I toured Miami's artsy neighborhood that's becoming the 'Silicon Valley of the South.' Here's what it's like.

Joey HaddenDec 30, 2021, 00:06 IST

Insider's reporter takes a tour of Wynwood, an artsy Miami tech hub.Joey Hadden/Insider

I visited Wynwood, an artsy Miami neighborhood known for bold street art and trendy shops.
Wynwood is also where many tech companies are moving into newly developed buildings.

I recently visited Wynwood, a Miami neighborhood known as an emerging tech hub with vibrant street art.

A street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Wynwood is part of Miami's urban core. Insider previously reported that it was becoming a popular place for young professionals.

Wynwood on an afternoon in October.Joey Hadden/Insider

Thanks to its artistic vibe, great location, and high walkability, it's where I'd want to live in Miami.

The author takes a selfie while strolling through Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the whole neighborhood looked like a work of art, with murals painted across boutique shops, restaurants, and newly developed offices and apartments.

A WeWork office in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

There's also a growing tech presence. So much so, that Miami Mayor Francis Suarez nicknamed Wynwood as the "Silicon Valley of the South."

A field in front of a construction site in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Insider previously reported that in the last year, tech companies like Spotify and Microsoft announced that they're leasing offices in Wynwood.

Joey Hadden/Insider

Jon Paul Pérez, president of Related Group, a South Florida developer, told me that Wynwood attracts tech companies because it appeals to young professionals as a fun place to live.

The Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Jon Paul Pérez, president of Related Group, a South Florida developer, told me that Wynwood attracts tech companies because it appeals to young professionals as a fun place to live.

Over the past decade, Wynwood nurtured that reputation as trendy restaurants and boutique stores opened their doors.

A restaurant with outdoor seating in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

As I explored the neighborhood, I noticed shops and restaurants lining nearly every street.

Foot Locker and Ray-Ban storefronts in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

But most noticeable was the fact that Wynwood is like one big outdoor art museum, with bold, colorful murals slathered across every building.

A street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Insider

In fact, neighborhood developers encourage street art in Wynwood, and it's also now home to 70 art galleries.

Street art surrounds a restaurant in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Perhaps the most popular is Wynwood Walls, a vibrant outdoor gallery of street art. In 2019, Insider called it the one tourist trap in Florida that's actually worth visiting.

The entrance to Wynwood Walls in Miami.Max K./Yelp

Perhaps the most popular is Wynwood Walls, a vibrant outdoor gallery of street art. In 2019, Insider called it the one tourist trap in Florida that's actually worth visiting.

The walls feature work by artists from Lady Pink to Miss Van to How&Nosm, according to the gallery's website.

Wynwood Walls street art in Miami.Joey Hadden/Insider

I saw all kinds of artistic styles painted on facades in Wynwood, from cartoons to realistic portraits of people.

Street art in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Even chain businesses and fast-food restaurants received the mural treatment, like this highly Instagrammable outpost of Sweetgreen.

A Sweetgreen in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

In addition to being very nice to look at, Wynwood is also one of Miami's most walkable neighborhoods, according to Walk Score. I found it easy to get around without a car.

A street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood.Joey Hadden/Insider

In addition to being very nice to look at, Wynwood is also one of Miami's most walkable neighborhoods, according to Walk Score. I found it easy to get around without a car.

I peeked into a few restaurants, some of which looked trendy and fancy, while others were more casual.

Inside a taco joint in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Serving perhaps as a hint of more to come, I saw that the streets without art were under construction.

A Wynwood street full of construction.Joey Hadden/Insider

That's because residential apartments and office space are replacing low-rise warehouses in the area, Insider reported.

A residential building in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

Many large buildings under construction were right next to homes, and I wondered how the residents felt about the constant noise and development.

A house next to Wynwood construction.Joey Hadden/Insider

After getting a feel for the neighborhood, I thought there seemed to be two sides to Wynwood: the funky, gritty side and a tech-forward, posh one. The art everywhere seemed to connect the two.

A railroad crossing in Wynwood.Joey Hadden/Insider

After getting a feel for the neighborhood, I thought there seemed to be two sides to Wynwood: the funky, gritty side and a tech-forward, posh one. The art everywhere seemed to connect the two.

Overall, I was so impressed with Wynwood, that if I was to move to Miami, it's where I would want to live. There aren't many other places where you can so easily be surrounded by art, walkable streets, great restaurants, and so much exciting innovation.

A street in Wynwood leading to Downtown Miami.Joey Hadden/Insider

Overall, I was so impressed with Wynwood, that if I was to move to Miami, it's where I would want to live. There aren't many other places where you can so easily be surrounded by art, walkable streets, great restaurants, and so much exciting innovation.

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I toured Miami's artsy neighborhood that's becoming the 'Silicon Valley of the South.' Here's what it's like.

I recently visited Wynwood, a Miami neighborhood known as an emerging tech hub with vibrant street art.

Wynwood is part of Miami's urban core. Insider previously reported that it was becoming a popular place for young professionals.

Thanks to its artistic vibe, great location, and high walkability, it's where I'd want to live in Miami.

I thought the whole neighborhood looked like a work of art, with murals painted across boutique shops, restaurants, and newly developed offices and apartments.

There's also a growing tech presence. So much so, that Miami Mayor Francis Suarez nicknamed Wynwood as the "Silicon Valley of the South."

Insider previously reported that in the last year, tech companies like Spotify and Microsoft announced that they're leasing offices in Wynwood.

Jon Paul Pérez, president of Related Group, a South Florida developer, told me that Wynwood attracts tech companies because it appeals to young professionals as a fun place to live.

Over the past decade, Wynwood nurtured that reputation as trendy restaurants and boutique stores opened their doors.

As I explored the neighborhood, I noticed shops and restaurants lining nearly every street.

But most noticeable was the fact that Wynwood is like one big outdoor art museum, with bold, colorful murals slathered across every building.

In fact, neighborhood developers encourage street art in Wynwood, and it's also now home to 70 art galleries.

Perhaps the most popular is Wynwood Walls, a vibrant outdoor gallery of street art. In 2019, Insider called it the one tourist trap in Florida that's actually worth visiting.

The walls feature work by artists from Lady Pink to Miss Van to How&Nosm, according to the gallery's website.

I saw all kinds of artistic styles painted on facades in Wynwood, from cartoons to realistic portraits of people.

Even chain businesses and fast-food restaurants received the mural treatment, like this highly Instagrammable outpost of Sweetgreen.

In addition to being very nice to look at, Wynwood is also one of Miami's most walkable neighborhoods, according to Walk Score. I found it easy to get around without a car.

I peeked into a few restaurants, some of which looked trendy and fancy, while others were more casual.

Serving perhaps as a hint of more to come, I saw that the streets without art were under construction.

That's because residential apartments and office space are replacing low-rise warehouses in the area, Insider reported.

Many large buildings under construction were right next to homes, and I wondered how the residents felt about the constant noise and development.

After getting a feel for the neighborhood, I thought there seemed to be two sides to Wynwood: the funky, gritty side and a tech-forward, posh one. The art everywhere seemed to connect the two.

Overall, I was so impressed with Wynwood, that if I was to move to Miami, it's where I would want to live. There aren't many other places where you can so easily be surrounded by art, walkable streets, great restaurants, and so much exciting innovation.