A Graffiti Artist's Guide to Miami with Pedro Amos

As a Miami born-and-raised muralist, art director and owner of tour company Miami’s Best Graffiti Guide, Pedro Amos knows the creative side of Florida’s coolest city inside-out. Here, he paints a picture of the best things to see, do, eat and drink around his Wynwood studio and beyond – including inspiring places to stay, all bookable on Culture Trip. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

“We’re in a place in the world now where everyone wants to be part of something – and this gallery lets you do it. I think it shows where art is going. There’s a lot of interactive pieces, where you become part of the art. For example, there might be an installation where you stand in a particular place, and a camera comes to you. I saw an exhibition by Vince Fraser and Ursula Rucker here called Afro Frequencies, about the West African concept of aṣẹ (power), and loved it.”

“When I go to a restaurant, I don’t really care about what’s on the walls – I want the food and service to be stellar. But this place has everything, including murals by artist Alex Mijares. It’s a block from my Wynwood studio, and it’s half-inside, half-outside, with a retractable awning and fans to keep you cool if it’s sunny and hot. It’s moderately priced – for Miami anyway – the service is great, and everyone is good-looking. I always order fried chicken and a martini. But the truffled deviled eggs and tuna tartare are must-trys, too.”

“This is my company – based in the center of Wynwood. We give tours showing off the local street art, by walking, biking or golf-carting through the neighborhood. We also do crash courses in graffiti, so you can paint with me or another artist, learning how to use a spray can. We’re the only artist-owned and operated tour company in the city. I only hire artists to give the tours, so you’ll get a real explanation, from the inside. We’re not just reading facts off a Wikipedia page.”

“I only visited this museum for the first time recently, and I had no idea we had a place like this in Miami. It’s one of the largest privately owned collections in the US – and was so good to go see. It reminds me of the MoMA in New York: they have thousands of pieces in their collection, and there’s a heavy rotation, depending on what they’re trying to showcase. You might see 40ft (12m) high murals in one room, then find another room full of Budweiser cans or 15 male sculptures having an orgy. Or beautiful color portraits. It’s really an A-to-Z kind of experience.”

“This brewery is in Wynwood, not far from my studio. If it’s a nice day, grab a seat on the couches under the awning and enjoy plates from the Peruvian food truck that sometimes rocks up. The beers are always changing, but my go-to is one of their light classics: Spanglish, a very Miami name. There’s art on the building itself: murals by Pixel Pancho from Spain and Adrian Avila, originally from Cuba, but now local. Some of the beer labels have art on them, too.”

“Most people know the Wynwood Walls as an open-air gallery that changes its art regularly. It used to be free, but as it’s become more famous, you have to pay to get in. The shop is still free to enter, and great. It has products designed by artists who have a relationship to the property – merch like masks and toys, as well as proper prints. You’ll find stuff by everyone, from Ron English to RISK, with styles ranging from abstract expressionism and traditional graffiti to portraits.”

“I’m a really big fan of the staycation, so I stay in hotels in Miami quite a lot. This is a very cool spot, with boho-chic style and stellar service. The food is great, and there’s no noise really – not even music, except underwater in the pool. So, it’s a great place to get away for some quiet time and maybe visit the spa for a mud bath or sauna. Or, rent a paddleboard to go around Miami Bay, right where the hotel is. The only thing is they don’t allow kids, so unfortunately I can’t bring my son here.”

“The Savoy is a really cool hotel that’s been remodeled and has a boutiquey feel. The highlight is the pool – the service is quick, and you’re right on the beach. Really, you just cross the boardwalk and you’re there on the sand at 4th Street and Ocean Drive. That’s the beach where local people from Miami actually go, as it’s not touristy. Despite the prime location, the pool is never jam-packed, which I love. It’s great when you want some breathing space.”

“Finally, this is a really classic Miami beach hotel which I really love. It’s high-end, with phenomenal decor and service, a great restaurant and spacious rooms – bigger than many other hotels in Miami. You have a great view from pretty much every one of them: you’re on the beach, so you’re gazing out across the sand and water. The sunrises are amazing.”