Downtown Miami/Brickell bucket list: Do these fun things and try not to worry about traffic

Traveling to downtown Miami and Brickell can sometimes feel only slightly less traumatic than a transatlantic crossing on the Titanic. It’s warmer, at least, but the traffic is miserable, and there’s nowhere to park.

But try not to think about that. Forget that Brickell is a construction maze and remember Lyft exists. There are places to go and things to see in the heart of the city, and you need to get on it before climate change makes it necessary to charter a boat to explore this part of town.

Here are a few of our musts in the downtown and Brickell area. There are more, but you’ve got to start somewhere.

We suggest you start here.

See a Miami Heat game

You may have missed your chance to watch LeBron James play at the AmericanAirlines Arena on a regular basis, but this 2020 Miami Heat team is really fun to watch. Also: You know you want a Vice jersey. May we recommend no. 13?

601 Biscayne Blvd.

See a show at the Adrienne Arsht Center

The Arsht Center is a must. If big Broadway musicals aren’t your jam - though they should be, because “Hamilton” is finally coming to Miami Feb. 18-March 15 - check out the terrific work by Zoetic Stage in the small Carnival theater. “American Son” starts Jan. 9. Don’t forget the ballet, symphony and other musical performances, too.

1300 Biscayne Blvd.

Grab a drink at Sugar

The drinks aren’t cheap at the rooftop bar on the 40th floor of the East in Brickell, but the view can’t be beat.

788 Brickell Plaza, #40

Shop for bling at the Seybold Building

It’s where Miami goes to find the best engagement rings. No, you can’t afford this diamond, settle down.

36 NE First St.

Eat at La Petite Maison on Brickell

This incredible restaurant serves French and Mediterranean fare with an $8 happy hour menu from 6-8 Monday through Friday and a secret tomato ritual. (That tomato on the table? Go ahead and cut it up, sprinkle with olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper, and a waiter will soon be around to give you a slice of crusty bread to eat with it.)

1300 Brickell Bay Dr.

Chill out at Simpson Park Hammock

This little urban park - just shy of eight acres - is a slice of nature amid the condos of Brickell and The Roads neighborhood.

5 SW 17th Road

Shop at Brickell City Centre

Shop, see a movie or just stroll around and admire this upscale mall. Don’t forget to order at truffle pizza at Casa Tua Cucina Italian food hall for lunch.

701 S Miami Ave.

Gaze in wonder at the Cafetera Sky

Walk toward the entrance of Latin Cafe 2000 - home to an annual pig pardoning ceremony. Look up. You’ll see a colorful cafeteras above your head. Grab a few shots, then go order the Elena Ruz, the Cuban sandwich everybody forgets about.

1053 Brickell Plaza

Attend the Miami Book Fair

Miami Dade College’s Wolfson campus comes alive every November when thousands of book lovers descend on the country’s biggest book fair, with writers, book sales, comics, music, Children’s Alley and more. The next fair is Nov. 15-22, 2020.

300 NE Second Ave.

Learn something new about the city at HistoryMiami

This museum dedicated to Miami and its past is so cool that last year it hosted an exhibit dedicated to the great astrologer Walter Mercado and many of his famous capes (his entrance was something to behold).

101 W. Flagler St.

Immerse yourself in art at PAMM

From the exhibits of 20th and 21st century art inside to the view of Biscayne Bay, the Perez Art Museum Miami always amazes. Watch the cruise ships turn around and grab brunch or lunch at Verde, now in the capable hands of dessert queen Hedy Goldsmith.

1103 Biscayne Blvd.

Take a selfie with the shark at the Frost aquarium

The shark at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will not necessarily be cooperative. You’re just going to have to wait until it’s ready to strike a pose.

1101 Biscayne Blvd.

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 9:30 AM.