Tag Archives: north miami beach

Goooooooooaaaaaal! Kickin’ it in summer

Soccer fans will be kicking it up in June around Miami, catching the European action at one of the tons of pubs that have popped up around the city in the last few years.

Waxy O’Connor’s on Miami Beach and in the Brickell area are where to catch all the action on their more than 15 flat screen TV’s. They’ll even open early and be serving breakfast for early risers who can’t miss a single minute.

Brickell Irish Pub and Fado Irish Pub at Mary Brickell Village are two great alternative spots for soccer fans should the others be too packed. On the riverfront Finnegan’s on the River is perfect for open-air viewing on the water.

There’s nothing better than watching a soccer match, draft in hand surrounded by equally obssessed and fanatical fans.

However, if it’s a full-on sports bar you prefer, there are lots of options there too.  Duffy’s Sports Grill or Duffy’s Tavern in South Miami are great too, as well as Village Tavern.

The soccer action begins on June 8 and runs the entire month. Click here to view the schedule of matches for UEFA Euro 2012.

Lush gardens inspirational at Ancient Spanish Monastery

Traverse West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach and just after the bend in the road, there’s a hidden gem where gardens, statues and and gorgeous open-air courtyard of this historic building are enough to get anyone’s creative juices flowing.

It’s the Ancient Spanish Monastery which was dismantled stone by stone in 1925, transported to the United States then re-constructed at its current location in 1952.

The result is a gorgeous, inspiring location filled with statue-filled manicured garden pathways with benches for reflecting, writing, drawing or painting. The open-air courtyard with flowing fountains, stately columns and welcoming archways are perfect for meandering through. The grounds easily transport visitors to old-world Spain, so much so if you sit quietly, the once-inhabiting monks’ presence can almost be felt.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is located at 16711 West Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach. (305) 945-1461, www.spanishmonastery.com

Hearst’s Miami Castle: The Spanish Monastery

Tucked along a winding, tree-lined street in North Miami Beach is a beMIAmonasteryautiful sanctuary called the Spanish Monastery, a building from the 1100s that’s the perfect spot for escaping the rat race by entering into a bygone era. The structure was dismantled in Spain where it was created, and transported to North Miami Beach in a whopping 11,000 crates after newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst purchased the property.

The Spanish influence still rings through with the luscious and impeccably manicured gardens, European-inspired statues, and open-air courtyards and hallways among the stone structure. Grand gated entrances lead to various brick pathways that feature stone benches that are ideal for reading, painting, or just enjoying the fresh air amongst the breathtaking landscape.

It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Miami sun with some European flair.