Introducing ‘Stories from the Road Less Travelled’, our new blog series on Miami Events that uncovers the lesser-known and intriguing corners of this diverse and eclectic city. Every post is a journey through Miami’s hidden neighborhoods, following the little-traversed pathways that snake through the city’s diverse past and growing international presence. Each accounts for the rich cultural, historical, and natural nuances the city’s ubiquitous party scene tends to overshadow.
Our narrative begins in El Portal, a small, early 20th-century village tucked into Miami. Shady, tree-lined streets house midcentury homes, while historic commercial buildings line the avenues. Quaint and quiet, El Portal feels like a sanctuary of nature and history: many rare bird species fly high above its streets in a haven that serves as a large and delightful display in Miami’s avian woods. Though small and unassuming, El Portal is forever linked to the history of the most ancient living beings in Miami’s backyard. The Tequestas, the first known communities in the Miami region, lived here. Walking down these side streets suggests that you’ve stepped back in time.
We also visit historic Lemon City, now known as Little Haiti, where street murals, the ubiquitous tropical rhythms of Haitian music, the smells of Caribbean spices, and the thick accents of Haitian Creole give way to the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, a community and cultural center that hosts art exhibitions, performances and other cultural events that share and celebrate the neighborhood’s storied past.
Finally, the series concludes at Oleta River State Park, the largest urban park in Florida. This park has dozens of miles of bike trails, great paddling, and quiet picnic spots right on the river. Snippets of old Florida and ghosts of the Tequesta hide within its borders, offering a sense of continuity and resilience.
Stories from the Road Less Traveled The Road Less Traveled is where you can broaden your experience by venturing along roads less frequented by tourists with cameras. Here at Miami Events, we encourage our readers to explore Miami and its stories in depth and detail. As the city’s official source of coverage, we seek to publish regular features of its people, places, and history. Stay with us as our Road Less Traveled series continues investigating the stories that give Miami depth and color.
