Exploring Miami with Chris and Alex

What started as a chance meeting in 2015 when Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy were working on a college film thesis quickly developed into inseparable coupledom fueled by many shared interests, particularly film and travel. Post-college, and after several years of each enjoying successful careers in the television industry, the two segued full-time into their own LGBTQ-centered content creation.

Since then, the couple – now wife and wife – went on to become award-winning travel influencers, garnering legions of fans and followers through their social media platforms. It’s no surprise, given the thrilling destinations they choose and the authentic, witty content they create showcasing them. 

With a storytelling style that’s engaging, informative and funny, these self-identified “Professional Queers” are relaxed and relatable as they bring followers along with them on their adventures around the world.

Chris and Alex recently visited Greater Miami and Miami Beach, one of their favorite destinations. We connected with the couple after they returned home to get their firsthand their insights and must-do LGBTQ experiences from this trip.

What first attracted you to Greater Miami and Miami Beach?

Chris: What first attracted us was how LGBTQ-friendly we always heard Miami was. And you saw pictures of the colors, the neon, the Art Deco facades of South Beach, in addition to the lifeguard towers being in that same style – all so colorful. 

We're from New Jersey, so the fact that the ocean water was turquoise, I was like, “We need to experience that.” I had never been somewhere before where I could see my hand in the water, and that was such a captivating concept to me. 

We're also big fans of the movie The Birdcage, so we kind of wanted to have that experience for ourselves.

Alex: And it definitely exceeded that expectation. I'll say that much.

Where did you stay in Miami when you were here recently?

Alex: We were lucky enough to get to split our time between two hotels. In South Beach, we stayed at Uma House by Yurbban. That was ideal for access to the beach and places like Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive. 

On the mainland, when we were in Wynwood, we stayed at Moxy Wynwood. The balcony of our room was literally overlooking Wynwood Walls, so we were in the middle of all the action and right outside our front door we were in walking distance of everything we could have wanted to go to.

The best part about both these hotels is they have quite luxurious rooftop pools – and that is always something we like to delight in when we visit Miami.

What makes Miami unique and standout among other destinations you have visited in the United States, Europe And Asia?

Alex: What strikes us about Miami any time we go is it doesn't really fit the great American melting pot analogy. It feels kind of like a mixed salad. There are so many different cultures that live there – LGBTQ, Hispanic, Caribbean, Black and so on. What I love about Miami is that it's not a homogeneous city – all these identities co-exist while they express their culture and together make up that tapestry that is Miami.

Chris: I also feel every time we visit Miami it's the energy and lifestyle that is so alluring to me, because it's very similar to New York City. There's just a feeling you get when you're in Miami that energizes you, but also relaxes you, because it has that whole beach vibe, but then it also has going out and showing off a little bit. It's a really cool energy to be surrounded by.

Do you find Miami to be welcoming and gay-friendly?

Chris: We definitely do. For this trip, we really wanted to lean into all the LGBTQ-owned businesses specifically. We were blown away by how many there are and how many queer things there are to do in the city.

We had such a fun time thrifting at Out pf the Closet. We got to attend a queer, femme-led Angels Only Miami market at Moxy Wynwood, so literally the hotel we were staying at. We got to do the Pride Tour with [Miami artist] Thom Wheeler Castillo at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Plus, we didn't know before, but there's a Transgender Remembrance tree in Pride Park (in South Beach) that has this cool QR code that pulls up resources when you scan it. 

When we did Wynwood Walls, there was also a “Say Gay” mural by artist Lauren YS that's kind of like a queer “Last Supper” – it's huge, and we got to walk along it with all these vibrant colors, which was amazing. And of course, the fact that Miami Beach has a gay beach at 12th Street Beach is always just so iconic. You have to feel welcome because there's a whole beach literally for you.

Alex: To that same point, when you think of Miami, it's hard not to think of the heat and I feel that kind of same warmth is very much reflected in the people that live there. Whether you're visiting or living there, it feels like Miami contains and embraces every walk of life, going back to, you know, the previous question. That sort of mentality really put us at ease as two queer women – obviously we can only speak to our experience as two white, cisgender queer women. But yeah, there's just something different about Miami.

How Has Your Experience Been With Miami Locals?

Alex: What’s really interesting is, for the first time while we were in Miami, we went to Frost Science. We had the unique experience of going during the day, but then also got to go at night to the nightLAB, and that particular nightLAB was a Pride event. And, oh my gosh, I was completely blown away to see the local community coming out, and not just the local community, but allies as well. They showed up to support and even learn a thing or two. 

That's absolutely crazy. Like, how often do you get to see LGBTQ Pride events that aren't at a venue like a restaurant or bar? And actually while we were there, we ran into a friend that we’ve seen everywhere else in the world, but never in Miami. We were walking around the museum together and, I kid you not, maybe every 100 feet he ran into someone new that he knew. It felt like his whole web of connections from Miami were all there. It just goes to show, when the community shows up in Miami, they truly show up fully.

Where are your favorite Miami food spots and what makes it such a great foodie destination?

Chris: For us, it's definitely the fusion element. There is such a vibrant mix of cultures and ethnicities in Miami that creates the most amazing food fusion. You have Cuban, Caribbean, Latin American, Japanese…and Alex and I are huge foodies, so every time we go we like to try a new place.

This time around, one night we were able to try authentic Vietnamese frog legs at Tâm Tâm, which is also LGBTQ-owned. The next night, we were able to taste fusion craft burgers at R House, that’s LGBTQ-owned too. That duality is what makes Miami so great, because those two types of cuisines couldn't be more different, but they were each so amazing and we had such a wonderful experience at both establishments that make it so fun to go out and eat.

What is the highlight from your recent visit to Miami, and is there anything that made it more memorable than past ones?

Alex: Oh my gosh – the drag. We have visited Miami many times before, but it was incredible to finally, after all these years, get to witness the Miami drag scene. So one day, we started off by doing the drag brunch at the Palace, and then later that night we went to a RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing party at R House. Let me tell you, these performers were unforgettable. We were completely blown away by their talent and their community. There's a reason so many Miami performers wind up on Drag Race.

Chris: For me, what made this time especially memorable was also getting to perform in the “Funny Femmes and Thems” comedy night at the O Cinema. That felt special, because it was lovely to see an event dedicated to the sapphic experience and see the local community come out in support. 

Alex and I have been to a lot of Pride events and Pride weeks in different destinations, and it's rare to see any singular event that highlights sapphic people specifically. We felt really honored to be a part of that.

What must-do activities or attractions do you recommend to first-time visitors and why?

Chris: I am so excited about this question because I feel like we messed up every other Miami visit, because we had never experienced Frost Science. We're big animal people and the museum’s aquarium is astounding. We spent hours there during the day and, like Alex said, also at night for the nightLAB event. It was just so amazing to see the variety they have there.

Alex and I have been to Biscayne National Park before, so to see their take on the mangroves and biology information was so refreshing for us. It really highlights the bigger Miami area that’s under the water, which is so essential to Miami and its ecosystem. And the whole area around there too. 

The Maurice A. Ferré Park was absolutely magical. We walked through the Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculpture Garden – super cute – and then sat by the bay eating ice cream. PAMM is also there, and we quickly fell in love. The galleries there were incredible, and the view from outside Verde – it was so nice just sitting, looking at the bay and taking in the breeze. We felt silly that we'd never experienced this area before.

How has your love affair with Miami evolved over the times you have visited, and did anything exceed your expectations during your recent stay?

Alex: We've been together now 11 years. As the years have gone by in our relationship, there are so many new facets that we've fallen in love with in each other, and similarly it mirrors how we feel about coming back to Miami. There's always something new and exciting to learn about and fall in love with.

It really exceeded my expectations because I was able to redo some of the things that we always love doing while there, but then we got the opportunity to do so many new things that were exciting as well.

Chris: It's really incredible how we never get tired of visiting Miami, because there are new experiences we have each time, while also getting to integrate some old favorites. We even came across things this trip that we didn't have time to do and bookmarked for the future, because you're kind of already planning your next visit while still there.

And we didn't get to stay for the full length of Miami Beach Pride events, but we kept seeing the posters for the upcoming events and we were blown away by the variety – there was a gay scuba snorkeling event that, if we were staying, we totally would have taken part in.

Do you have any Miami pro tips for fellow travelers?

Chris: My Miami pro tip would be to make sure you explore each of the neighborhoods – or as many as you can – while you're in town, because they all have their own personality and vibe, and you get a different experience depending on which one you go to.

South Beach is both relaxed and outgoing, while Wynwood is artsy and innovative. Downtown Miami has a lot to offer, and then you also have Little Havana full of Cuban culture. You can't really form your impression of Miami by experiencing only one part of it.

Alex: Inversely, my tip is specifically for the LGBTQ traveler. When it comes to Miami, you're really spoiled for choice when it comes to supporting the community in any way, shape or form. So if you're an LGBTQ traveler, my personal recommendation is to do three things in particular: patronize an LGBTQ-owned shop, eat at an LGBTQ-owned business and then incorporate some sort of activity, like going to either the 12th Street Beach or doing a Pride art tour at PAMM. Now, more than ever, it's so important to support the local community and their businesses, because if we don't, we will lose them.

Stay connected with Chris and Alex:

Website: itschrisandalex.com

Instagram: @itschrisandalex

Facebook: Chris & Alex

YouTube: It’s Chris and Alex

TikTok: Chris & Alex

Threads: It’s Chris and Alex