Photography: My ♥️
Stylist/Creative Director: Me, God & Vintagely Velma
Nails: Lowkeynailedit
It’s been so long since my last LOTD post! Life has changed so much, but the fashion is still elite, retro, and fabulous. Let’s go back to the 80’s in Miami. Neon lights, bold prints, and big hair. I wore this look years ago but I had to pop it back out for a very retro Miami look.
This look screams 1980’s Miami. The bold turquoise, fish print, orange chunky belt, and of course gold jewelry. I had no other choice but to shoot this look with my vintage 80’s brick phone to add some more extra vintage sauce!
If you’re looking for a travel location that’s relaxing, full of nature, with a cowboy vibe, Cheyenne, Wyoming should go on your travel list. I had the pleasure of visiting Cheyenne and it’s truly a calming, peaceful place contrary to being from a major city.
This blog will be regularly updated.
How To Get There
Cheyenne is a landlocked city in the Mountain West area of America bordering the states of Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Utah. Located in Laramie County, Cheyenne is the capital and most populated city in the state of Wyoming and is truly a Wild West dream come true. Let’s dive into how to get to the city:
Flying
Cheyenne’s main airport is the Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) which is also known as Jerry Olson Field. While this airport does offer commercial flights, it is extremely limited as it’s not an international airport. The only airline that flies out of CYS is United Airlines and it’s only direct commercial flights to and from Denver.
I flew into the Denver International Airport (DEN) and then took a bus to get to Cheyenne. Your other option is to take CYS to Cheyenne or drive from Denver. The airport is an hour and a half south of Cheyenne.
Either of these options are the best choices if you’re flying in domestically or internationally.
Train
As of now, there are no trains that travel directly to Cheyenne.
Bus
The good ol’ Greyhound is always an option for United States travel. FlixBus is another bus service that goes directly to Cheyenne from most major cities. (Be sure to do your research in FlixBus as reviews are very mixed).
Driving
According to Visit Cheyenne, you can utilize two specific Interstates to get to Cheyenne. Interstate 80 is a route that can be taken via west or south. Interstate 25 can be taken via north or south. From the northeast or southeast, you can reach the city driving on Hwy 85.
As it is with most U.S. cities, you can either rent a car or drive your own. Cheyenne is not a city with the most reliable transportation so renting a car upon arrival or driving to the city via your own vehicle is a great option.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Just can’t wait to get on the road again? Cheyenne is a haven for outdoors lovers so camping and RVing is a big deal there. According to Visit Cheyenne there are about 15 RV and campsites to enjoy and bask in nature. As recommended above, taking the Interstate 80, 25, and Hwy 85 are ways to navigate to Cheyenne via your own hotel or home on wheels.
When to Visit
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| Painted cowboy boot statue in front of the Cheyenne Depot Museum |
Cheyenne is a place that can be enjoyed all year round based off your personal preferences, events, and what season you want to explore the city in. It’s a city that has all four seasons and there’s something special to explore in each one. The seasons of spring, autumn, and summer and month of July are some of the best times to visit. Be aware that lodging and travel prices will increase as summer is a peak season for traveling.
July features the Cheyenne Frontier Days which is a 10-day country Western celebration and outdoor rodeo. Like most cities, October will bring the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Location: Best Places to Stay & Visit
Stay
Downtown/Historic District - Cheyenne isn’t a big city at all, so downtown is the main event and where most tourist based events, places, and hotels will be. Downtown is pretty small, walkable, and has easy access to the highway plus it’s filled with restaurants and shops.
Central Cheyenne aka the “Hotel Belt” - This area is close to the downtown area and abundant with hotels, resorts, and motels along Lincolnway and near I-25/I-80. I stayed at the Little America Resort which is about 10 to 15 minutes away from downtown via Lyft or Uber. This area is more spacious and is surrounded by nature.
Residential Neighborhoods - If you’re looking for a more “at-home” away from home or suburban feel for an Airbnb stay, neighborhoods like Saddle Ridge, Thomas Heights, and Western Hills. Saddle Ridge is east of the city, Thomas Heights is northwest and Western Hills is west.
Visit
As mentioned above, Downtown/Historic District is the crème de la crème of Cheyenne and the main place where most visitors frequent. It’s small, quaint, and has a vintage old fashioned feel with a modern touch of street art and new school stores and eateries to enjoy as well. There’s an abundance of thrift and antique stores, restaurants, boutiques, gift shops, and of course historic sites. What I loved most about Cheyenne is the cowboy and cowgirl history! Visit spots like the Wyoming State Museum, Historic Governors Mansion, Big Boy Steam Engine, and the Cowgirls of the West Museum which I absolutely loved!
Unlike major cities with multiple cultural districts (think Chinatown or Little Italy in Chicago), Cheyenne’s main attractions in and around Downtown. There are other great places to visit spread out around the city that will be listed in there “Where to Eat” and “Things to Do” below.
Where to Stay
As noted previously, I stayed at the Little America Resort in the Central area aka the “Hotel Belt”, about 10 to 15 minutes away from Downtown. Here’s a list of hotels, motels, and resorts to stay in in Cheyenne.
Best Western Plus Frontier Inn 4-star
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Cheyenne Southwest/Downtown Area 3-star
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Cheyenne 3-star
Little America Hotel & Resort 3-star
Staybridge Suites Cheyenne 3-star
Where to Eat
Classic American food is the main affair in Cheyenne. Beef, steak, burgers, and pubs are plentiful as it’s the Mountain West region of the country. Cheyenne doesn’t have a big international food scene like your New Yorks and L.A.s, so keep that in mind, but you can find some Mexican, Asian, and pizza spots too. As a vegan it wasn’t super hard to find plant based food. Here’s a full list of restaurants you should try:
American
Breakfast, Cafes, & Diners
Health, Vegan, & Vegetarian Options
Mexican
How to Get Around
Cheyenne is a car-friendly city and not really a transit-friendly one. While there are options of using free public transit, keep in mind it’s limited. The most full-proof way to get around in Cheyenne is via ride-share (Lyft and Uber), renting, or driving your own car.
Things to Do
Get ready for some country Western full or chill, nature vibes when you visit Cheyenne. From history to rodeos, there is so much to do.
Festivals & Events
Cheyenne Frontier Days - every July
Cheyenne Greek Festival - every September
Laramie County Fair - every August
Western Spirit Juried Art Show & Sale - every March
Landmarks & History
Wild West History Tours: Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley
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| Display at the Cowgirls of the West Museum |
Museums & Art
Old West Museum - 4610 Carey Ave
Wyoming State Museum - Barrett Building 2301 Central Ave
Theater
Cheyenne Little Theater Players
TIP: You can find deals on Groupon for activities, Experiences on Airbnb, and be sure to check Eventbrite for festivals, concerts and other events.
Another year, another Basel. Let’s get into all the events, gallery showings, parties, and more for the most wonderful time of the year. This blog will be updated as more events are listed as even until the week of Basel/Art Week, new things are announced. Bookmark this blog!
What Is Art Basel?
Art Basel is an international art fair that showcases artwork of different mediums from paintings to sculpture from artists all over the globe. Art Basel started in 1970 and is annually hosted in cities like Hong Kong, Paris, and of course Miami Beach. Basel’s Miami Beach showcase is every December and usually takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
What Is Miami Art Week?
Every December Miami Art Week coincides with Basel weekend. Similar to the main weekend affair, Art Week is an entire week of art fairs, gallery showings, expositions, fashion shows, parties, and more all over the city. No matter what part of the city, there’s bound to be some kind of event happening. Art Week’s hot spot is in Miami’s art district Wynwood where many highlighted events, parties, and exhibits will take place.
What Are the Dates?
For the 2025 year, Art Basel will be from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th. Art Week is from Monday December 1st to Sunday December 8th.
What‘s Going On?
Please keep in mind when purchasing tickets that some multiple day events and art exhibitions are VIP or invite only on the first day.
Art Galleries & Exhibits
Dec 1 (Monday)
The Official Miami Art Week Kickoff Party + VIP Invitation-only Vernissage | The Bitmore Hotel - Coral Gables
Coffee at the Warehouse (through Dec 6) | The Margulies Collection at the Warrhous - Wynwood
Dec 2 (Tuesday)
Art Miami (through Dec 7) | The Art Miami Pavilion at One Herald Plaza - Downtown
CONTEXT Art Miami (through Dec 7) | One Herald Plaza - Downtown
Design Miami (through Dec 7) | Convention Center Drive & 19th Street - Miami Beach
Open Invitational Miami (through Dec 6) | Melin Building 3930 NE 2nd Ave - Design District (12pm-7pm Dec 2-5, 12pm-5pm Dec 6)
“UnCrated” Stef Ross Exhibition (through Dec 7) | Loews Miami Beach Hotel 1601 Collins Ave (across lobby)
Dec 3 (Wednesday)
Art Basel Miami Beach (through Dec 7) | Miami Beach Convention Center - Miami Beach
Aqua Art Miami (through Dec 7) | Aqua Hotel - Miami Beach
Red Dot Miami (through Dec 7) | Mana Wynwood - Wynwood
UNTITLED Art (through Dec 7) | Ocean Drive & 12th Street - Miami Beach
Spectrum Miami | Mana Wynwood - Wynwood
HER Art Basel | Coral Gables Women’s Club - Coral Gables
CHROMA 2025 - Vital Impulses in Contemporary Art | Lucid Design District - Design District
A World of Artistry (through Dec 10) | InterContinental Miami, an IHG Hotel - Downtown
REVOLT Art Fair (Dec 3 VIP only | through Dec 6) | Ice Palace Studios - Overtown
Sustainable Art Show by Keep Florida Clean Nonprofit | Soca Smart Cafe - Brickell
Dec 4 (Thursday)
Pinta Miami (through Dec 7) | The Hangar in Coconut Grove - Coconut Grove
An Evening with Photographer Carlos Muñoz | HistoryMiami Museum - Downtown
The Open Invitational - Curator Walkthrough and Breakfast | Melin Building - Design District
Cassina: Me From the Outside featuring Pietro Terzini | Cassina Miami 3901 NE 2nd Ave - Design District (7am-10pm)
Life & Times of Frederick Douglass (through Dec 7) | Historic Ward Rooming House Gallery & Gardens - Overtown
Dec 5 (Friday)
NADJEA Art Basel Miami Kick-Off Party - Art Deco Fashion Show | The Gates Hotel - South Beach
Dec 6 (Saturday)
Public Art Reveal - Art in Public Spaces | Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center - Downtown
Dec 7 (Sunday)
Events & Parties
Dec 1 (Monday)
VIP Art Week Happy Hour by ArtsBiz Miami & Studio Artera | InterContinental Miami, an IHG Hotel - Downtown
Dec 2 (Tuesday)
Jimmy Choo’s Exclusive Installation with Harry Nuriev’s Crosby Studios | Jimmy Choo 165 NE 41st St - Design District (11am-8pm & 12-6pm on Sunday)
Flight Club x Crocs (through Dec 7) | 3910 NE 1st Ave - Design District (11am-7pm)
Dec 3 (Wednesday)
Art Basel Edition Pop Up (through Dec 6) | Mana Wynwood
LVMH The Studio Miami (through Dec 7) | Palm Court Event Space - Design District (10am-6pm)
Manolo Blahnik: Custom Shoe Engraving | Manolo Blahnik - Design District (1-5pm)
Pucci Coffee Lab (through Dec 4) | Pucci 140 NE 39th St Suite 102 - Design District (11am-8pm)
Legacy in Color: Hampton University at Art Basel Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future | Historic Ward Rooming House Gallery & Gardens - Overtown (6-8pm)
The Last Word: Overtown Stories (through Dec 7) | Lawson E. Thomas Building 1021 NW 2nd Ave - Overtown (all day - see times)
Bit Basel (through Dec 7) | Sagamore Hotel South Beach 1671 Collins Ave - Miami Beach
Dec 4 (Thursday)
Baker’s Brunch: Open Studios and Cafecito | Bakehouse Art Complex - Wynwood
Resy Lounge at Untitled Art Fair (through Dec 8) | Ocean Drive & 12th Street - Miami Beach
HIVE 2025 A Cocktail, Art, and Culinary Village (through Dec 8) | Wynwood Marketplace - Wynwood
The Art Basel Experience by Planet Fashion TV | Esmé Hotel - Miami Beach (5-9pm)
Dec 5 (Friday)
NYLON House | Invite only RSVP required - Miami Beach - (8:30pm-1:00am)
Art Basel Fashion Show by The Musa Showroom | Wynwood
Art Basel Week at Hilton (through Dec 7) | Hilton Aventura Miami - Aventura
9th Annual Basel B.A.E.: Black Art Experience | The Urban - Overtown
Night Shift at Jon & Vinny’s (invite only) | Rubell Museum - Wynwood
Backyard Basel - Coral Gables Museum Gallery Night | Coral Gables Museum - Coral Gables
The Ethereal Runway Show + Live Art + Live Music hosted by The Ethereal | Flow Brickell - Brickell Dec 6 (Saturday)
Art in Bloom: Art Basel Holiday Garden Party (through Dec 7) | GalerÃa Adelmo - Brickell (6-9pm)
Night Shift, AM Edition | Rubell Museum - Wynwood
PatBO Shoe Salon Showcase (through Dec 6) | PatBo 3918 NE 1st Ave - Design District (11am-6pm)
Cartier: Into the Wild (through Dec 7) | 23 NE 41st St - Design District (11am-9pm)
Dec 6 (Saturday)
Culture Court: The Art of Play | Crema Gourmet 5700 Biscayne Blvd Unit 103 - Upper East Side (5pm-8pm)
Dec 7 (Sunday)
Art Basel Weekend Painting Class | Art Classes Miami - Wynwood
WANDERLUST | W Hotel South Beach - Miami Beach
OUR HOUSE 1st Year Anniversary Art Basel Wrap Party | Red Rooster - Overtown (3-9pm)
Miami Concours: Cars & Coffee Art Week Edition | 40 NE 40th St - Design District (9am-11:30am)
Coffee & Chill: Camp Chill Wellness Event | Ultra Padel 400 NE 67th St - Little Haiti (10am-2pm)
URGET:
According to Wynwood BID, here’s the following happening in Wynwood:
There will be two street closures on NW 22nd St and NW 23rd St between NW 5th/6th Aves closed because of traffic starting 8:00am on 12/3 to 6:00pm on 12/7.
There will be barricades placed on NW 2nd Ave to extended sidewalks and along N. Miami Ave curbs. This will occur Thursday on 12/4 at 5:00am and be removed 12/8.
There will be portable restrooms on NW 2nd Ave/NW 22nd St and NW 2nd Ave/NW 28th St from 12/4 to 12/8.
Lastly, Lyft and Uber ride share services will not have access to Wynwood during Art Basel weekend. Drop offs will be at the following five locations:
NW 5th Ave & NW 24th St
NW 3rd Ave & NW 27th St
N. Miami Ave & NW 23rd St
NW 3rd Ave & NW 21st St
NW 1st Court & NW 20th St
First Timer Tips
Do your research. I’m diligently researching and vetting events that I post on this guide and you should do the same especially if you’re coming by yourself and/or you don’t know anyone from Miami or South Florida. I’ve already spotted a couple of shady events. It’s Miami, so the scammers, finessers, card crackers, and crumb snatchers will be outside all week and weekend.
Art Basel and Art Week is happening all over the city and there are events large and small happening in every neighborhood. Miami is so much more than Brickell and Miami Beach. Sure, those are the hot spots, a lot of fun, and the TikTok and IG aesthetic favored locations, but there’s much more to discover. Do not be afraid to explore places you wouldn’t usually go to because I promise you you’ll have the time of your life. Also, be sure to check out local spots from restaurants to art showcases. Miami has such an underrated food scene that can rival the big names like Chicago, New York, and New Orleans. For the full 4-1-1 on maneuvering around Miami, go check out my Ultimate Miami Travel Guide here. There I share and go beyond typical tourist spots and expand on restaurants, events, hot spots and more.
Travel
See my travel guide to get in depth info on how to explore Miami.
Weather
December is such a perfect time to visit Miami for Basel. Hurricane season just ended, the weather isn’t overwhelmingly hot like in the summer, and obviously it’s not cold. The average temperature is 77 degrees high and 69 degrees low. It’s still South Florida, so keep that in mind.
Where to Stay:
As I’m typing this blog, it’s September so you should start booking now. Like, right now. After you’re done reading this, go book something. Hotels, Airbnbs, and more get booked very quick. Events are happening all over the city and even in the surrounding areas, but your best bet is to stay in areas like Downtown, Wynwood, Brickell, or Miami Beach.
I would also recommend getting a city map to pin point where events you’re going to are located for a visual.
Hotels:
Brickell
Aloft Miami - Brickell (3-star)
Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami (3-star)
Downtown
citizenM Miami Worldcenter Hotel (4-star)
Doubletree by Hilton Grand Hotel, Biscayne Bay (3-star)
Hilton Miami Downtown (4-star)
InterContinental Miami Hotel (4-star)
Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay (4-star)
Miami Beach
Riviera Suites South Beach (4-star)
Wynwood
AC Hotel Miami Wynwood (4-star)
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Wynwood Design District (3-star)
Other
Dunns Josephine Hotel - Overtown
Miami River Inn - Little Havana (2-star)
Selina Miami River - Little Havana
How To Get Around
Traffic in Miami is already a hot mess, here are ways to get around the already congested and growing city. Miami is begging for people to use the public transportation because of that and I highly recommend utilizing that as a way to get around the primary hot spots like Wynwood, Downtown, Brickell, and Miami Beach. Please keep in mind unlike in cities like New York and Chicago, Miami’s transportation system has limits whether it’s time or location. Keep that in mind when you’re calculating eta and I would also recommend using it during the day.
Parking is extremely hard to find during Art Week. I promise you you’ll be driving around in circles looking for a spot and if /when you do find one, it might be far away from the venue you’re going to. So because of that, you should definitely wear comfortable shoes (comfortable and stylish, we’re here to serve looks too!)
Your best bet will be to use Lyft, Uber, and other ride sharing alternatives, and yes costs will be through the roof.
If you’re coming from Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, or other parts of Florida, using the Brightline train is a great option as well.
I’m Dro! A cat mom, fashionista, artist, Chicago native, vegan, renaissance woman who loves to travel, create and explore. Welcome to The Dro Show! Lifestyle, travel, style, fashion, food and more.
