Step Back in Time With a Visit to Miami’s Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Millionaire James Deering built Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove to serve as his tropical winter getaway. Deering’s interest in landscaping is apparent in the mansion’s grounds, which include mazes, flowers, sculptures, and fountains.

Today the estate is open to the public for group and private tours. The recently launched audio tour is a 90-minute experience that allows visitors to explore the main house, gardens, and grounds at their own pace. The tour is offered in 5 languages (English, Spanish, French, Portugese, and Haitian Creole) for $5. Visitors can grab a bite to eat the the Vizcaya Café and Shop with a view of the main swimming pool.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. Admission costs $18 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and $6 for children 6-12. Admission is free for kids under six.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 South Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 250-9133
www.vizcaya.org

Beat the Heat with Treats from Bianco Gelato

If you’re looking for a delicious way to beat the Miami heat, duck in to Bianco Gelato for a tasty, frozen treat. This popular local gelato shop offers authentic Italian gelato that has a richer consistency and denser flavor than traditional ice cream, so you’ll only need a small scoop to really get the full experience. You’ll find tried-and-true flavors like chocolate, vanilla and stracciatella, as well as more unique options like fig, hazelnut and coconut.

Each type of gelato is made with organic, non-GMO ingredients that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating, and there are even sugar-free and non-dairy, vegan options for those with restricted diets. Spice up your gelato with a Bianco cup topped with homemade whipped cream and cookie crumbles, or grab a frozen pop if you’re looking for a handheld treat. With a hip, stylish décor and friendly service, there’s a lot to enjoy at Bianco Gelato.

Bianco Gelato
3137 Commodore Plaza
Miami, FL 33133
(786) 717-5565
www.biancogelato.com

Contemporary Art is Always on the Itinerary at Perez Art Museum Miami

In a city teeming with people from all different cultures and backgrounds, it only makes sense that the Perez Art Museum Miami would reflect that diversity. The contemporary art museum pays homage to the people of the city by sourcing works from eclectic arts sprinkled all around the globe, just as it has since it opened back in 1984. The goal? To inculcate a love of fine art and a thirst for more in the city's residents and guests.

Local artists factor heavily into the permanent collection, which means most works flow from Caribbean, Latin American, and U.S. cultures. And every piece, whether a traditional painting or mixed media, was created during the 20th or 21st century. Then there are visiting exhibits, which also focus on modern art, but span a wide array of mediums and sources of inspiration. So if you're craving some culture, head to the Perez Art Museum Miami on Biscayne Boulevard.

Perez Art Museum Miami
1103 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 375-3000
www.pamm.org
www.yelp.com/biz/p%C3%A9rez-art-museum-miami-miami-7

See the Masterpieces an Artistic Challenge Spawned at EVLworld Studio and Store

EVLworld Studio and Store began with a lofty goal set by artist Erni Vales. He devoted himself to crafting 13 new paintings a month for 13 months, starting at the beginning of 2012. By January of the following year, his colorful paintings were all on display, an homage to the 3D style of graffiti on which Vales built his reputation as an artist. Now a few years later, EVLworld Studio and Store continues to attract attention.

Although Erni is no longer in the midst of his self-imposed artistic challenge, he continues to create, and the results are contemporary, edgy pieces. You can always stop in just to ogle the colorful works, which span a variety of subjects and artistic genres. However, Vales also sells prints of his masterpieces, so you can take one home and display it in your apartment, too.

EVLworld Studio and Store
2345 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(646) 344-9599
evlworld.com
www.yelp.com/biz/evl-world-studio-and-store-miami

Lounge on the Dock at David Kennedy Park

The breeze weaves through your hair. The warm sun washes your back. The gentle ebb of the water lulls you into a near sleep. At David Kenney Park, this is a pretty common scene. The park resides in Coconut Grove along the bay, offering soothing sights and sounds to anyone who ventures here. And since wooden docks just right out onto the water, you're welcome to simply soak up some sun and kick back.

Of course, you can also take advantage of David Kennedy Park's other amenities. It also features outdoor exercise equipment for adults, not to mention a running path and outdoor track, as well as a play area for your little ones. If you bring a pup along, head to the dog park and throw a frisbee around while he makes some new furry friends. You can also play beach volleyball or simply spread out a blanket and picnic at David Kennedy Park.

David Kennedy Park
2600 S. Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 3313
(305) 854-3859
www.miamiandbeaches.com/parks/david-kennedy-park/101628
www.yelp.com/biz/david-t-kennedy-park-miami

Wynwood Walls: A Fresh-Air Expression of Local (and International) Talent

To visionary Tony Goldman, the blank walls of warehouses in Wynwood weren't just blank walls—they were blank canvases. In 2009, he decided to take full advantage of the empty space by leading a charge in the artistic community for local residents. "Wynwood's largest stock of warehouse buildings, all with no windows, would me by giant canvases to bring to them the greatest street art ever seen in one place," he decided.

So with Tony at the helm, artists from around the area and the world started covering the walls with colorful graffiti and street art. Even after Goldman passed away, the movement continued to grow. The outdoor art gallery has attracted masters from Brazil to Belgium, Spain to Singapore, and Greece to Germany. Explore the winding streets of Wynwood Walls yourself to see the impact that one man's bright idea made on Miami.

Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 531-4411
thewynwoodwalls.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wynwood-walls-miami

Performing Arts at The Adrienne Arsht Center

The Adrienne Arsht Center on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida is a lovely destination for those who are interested in the performing arts. If you'd love to experience a wondrous night out reveling in the joys of ballet or opera, for example, then the Adrienne Arsht Center is something you simply don't want to miss.

Many diverse events regularly take place at the esteemed Adrienne Arsht Center. These events include season openings for local orchestras, flamenco festivals and performances by circus troupes. Whether you adore Broadway, gospel music, Latin music or pretty much anything else, the Adrienne Arsht Center should have something to make you smile.

Visitors to The Adrienne Arsht Center never have to worry about beverage and food options, either. The center is home to an on-site restaurant that offers brunch buffets and prix-fixe dinners (3 courses). Check out the Adrienne Arsht Center website to learn more!

Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
http://www.arshtcenter.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/adrienne-arsht-center-miami

Gear Up for an Adventure at X-treme Rock Climbing

Never travel the same route twice at X-treme Rock Climbing. The gym's nationally certified route setters rework the arrangement of its foot- and handholds all the time, so there's always a new adventure to be had at the 14,000-square-foot rock climbing gym. With overhangs and roofs for the more seasoned climbers to attempt, as well as easier routes for the less experienced, climbers of all abilities can embark on a fun workout at X-treme.

The climbing walls aren't the only spot to work out, either. X-treme also boasts a full gym, including a recently added yoga studio. So if you don't feel like harnessing up and going for a climb, maybe you'll want to attend a relaxing yoga class with one of X-treme's highly trained instructors. The gym also has Wi-Fi for those who are just coming to observe a friend.

X-treme Rock Climbing
13972 SW 139 Court
Miami, FL 33186
(305) 233-6623
www.x-tremerock.com
www.yelp.com/biz/x-treme-rock-climbing-miami-2

Take in the Sights at Tropical Park

Most local parks can't boast an annual guest list that exceeds a million people, but Tropical Park can. The breathtaking Miami park attracts about 1.5 million people every year, to be more precise. Some of that foot traffic can probably be attributed to the Miami International Agriculture and Cattle Show, which is held at Tropical Park's Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center each year. Still more may be due to the Southwest Community Farmers Market unfolding at Tropical Park each weekend. Even without these special events, though, chances are the space would still draw a crowd.

That's because it's so rich in natural beauty. Dip your toes in the pristine lake, the water so clear that it looks more like a tropical ocean than an oversized pond. Explore and appreciate the colorful mosaics throughout the park, including a tiled mural on the wall of the racquetball courts. Or just claim a patch of grass and enjoy a picnic beside the lake, possible with a pooch worn out from his time at the dog park.

Tropical Park
7900 SW 40th Street
Miami, FL 33155
(305) 226-8315
www.miamidade.gov/parks/tropical.asp
www.yelp.com/biz/tropical-park-miami

Have You Ever Tried an Aerial Yoga Class at Trio Yoga Studio?

There's no shortage of yoga studios in Miami, but Trio stands apart from the rest. The reason? Its roster of instructors, who, according to countless reviews on Yelp, help foster a warm, welcoming vibe within this independently owned studio. In fact, in the lives of many of Trio's regular clientele, the studio serves more as a community hub than a simple gym; this is where yogis come to socialize, network, and take part in special healing workshops.

Of course, yoga is the focus here, and Trio offers classes in the vinyasa flow and hatha styles of yoga. For the yogi seeking something a little new and different, Trio also hosts classes in AcroYoga and aerial yoga. If you'd just like to dip your toes in the water, you can purchase an introductory package, and explore the classes at a discounted rate.

But no matter which class piques your interest, the ultimate goal of Trio remains the same: to promote both physical and mental well-being in all who walk through its doors.

Trio – Mind Body Spirit Studio
2330 NE 2 Ave.
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-184
www.trioyoga.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trio-mind-body-spirit-studio-miami

Pin It on Pinterest