Miami, Florida— come for the beach, stay for the art. Although Miami is best known for its beaches, tourists flock here for its diverse and eccentric art scene. Previously known as an industrial warehouse district, Tony Goldman, an esteemed contractor mogul, transformed Wynwood into an art district. Now, it is home to galleries, museum and most prominently, home to one of the largest open-air street installations in the world: Wynwood Walls.

If you see Wynwood now, you wouldn’t believe that it used to be an unassuming industrial district with a recorded high crime rate. While people then saw these downsides, Goldman saw a potential and took a chance in investing in Wynwood. The land value was cheaper than when he bought properties. As it was in a nondescript location, the place was full of abandoned warehouse buildings laden with graffiti. Now graffiti has been generally viewed by most people as an eyesore and only a few recognize it as for what it really is: art. Goldman had the vision of transforming Wynwood into a melting pot of diverse and eccentric art by elevating the quality of graffiti and carefully curating the art that goes into his huge canvass of warehouse buildings.

Yearly, Wynwood Walls are visited by roughly three million people. Since its transformation, it has put Wynwood into the map and made it an unexpected place where art would persist and flourish. As one of the locations of Art Basel fair is in Miami, more traffic is going into the art scene in Wynwood. Every year, Art Basel brings together artists, private collectors, museum directors, and curators. Having a dedicated commitment to increasing the transparency and accountability of the art market and also to strengthen the local art scene, Art Basel has uplifted the art district in Wynwood.

While professional art connoisseurs are flocking Wynwood Walls, ordinary tourists and locals can still appreciate the art. This is the good thing about the concept of Wynwood Walls: it is an art that anyone can appreciate. Admittedly, graffiti and street art are yet to be widely acknowledged as an innovative and contemporary art form, and in even in some cases considered illegal by the authorities. Wynwood Walls is the living proof that street art is an untapped genius albeit an unconventional form of art. Its deemed liberal art expression is easily relatable for an ordinary person, even if one is not generally inclined to art. Wynwood Walls is an easy to appreciate art scene, with people of all ages and social backgrounds can relate to, may it be for some form of artistic awakening or just an edgy background for a plain, ole selfie. It serves as a form of open space where people could really come together and be immersed and even be one with the art.

Artists from all over the world travel to Wynwood to participate in the cultivation of the art scene in Wynwood Walls. The current management, headed by Tony’s daughter, Jessica Goldman, has made sure that her father’s legacy is continued by inviting artists from different countries to create a diverse portfolio. Different artists from different cultures with different styles have made Wynwood Walls.

Every year, new murals are carefully curated and unveiled to the public. Previous murals are preserved in other forms of art, like photography. These curations of previous works are displayed for the public to see.

Wynwood Walls are not only composed of larger than life murals. You can also visit the Wynwood Walls Shop if you’re looking for something to take home with you. There you can find curated books, prints, and other souvenirs created by the artists of Wynwood walls and commemorative of their previous and even current murals. There are also a lot of boutiques and stores in the neighborhood should you wish to explore more. Dining places are also scattered all over the neighborhood so be sure to check them out.

You can also check out ‘Walls of Change: The Story of the Wynwood Walls’, a book initiated by Jessica Goldman together with art publisher Assouline that features photos of Wynwood Walls famous and iconic walls, as well as the history and the making of Wynwood Walls. If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, then this one is for you. You can bring home a piece of Wynwood Walls with you.

Entrance to Wynwood Walls is free of change, even Wynwood Art Walks which happens on the second Saturday of every month. However, if you want a more immersive and guided tour, you can book a tour on their official website. Operating hours of Wynwood Walls are Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to midnight and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wynwood Walls Address: 2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Wynwood Walls Hours: Open 24 hours
Wynwood Walls Phone: (305) 531-4411