South Florida's largest city offers a wealth of small, lesser-known things to see and do, from wildlife to historic homes to cultural enclaves. there's always something new to discover.
Vizcaya, on Biscayne Bay
Vizcaya, located along Biscayne Bay, is the Northern Italian Renaissance style villa that was once the winter home of industrialist, James Deering. Completed in 1916, the elegant mansion is a National Historic Landmark and open for visitors to tour the 34 rooms and glimpse at America's "Glided Age." Highlights of the tour include the French-paneled music room, the library with its hidden door, and the still-operational 1917 pipe organ. The surrounding grounds have also been preserved and include an orchid house and reflecting pond.
Vizcaya is open every day except for Christmas Day. Admission discounts are offered to seniors, students, visitors using a wheelchair, children and Dade County residents.
Vizcaya
3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL
305-250-9133
vizcayamuseum.org
Miami Art Museum
Located in the heart of downtown, the Miami Art Museum is dedicated to contemporary art, art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Among the museum's small, but diverse collection are works by Marcel Duchamp, Chuck Close and Fernand Leger.
The Miami Art Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission discounts are offered to seniors. Students, members and children under 12 are admitted free..
Miami Art Museum
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL
305-375-3000
miamiartmuseum.org
Little Havana
Miami's Cuban neighborhood, dubbed Little Havana, sits north of downtown around S,W, Eighth Street (Calle Ocho). Visitors to the area will enjoy strolling along the bustling streets, listening to the strains of salsa music wafting out of open doors, and catching the scent of hand-made cigars, rolled right in Little Havana. Other reasons to seek out this area are the many authentic Cuban eateries, the strong Cuban coffee and the colorful art galleries.
Monkey Jungle
Located southwest of downtown, Monkey Jungle is a 30-acre wildlife park that features more than 400 primates of 30 species in a variety of natural habitats. The animals here run free; it's the visitors that are contained--in a network of clear viewing tunnels. The site is the only semi-natural Amazonian rain forest found in North America.
Monkey Jungle is open every day of the year. Admission discounts are offered to seniors and to children ages 3-12. Children under three years of age are admitted free. Parking is free.
Monkey Jungle
14805 Southwest 216th Street
Miami, FL 33170
305-235-1611
monkeyjungle.com
Miami Science Museum
This museum, located across from Vizcaya south of downtown, features a variety of exhibits, many of which are interactive. Featured are a planetarium, wildlife center and a continuous schedule of temporary exhibits. Recent exhibits include the Rainforest Adventure, an educational walk through a real rain forest, and Newton's Notions, a fun look at the work of Sir Isaac Newton, the man who discovered gravity.
The Miami Science Museum is open daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission discounts are offered to seniors, students, Dade County residents and children.
Miami Science Museum
3280 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33133
305-646-4200
miamisci.org
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Sandy Mitchell - Sandy Mitchell is a fulltime freelance writer, based in Cleveland Ohio. Her passion for reading began as early as she could hold a book ...
