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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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
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.
ADMISSION/FEES: Free
LENGTH OF VISIT: Allow 20 minutes.
Located on SW 13th Avenue between 8th and 12th Streets.
Cuban Memorial Boulevard
SW 13th & SW 17 Aves
Miami, FL 33130
305-644-9555
1508 Southwest 8th Street
Miami, FL 33130
305-643-8706
There's More! Read On:
Calle Ocho | Calle Ocho Culture | Calle Ocho Restaurants
Calle Ocho Shopping | Calle Ocho Artists | Calle Ocho Sights
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