NW 2nd Avenue slices through the heart of mid-town Miami and personifies its playful, energetic vibe. While the avenue is best known for its vibrant murals and trendy galleries, there’s also a solid selection of shopping and dining options plus a handful of interesting sites to see.

The avenue stretches through multiple neighbourhoods, but most of the action takes place in Wynwood, roughly between NW 20th and NW 29th. In this colourful section, funky street art adorns almost every shopfront, while hip boutiques trade alongside funky restaurants and bars.

In this guide, we’ll cover the top spots to eat and shop along NW 2nd Avenue, plus all the must-visit sites on this fun-loving strip. If you’d like to learn more about the galleries and murals of the Wynwood Art District, we’ve covered all that in a separate piece.

NW 2nd Ave in Miami - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Streets in Miami (Read all about Miami here)

mynd frá Dan Lundberg (CC BY-SA 2.0) breytt

What is there to see and do on NW 2nd Avenue?

NW 2nd Avenue's undisputed cultural hub is the Wynwood Marketplace, a lively open-air venue offering top-notch art, music, shopping, and food. The sprawling 75,000-sq-ft space attracts Miami’s hippest creatives – think vintage fashion, exotic food trucks, and live art installations. If you’re feeling thirsty, thedeck at Wynwood Marketplace is a flamboyant spot to sip cocktails and cold beer. They also have a regular calendar of events.

For exuberant Miami street art, pop into the Wynwood Walls. This technicoloured open-air museum features over 35 hand-sprayed murals painted by talented street artists from all over the world. Two street-art galleries plus a slew of bohemian retail shops give plenty of reason to linger for an hour or 2 – it’s well worth the modest admission fee.

Aesthetics are essential in the city, and there’s no better place to snap an envy-inducing social media pic than the Miami Selfie Museum. The site, which sits just off NW 2nd Avenue, hosts a multitude of whacky vibrant backdrops that will look fabulous on your Instagram feed. Entry isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the splurge for anyone looking to up their selfie game.

Where to shop and dine on NW 2nd Ave?

The best selection of retail and culinary haunts reside in Wynwood, where colourful street art makes bouncing between shopfronts a treat. 

Coyo Taco makes the finest Mexican fare this side of Tijuana. The Wynwood branch of this uber-hip franchise is a local institution, with scores of cool Miamians scoffing down gourmet tacos and frozen margaritas on any given night.

Visit the World Famous House of Mac for its loaded mac ‘n’ cheese, a carb-heavy delight. The trendy Wynwood Kitchen & Bar blends sprightly art with gourmet nosh and cruisy live tunes – a winning combo in our book. Brick House is another fab option if you’re craving late-night drinks.

Up north in Little Haiti, Clive’s Café serves Caribean classics in a no-frills, budget-friendly setting (give the Jamaican Jerk Chicken a try).

If you can’t find the perfect knickknack at the Wynwood Marketplace, give the Wynwood Shop a shot. This chic little boutique gift shop sells all sorts of artsy wares, from paintings to jewellery and out-there apparel. Nlite Store is Wynwood’s most beloved smoke shop, with a sordid selection of CBD-infused sweets, vape accessories, and alternative lifestyle gear.

Good to know about NW 2nd Avenue in Miami

NW 2nd stretches 4.5 miles, from NW 79th in Little River right down to NW 11th Terrace in Town Square. There’s no need to suss out the whole strip, as the Wynwood section (and to a lesser extent, Little Haiti) is the avenue's most alluring bit.

If you're getting around Miami by car, pay-by-phone on-street parking is readily available right along the avenue and its offshoot roads. 

The free City of Miami Trolley runs regular loops around town and can drop you off at the Wynwood Walls. Alternatively, Metrobus routes 2, 6, 77, and 277 run from the downtown Government Center to Wynwood.

Freebee operates a free electric car-sharing service between popular Miami neighbourhoods, including Wynwood (tips appreciated). Other unique Miami ride-sharing options include Citi Bike for bicycles and Revel for mopeds.

NW 2nd Ave in Miami

Harry Stewart | Dálkahöfundur