Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Discover the past and the present of Southern Florida and the Caribbean through permanent and changing exhibits. Visit the Research Center for prints, antique maps, books and over one million historic photographs. Free, year round cultural programs for all ages. Special walking, bike, coach and boat tours. On permanent display, "Tropical Dreams: A People's History of Southern Florida."

Open 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday. 10am to 9pm on third Thrusday.
Located at 101 W. Flagler Street in Downtown Miami.
Miami-Dade Cultural Center - Phone 305-375-1492

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Exhibits include the display of the Ferdinand Magellan, the private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt, and other historic trains. Open Tuesdays thru Fridays 10am to 4pm; weekends, 11am to 4pm.

Located at 12450 SW 152nd. Street, Miami, Florida. Phone 305-253-0063. Next to Miami MetroZoo.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

One of the world's preeminent botanical gardens spans 83 acres of rare, tropical plants. Highlights include a conservatory, a rainforest, a butterfly garden and the National Palm and Cycad Collections, cafe and gift shops. Festivals and art exhibitions and special events throughout the year. Open daily (except Christmas) 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Admission includes narrated tram tours, some Spanish tram tours, seasonal walking tours, and year round butterfly tours.

Location: Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Miami. Phone: 305-667-1651

Port of Miami Video

Fiesta Cruises

Daily sightseeing cruises (approx. 1:30 hs) travel around the Port of Miami, Fisher Island and other islands of the rich and famous (Millionaire's Row). You may see the homes of Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias and others, and the former homes of Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Al Capone. Dance or sit in shaded comfort. There also are nightly party cruises. These cruises leave from 401 Biscayne Boulevard (Bayside Marketplace), Miami. Phone 305-371-3033

Everglades National Park

See endangered species of birds and animals in this 1.5 million acre park, the third largest national park in the lower 48 US states. It has two entrances from Miami: Shark Valley, 25 miles west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail (Hwy 41); and the Main Entrance at Homestead, 50 miles south of Miami. To get there take Florida Turnpike south to last exit or take U.S. 1 south.

Florida Panther, Puma concolor coryi
National Park Service Photo by Rodney Cammauf

Dolphin Harbor at Miami Seaquarium

They're fast, fun and love to make new friends. They're the dolphins at Miami Seaquarium. Join them for a fun-filled Dolphin Odyssey and Dolphin Encounter, which you'll never forget. It begins with a little insight into htese intelligent and fun-loving mammals, followed by the dolphin interaction. Get a chance to touch them, feed them, play with them and get up-close and personal. Dolphin Odyssey is $199 plus tax per person and Dolphin Encounter is $139 plus tax per person. Your package also includes a all-day admission to the park. It is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, in Key Biscayne. Phone: 305-365-2501

Deering Estate at Cutler

Located along Biscayne Bay, the 444 acre estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Daily tours of the historic Richmond Cottage and Stone House are held at 10:30am and 3:00pm. Guided canoe trips to Chicken Key are held on selected Sundays. This attraction is open daily 10am to 5pm (ticket office until 4pm). Regular paid admission includes guided tours and parking. There are kayak rentals available on weekends for an additional fee.

16701 SW 72nd. Avenue, Miami
Phone 305-235-1668

Coral Castle

Over a period of twenty years, Ed Leedskalnin, only 5 feet tall and a 100 pounds, sculpted and carved over 1.100 tons of coral rock, using only homemade tools. There are 30 minute state of the art audio tours available in several languages for you to get to know this wonderful place. It is open Sunday through Thursday 8am to 6pm; and Friday to Saturday 8am to 8pm.

Located at 28655 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead.
Phone: 305-248-6345

Everglades Safari Park

Visit the Florida Everglades' premier and most complete airboat attraction. Everglades Safari Park has a modern fleet of airboats of all sizes, capable of accommodating singles, couples, families, and large groups. Explore nature's River of Grass on an Eco-Adventure group tour or journey through the mrashes on a small private airboat. Experienced tour guides will describe the wonders of this unique ecosystem and the native and exotic wildlife that inhabit it. All tours will include an airboat ride, alligator wildlife show, and a walking trail filled with crocodilian exhibits. Open everyday from 9am to 5pm.

Located at 26700 SW 8th. Street (Tamiami Trail), Miami.
Phone: 305-226-6923

Coopertown Airboat Rides

Professional guides will take you on a personalized tour covering approximately 8 miles, stopping at alligator holes and areas abundant with wildlife. After the tour, enjoy a taste of "down-home" cooking. Stop by the alligator exhibit. Private tours are available.

Located at 11 miles west of the Florida Turnpike on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) - Phone: 305-226-6048

Watersports

Boucher Brothers Watersports

Lots of fun in, on and above the water of Miami Beach: wave-runners, parasailing, banana boats, wind surfers, snorkeling, rafts, kayaks, boogie boards and deep sea fishing charters. Team building scavenger hunts and beach olympics are also available for corporate and group events, from Key Largo to Palm Beach. Safety certified instructors are available. Phone: 305-535-8177

Butterfly World

For 20 years, Butterfly World in Miami Beach has offered the public the opportunity to be surrounded by these beautiful flying insects; up to 10.000 at a time from at least 50 different species. Also includes the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the US and a lorikeet encounter. Phone: 954-977-4400

Bike and Roll

From your vacation rental apartment in Miami Beach go for an easy riding bike tour of South Beach or for an Art Deco Segway glide. Bike tours depart daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm. Segway tours depart at 10am and 2pm. Bikes are available by the hour, half-day, day or week. Bike rental rates start at $8 per hour and $25 per day. They carry all new bikes including cruisers, mountain, hybrids, fitness, and road bikes. All bikes come with locks, helmets, bags and a free map with suggested places to ride. Bike across the Venetian Islands and visit Bayside Marketplace, Vizcaya & Coconut Grove or ride to Key Biscayne Island and enjoy a great day outdoors.

Billie Swamp Safari

Explore 2200 acres of untamed Everglades on the Seminole Tribe's Big Cypress Reservation in Miami via swamp buggy eco-tour and airboat ride. Snake and alligator show, swamp critter show, boardwalk nature trail, animal & reptile exhibits & Swamp Water Cafe.

Who was Collins?

Collins Avenue

John Collins was a farmer and land developer who built the first wooden bridge from Miami to Miami Beach in 1913.

Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida opened in 1913 as the "longest wooden bridge in the world."

Art Deco District Tours

Guided Walking Tours:

Local historians and architects introduce Miami Beach's architectural history. 90 minute walking tours depart from the Art Deco Gift Shop daily, 10:30am; Thursday 6:30pm. No reservations are necessary.

Self Guided Auto Tours:
Hear about architectural history in English, Spanish, German or French. Audio tours are available at the Gift Shop 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm. For private tours call 305-672-2014. The Gift Shop is located on 12th. Street between Ocean Drive & Collins Avenue - Phone 305-531-3484

The Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery

The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was built in Sacramenia, in the Province of Segovia, Spain during 1133-1141 and moved to Miami in 1952. Open Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm; Sunday noon to 4pm. May close early for special events.

16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach
Phone 305-945-1462