Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami (must see)

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a villa once owned by James Deering of the International Harvester company. This home was constructed between 1914 and 1922. The heirs to Deering's estate donated the property to Miami-Dade County in 1952, and the county manages the home and its extensive gardens today.

This estate includes 50 acres, including the home, gardens, and native hammock forest. The gardens are in Italian Renaissance style and feature primarily native plants well-suited to the climate. Some of the unique elements included in the construction of the home include Floridian coral and Cuban limestone for unique stonework.

This estate has enjoyed Historic Landmark status since 1994. The entrance features a representation of Spanish explorer Vizcaya, and Gilded Age features are scattered throughout the home. A rotary-dial phone that was the first phone in the county, a dumbwaiter, and original doorbells are some of the highlights.

Tip:
You can do self-guided tours, guided tours, or audio tours, any of which are a great way to visit the house. Make sure you take the time to explore the gardens, find the hidden garden, do the hedge maze, and find the area in the back where the gondolas could pull up. The gardens are a great place to get family photos and get amazing views of Biscayne Bay.