Little Havana is known for its unique cultural environment and its many tourist attractions, but Little Havana, the Cuban District of Miami, should be your first choice. There are many restaurants and specialty food shops that line the streets. Latin music can be heard throughout the Miami area. The open spaces are a great place to meet locals.
Wall murals decorate buildings with scenes and portraits of famous Cubans. Calle Ocho, the main thoroughfare through the district, is the center of most of the action. However, Little Havana extends beyond the avenues and streets to the neighborhoods and surrounding areas. There are many opportunities to enjoy people-watching in the region. This is where you should go to eat authentic Cuban food when you’re near the Princeton area.
Calle Ocho Festival is an annual celebration of Cuban culture. It takes place in March and is considered the most important event of its kind in the world. This street festival, which began in 1994, has expanded to include more Latin American cultures. It is now a great opportunity to enjoy Latin American music and Caribbean food if you’re near the Miami Shores area.
Calle Ocho, the epicenter for Cuban culture and life in Miami’s Little Havana region, is a designated historic area. This vibrant, historic enclave has been designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is known for its authentic Cuban cuisine, popular ventanitas and warm, toasty Cuban bakery, as well as street festivals that are too vividly described.
The Tower Theater was built in 1926. It is situated next to Maximo Gomez Park. This classic theater has a rich history. It was once a place where Cuban immigrants could meet to watch English-language films with Spanish subtitles to improve their English. This Art Deco-style building is now owned by Miami Dade College and serves as a venue for cultural events. The Tower Theater also offers entertainment. It hosts Cuban performances and exhibitions, as well as free educational talks and films in English and Spanish by Miami Dade College faculty.
The Cuban Memorial Boulevard is located at the intersection of Calle Ocho & Southwest 13th Avenue. It pays tribute to Cuban soldiers who participated in both the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban War of Independence. Along this stretch of road you will find seven small monuments, including one honoring Antonio Maceo Grajales, a Cuban independence hero, and Tony Izquierdo (an anti-communist crusader who was both killed during the Cuban Revolution). Look out for statues depicting the Virgin Mary, as well as a raised map measuring 16 feet on the island of Cuba. The map has an inscription written by Jose Mart, a Cuban patriot, that reads “La patria est agonia, y deber,” meaning “The homeland is agony, duty.” There are also statues of the Virgin Mary as well as a 16-foot high raised map of Cuba with an inscribed by Jose Mart, a Cuban patriot.
