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Coral Castle
28655 S. Dixie Hwy., Homestead, FL 33033, Tel: (305) 248-6344
http://www.coralcastle.com/Pictures.asp
Built of the native limestone Coral Castle was created by Latvian immigrant, Ed Leedskalnin in 1923 for his lost love. This is a beautiful rock garden that has magnificent pices of coral rock created by ED. The strange thing though is that actually no body ahs seen Ed this rock gate park. It is said that he had supernatural powers. Listed on National Register of Historical Places the tour of the entire castle takes approximately half and hour. The famous story about ED’s lost love is narrated by the tour guide in English, Spanish, French or German. The tours are conducted daily.
Timings: Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; $9.75 adults, $5 children 7-12, $6.50 for senior citizens (62 and older), free for children younger than 7.
Miami Museum of Science & Space Transit Planetarium
3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129, (305) 646-4200
http://www.miamisci.org/
One of the unique museums it is a favorite attraction amongst the tourists. It showcases a wide variety of exhibits right from virtual basketball to robotic dinosaurs. The visitors can test themselves and meet the challenges of the most demanding sports. Some of the most exciting activities include climbing the wall or see how fast you are and compare your speed to that of the world's fastest animals. Those interested in becoming a doctor can watch the knee-surgery video and watch an actual arthroscopic procedure. Also make sure that you see the interactive replacement-heart-valve display where the visitors are allowed to pump "blood" through three types of heart valves.
Besides all of this, the visitors can go in for wildlife kayak tours of the Florida Bay with experienced guides.
Museum Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, wildlife center closes at 5 p.m.
Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $6 for kids 3-12, free for members and children under 3.
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, (305) 361-5705
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com
Welcome to the marine world that features exotic marine life from all over the world. One of the major tourists attraction, this marine park features a reef aquarium that can store 750,000 gallon saltwater with fishes of every size and shape and color. Its fun watching the diver swim inside the tank and handfeed the fishes as well as the, loggerhead turtles and moray eels. Something else that one must not miss here is the performing marine animal featuring live dolphin, sea lion and whale shows.
The Seaquarium is also a home of Lolita the Killer Whale, Salty the Sea Lion, and dozens of dolphins.
It offers a two-hour program that allows visitors to slip into wetsuits and get into the water to so that they can have face-to-face encounter with the residents of the sea. Also check out Shark Channel, where visitors can learn all about fearsome creatures while their trainers feed them by hand.
Timings: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (box office closes at 4:30 p.m.)
Entry: Adults $23.95 (without tax), Children ages 3 to 9 are $18.95 (without tax).
Venetian Pool
2701 DeSoto Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134, Tel: (305) 460-5356
http://www.venetianpool.com/
Take a swim in the historic surroundings of the Venetian-style lagoon carved out of coral rock. Featuring caves, stone bridges and waterfalls, the swimming pool is refilled with 820,000 gallons of refreshing spring water everyday. Considered to be one of the most unique municipal swimming pools, it has two beautiful waterfalls and coral caves. So just lay back and take a leisure swim and soak up the sizzling Miami sun.
Summer Hours: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun.; Spring and Fall hours (April-May and September-October) 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.;
Winter Hours: (November-March) 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sun.
Admission: $8.50-$5.50 for adults, $4.50-$2.50 for kids under 12. Children under 3 not allowed in the pool.
The Holocaust Memorial
1933-1945 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 538-1663
http://www.holocaustmmb.org
Built in the memory of the victims of the Holocaust during World War II, the memorial features most dreadful past of the World War II. Basically the idea was conceived by the Holocaust survivors in1984. Located on Miami Beach just few miles away from the world’s most happening spot, the museum showcases the detailed pictorial depiction of Holocaust events. Besides this there is Sculpture of Love and Anguish that remains the centerpiece of attraction. Another interesting feature here is the Memorial Wall that lists the name of victims of Nazi concentration camps. The beautiful 42-foot bronze sculpture by Kenneth Treister seems to reach out to sky for mercy and help. The guided tours available upon request;
Timings: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Entry: Free.
Bass Museum of Art
2121 Park Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139, Tel: (305) 673-7530
http://www.bassmuseum.org/
Situated in the beautiful coral rock Art Deco building, the museum highlights a wide range of old master paintings, sculpture, textiles and period furniture in South Florida. Featuring revolving exhibits some of the famous exhibits displayed include work by internationally acclaimed pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, Brazilian sculptors, Panamanian painters, and a cutting-edge exhibit of room-size installations done entirely in beads.
The permanent collection includes 2000 exhibits that reflect period from 14th to 21st centuries. Only a small portion of the permanent collection is on view at any given time in the three dedicated exhibition galleries.
Opened in 1963, the museum also displays the brilliant collection of John and Johanna Bass. The museum basically boosts the cultural image of Miami Beach.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
$5 adults, $3 students and seniors, free for kids 6 and younger.
Art Deco District
1001 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139, Tel: (305) 672-2014
http://www.artdecoweekend.com/
Stretching over one square mile in Miami Beach, the District is known for the 800 buildings designed in the distinctive architectural style of the 1930s. Famous for the architectural style, these buildings have restored the original beauty and the style, beauty and pastel splendor. Attracting thousands of tourists every year, the architectural history of the buildings interests many. Some of the interesting architectural delights include the buildings inspired by space travel and modern tropical living. Also visit the Art Deco Museum that is presently featuring a collection of Nautcal Art Deco artifacts, on loan from the Steamship Historical Society of Americas Boomerangs. The Flamingo Park District provides an introduction to Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District. Another feature not to be missed is the private gardens highlighting the rare flora & fauna, many species of palms, and exquisite water features.
The Art Deco Welcome Center, (1001 Ocean Dr., (305) 672-2014) introduces visitors to the historic District, by providing literature as well as walking tours. These tours depart from the Center on Saturday at 10:30am, Thursday at 6:30pm or by special requests for large groups.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129, Tel: (305) 250-9133
http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/
Built in 1916, this Italian Renaissance-style villa built was initially the residence of Chicago industrialist James Deering, Vizcaya's. The well maintained beautiful garden with the fountains that spreads over 10 acres of land in it make it a perfect venue to conduct the wedding. The home turned into a museum has beautifully done up 34 rooms furnished with the 15th- to 19th-century furniture and other art forms. These rooms wich provide with the excellent ocean view take you back in the history. All of them are decorated in the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassic styles.
Time: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (ticket booth closes at 4:30);
Gardens open until 5:30 p.m;$10 adults, $5 children 6-12; Free for children under 5
Ancient Spanish Monastery
16711 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach, FL 33160, Tel:(305) 945-1462
One of the oldest European structures in the Western Hemisphere, the monastery was erected in Spain in 1141. It was reconstructed on its present site in 1952 after William Randolph Hearst brought it to the United States in pieces. Located in the downtown North Miami Beach, the monastery shares a very low profile in the area but it is one of the most beautiful structures seen.
Timings: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Entry: $4.50 adults, $1 children 12 and younger, $2.50 students with ID & seniors.
Miami Art Museum
101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130-1504, Tel: (305) 375-1700
Miami Art Museum basically displays the international collections of modern art that reflect Miami's diverse population. Based in the downtown Miami-Dade Cultural Center next to the library, the museum showcases an amazing collection of modern art. The series include The New Works series that pairs artists of diverse mediums to create new pieces. Other popular traveling exhibits include William Wegman's famous Weimaraners posing in enviable frocks by designers like Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and Issey Miyake.
Entry: Adults $5; Students/seniors $2.50; Children (under 12) free.
Historical Museum of Southern Florida
101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130-1504, Tel:(305) 375-1492
Situated in the heart of Miami, the Historical Museum of South Florida talks about South Florida as a whole. The exhibits here revolve around the history, cultures, folk life and archaeology of South Florida. Recognized by the American Association of Museums the museum displays the Caribbean. Exhibits, such as "Maps of Cuba" and "Tobacco Art," span prehistoric time to the present. The museum is also into collecting rare archives, photographs, pictures, objects and artifacts relating to native Miccosukee, Seminole, and Tequesta Indians, as well as immigrant communities like Cubans, Haitians, Bahamians and Nicaraguans.
The Wolfsonian
1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, (305) 531-1001
http://www.wolfsonian.org
Established in 1986, the museum was basically set up to home the extensive collection of Micky Wolfson. The collection included the European and American art and design from 1885 to 1945. Initially Wolfson supported the museum but when he withdrew his financial support the Florida International University took it up. Besides the collection by WolfSon the museum also homes the works by the great modernists such as Marcel Duchamp, Charles Eames, Isamu Noguchi and members of the Bauhaus school. Showcasing the temporary traveling exhibits relating to the 19th and 20th centuries, the museum also promotes design from 1885-1945, reflecting the human experience. All the exhibits reflect upon the cultural, political and technological changes that the world underwent in the century preceding World War II. The Wolfsonian hosts Family Fundays, with arts and crafts activities, storytelling and more for the kids. They also conduct special tours and exhibitions.
Entry: $5 adults, $3.50 seniors and students, children under 6 free, group tours, free or by donation
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