The time of year has approached where we clean out our closets, imbeciles litter our beaches, EDM music literally vibrates on our tongues and every millennial Miamian bathes in our city’s glory.
Because of it’s famous spring break reputation, young peeps in Miami usually tend to stay around and indulge in the infinite events planned for the entire month — from Ultra to dancing in the gleam of the full moon.
And although, I’m not one of those peeps this year, I still have your back with some ideas to keep you busy.
Here’s what’s up:
South Beach, bringin the heat, uh
There’s nothing more classic than spring break on South Beach. As long as you’re respectful to the domain and it’s friendly lil critters. Rent a jet ski or a fly board, there’s kiosks everywhere. Scoot by sparkling neon and swarms of people down Ocean Drive on a Segway. Or take a group of friends and just party on the beach. <— That’s my favorite.
(Courtesy of Miami Beach Police Department via The Sun-Sentinel)
You can meet new people from all over the country while tanning and dancing to police DJ’s. Yes, police DJ’s.
It’s always been BYOM (bring your own music) but the Miami Beach PD have made it a little easier for us.
They’re taking over the lifeguard towers and multitasking as police and MCs. Why they’re doing this instead of actually fighting crime, I do not know… but it’s meant as friendly reminder that they’re watching you, so don’t do anything stupid.
If you really wanna get a taste of traditional ’93 MTV spring break, drive a couple hours up to Ft. Lauderdale or Daytona Beach. They’re just as jam-packed with parties.
Servin’ Spring Break
If you’d like to enjoy your spring break moderately, kick it back at the Miami Open tournament in Key Biscayne. Watch world-class, championship tennis players compete against each other for cash prizes and eat under luxurious, white-tented cafes, sweet shops and sushi lounges where the food is tasty but expensive.
A friend of mine used to volunteer as a ball person for the matches in middle school, and would get in for free. It was efficient and she actually enjoyed it because it added to the entertainment. She had to stay engaged. The volunteer application deadline already passed but if it’s something you’re interested in, there’s always next year and you can start when you’re 13.
Miami Open opens March 19th-April 1st, with a Kid’s Day on the 20th hosting special events both on and off the court.
Be there! Be there!
The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair is one of the county’s favorite forms of spring commencement. What’s better than an amusement park for spring break amusement? It already started March 15th but it continues onto April 7th. Admission is $14 and $30 if you want unlimited ride access but the money goes towards scholarships, community service programs and most recently, an FIU Bridge Collapse fund.
Calling all Seafood Lovers
Moving a little south on the map and towards my terrain is the Deering Seafood Festival at Deering Estate. It’s not only an escape for keen seafood connoisseurs, like myself, but an entire function with live entertainment, rides and activities for kids, celebrity chef memos and more. It’s a one day event (March 25th) from 10 am-6pm. Adults get in for $20 online and $25 at the door, while kids (ages 4-14) get in at $7 online and $10 at the door.
Dance with the Moon at her Peak
Every month, folks in Miami gather together at North Shore Open Space Park to drum their own percussion instruments from home while dancing to improvised beats and watching other folks play with fire. March has been blessed with a blue moon — the second of this year’s (so much for saying “once in a blue moon”) — and although I’m unsure any plans have been secured on a second full moon ritual, you can join their Facebook page for updates here.
Ultra Euphoria
Last, but definitely not the least: Ultra Music Festival. The most epic finale to the most epic month of the year. It’s a milestone event for every freshly turned 18-year-old making the top of their birthday bucket lists.
As the world’s premiere electronic music festival, Ultra attracts thousands of multicultural people to Miami and creates a three-day menu of stimulating, life-changing experiences that brings together a community of international EDM fans.
People who have gone, go back and are going back again this year claiming “feelings of pure, absolute bliss fuel the soul” as the end of the festival approaches.
Whatever you decide to do if you stay in Miami, please make sure you clean after yourself, be smart and stay mindful.
Keep it controlled. Order an Uber. You got this.
And remember…
Spraaaaangggg break, forever.
