Coral Castle Museum
http://www.coralcastle.com
This quirky monument is one of Greater Miami’s more unusual attractions. Giant pieces of coral rock were carved into a variety of objects by Edward Leedskalnin in the 1920s, as a tribute to unrequited love. The construction techniques behind this mystery garden of fantastic coral sculptures continue to baffle experts and visitors. This attraction has been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.
Venetian Pool
http://www.gablesrecreation.com
A Venetian-style lagoon carved out of coral rock, this historic landmark and swimming pool features caves, stone bridges and waterfalls. Operates year-round. Call for information on rates and hours of operation. Children must be 38 inches tall or show proof that they are 3 years old. Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, closed Mondays during the rest of the year.
Miami Seaquarium
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com
Enjoy 38 acres of entertainment, great shows and exhibits. Home of Lolita, the Killer Whale and TV superstar Flipper. Laugh with the island adventures of Salty the Sea Lion and thrill to the power, grace and beauty of the Pacific-white sided dolphins performing with a Killer Whale. Rescued Florida Manatees find a home here and see endangered Sea Turtles and Nile Crocodiles at Discovery Bay. Salty’s Pirate Playground is a favorite stop for kids. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults $38.95, children (3-9) $28.95. Taxes not included.
Monkey Jungle
http://www.monkeyjungle.com
Escape on a jungle safari. Explore the wilds of South America, Asia and Africa. Witness crab-eating monkeys diving for treats. Delve into the lush, tropical Amazonian rain forest filled with hundreds of exotic monkeys. Also contains one of the richest fossil deposits in Southern Florida, with more than 5,000 specimens. New exhibit includes rare Amazon parrots, the Cameroon Jungle and the Mandrill Baboons. Offers continuous presentations, snack bar and gift shop. Open daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $29.95 plus tax, children (3-9) $23.95 plus tax, seniors (65 and older) $24.95 plus tax.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
http://www.vizcayamuseum.org
Vizcaya was built by agricultural industrialist James Deering, who wintered on the property from 1916 to 1925. Today, the extraordinary European-inspired estate and National Historic Landmark includes a house filled with art and furnishings, and 10 acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay. Open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Adults $15, Miami-Dade residents $10, children (6-12) $6, children under 5 free.
Coral Gables Merrick House
http://www.coralgables.com
This is the boyhood home of George E. Merrick, founder and developer of the City of Coral Gables. This historic landmark originally began as an 1899 frame house, and was added onto in 1907. The house has been restored to the 1920s period and filled with the Merrick family’s art, furniture and personal treasures. The park is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays for guided tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Suggested admission, which includes the guided tour, is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/students/group tours, $1 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 5 years old.
Biscayne Nature Center
http://www.biscaynenaturecenter.org
Offers hands-on marine exploration, coastal hammock hikes, fossil-rock reef walks, local history lectures and beach walks. Marine exploration trips scheduled at low tide only. All trips led by naturalist guide. Reservations required. Call for tour information and reservations.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery
http://www.schneblywinery.com
This winery in the Redland tropical countryside offers tours and wine tastings around natural coral waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical foliage. Visitors can compare the taste of lychee, passion fruit, carambola, guava and mango wines, just to name a few. This is the southernmost winery in the Continental U.S., handcrafting tropical wines without using grapes. The Grand Tasting Room has a Southern plantation agricultural style. The building is 5,000 square feet and has a view of the tropical courtyard, waterfalls, winery and Grand Tiki, Waterfall Tiki and more than 20,000 square feet of connecting Tikis. They host weddings and corporate retreats. Buses are welcome.
Ancient Spanish Monastery
http://www.spanishmonastery.com
Built in Segovia, Spain in 1141, the Monastery Cloister is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere. Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst brought the pieces to America, and in 1952 Miami developers reassembled the monastery on its current site. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $5, children (under 12) $2, seniors (55 and older) $2.50, students with valid I.D. $2.50.
Dolphin Harbor
http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/dolphin_swim/dolphin_swim.asp
This new facility allows visitors to slip into a wet suit and for an up-close adventure with dolphins. With two different programs there is something for everyone. For the ride of a lifetime, enjoy the Dolphin Odyssey, a deep-water experience including a dorsal tow on one of the dolphins. Or book a Dolphin Encounter, a shallow-water experience where guests touch, feed and play with the dolphins. Looking for more of a behind the scenes experience, enroll to be Trainer for a Day. In this day-long program, guests experience how the facility keeps these marine mammals healthy and happy, plus enjoy a Dolphin Odyssey and get up close with the sea lions.
Art Deco Historic District
http://www.mdpl.org
The nation’s largest 20th Century National Register Historic District. The area features more than 800 historic buildings erected during the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and contains a variety of architectural styles. Walking, bicycle and private group tours are available. Walking tours of the district depart every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. from the Art Deco Welcome Center, $20. Self-guided audio-tour available daily, $15. Private group tours are also available.
Miami Science Museum
http://www.miamisci.org
This Smithsonian Institute Affiliate features a Wildlife Center with rare birds of prey and reptiles, fascinating Planetarium shows and a brand new Energy Tracker exhibit featuring an interconnected trail of hands-on exhibits that explore everything from basic energy principles to the future of renewable energy. Visitors can dance on a huge Energy Dance Floor that captures their energy and converts it to electricity, or rocket themselves 10 feet in the air on the Human YoYo! Live science demonstrations and theater shows daily. Museum store on-site. Centrally located via U.S. Highway 1 and Metrorail (Vizcaya Station). Laser shows every first Friday of the month. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Box Office closes at 5 p.m. Adults $14.95, Seniors (62+) & Students $10.95, Children (3-12) $10.95, Children under 3 – Free. Miami-Dade County Adults $12.70, Seniors (62+) & Students $9.30, Children (3-12) $9.30, Children under 3 – Free. Members – Free. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day. In 2014, the legacy continues, as MiaSci moves to a new world-class, state-of-the-art 200,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Downtown Miami.
Jungle Island
http://www.jungleisland.com/
Jungle Island is an interactive zoological park in Watson Island, Miami, Florida, United States. It was originally Parrot Jungle and moved from its original suburban Pinecrest to its present location. It has been a must see area attraction for over 75 years. Resting on 22 Acres with exotic birds and wild life. Featuring Kangaroo Konnection, petting barn, shows and more. Hours: Monday –Friday 10am -5 pm Saturday- Sunday 10am-6pm Admission: 1 day Adults $34.95 Seniors $32.95 Children $26.95 Under 2 years Free all prices are plus tax. Parking Fee: $8.00
