Gabrielle Anwar's Miami

With the ocean as the backdrop, the city is ripe for exploration. Forgo the usual modes of transportation in favor of something a bit different. See Wynwood's graffitied walls while riding a Vespa from Wynwood Scooter Rentals (4431 N.W. 2nd Ave.; 786-299-9881). The company takes groups a graffiti tours of the neighborhood starting with the murals on the Wynwood Walls, the epicenter of the arts district. Six buildings at 2520 N.W. 2nd Avenue began as blank canvases when the late developer Tony Goldman invited street artists such as Avak, Neuzz, Maya Hayuk, and Lady Pink, to create these masterpieces. The tour continues along N.W. 2nd Avenue, where most of the art is on display on buildings and the area's repurposed warehouses.

If you prefer, take in the marvelous Miami skyline at dusk on a sailboat. For the personal touch, Coconut Grove sailing enthusiasts Sandy and Mike Jakob realized their lifelong dream with the help of a 40-foot catamaran built in Cape Town. In 2008, they brought the boat to Coconut Grove and now they spend evenings on the water, entertaining couples with customized cocktail or dinner cruises aboard the Hula Girl (Dinner Key Marina, 3400 Pan American Drive; 954-218-0042).

Gabrielle Anwar thinks of Miami as one of the most romantic cities in the world, and likes to recommend a few places to steal away with that someone special. Start with the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (3251 S. Miami Ave.), built by Chicago industrialist, James Deering, as his personal estate, and named after one of the most captivating expanses of the Spanish coast. A frequent site for photo shoots, and a backdrop for film and television productions because of its stately beauty, the secluded palace amid tall Banyan trees exudes a mystical charm. Stroll the grounds and make your way to the back of the mansion, near the stone barge in the harbor, that leads to a sublime view over Biscayne Bay where time seems to stand still.

What could be more romantic than a picnic for two on the beach? While there are miles of shoreline to choose from South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave.; 305-673-7779) has a grassy area where you can spread a blanket under a palm tree, along with easy access to the ocean. Traveling with a pet? Head to Bark Beach (Collins Ave. between 80 & 81st St.; 305-673-7730), where dogs play in the sand and surf off the leash adjacent to the quaint North Shore neighborhood, which is charming and ready for exploration. For an intimate dinner for two Gabrielle suggests The Forge (432 41st St.; 305-538-8533), of course. The noted steakhouse is owned by Gabrielle's husband, Shareef Malnik, and is known for, among other things, it's famed eight-room wine cellar featuring more than 300,000 vintages.

Coconut Grove is located in the middle of Miami, but feels completely separate and apart from the rest of the city. Its quaint main street invites window shopping with an abundance of indie stores that conjure a small town. One of those neighborhood places, and a gathering place for locals, is The Bookstore (3390 Mary St.; 305-443-2855), where, in addition with a robust assortment of volumes on art, photography, and architecture, as well as books by local authors, there's a breakfast, lunch, brunch, and coffee menu. Stop in to browse while sipping their signature cold-brew coffee. A five-minute walk around the corner takes you to Maya Hatcha (3058 Grand Ave.; 305-443-9040), a quirky gift and clothing shop, which opened in 1968, and hasn't changed much in the ensuing years. Find incense, candles and essential oils, and check out the selection of straw hats to keep you cool under the hot Miami sun.

It's worth planning a visit to Miami to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach (Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Dr.; 786-276-2600). The largest contemporary art fair in the United States is "a tremendous place to discover unusual art," says Anwar. But if your trip doesn't coincide with the five-day December event, there are numerous private collections throughout the city. See why developer Martin Margulies has been onARTnews magazine's list of the world's top 200 collectors for decades with a visit to The Margulies Collection at The Warehouse (591 N.W. 27th St.; 305-576-1051), a 45,000-square foot space housing his extensive private collection. Three blocks away at The Rubell Family Collection (95 N.W. 29th St.; 305-573-6090) you’ll find pieces by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, as well as nearly 7,500 other contemporary works housed in what was once a storage facility for contraband confiscated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. For 15 years, Rosa de la Cruz led private tours of the collection she and her husband Carlos amassed at their Key Biscayne home before opening an dedicated space accessible to the public. De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space (23 N.E. 41st St.; 305-576-6112) is a three-story extension of the home collection, yet Rosa still doesn't turn away anyone who wants to see what she's kept for her personal enjoyment in her living room.

While there are plenty of “new” Florida experiences to be had, don’t miss some of the fun attractions from historic Miami. Built in 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse (Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach, 1200 S. Crandon Blvd.; 305-361-5811), is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Climb the 109 steps to the top to best appreciate the incredible view. In the distance, just a mile offshore, is Stiltsville. Dating back to the early 1930s, this group of seven structures perched on pilings is only accessible by boat. History Miami (101 W. Flagler St.; 305-375-1492) hosts a Stiltsville tour with a local guide who relates the story of the mysterious houses. According to local lore, the offshore neighborhood was created by a fisherman named Crawfish Eddie, who built the first house to sell booze offshore during Prohibition.