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Local LifeUpper East Side

Northeast of Wynwood, the Upper East Side is something of Miami's great new frontier, with creative shops, art studios and cafes opening up here in the last few years. There's plenty of hidden surprises here from a great Eastern European market to secret kayaking spots on the bay.

Getting There

g Several buses run along Biscayne Blvd, including routes 3, 16 and 93, which you can catch on 29th St near Wynwood. From Downtown, take bus 93. From Mid-Beach, take bus 112.

1Morningside Park

Located on the waterfront, this aptly named park ( GOOGLE MAP ; 750 NE 55 Tce) is a great spot to be in the morning, when the golden light is just right for getting a bit of fresh air. There's lots going in the park, with walking paths, basketball courts, tennis courts, sports fields, a playground for kids and a swimming pool (admission $3). If you come on Saturday, you can hire kayaks (from $12 per hour) and stand-up paddleboards (from $20 per hour).

2Upper East Side Farmers Market

For a taste of local culture, stop by this small farmers market ( GOOGLE MAP ; cnr Biscayne Blvd & 66th St, Legion Park; h9am-2pm Sat) held each Saturday in the Upper East Side's Legion Park. Here you can meet some of the farmers producing delectable fresh fruits and veggies, plus stock up on breads and crackers, pastries, cheeses, jams, honeys and fresh juices. In short, everything you need for a great picnic. It's open year-round.

3Kundalini Yoga

This yoga studio ( GOOGLE MAP ; %305-603-8540; www.kymiami.com; 6901 Biscayne Blvd; drop-in class $20, mat rental $2; h10am-6:30pm Mon-Sat, to 4pm Sun) gets high marks for its classes, which have quite a local following. As with other Kundalini centers, there's very much a spiritual, meditative aspect to the practice here. Classes run for 90 minutes.

4Vagabond Hotel

An icon in the MiMo (Miami Modern) district, the Vagabond ( GOOGLE MAP ; %305-400-8420; www.thevagabondhotel.com; 7301 Biscayne Blvd; r $170-275; paWs) is a 1953 motel and restaurant where Frank Sinatra and other Rat Packers used to hang out. Today it's been reborn as a boutique hotel, and has lost none of its allure. There's also a great bar ( GOOGLE MAP ; %305-400-8420; www.vagabondkitchenandbar.com; 7301 Biscayne Blvd; h5-11pm Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat) fronting the hidden pool in back – well worth returning to later in the evening.

5Miami Ironside

A new hub of creativity in Miami is this urban oasis ( GOOGLE MAP ; www.miamiironside.com; 7610 NE 4th Ct) in an otherwise industrial 'hood known as Little River. Here you'll find art and design studios, showrooms and galleries as well as a few eating and drinking spaces. It's a lushly landscaped property, with some intriguing public art.

6Marky's Gourmet

A Miami institution among Russians, Russophiles and those who simply love to explore global cuisine, Marky's ( GOOGLE MAP ; %305-758-9288; www.markys.com; 687 NE 79th St; h9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, to 5pm Sun) has been going strong since 1983. In-the-know foodies from afar flock here to load up on gourmet cheeses, olives, European-style sausages, wines, cakes, teas, jams, chocolates, caviar and much more.

7The Anderson

The Anderson ( GOOGLE MAP ; www.theandersonmiami.com; 709 NE 79th St; h5pm-2am Sun-Thu, to 4am Fri & Sat) is a great neighborhood bar with a dimly lit interior sprinkled with red couches, animal-print fabrics, wild wallpaper and a glittering jukebox. Head to the back patio for more of a tropical-themed setting where you can dip your toes in the sand (never mind the absent oceanfront).