Although much of Miami’s reputation for world-class, sun-worshipping hedonism is well deserved, the city isn't all clubbing till 4 a.m. and hard bodies on the beach. Miami offers plenty of attractions that appeal to people who prefer quiet contemplation to bacchanalia.
Coral Castle Museum is a monument to solitude. Latvian immigrant Ed Leedskalnin broke ground on this monument to eccentric obsessions in 1923, carving and setting the structure's 1,100 tons of coral stone in tribute to the fiancée who is said to have left him the day before their wedding. Leedskalnin, who died in 1951, before his life’s work was completed, was as given to understatement as he was grand gestures; he engraved on the castle’s welcome sign this promise to visitors: "You will be seeing unusual accomplishment."
In contrast to Coral Castle, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens was commissioned as the winter residence of industrialist James Deering and constructed by more than 1,000 workers. Designed to resemble an Italian villa, the estate consists of 34 decorated rooms and sits on 50 acres, comprised of the 10-acre, Rennaissance-inspired formal gardens and 40 acres of native jungle.
For another dose of a bygone era, the Wolfsonian-FIU art and design museum just off South Beach houses a 120,000-object collection focusing on modern art produced between 1885 and 1945. The size of the museum is modest, but that’s all the more reason to linger over the collection and temporary exhibits, which have recently surveyed media images from the Spanish-American War and advertisements inspired by the invention of the light bulb.
Oleta River State Park beckons the outdoorsy introvert north of the metro area. Grab a copy of Walden and lie out on the secluded beach, or speed down the miles of novice and expert bike trails. Other popular (and peaceful) activities include hiking, kayaking, and saltwater fishing.
If you’re stranded in South Beach, escape to Terrace Bar and Cigar Lounge. Located on the second floor, Terrace is not only literally above the bustle of the club scene, but also temperamentally outside of it; sheer curtains billow in the wind out on the terrace as guests sip cocktails and sample fine cigars.
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Things To Do In Florida City
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5th Annual South Dade Food and Rock Festival – A Zeppelin Experience
5th Annual South Dade Food and Rock Festival – A Zeppelin Experience on Saturday, February 21 (Up to 50% Off)
Live country and rock accompanies barbecue, seafood, and drinks at outdoor festival, with some proceeds benefitting a local scholarship fund
Harris Field Pavilion
$30 $15
Super-Speedway Racing Experience or Ride-Along at Rusty Wallace Racing Experience (Up to 55% Off)
Rusty Wallace Racing Experience
Homestead-Miami Speedway
$129
$64
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Three-Lap Ride-Along or Three-Hour Driving Experience from NASCAR Racing Experience (Up to 51% Off)
NASCAR Racing Experience
Homestead-Miami Speedway
$129.99
$64
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$19 for $35 Groupon — Ingenious Designs LLC
Ingenious Designs Llc
Homestead
$35
$19
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$152 for a Discovery Flight Lesson Package at Orient Flight School ($400 Value)
Orient Flight School
Homestead General Aviation Airport
$400
$152
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$4 for Redland Fish Fry & Seafood Festival on November 16 at Fruit and Spice Park ($8 Value)
Fruit and Spice Park
Homestead, South Miami
$8
$4
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Gymnastics Classes at All-Star Panthers (Up to 73% Off). Four Options Available.
All-Star Panthers
Homestead
$125
$49
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15 Dance-Fitness Classes at Miami Fitness International (65% Off)
Miami Fitness International
Homestead
$75
$26
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Adult Volleyball, Kickball, or Flag Football League Registration at South Florida Club Sport (Up to 50% Off)
South Florida Club Sport
Multiple Locations
$70
$39
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Five or Ten Martial Arts Classes at Kickboxing Homestead (Up to 86% Off)
Kickboxing Homestead
Homestead
$90
$15
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Visit for Two or Four or Tour for Four at Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge and Rescue (Up to 67% Off)
Everglades Outpost Wildlife Refuge And Rescue
Homestead
$24
$12
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The passionate wildlife guides at Tours in the Glades usher nature-starved sightseers into the lush wetlands and past the stunning marine wildlife of the Everglades. Captivating facts about the Everglades’ ecological and cultural significance abound, as do anecdotes about some of the birds and reptiles that call the wetlands home. All tours include the proper gear for watery odysseys and transportation into the park, thereby obviating the need to hitch rides on the backs of water-walking lizards.
20 Southwest 2nd Avenue
Florida City,
FL
US
The technicolor interior of Wonder Games is filled wall-to-wall with arcade games, trampolines, educational activities, and even a candy bar. Toddlers can crawl through a soft, indoor playground complete with miniature castle, while parents watch nearby from clusters of tables and chairs. Bigger kids can jump on trampolines, which are surrounded by protective nets, or head to the arcade to rack up game tickets that can be used to redeem prizes. The candy bar's bins are filled with bulk candies, which are weighed by the ounce, and include sour gummy worms and a rainbow of gumball flavors.
258 West Palm Drive
Florida City,
FL
US
Miami Exotic Auto Racing sends thrill seekers tearing around the racetrack at supersonic speeds of up to 140 miles-per-hour. Its garage houses an Audi R8, Ferrari F430, and Lamborghini Gallardo. Drivers can climb behind the wheels of these three exotic rides to take on the challenges of Homestead-Miami Speedway, conquering its tight turns, drastic elevation changes, and lengthy straightaway stretches in the process. The best part: Miami Exotic Auto Racing has no restrictions on speed. In fact, the company's coaches school drivers in how to push cars to their limits. They'll teach participants how to hit top speeds during races and when to press the button that releases banana peels to slip up competitors.
1 Speedway Boulevard
Homestead,
FL
US
The owner of Orient Flight School knows a thing or two about getting up in the air. Yogini Modi began her career flying gliders in India, then operating micro-light aircraft for the Indian Army. She then set several records, including the longest crossing of India. Now, as the owner of Orient Flight School and one of its full-time instructors, she introduces other students to the skies she loves. Though classes in the air and on the ground, she helps them earn private pilot licenses, pass written FAA exams, and obtain instrument and multi-engine ratings necessary to rule the air and chop any cloud into a dinosaur shape.
28790 SW 217th Ave.
Homestead,
FL
US
At Family Paintball Center, players armed with rented markers storm the fields during classic games: capture the flag, elimination, and elimination’s cousin, resurrection, in which tagged players can be reborn. Separated by sky-high screens, the sprawling fields are scattered with wooden fences and spools as well as inflatable shapes that players can use to dodge incoming pellets. To make a day of it, groups can bring along food and drink, and even set up their own barbecue grill. There is also a concessions stand on-site, and local pizzerias deliver to the field, rather than just throwing their pies there Frisbee-style.
27401 Southwest 127th Avenue
Homestead,
FL
US
At Redline Xperience, racecar enthusiasts hit their choice of two professional-caliber tracks, driving rental rides such as an Audi R8, Aston Martin, and Porsche Carerra. In one two-hour session, a driver can switch between up to six autos, including a Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Nissan GT-R, for the full-spectrum driving experience. During warm-up laps, veteran instructors dole out tips and set drivers at ease.
1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd
Homestead,
FL
US
