I get a bit stumped whenever I get the news that a friend/relative is flying in for a visit. South Beach is crowded and has parking issues. Aventura mall is great, but people who come to Miami... More

I get a bit stumped whenever I get the news that a friend/relative is flying in for a visit. South Beach is crowded and has parking issues. Aventura mall is great, but people who come to Miami usually want to see something distinctive. Viscaya to the rescue! You can go it alone (without a tour guide), but I recommend you call ahead to arrange for a guided tour, then spend the rest of the day exploring. It's absolutely exquisite, both inside the main house and in the Italian gardens.
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I came here on a renaissances festival, but this place overall was beautiful. It is green and lush, the fountains look archaic but beautiful. I know of a lot of ppl who use this spot to take their... More

I came here on a renaissances festival, but this place overall was beautiful. It is green and lush, the fountains look archaic but beautiful. I know of a lot of ppl who use this spot to take their wedding pictures, sweet 16, or quincenera. Next to the ocean which happens to be clean, compared to other beaches in Miami.
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Nice place to visit to recreate from the city environment.It has been well maintained for many years(more than 20).It has valuable historic material comparable to any museum in Spain or France.It... More

Nice place to visit to recreate from the city environment.It has been well maintained for many years(more than 20).It has valuable historic material comparable to any museum in Spain or France.It makes me think of the Pink Palace in Lisbon Portugal,it has that artistic outdoor environment touch. PROS: great art work,nice gardens CONS: cannot think of any
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This place is just plainly gorgeous and breathtaking the first second you stpe into this museum. The arts on the wall the garden, EVERYTHING, its just a truly breathtaking experience if you go... More

This place is just plainly gorgeous and breathtaking the first second you stpe into this museum. The arts on the wall the garden, EVERYTHING, its just a truly breathtaking experience if you go there.This museum truly represents and gives a bit of history about Florida along with it as well. Ths would be ideal for kids to go to since they will learn a lot from this, and most likely wont get bored since every diffrent second is a diffrent thing you see and very gorgeous gardens and fountains here and there all over the place. Out of all ht epossible museums there is here, this one is definetly the first one you should go to. PROS: gorgeus place! CONS:
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The gardens here at the Vizcaya Museum are so huge you can get lost at dark. The many fountains staggered around the garden are so beautiful and makes each part of the garden its unique character.... More

The gardens here at the Vizcaya Museum are so huge you can get lost at dark. The many fountains staggered around the garden are so beautiful and makes each part of the garden its unique character. It's actually a place where many people get married or have receptions too. The mansion is decorated with an assortment of decorations which make it look so dramatic. The fine art and classic furniture in all the rooms show a lot of story behind the history. Not a bad place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
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When I was in elementary school in the late 1950s and early '60s, Vizcaya was the site of frequent field trips. Although it was fascinating even then to glimpse what such a bourgeois lifestyle... More

When I was in elementary school in the late 1950s and early '60s, Vizcaya was the site of frequent field trips. Although it was fascinating even then to glimpse what such a bourgeois lifestyle might have been like, Vizcaya at that time had greatly deteriorated from its original beauty. The one thing we remembered as school children was the pool in the basement. I am thrilled to be able to say that Vizcaya has been given lots of TLC since I was a child and is even more beautiful than 50 years ago. Vizcaya was home to industrialist James Deering and a large staff that managed the estate. Deering occupied Vizcaya only in the winter months, from 19161925, when he died. At the time Vizcaya was built, Miamis population was a mere 10,000. More than 1,000 workers were used to build Vizcaya and its grounds, including laborers and craftsmen from the Caribbean and Europe. In addition to the house and gardens, the complex included a farm, livestock and a variety of other service facilities covering 180 acres on both sides of South Miami Avenue. When it was built, Mr.. Deering planned for the house to look like an antique Italian estate which had been occupied and renovated by several generations of one family. Today, it has 34 decorated rooms of 15th through 19th century antique furnishings and art objects, ten acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay and a historic village which is being restored for the public's enjoyment. The gardens include several fountains, statues and themed gardens. My brother-in-law was married in Vizcaya's gardens in the late 1980s and there could not have been any more beautiful setting.
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This Italian renaissance style villa and formal gardens is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Miami..It was the winder home of the industrialist James deering and no expense was spared... More

This Italian renaissance style villa and formal gardens is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Miami..It was the winder home of the industrialist James deering and no expense was spared when it was built..Acres of gardens and fountains await you when you..The surrounding bay offers unparalled views of the city..The villa itself is amazing..Grand parties are held during the year as is the Renassiance faire..If you are in Miami during that time do not miss it! PROS: One of the most beautiful spots in Miami CONS: none
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We went to Vizcaya about a year and a half ago and enjoyed it. We chose not to do a tour, so we just wandered the house and the beautiful gardens. It was very interesting to see a bit of Florida's... More

We went to Vizcaya about a year and a half ago and enjoyed it. We chose not to do a tour, so we just wandered the house and the beautiful gardens. It was very interesting to see a bit of Florida's history. This is not a place I would recommend for young children for several reasons. There's not really much for them to do and they are probably not going to be interested in the fine art. A fine day out, probably best for the fall and winter.
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Vizcaya Gardens is really a beautiful sight. It's the ideal place to take nature photos- visitors are allowed to photograph the gardens but not the museum, shops, or cafe. At Vizcaya, you have the... More

Vizcaya Gardens is really a beautiful sight. It's the ideal place to take nature photos- visitors are allowed to photograph the gardens but not the museum, shops, or cafe. At Vizcaya, you have the opportunity to learn about history, art, and horticulture. It's unlike any museum I've ever seen, and well worth the trip. Allow time for relaxing in the garden as well as the usual sightseeing/museum touring bit.
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This is a great place to take a date or for a husban and wife to go and enjoy the beauty and intamacy that surounds you. If you are looking for a great place to hold an event or to propose to that... More

This is a great place to take a date or for a husban and wife to go and enjoy the beauty and intamacy that surounds you. If you are looking for a great place to hold an event or to propose to that special woman, THIS IS IT!! Pros: resonable price, great views
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