Miami Science MuseumNothing is staid or boring in Miami, least of all its
museums. The Miami Science Museum, north of Coconut Grove, contains
more than 140 exhibits, all designed to be hands-on and
interactive, coupled with live demonstrations and collections of
rare natural history specimens that make discovering and learning a
great deal of fun. The Wildlife Center boasts more than 175 live
reptiles and birds of prey, and the adjacent Space Transit
Planetarium provides more thrills with projected astronomy and
laser light shows.Miami SeaquariumAt least a half a day is required to fully enjoy south
Florida's premier attraction. The Seaquarium is world-renowned for
its marine life shows and attractions, including performing killer
whales and television aquatic star and dolphin, Flipper. Another
favourite star is the sea lion Salty and his colleagues, who amuse
and amaze with their antics.Miami-Dade Cultural CentreThe outwardly unattractive complex of the Miami-Dade
Cultural Centre, in the rather unsavoury area of West Flagler
Street, is worth a visit because it houses a plethora of
interesting artistic and historic exhibits. The Centre contains the
Miami Art Museum (www.miamiartmuseum.org), featuring a collection
of modern and contemporary works by American, Latin American and
Caribbean artists. There are also themed exhibits, which bring art
and artists to life, as do the twice-monthly 'happy hour' parties,
organised to highlight a particular exhibit. The Cultural Centre
also contains the Historical Museum of Southern Florida
(www.historical-museum.org) with exhibits that relate to the
fascinating history of the area and the culture, folklore and
archaeology of South Florida and the Caribbean.Vizcaya VillaLovers of antiques revel in visiting the magnificent
34-room Vizcaya bayfront villa, built in the Italian Renaissance
style in 1916 as a winter retreat for wealthy industrialist, James
Deering. The grand mansion took hundreds of artisans five years to
complete, and the formal gardens, which surround the villa fronting
on Biscayne Bay, took even longer to lay out. Today visitors can
tour the villa and grounds, enjoying the original furnishings and
décor in a variety of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococco and
Neoclassical styles.Spanish MonasteryMiami boasts the oldest building in the Western
Hemisphere. Dating from 1133 the Monastery of St. Bernard de
Clairvaux in North Miami Beach is a hugely popular tourist
attraction, although not quite indigenous to the area. The
monastery stood originally in Segovia in Spain, but in the early
1950s the medieval building was bought by newspaper magnate William
Randolph Hearst, disassembled, shipped to Miami and rebuilt on its
present site.Coral CastleLegend has it that unrequited love led a Latvian
immigrant to spend 25 years single-handedly carving a castle out of
rock between the Florida Keys and Miami, on the South Dixie
Highway. The amazing monument to the man's determination has been
called America's Stonehenge and has been featured in numerous
magazine and newspaper articles. Visitors are awed by the castle,
which also contains affidavits from neighbours testifying to the
fact that the builder had no assistance with his mammoth
task.Everglades National ParkThe vast Everglades National Park that spans the tip
of the Florida peninsula, 35 miles (56km) southwest of Miami, has
been described as a 40-mile-wide (64km) slow-moving river of grass,
interspersed with shallow wetlands. It is the only subtropical
preserve in North America, containing temperate and tropical
plants. It also boasts dozens of endangered species that find a
home in this natural habitat, like the swallowtail butterfly,
American crocodile, leatherback turtle, southern bald eagle and
West Indian manatee. The best way to explore the Park is by canoe;
private operators however run rapid air-boat tours, which are
popular with thrill-seeking visitors. The Park has been accorded
several honours including its designation as a World Heritage Site,
an International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International
Importance.Lincoln Road MallA pedestrian promenade lined with palm trees and
colourful art deco buildings, Lincoln Road Mall is a great haunt
for locals and foreigners. Once called the 'Fifth Avenue of the
South', this lively seven-block shopping district serves up big
name labels like G.A.P. and Banana Republic but also houses the
renowned Regal Movie Theatre and the Lincoln Theatre, home to the
New World Symphony. Considered one of the best people-watching
streets in South Beach, take refreshment at one of the string of
sidewalk cafés or soak up some local culture at the many art
galleries along the mall. The Farmers Market on Sundays is the best
place for fresh vegetables, fruits, juices, homemade breads and
flowers and on weekends Antique vendors display their wares along
the sidewalk. At night, street performers take to the mall,
entertaining passersby.Wolfsonian MuseumA vivacious collection of art and design pieces
depicting popular culture from 1885 to 1945, the Wolfsonian is the
amalgamation of a long-term pursuit by eccentric heir and
collector, Mitchell Wolfson Jr. Housed in the original warehouse
used as a storage facility for the 70,000 pieces, visitors can pick
through the origins of graphic and industrial design in the
hotchpotch of distinctive propaganda art from Germany, Italy and
the United States, and the remarkable industrial design pieces from
modern German design to Bauhaus. Not to be missed is the über cool
Dynamo café and museum shop.Jungle IslandAn offshoot of Parrot Jungle, which was established in
1936, Jungle Island is a new complex offering an exciting array of
wildlife from parrots and macaws to crocodiles and penguins. You
can witness over 200 parrots at the Manu Encounter, the world's
only aviary replicating the clay cliffs of Manu, Peru and at the
Parrot Bowl, a gaping amphitheatre, you can be entertained by the
clever antics of cockatoos, parrots and macaws. Look out for the
rare albino alligator and 21-foot crocodile at the Serpentarium. A
new addition to Jungle Island is the waterpark featuring the
168-foot Hippo Slide, with an exhilarating 40-degree
drop.Biscayne National ParkThe Biscayne National Park can be seen from downtown
Miami but the two areas are completely different. The coral reefs
and tiny islands of this water sanctuary are home to an abundance
of wildlife for children to see, and even a couple of awe-inspiring
pirate shipwrecks. This is a great camping, boating and swimming
spot for families.Crandon Park BeachA family holiday in Miami wouldn't be complete without
spending some time on the beach. Aside from sand and sea, Crandon
Park Beach also has the Amusement Center with a carousel, a roller
rink, a splash fountain and a playground for kids to enjoy. The
Crandon Park Gardens are beautiful to see, and there are a few
picnic spots to enjoy as well.Gold Coast Railroad MuseumKids will be delighted by the Gold Coast Railroad
Museum, which offers train rides, toy trains to play with and
interesting model train exhibits. The museum's railroad car
collection includes President Roosevelt's historic Ferdinand
Magellan carriage. In March each year there are Thomas the Tank
Engine rides for children at the museum.Miami Children's MuseumThe child-sized exhibits at the Miami Children's
Museum are both colourful and interactive. Kids can explore the
museum's simulated hospital, supermarket or fire station, playing
with and moving anything they like. The Mt. Michimu rock-climbing
wall offers a fun, physical challenge for older
children.Pinecrest GardensTake the kids to play at the Pinecrest Gardens - its
banyan trees and abundant vegetation are just crying out to be
explored! Other highlights of the gardens include a fun playground,
a petting zoo and the 'Splash 'n Play' water area, as well as a
couple of tabled picnic spots.
|
Main Locations:
|