Tower Theater: A Miami Landmark

Opened in 1926, this historic Art Deco theater in Miami was the areas entertainment destination of choice for decades. Although the theater closed in the 1980s, Miami Dade College reopened it in 2002 to show independent and foreign films.

Its historic preservation and art house film repertoire have earned the theater accolades from USA Today, which recognized it as on of the Top 10 old-fashioned movie theaters in the country. You get to experience all the history and charm at reasonable prices too! General admission is $10, but if you become a member of the Theater, that price drops to just $6 per show!

Visit the Tower Theater website to learn more about this Miami movie theater.

Tower Theater
1508 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 642-1264
www.towertheatermiami.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tower-theater-miami

Performing Arts at the Adrienne Arsht Center

Plan a cultural evening at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. This performing arts center is home to the Ziff Ballet Opera House and Knight Concert Hall which host a variety of entertaining and educational performances throughout the year. With the second largest stage in the country, the Ziff Opera House welcomes Broadway shows.

In addition to the two main performance halls, a small black box theater and the plaza host more intimate events, including culinary competitions. The Center offers programming to awaken your artistic spirit on any budget, and if you like to learn more about the artists, try to attend their free pre-concert talks for an expert’s perspective on the performance. Located just off I-395, its convenient location and plentiful parking make it easily accessible from all of South Florida. Check the website for a calendar of upcoming events, and to purchase tickets online!

Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 949-6722
www.arshtcenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/adrienne-arsht-center-miami

SpecialTEA Lounge: Relax with a Cup of Tea

If you're looking to escape the busy city of Miami for a few hours head over to SpecialTEA Lounge. This little spot may not look like much from the outside but inside is a tea lover's paradise. There are over 60 loose leaf teas available for you to taste. Coffee, frozen beverages, fruit smoothies, and Italian sodas are also available. The staff is very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions from the staff. Panini, salads, and wraps are freshly made to order if you get hungry. Everything can be made vegan or vegetarian. If you just want a little snack while you're studying go for one of their baked goods. Regulars rave about the chocolate chip cookies. Free WiFi is available with the code printed on your receipt, and there are plenty of board games to play available behind the counter.

SpecialTEA Lounge
10766 SW 24 St
Miami, FL 33165
(305) 554-8327
http://www.yelp.com/biz/specialtea-lounge-miami

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Enjoy the Outdoors

Escape from the city to an afternoon of paradise at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. Since 1938 this 83 acre garden has been welcoming the public to its luscious lawns and carefully curated plant collection. There are several exhibits throughout the grounds, and one favorite is the new indoor butterfly conservatory and outdoor garden. This exhibit features a small glass window where you can patiently watch butterflies emerge from their cocoons. If you're planning a day trip, you can pack your own lunch and enjoy it on a secluded bench, or stop in one of their two cafes. Admission is $25, with the fee helping to maintain the lovely property. It includes a one hour tram tour, which is a recommended way to familiarize yourself with the garden. Plan to spend several hours here, and don’t forget your camera, as most every view is beautiful.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
(305) 667-1651
www.fairchildgarden.org
www.yelp.com/biz/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden-coral-gables-2

Walls Old Fashioned Ice Cream: Always In Style

Old Fashioned never goes out of style at Walls Old Fashioned Ice Cream in Miami. What’s not to love about a family owned ice cream parlor with creamy hand dipped ice cream, and homemade fudge? With over 25 flavors of ice cream, and a plethora of toppings from syrups to candies, there's likely something here for everyone. Scoops are generous, so be prepared to indulge. Daring diners take on their “Great Wall of Ice Cream” food challenge with 12 flavors, bananas, brownies, 2 wet toppings, 2 dry toppings, whipped cream and a cherry. If you finish, you and your crew will get your picture on the “Wall of Fame”; if you can’t, it'll wind up on the “Wall of Shame.” Walls makes their own fudge too, a perfect treat for yourself or gift for a friend. The decor and the 1950s memorabilia – along with the prices! – help give Walls its old fashioned vibe. Friday and Saturday nights are often quite busy, but there's still generally plenty of parking in their lot.

Walls Old Fashioned Ice Cream
8075 SW 67th Avenue
Miami, FL 33143
(305) 740-9830
www.wallsicecreamfl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/walls-old-fashioned-ice-cream-miami

Gold Coast Railroad Museum: History on Rails

You don’t have to be a train enthusiast to enjoy a visit to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, a popular museum in Miami. A visit gets you up close and personal with historic trains like the Presidential Pullman car, the Ferdinand Magellan, built in 1928 to transport heads of state like Franklin D. Roosevelt in the days before routine air travel. The California Zephyr Silver Crescent, the Silver Palm Sleeper Car, and a steam locomotive are also on exhibit at the museum. Take a train ride during your visit on a caboose, coach car, or the Edwin Link Children’s Railroad, which is suitable for both tykes and adults. Open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

12450 SW 152nd Street
Miami, FL 33177
(305) 253-0063

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: A Beautiful Estate in Miami

Formerly the opulent winter villa of wealthy industrialist James Deering of International Harvester, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens offers visitors an opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful estates in Miami. A great spot for a day trip from Portofino at Biscayne, the lavish 1916 Italianate mansion in the Coconut Grove area looks out on the glittering expanse of Biscayne Bay and was crafted by over 1,000 workers.

Much of the artwork, furniture, and tapestries from Deering’s collection are still in the house. The landscaped gardens feature elaborate landscaping with lush tropical plants, fountains, and walkways. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children, with discounts for seniors, students, and disabled persons. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

3251 S. Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 250-9133
 

Wings Over Miami Air Museum: The World of Flight

Fascinated by the world of flight? Located in a hangar at Tamiami Executive Airport, Wings Over Miami Air Museum is your ticket to exploring a wide variety of aircraft in Miami, Florida. The Museum's collection includes a 1942 Ryan PT-22, a 1961 Yellowbird Schweizer, a 1-26 Sailplane, and a 1945 North American SNJ-6. The latest addition to the museum is a restored 1943 Navy SNJ/4. You can also view cutaway exhibits of plane engines, a 1953 Willys Army Jeep and a mock-up of a WWII communications tent. The Wings Over Miami Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Kendall Tamiami Executive Airport
14710 SW 128 Street
Miami, FL 33196
(305) 233-5197
 

HistoryMiami: South Florida’s History

Many people say that you don’t become a true South Floridian until you learn the fascinating story of the region. A visit to the HistoryMiami museum will help you do just that, with exhibits that include Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida, Opa Locka: Mirage City, Aviation in Miami: the First 100 Years, and Guayabera: A Shirt’s Story. The museum also offers a variety of walking, bicycle, boat, and coach tours that get you out and about exploring some of the most fascinating aspects of the area, including historic neighborhoods, gardens, landmarks and art galleries. HistoryMiami is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 children. 

101 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 375-1492
 

Try Cold-Brew Coffee at Panther Coffee

You may have had trendy pour over coffee, but have you tried cold brew? Miami’s Panther Coffee, including its location in Wynwood, offers this unique brewing method. For a cold brew, the grounds are steeped in room temperature water for 8+ hours, resulting in a smooth and flavorful cup of joe, without the bitterness associated with normal brewing methods! For traditionalists, Panther Coffee offers standard brews as well. Customers are consistently impressed with customer-service here; baristas are friendly and knowledgeable paired with the trendy but relaxing ambiance makes it an all around great coffee-run experience. If you like what you taste, you can buy their beans to brew at home. Don’t pass up the baked goods, as their cookies get rave reviews. Panther also serves beer and wine – come in for their summer happy hour for buy one, get one half off for all beer and wine from July through September from 5 p.m. to close.

Panther Coffee
2390 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 677-3952
www.panthercoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/panther-coffee-miami

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