I love to travel & explore the world both near and far! I do my best to make the most out of life each and everyday! I have two boys and they are, at the ages of 15 and 21, world travelers and all around go along guys. There isn’t anywhere I can’t take them. It is my hope this blog will be a way to share the fun things I’ve learned while on our many adventures together!
Named for Cuba’s capital and largest city, and famous for it’s large concentration of Cuban exiles, Little Havana should be on any Miami Must List. Even with limited time to explore I managed to get a feel for this vibrant cultural area, and came away wishing for more.
Welcome to Little Havana
Declared a national treasure in 2017, Little Havana has no shortage of cultural landmarks, architecture, and art, a lot of which you’ll see as you stroll along Calle Ocho (SW 8th street).
Domino Park Little Havana
Dominos is a big part of Cuban culture, and is so popular in Cuba that it is practically an organized sport. The same can be said in Little Havana and Domino Park was abuzz with both players and spectators during our visit.
Cortadito
Shops selling local Cuban art, cigars and coffee line the street. Sadly, we’d already eaten prior to our visit, but if you’re looking for something more substantial, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Little Havana Miami
I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Cuba, but Little Havana felt very authentic. All of the people I met were local, and I had the very distinct and positive feeling of being somewhere completely new.
Welcome to Little Havana
Although located next to an area known for higher crime rates, I felt completely safe during my visit, and in fact quite welcome.
Azucar Little Havana
I was delighted, but not surprised to find a lot of public art throughout the neighborhood a lot of which was representative of the people, their culture, and their pastimes.
Its safe to say, with the exception of family and friends, art is the greatest passion in my life. Fine or street, museum or gallery, indoor, outdoor, I love it all, which is why a visit to the Wynwood Art District in Miami, Florida was long overdue.
Artist: Queen Andrea
The Wynwood Art District, is not only home to the Wynwood Walls, the famous outdoor street art museum, but the entire area is a colorful riot of murals, galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and hip restaurants.
Wynwood Art District
Beyond officially commissioned or organized works, every available surface is covered in art, the sidewalks, entire buildings, signage… Everything! The neighborhood is a celebration of all things art, and is positively buzzing with a vibe that you can literally see and feel.
Slap Tags
Artist: Chloe Hakakian
Artist: Fiest.RSM
Artist: Chloe Hakakian
Artist: DMIR.World
I ❤️ Wynwood
Artist: Unknown
Artist: Zapata
Artist: Ginero
Prior to my arrival, I had an idea of what to expect, but was still surprised by all there was to see and experience in this multicolored wonderland, and because my visit took place during Miami Art Week everything was amplified. I spent 8 hours exploring, and still didn’t see it all, but if you’ve never been before here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Wynwood Walls
Location: 2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
What are the Wynwood Walls?
Wynwood Walls is a free “museum of the streets” an outdoor art museum where all the works are created and displayed directly on the walls.
Wynwood Walls was created in 2009, by developer Tony Goldman, in an attempt to revitalize and transform the warehouse district of Wynwood. Mr. Goldman saw artistic potential in the area’s warehouse buildings, many of which were windowless. He beautified them with giant murals and opened a restaurant and bar in the hopes that it would bring foot traffic to the neighborhood. 10 years later Wynwood has been called the hippest neighborhood in America, with millions of people visiting every year. I’d say his idea was a smashing success!
Also including Wynwood Doors, the Wynwood Garden and Outside The Walls, Wynwood Walls includes works from over 50 artists from around the world. Every year, during Art Week/Art Basel, artists are invited to contribute based on the year’s theme. 2018’s theme was: Beyond Words
Tours aren’t required for a visit to Wynwood, but if you do take one you’ll learn in-depth information about the artists and their process as well as the history of the Wynwood Art District. Choose the Official Early Access Tour and you’ll enter more than an hour before the crowds. This is important if you’re interested in people free photos of the murals.
Artist: James GoldcrownArtist: Alexis Diaz and Unknown
1-800-Lucky
Location: 143 NW 23rd Street, Miami
If 1-800-Lucky was located in Los Angeles it would absolutely be my favorite restaurant. In fact, if I could eat there whenever I wanted I would be hard pressed to ever cook again. The food was pure deliciousness!
1-800-Lucky Wynwood Miami Florida
I could try to describe it myself, but I doubt I could do better than Conde Nast Traveler:
A 10,000-square-foot food hall in the style of a hip, Asian market with indoor and outdoor seating and a booming soundtrack of hip hop. Seven vendors hawking pan-Asian dishes from ramen to Vietnamese sandwiches encircle an open dining room that is also flanked by two full bars and a karaoke lounge.
1-800-Lucky Wynwood Miami Florida
Honey-Glazed Char Siu Pork Ribs
Hawker Style Chicken Wings
Peking Duck Buns (2pcs)
If a hip vibe and delicious food aren’t enough to convince you, I asked three people on the street where to eat and they unanimously said: 1-800-Lucky. Oh, and did I mention that its also a record shop?
1-800-Lucky Wynwood Miami Florida
Shopping
You can’t bring home the murals, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to bring home other art treasures. The retail shops and galleries are selling everything from moss statues and paintings to street art inspired clothing and even holiday baubles.
Plant The Future
Location: 224 NE 59th Street, Miami
Intrigued by the mossy wall on the outside we ventured into Plant the Future, which turned out to be part gallery, part installation, part shop, and all kinds of cool.
Artist: Teppa
Plant the Future Gallery
Artist: Reedy & Teppa
WYNWD
Location: 181 NW 25th Street, Miami
Wynwd the (un)official visitor center is part shop and part gallery. They feature neighborhood centric items including, paintings, pins, patches, stickers, t-shirts, and hats. I found some fun t-shirts for my boys and some Chris Uphues patches for a project I’m working on.
Wynwd Shop
Miami Art Week/Art Basel events
Art week is a great time to visit Wynwood as there are a lot of special events taking place, many of which are free to attend, including live mural painting festivals, skateboarding exhibitions, and art fairs.
Even if you don’t attend one of these events, you’re almost guaranteed to come across a mural in progress. I saw a number of artists at work during my visit, but it was meeting FinDAC, that was the real highlight. I’ve been following his work, and really enjoyed getting a chance to see him at work and to speak with him.
What can you do with only three days in South Florida? Turns out quite a lot, and although more time would have allowed me to dig deeper, I think I did pretty well with the amount I had. The was a solo adventure, which meant I was able to focus almost completely on art and photography, and by organizing my list of potential activities into neighborhoods and then into must, want and hope I prioritized my time, and hit the ground running…
The South Beach (SoBe) Sign
Miami Beach, and more specifically the South Beach neighborhood is famous for it’s large concentration of Art Deco architecture (the largest in the world), and its vibrant nightlife has been featured in films, television and books.
Avalon Hotel Miami Beach
However, it was the collection of colorful and unique lifeguard towers dotting the beach that cemented Miami Beach’s place on my Florida To Do List. Delighted by their cheerful candy colored existence I had to see them. All! Half walking and half running, I went up and down the beach stopping at each one, snapping photos from every angle.
Miami Beach Florida
These iconic stands, many of which have been around since the 1980s, have withstood not only sun, sand and time, but hurricanes as well. Six of them were recently auctioned off and will be used as everything from DJ booths, to tree houses and backyard art pieces. Here’s hoping their new, more resistant aluminum, replacements will be equally as enchanting.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach
Miami Beach Florida
Miami Beach Florida
Miami Beach
Miami Beach Florida
Miami Beach Florida
Once I’d checked my number one Miami Beach “must see” off the list I set about exploring the rest including, a stroll along Ocean Drive, a peek into some of the area’s glamorous hotels, and a delicious Cubano sandwich on Lincoln Road.
The Royal Palm Hotel
Art Week is a great time to explore the area’s famously chic hotels as most of them will be hosting art shows and parties many of which are free and open to the public.
Artist: Stephen (ESPO) Powers
Art Week saw the historic National Hotel transformed inside and out by alumni of the University of the Arts Philadelphia.
The National Hotel
The National Hotel
The National Hotel
The gorgeous pool deck at The National Hotel is a great place to grab a bite to eat or a drink, and if you fancy it you can pay an additional fee to while away the afternoon lounging by the pool.
National Hotel Pool
This neon sign in the Sagamore Hotel bar was a favorite, though I admit I’m not sure it was part of the art show.
The Bar in the Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach
Artist: Niloufar Banisadr
The Sagamore Hotel
Renowned for its art deco architecture on the outside, and its playful yet chic styling on the inside it’s no wonder the Delano South Beach has stayed so popular. The cool dark interiors are a welcome respite from the bright hot Florida sun and the light airy curtains coupled with large columns create secret spaces in which one can retreat out of the spotlight.
Delano Hotel Lobby
Delano Hotel
While the origins of the Cubano sandwich are surprisingly less than clear, what isn’t in question is their popularity, and that meant having one was high on my list. I admit to grabbing mine in quite a touristy spot, but the Cuban bread layered with marinated pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and a mustard mayo spread paired with a traditional mojito not only met my expectations, it exceeded them.
Cubano Sandwich Havana 1957
When asked what he might like me to bring back from Florida, my younger son had what might be considered an unusual or even difficult request, a photo of a large lizard, unless of course you’re visiting a place with an exploding iguana population. Though I only saw this one “little” fellow during my stay, I think he more than met the requirements.
Iguana Miami Beach
Given it’s touristy reputation I was surprised at how much I enjoyed South Beach, and I hope to find myself there again one day.
Happy New Year, and welcome back to Faraway Files! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with all the things that bring you joy. As much as I love the festive season I am ready to see what this new year will bring.
What Brings You Joy? Artist: Hirsch
As you’ll see in this week’s post my 2018 was filled with many adventures, and I feel fortunate to have visited such a long list of places including: San Francisco, Atlanta, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Portland, Seattle, Miami and New Orleans. As always, art played a prominent role in all my travels and at home and I’m excited to see where 2019 leads me where both art and travel are concerned.
The best holiday gift! Artist: My Son!
I wasn’t the only one who was busy. Our Faraway Files community linked up a whopping 1,269 adventures last year! Now that’s impressive! Do you know where you’ll be heading in the new year, or are you like me with no plans as of yet? Either way I hope you’ll keep linking and dreaming with us every week and I look forward to reading about all the 2019 adventures to come.
Faraway Files is a weekly file of the best travel ideas on the web. We want to dream of faraway places, make new travel plans and share our travel secrets. We hope you’ll link up and inspire us to travel to new places or revisit a place we thought we knew. We know that you can feel faraway even when close to home, so share your experiences of travels near and far wherever you are in the world.
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2018 was a year filled with travel and with art, and it was a year of evolution where both are concerned. No longer content to be a spectator my quest for art and unique experiences has reshaped the way I approach travel and inspired me to spend more time creating on my own.
Artist: Hilarystyle
Travel will always be a priority in my life, but realistically I can’t always be on the road, so creating adventures closer to home has started to play a bigger roll. That doesn’t mean I don’t have some pretty lofty travel goals. Currently Croatia, Italy and Japan are topping my international wish list, while New York, Nashville and Charleston are at the top of my North American list.
Wynwood Arts District
In 2018, we made it to San Francisco, Atlanta, Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Portland, Seattle, Miami and New Orleans. Speaking of which, San Francisco and the Bay Area are back in our lives in a big way, and while we aren’t leaving Southern California we will be spending a lot more time up north, so stay tuned for more NorCal adventures.
San Francisco, California
January
A weekend visiting friends in San Francisco was a great way to start the year. We shopped, ate and of course hunted for street art.
Artist: FNNCH North Beach
I’ve been following FNNCH, a San Francisco based artist, for a while, so was excited to see a few of his pieces in person.
View from the Coit Tower San Francisco
A surprise bonus was our impromptu visit to one of San Francisco’s most iconic attractions, the Coit Tower.
A girls weekend brought me to Atlanta, Georgia in February, and I jumped at the chance to explore a new city.
Artist: Ouizi
A highlight of our visit was Atlanta’s newest park, The BeltLine, which was a perfect way to get an overview of the city.
Piedmont Park Atlanta
The multi-use pedestrian friendly pathways are perfect for cycling, running, and walking, and they’re also home to the South’s largest temporary public art installation! Atlanta is host to multiple mural and art festivals each year, including the Outer space Project, and Living Walls. This means you’ll find murals, sculpture, and performance art throughout the city.
Palm Springs, an easy two hour drive from Los Angeles, happened to be one of the few well known Southern California cities our family had yet to explore, which made it the perfect choice for a quick getaway.
Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Art Museum is the largest cultural institution in Coachella Valley. The Downtown location features modern art and is spread out over three floors. The museum has a nice easy flow, a wonderful selection of art, and a lovely cafe.
In April we joined friends for 4 fabulous days in and around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This was my first trip to Mexico, and we filled our days with boating, snorkeling, ocean swimming, and a trip to town. In between all that exploring we even found time to relax.
Puerto Vallarta
We walked along the beach boardwalk, explored the markets, and admired the art installations. There isn’t a lot of street art in Old Town Vallarta, but there is some, and you know I did my best to hunt it down.
Puerto Vallarta
Many of the pieces I found are part of the Restore Coral Mural Project an initiative bringing awareness to the importance of coral reefs and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Historically May is a busy month for our family and we don’t often travel, but living in the second largest city in America means a lot of opportunity for exploring right here at home.
Los Angeles, California
We’ve had our fair share of pop up museums in LA, but when I heard about Beyond the Streets: Vandalism as Contemporary Art, I knew this was one exhibition I couldn’t miss.
Artist: Herakut
Unlike other recent “museum” pop ups Beyond the Streets really felt like a museum, and less like an Instagram photo op, but how could I resist posing with these fabulous LA Hands?
Not one to stay put, we love to pick a neighborhood and explore and one of our favorites is Silver Lake, a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
View of Los Angeles from the Hidden Stairs in Silver Lake
The area’s hidden stairways, which wend and wind through the vibrant and colorful residential areas are a great way to spend an afternoon. Keep your eyes open as you wander through the streets and you’ll find hidden murals and art installations and if you make it to the top you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the city.
After 10 days exploring the Oregon Coast this self described city girl needed a dose of hustle and bustle and a good cup of coffee, so we made a beeline for Oregon’s biggest city.
Hawthorne Bridge
I’m impressed with the longevity of the street art pieces in Portland, many of which are years old.
Artist: Faith47
My never-ending quest for street art led me to the Alberta Arts District where we found street art murals and slap tags aplenty.
Artist: Fontana
We took a walking tour of the Central Eastside Industrial District and although it was a blistering hot 95 degree day we persevered.
It’s been 18 years since I’ve called the Emerald City home, but family and close connections guarantee that I visit regularly, and August is my favorite month to be there.
Artist: Unknown
Our quest for art took us from one end of the city to the other including Georgetown, SODO, Downtown, Belltown, and Capital Hill.
Los Angeles, California
September, October, November
Autumn found me digging even deeper into our local art scene. Including…
Showcasing my work at my first art market in Downtown Los Angeles,
Triangle Brewing Company Art & Beer Market
getting a chance to assist one of my favorite artists, Bumblebeelovesyou, with a large scale mural in Japantown.
Artist: Bumblebeelovesyou
and finally hosting a graffiti art party in support of my 10 year old son’s elementary school at the Venice Art Walls.
Venice Art Walls Graffiti Party
Miami, Florida
December
With two trips, in the first two weeks, December was a busy month. The first of which was a solo trip to Miami where I spent three days immersed in all things art.
Wynwood Walls Artist: Queen Andrea
A visit to the Wynwood Arts District and the Wynwood Walls outdoor mural museum was first on my list and I know I’ll find my way back to this vibrant and happening neighborhood in the future.
Art Basel Miami BeachLittle Havana Miami
Art Basel Miami Beach, and Little Havana were also highlights of my whirlwind three days in South Florida, and I’ll be sharing more about my experiences soon.
New Orleans
December
Our final trip of the year was our annual visit to New Orleans. I was nervous we might not make it for the tricentennial in 2018, but we managed to fit in a quick visit. Our three days there were filled to the brim with both old and new favorites. Beignets anyone?
Beignets Everyday
New Orleans isn’t known for street art, and what little there is has for the most part eluded me, but the movement has started to catch on, and we managed to discover a few art pockets while exploring the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods. A lot More to come on that…
What Brings You Joy? Artist: Hirsch
The Bywater is home to Studio BE, a 35,000 square foot exhibition space, which features large scale works by New Orleans artist and filmmaker BMike. Unfortunately our visit didn’t coincide with the studios’s opening hours, but it’s on my list for next year’s visit.
So there you have it! It’s been a great year filled with travel and art, and art and travel and I am so grateful for each and every one of you who choose to follow along on all my colorful adventures. Thank you, and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Y’all! We’re just back from our annual visit to New Orleans, which is one of my favorite places on the planet. The festive season is a wonderful time to be in NOLA the weather is mild, the crowds are thin, and the City is dressed to the nines in brightly colored bows, baubles and boughs, adorning everything from the donkeys to the streetcars and gas lamps.
Omni Royal Orleans Lobby
French Quarter Holiday
St. Charles Street Car Line
Jackson Square Park
Festive NOLA
NOLA Festive Doorway
French Quarter Holiday
Like many places holiday celebrations last all month long, but I promise you that’s where the similarities end. Christmas in New Orleans isn’t like anywhere else, and in between all the festivity there are beignets, pralines, and hurricanes to enjoy, which you know we did plenty of! Here is just some of the unique holiday fun waiting for you in the Big Easy.
637 St. Peter Street
A Creole Christmas Tour
Wondering just how different Christmas in New Orleans really is? Why not take a Creole Christmas traditions Tour and find out. Free Tours on Foot offers a 90 minute evening walk around the French Quarter. Along the way you’ll learn about Papa Noel and his team of alligators, Mr. Bingle, Joan of Arc and her special relationship to the City, and the history behind the Reveillon dinner among other things. You’ll also get a chance to stop in front of some of the Quarter’s more famous spots and see many of the best Christmas light displays.
Jackson Square New Orleans
Speaking of Papa Noel…
The beloved book a Cajun Night Before Christmas tells the tale of Papa Noel and his flying skiff with eight flying alligators. They’re named Gaston, Tiboy, Pierr, Alcee, Ninette, Suzette, Celeste and Renee.
Papa Noel City Park
Caroling in Jackson Square
The 72 Annual Caroling in Jackson Square event already took place this holiday season, but you’ll want to know about it for a future visit to NOLA. Caroling starts promptly at 7 pm and we arrived just in time to join the crowd as they entered Jackson Square.
Caroling in Jackson Square
Standing within the park in front of the famous St. Louis Cathedral singing along with hundreds of other carolers was quite a special moment. Don’t worry about knowing the words, complimentary carol books and candles are given out as you enter the park, so all you need is your singing voice and possibly some gloves… and maybe a hurricane in a go cup.
Annual caroling event in Jackson Square NOLA
Crowds gather for caroling in Jackson Square
Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré have sponsored this event since 1946. They also hold a French Quarter holiday decoration contest each year, and the winners are announced during the caroling event. We took the time to find some of them and a few that weren’t on the list as well.
Cafe Amelie Royal Street
826 St. Ann Street New Orleans
905 Hotel New Orleans Louisiana
Pat O’Brien’s
832 St. Peter Street New Orleans
Here is the list of 2018’s winners:
BEST HOTEL: Nine-O-Five Royal Hotel – 905 Royal Street, BEST DOOR: 1012 Royal Street, BEST WINDOW: 624 Burgundy Street, BEST BALCONY: 1015 Burgundy Street, BEST, COMMERCIAL: Pat O’Brien’s – 624 Bourbon Street, BEST RESIDENCE: 1113 Bourbon Street, BEST OVERALL: Spring Fiesta House – 826 St. Ann Street, PRESIDENT’S AWARD: 832 St. Peter Street
St. Ann Street NOLA
Festive House St. Anne Street NOLA
Jackson Square is located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral and is bordered by St. Peter, St. Ann, Chartres, and Decatur streets. The caroling event is free and open to the public.
Celebration in the Oaks
Celebration in the Oaks has been a holiday staple for the families of New Orleans for over three decades, and we were delighted to take part in this wonderful holiday tradition. The event is located within City Park and includes dazzling displays of over 550,000 lights, carnival rides and a giant model train set. The “Dripping Snow” tree pictured below has 42,000 lights of its own!
Dripping Snow Tree
Celebration in the Oaks is located within City Park at 5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans. The 2018 season runs from November 30 – January 1, 2019. Closed New Year’s Eve.
Hotel Gingerbread and Festive Lobby Displays
The City’s hotels are fabulously decorated and many of them also take part in an annual gingerbread display. All are within walking distance of the French Quarter, and there is a handy map available, which will tell you which hotels and where to find them. Have you ever seen a gingerbread stadium? How about a life-size street car made of gingerbread?
Sheraton Hotel Gingerbread Sculpture
The Ritz Carlton
Ritz Carlton Gingerbread Sculpture
Ritz Carlton Hotel Christmas
Ritz Carlton Gingerbread
Ritz Carlton Holiday New Orleans
Ritz Carlton New Orleans
Ritz Carlton Holiday New Orleans
The Roosevelt Hotel
The Roosevelt Hotel has been pulling out all the stops former than eighty years. You’re sure to be dazzled by the more than 60,000 lights illuminating the tree lined lobby. Consider going very early or late on a weekday to avoid the heavy crowds at this holiday favorite.
The Roosevelt Hotel
Roosevelt Hotel Lobby New Orleans
Roosevelt Hotel Lobby New Orleans
Roosevelt Hotel Lobby New Orleans
The Omni Royal Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel New Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel New Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans
Reveillion Dinners
Reveillon dinners date back to the City’s early days when it was predominantly catholic. Traditionally these multi-course meals were served after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Buche Noel Reveillon Court of Two Sisters
Reveillon dinners ranging in price are offered throughout the month of December by many of the City’s restaurants. Menus vary from traditional to contemporary and you’ll find a few establishments also offer a b’reveillon, which you might have guessed is a brunch.
Create your own Holiday Walk
Pick a neighborhood and get to walking! Whether it’s the French Quarter, the Garden District, the Marigny, or the Bywater we love the to admire the unique architecture and discover new places. This activity is made even more special when everything is decorated so beautifully.
We found a rainbow of Christmas Trees on Barrack Street in the French Quarter.
Barracks Street New Orleans
I loved this simple yet festive Creole Cottage on the quiet end of Bourbon Street. I even modeled my own gingerbread house after it.
Take a break from walking and enjoy something sweet.
Cafe Du Monde
District Donuts King Cake Donut
Pralines New Orleans Louisiana
The corner where Royal and St. Peter Streets meet is one of the most popular spots in the French Quarter.
From the truly southern “Welcome in” to the balloon bouquets on the tables, the three piece band and of course the delicious regional cuisine a meal at Commander’s Palace is truly a dinning experience like no other.
Commander’s Palace Holiday New Orleans
Okay, so these Palm trees in the Marigny aren’t technically decorated for Christmas, but we just loved the look of these Mardi Gras Trees and you know what they say in New Orleans at Christmas time: “Happy Almost Mardi Gras.”
Marigny Mardi Gras House New Orleans
This brightly lit tree overlooks over looks the City from Artillery Park on Decatur Street. It’s a wonderful place to view Jackson Square, the Cathedral, and the river.
Artillery Park New Orleans Louisiana
These are just a few of the many holiday offerings available in New Orleans during the month of December, but there are many more including Miracle at Fulton Street, the annual holiday bonfires and Luna Fete to name just a few.
A trip to Brick Lane, located in London’s East End, is always on our London to do list no matter the length of our visit. The area has been through many transformations over the years, and even within the decade plus that we’ve been visiting. Its hard to believe that this now trendy neighborhood was once a poor slum and the scene of the notorious Jack the Ripper’s infamous crimes.
Brick Lane LondonBrick Lane
Brick Lane Courtyard
Brick Lane
Brick Lane London England
The area is famously known for the large concentration of Bangladeshi restaurants, but the most recent metamorphosis of the district includes fantastic street art, hip markets, galleries filled with emerging artists and trendy clubs.
The Brick Lane Cultural Trail
In fact Brick Lane isn’t just one street anymore, but rather a collection of streets known as the Brick Lane Cultural trail. The area has a great vibe making it a great place for a photo tour, bite to eat, or just to wander. Handy signs have been installed throughout the area, which will both guide and educate visitors about the area’s rich history and culture.
It’s almost impossible to ignore the pull from the barker’s who stand outside the many curry houses lining the streets, and at some point you’re going to give in to one of them. If you’re stronger than me, and are able to withstand the pressure, consider grabbing a bite at one the area’s pop up markets instead. Either way, once you’ve filled up its time to start exploring. My main interest in the area is public and urban art, but you’ll find shops and galleries worth poking in and out of as well.
Brick Lane London
Brick Lane London
Street Art & Graffiti
The area is covered in art and you’ll find pieces by well known artists as well as many who are just getting started. People come from around the world to make their mark. Some are commissioned, and others clearly not, some are political in nature, and others just lovely, while others are strange, or even at times frightening.
Brick Lane London
Due to the nature of street art and graffiti the walls of this colorful neighborhood are constantly changing, but I still had hopes of finding a specific piece by London artist Fanakapan. I’m a big of fan of his shiny photorealistic style, and his work is often found in this area. I didn’t find the piece, but I found something even better: Fanakapan himself! As soon as I saw a man painting, and the shiny work in progress, I knew it was him.
He graciously took the time to speak with me and we took a photo together, but like many street artists Fanakapan prefers not to show his full face online. He gave me permission to post this one with his face partially covered.
The piece he was working on was clearly political. It shows a fox (Trump) holding a dead duck in its mouth with more ducks (Americans) blindly following behind. Because we made multiple visits to the neighborhood we were able to watch the progression of this piece.
Paste-ups , Stencils, Graffiti and Murals
With so much art covering everything top to bottom I wasn’t always able to determine who the artists were, and it was next to impossible to remember exactly where I was when I spotted it. The gallery below is just a sample of what I saw. Whenever possible I’ve included artist information in the captions.
Artist: Unify
Artist: Zabou
Artist: Unknown
Artist: Dan Kitchener
Artist: Urban Ninja “tbonez”
Artist: ‘Orrible
Artist: Unknown
Artist: Spraychild
Artist: Phoebe New York
Artist: MegZany
Brick Lane
SAMSUNG CSC
SAMSUNG CSC
SAMSUNG CSC
I love the whimsical, yet at times very political nature of Osch’s work and if you look carefully you’ll spot the clever work of Clet on the area’s street signs. Keep your eye out for Jaune’s mini dudes because they’re keeping an eye out for you.
Artist: Osch
Artist: Osch
Artist: Osch
Artist: Osch
Brick Lane London
Artist: Unknown
Artist: Blackford
A visit to Brick Lane is a visual and cultural feast of sights, sounds, flavors and goings on. If you haven’t already I urge you to include this always evolving never boring London institution to your itinerary.
I’m always up for a celebration, any excuse will do, especially a surprise visit from a dear friend. Our perfect day out included a whirlwind tour of the city, including sweeping views, fine dining, touristy Insta fun, and even a film screening at the USC School of Cinema.
71 Above
Our screening wouldn’t take place until 6:30 pm on the USC Campus, but knowing LA traffic we decided to head in that general direction to make the most of our afternoon.
We’re both foodies, so her visit was the perfect excuse for me to finally check out 71 Above, a fine dining establishment 71 stories above Downtown Los Angeles. Lucky for us recent rains had cleared the city’s haze making it a perfect day for a view spot.
The reviews are great, and our experience absolutely lived up to them. Everything was wonderful the food, the service, the views and especially the company!
While you’re there take the time to walk around the restaurant’s dining room, so you can see the view from many directions. Marks placed on the outer walls will help you get your bearings.
71 Above offers prix fix menus for both the lunch and dinner menus. The choices are plentiful and we found the lunch prices reasonable. If you’re not interested in a prix fix menu you can order à la carte items in the bar.
71 Above is located in the US bank Building in Downtown Los Angeles. If you park in the building’s garage the restaurant will validate for two hours.
OUE SkySpace Slide
Also located in the US Bank Building is the OUE SkySpace Slide, which I causally mentioned to Melissa as we were leaving. She immediately wanted to do this and her excitement was contagious. The next thing I knew I was 70 stories up preparing to slide down the outside of a building in a glass slide!
This is NOT something I would normally sign up for, but I went with it, and I’m so glad I did! The slide is the length of one floor, and some might say it’s too short, but it was perfect for me. Just long enough for a thrill, but not too long.
Once you emerge from the slide you’ll find yourself on a gorgeous balcony overlooking the city. Food and beverages are available, and there are couches for lounging. The slide itself may be short, but you can linger on the balcony as long as you’d like.
The balcony has two sets of Colette Miller’s angel wings, part of her Global Angel Wings Project, and if you’re interested, you can pose with them. Why not? It is the City of Angels after all!
The timing of our visit couldn’t have been more perfect as the sun was just setting giving the city and everything in it a golden glow.
The OUE Skyspace box office is the left of the building’s main entrance. Filming and photos aren’t allowed during inside the slide, but the official photo is available for purchase.
Out of the Box(Office)
Next up was our movie screening at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. We were seeing Kusama: Infinity with a directors talk afterwards. The event was hosted by Out of the Box (Office), a division of SCA, which hosts FREE weekly screenings in order to showcase upcoming international, documentary and independent cinema. The list of titles screened is impressive and for the most part they are all open to the public. The films shown include choices from Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, SXSW, and Venice Film Festivals to name just a few.
Are you familiar with Yayoi Kusama? She’s a Japanese contemporary artist who is most famous for her sculpture and immersive installations. She’s been active in the art word for the large part of her 89 years, but sadly it’s only been in more recent years that her art has been appreciated and given the respect it deserves. This documentary documents the early parts of her life and the immense struggles she overcame to become the top selling female artist in the world.
RSVP online and arrive early for the free screenings as seating is not guaranteed. Consider taking the Expo Train to USC if traffic and parking aren’t on your agenda.
The Expo Line
The USC Campus, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California Science center, and Downtown LA can all be reached via the Expo Line, a commuter train, which runs east/west from the heart of Downtown Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Pier.
The Expo Line runs east/west from Downton LA to the Beach
Exit at the Vermont Station for USC, and both museums, as well as many other nearby areas of interest. Check the Metro website for timetables, fare information and routes.
I LOVE LA, and with so much to see and do its hard to imagine ever needing a break, but thanks to my wanderlusting soul, there are days when “getting out of town” seems like a good idea.
I Love LA
The good news is you don’t have to go far to satisfy the wanderlust. There are a number of nearby beach cities just waiting to be explored and all, depending on traffic, within a very manageable driving distance.
Santa Barbara
With it’s beautiful coastline, perfect mediterranean climate and gleaming white mission style buildings Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful coast cities in California.
University of Santa Barbara
Only 95 miles from LA, this family friendly destination, is a very doable day trip, but if time is on your side consider staying longer, so you can take advantage of all the city has to offer.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Chase Palm Park Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Mission
Traveling with teens? Consider a tour of The University of Santa Barbara Campus or a shopping expedition on State Street. Ice cream on the pier, a stroll on the beach, or a trip to the Santa Barbara Mission should appeal to all ages, as will the botanical gardens and even the Zoo, which offers fabulous ocean views.
Dining recommendation:Llama Dog Tap Room is a family friendly brewery restaurant with a nice menu selection and indoor/outdoor seating. Its located in the Funk Zone, one of our favorite neighborhoods.
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of LA? Look no further than, Malibu, LA’s closest neighbor to the north. Stretching 21 scenic miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu is the stuff California dreams are made of.
Leo Carrillo Beach Malibu
Malibu’s Mediterranean climate means warm dry summers and moderate winters. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, world famous surf spots, hiking and plenty of dining, shopping, and museums to keep you occupied no matter the time of year. What’s not to love?
Getty Villa
Malibu Farm Cafe Food Malibu California
Swedish Pancakes Malibu Farm Cafe
Zuma Beach
Dining Recommendation:We love The Malibu Farm Cafe located at the end of the Malibu Fishing Pier. The Swedish Pancakes with seasonal berries is a family favorite, but I’ve never had anything that wasn’t delicious.
Manhattan Beach, just 30 minutes from LA has superb beaches and a quaint downtown area filled with restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops, making it one of our favorite “getaways”.
Manhattan Beach Pier
A walk out on the picturesque pier provides an excellent view of both the shoreline and the surfers, and it’s a great place for a family selfie.
Manhattan Beach Pier Selfie
Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach California
Manhattan Beach Pier
Little Sister Restaurant Manhattan Beach
Dining recommendation:Little Sister, a Vietnamese restaurant with unique and delicious dishes combining traditional Vietnamese flavors with French, Dutch and British influences. We loved the industrial/chic interior and paintings on the walls.
Long Beach
Long Beach is Southern California’s third largest city, and just 25 miles from LA. We’ve visited The Aquarium of the Pacific a number of times, which is located adjacent to the Shoreline Aquatic Park, where you’ll find a lighthouse, shopping and multiple dining options.
Shoreline Aquatic Park Long Beach
Shoreline Aquatic Park Long Beach
Shoreline Aquatic Park
Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach
Just across from the Aquatic Park is the Queen Mary a retired British ocean liner, which has been converted into a hotel. Special events take place throughout the year including Halloween and Christmas.
Queen Mary
Art lovers will love the Pow Wow Long Beach mural festival, which is a week long festival taking place in summer each year. The festival may only last one week, but the murals created are left up all year long. In the past three years they’ve been responsible for murals covering approximately 40 square miles of the city.
Bumblebeelovesyou
Pow Wow Mural Long Beach
Huntington Beach
It’s no wonder that Huntington Beach with it’s almost 10 miles of sandy beaches and excellent year-round surfing is also known as Surf City.
Huntington Beach Pier
Surf City USA
Huntington Beach Pier
However, It wasn’t the beach or surfing that brought us there. Rather, it was our desire to try the spaghetti grilled cheese at Burnt Crumbs, which led us to Huntington Beach.
Burnt Crumbs
Spaghetti Grilled Cheese
Once our mission was complete we spent the rest of the afternoon strolling both on and under the Huntington Beach Pier and dipping our toes in the water.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach Pier
Dining recommendation: Burnt Crumbs is located in Pacific City, a trendy shopping center just stops from the sand.
Pacific City Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach
Pacific City Shopping Center
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, just one hour or so south of Los Angeles, has gorgeous beaches with warm glittering blue water, fun restaurants with delicious food, and street art, so basically all the makings of a perfect day trip.
There are many beautiful beaches in Laguna, but Victoria Beach with its Rapunzel like tower is a great place to start. We spent most of an afternoon splashing around in the water, watching the volleyball players and lounging in the sand.
Artist: Okuda
Victoria Beach Laguna Beach
Laguna Beer Co.
Dining recommendation: We love the Laguna Beach Beer Company located in the Laguna Beach Arts District. Not only is it very family friendly, but the food is a definite step up from the usual brewery fare.
When the boys were younger I was frequently asked if I would be bringing them on our travel adventures. The answer was always yes! I know we traveled prior to their arrival, but I hardly remember what it was like, and with very few exceptions, the children have always joined us.
Stow-A-Way
I confess there was a time when I thought occasionally leaving them behind would have been a nice option… Now that they’re getting older I realize our window for family travel is finite and I’m cherishing every opportunity. Speaking of which, my older son turned 16 this month, which is what led me to take this trip down memory lane.
Baby’s first road trip
Simon was only three weeks old when we took our first family trip, a car ride to Santa Barbara.
It hasn’t always gone according to plan, we’ve left strollers in parking lots, formula at home, and wipes in the airport bathroom. Traveling while potty training is always interesting, and I apologize for whoever sat in our seats on United LHR – LAX back in April 2006.
Layover at Heathrow
Elliot suffers from air-sickness, and has pretty much thrown up in every place we’ve ever visited, (Lucky me?) I’ve been there to catch it in just as many places. On the rare occasions when this hasn’t happened, Simon usually takes his place. We’ve lost a few retainers that way.
Hawaii
We brought Salmonella home from Hawaii and Fifths Disease to New Orleans. Our flight left without us in Barcelona, we filled our diesel car with gas in Ireland, and once came back to a car filled with thousands of ants in Santa Barbara.
Ross Castle
Killarney National Park
For the most part we’ve been able to make lemonade out of lemons, except maybe that time with the ants, and though our style of travel has changed as the boys have gotten older one thing has stayed the same and that’s my love of the uninterrupted dedicated time that traveling as a family gives us.
A trip to Maui when Simon was just 13 months was our first long distance flight as a family. Happily it went off without a hitch setting the tone for future family travels.
Kaanapali Maui Hawaii
Seattle, Washington 2004
We loved our annual trips to Seattle to visit family, especially in the summer months when we could take advantage of the city’s many wonderful parks.
Butterfly World will forever be remembered in our family as the first place Simon decided to use the potty. The expression on his face is the way I felt when he said he wanted to use the bathroom!
Butterfly World Miami Florida
Europe 2006
London, Barcelona & Bilbao
Simon was three when we took Our first long haul flight to Europe. We visited London, Barcelona, and Bilbao. Everything was going according to plan until the plane left without us in Bilbao. Thankfully, the airline put us up in a nearby hotel where I had the best pastry I’ve tasted in my life.
It’s no secret that New Orleans is a family favorite, we go almost every year, and I have a feeling the kids will continue to visit The Crescent City long after they stop traveling with us.
Visiting the Forum alone with two hungry boys who wanted to be anywhere else isn’t one of my fondest travel memories, but I love what happened afterwards when I treated them to McDonalds. It was the most crowded one I’ve ever seen (to this day), and there was no way I could get inside with a stroller. I couldn’t leave the boys alone, so 9 year old Simon braved the crowd, pushed his way to the front, and ordered two Happy Meals! Where there is a will there is a way!
A 28 day trip to Europe in 2013 was at that time our longest family adventure to date, and it went off without a hitch! Still a number of years before I would start this blog, I was definitely starting to feel like I had a handle on this family travel business.
In spring of 2014 we visited Japan, our dream vacation, and it was everything we’d hoped it would be and more. A return visit is high on our family’s wish list and I hope to make this happen before Simon heads off to college…
A last minute trip to Portugal and Spain in the fall of 2015 meant taking the boys out of school, but dedicated family time is important and we made it work, spending the time between sightseeing and dinner doing homework in the room.
Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England Belgium, The Netherlands & France
In 2016 we set off on a six week journey, our longest trip ever. During our travels we almost kissed the Blarney Stone in Cork, Ireland, signed the Peace Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, went to art school in Glasgow, Scotland and walked on Hadrian’s Wall.
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Signing the Peace Wall in Belfast
Glasgow School of Art Glasgow Scotland
We spent a few days in London (I wished for more) visiting some of our favorite places, before hopping the train to Belgium where we wished we’d eaten way more chocolate, Amsterdam where we visited Anne Frank’s House and Van Gogh’s Museum and finally Paris, where we practiced our French, sailed boats and wandered aimlessly.
2017 was a busy travel year. We stuffed ourselves during our annual trip to NOLA and survived the soaring summer temperatures on a 2000+ mile road trip through the Great American Southwest. Finally, we brought the year to a close in London where we froze our Southern California butts off on multiple day trips and outings including Bath, Stonehenge, Windsor, Kent, and WB Studios.
We stayed closer to home this past year exploring the West Coast of the United States including Northern California, Oregon, and Southern California including Palm Springs.
2018s’ final trip will be our annual visit to New Orleans, and beyond that I’m not exactly sure where we’ll be headed next, but I’ve got lots of ideas. Stay tuned…
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