Miami's Little Havana/Calle Ocho Travel Guide - Sights

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Little Havana/Calle Ocho Travel Guide

Little Havana: Sights

Glenn Lindgren: The Little Havana Paseo de las Estrellas or "Walk of Stars" is like the one in Hollywood. Here Latin-American stars are forever immortalized in the sidewalk that fronts the local McDonalds.

Look for Latin American actors, musicians, writers and so on on the section of sidewalk near 16th Avenue. One can find several notables including Julio Iglesias, Maria Conchita Alonso, Gloria Estefan, and the late great Celia Cruz.

Raúl Musibay: One area that still holds a special place in my heart is Memorial Boulevard at the corner of 13th Avenue, a parkway that celebrates the history and culture of Cuba with several monuments.

Glenn Lindgren: There's the large Island of Cuba Memorial and the Memorial Flame, which honors the heroes who fought at the Bay of Pigs.

Jorge Castillo: There's also a statue of Jose Marti, a poet and revolutionary against Spain who is much beloved by all Cubans.

Raúl Musibay: Don't forget the Antonio Maceo memorial. He was "El Titan de Bronce," and a true hero in the war of independence from Spain.

Several sections of Calle Ocho provide interesting experiences for travelers.

There is Domino Park, the must-see attraction in Little Havana. Officially called "Máximo Gómez Park," the small park fills each day, mostly with the older generation playing dominoes and chess. The locals who play here have never been comfortable about fulfilling their duties as bona fide tourist attractions. They manage to play their games oblivious to the busloads of tourists who file through the park. These are just neighborhood people out to have a good time, not to pose for pictures.

Glenn Lindgren: One of the most famous sites on Calle Ocho is Domino Park Officially called "Máximo Gómez Park," the small park fills each day, mostly with the older generation playing dominoes and chess. There was a time in the 1980s when local merchants actually wanted to close the park permanently.

Jorge Castillo: Thankfully, that has all been cleaned up and now the park is very well run and managed.

Glenn Lindgren: We should note that the The locals who play here have never been comfortable about fulfilling their duties as bona fide tourist attractions. They manage to play their games oblivious to the busloads of tourists who file through the park.

Jorge Castillo: So take your pictures of the park from the outside if you want to.

Raúl Musibay: One interesting site is a mural in the park: "The Presidents of the Americas" commemorates the Summit of the Americas that was held in Miami in '93.

Raúl takes a picture of Jorge & wife Mary at the Ceiba tree in 1984.

Glenn Lindgren: The ceiba tree on Memorial Boulevard is a frequent site of Santeria (and related religions) offerings. If you see any, look but don't touch. It's considered very bad luck (not to mention very bad manners) to disturb these offerings!

Jorge Castillo and Glenn Lindgren pose by the same tree 20 years later.

Jorge Castillo: The last, and possibly the best reason left to visit Calle Ocho happens just once each year.

Glenn Lindgren: The Calle Ocho festival has to be the largest Hispanic festival in the United States. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people.

Raúl Musibay: You'll see many, many people eating, dancing, and listening to Cuban music.

Jorge Castillo: All the big Latin stars perform there: Gloria Estefan, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Juan Gabriel, Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, The Barrio Boys, Oscar de Leon and many more.

Glenn Lindgren: They're in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1998, they got 119,000 people joined into the world's longest conga line!

Raúl Musibay: Food and drink stands line the streets and the smells and tastes are wonderful. Once a year, Cubans from all over Miami return to their roots.

Calle Ocho Festival

Domino Park

Jorge Castillo: These are just neighborhood people out to have a good time, not to pose for pictures.

Raúl Musibay: You should always ask before you take any pictures of people here. And don't be surprised if you are politely refused.

DRESS: Casual

HOURS: Last Friday of every month, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

More information.

Viernes Cultural en la Calle Ocho/Cultural Fridays

The Details

Calle Ocho Festival

The week-long Carnaval Miami festival culminates with a huge block party and is held each year in March.

Take exit 25 off the Florida Turnpike onto SW Eighth Street. Many people let you park in their yards for about $10 for the day. There is no admission charge to the festival.

For complete information: Carnaval Miami

Tower Theater Arts Center

Built in 1926 with Art Deco flourishes added in 1931, the Tower Theater was once a popular movie house showing first-run films and occasional live shows and events. By the 1960s, the fare had changed to American movies with Spanish-language subtitles.

The City of Miami now owns the building and Miami-Dade College operates the theater. Currently dedicated to promoting the arts, the Tower Theater hosts regular art exhibits and theater performances, and shows Latin American films.

Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays is an artistic, cultural, and social arts fair in the heart of Calle Ocho. The monthly festival takes place on the last Friday of each month and is one of the best ways to experience Calle Ocho and Little Havana. A safe and fun evening event that is suitable for the whole family.

Memorial Boulevard at the corner of 13th Avenue is a four-block long parkway that celebrates the history and culture of Cuba with several monuments. The Island of Cuba Memorial and the Memorial Flame honor the heroes who fought at the Bay of Pigs. There is also a statue of the much beloved Jose Marti, a poet and revolutionary against Spain. The Antonio Maceo memorial recognizes "El Titan de Bronce," a true hero in the war of independence from Spain. The ceiba tree on Memorial Boulevard is a frequent site of Santeria offerings.

ADMISSION/FEES: Free

LENGTH OF VISIT: Allow 20 minutes.

Located on SW 13th Avenue between 8th and 12th Streets.

Cuban Memorial Boulevard

SW 8th St between
SW 13th & SW 17 Aves
Miami, FL 33130
305-644-9555

Tower Theater
1508 Southwest 8th Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-643-8706

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