaches, but you have to experience it for yourself because pictures do not do it justice. The water was warm and so calm, barely any waves. It was perfect.

20200814_145431

After about an hour in the water, my husband got hungry, so we went to Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, which is right on the beach. I honestly did not know what to expect from the food, but let me tell you. IT WAS DELICIOUS!

 

I had the chicken tacos, and hubby had a cheeseburger with cheese fries!

Back to the water, we went for a few more hours and then went to get ready for dinner. Our host at the museum suggested three restaurants at Cortez, Florida, which is a historic fishing village, and from the three, we decided to try Swordfish Grill. 

Swordfish Grill has fresh seafood, live entertainment, and waterview seating. It was a whole vibe!

 

20200814_202357screenshot_20200814-203553_whatsapp

For the appetizer, we ordered the grouper ceviche.

img-20200819-wa0018

Hubby ordered the fried red snapper fish with mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies. I don’t know what they put into the mashed potatoes, but it was GOOD!

20200814_205301

I ordered a dozen of Garlic Parmesan Oysters, and I wish I could have more right now!

20200814_205253

We definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who is visiting Anna Maria Island, and I cannot wait to return to try more dishes.

Saturday

This day was our last day as we had cut our trip a day shorter due to the passing of my grandfather, and we decided to start the day at the beach.

 

The morning has become my favorite time of the day to visit the beach.

We talked, listened to the Bible, talked some more, then we got hungry, and headed to Keke’s Breakfast Cafe.

It was my first time eating at Keke’s because every time I went, there was a long waiting time, but this time, no wait. 😊

20200815_09240320200815_092408

I ordered french toast, (I really like it now), pancake, turkey bacon, and potatoes. My husband ordered a ham, cheese, and green peppers omelet, with toast and potatoes. Also, a waffle that isn’t pictured LOL.

Overall the trip to Anna Maria Island was perfect! I cannot wait to return and explore more of the island. It has become one of my favorite Florida beach destinations. If you plan on visiting, let me know what you plan on seeing, or if you’ve already gone, tell me your favorite things about the island!

Cannot wait to continue traveling and sharing our experiences with you guys! Thank you SO much for reading!!

With love, Heidy

 

Let’s connect!

Twitter.com/HeidyReynoso13

Instagram.com/Heidyspoems

Facebook.com/Heidyreynoso13