FEATURED MIAMI ATTRACTIONS

Cape Florida Lighthouse
Off US Highway 1 on the southeast tip of Key Biscayne just south of Miami Beach.
For more information call the Bill Baggs Cape Florida Recreation Area, (305) 361-5811.
Located on the southeast tip of Key Biscayne, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Florida. Established in 1825 to mark the Florida Reefs for ships entering Biscayne Bay, the lighthouse sits on the closest point of land to the Gulf Stream. The original tower was destroyed in 1836 during the Second Seminole War. The new tower was not completed until 1845 due to hostile Indian activity. Originally 65 feet high, the tower was raised to 95 feet in 1855. During the Civil War the lighthouse lamp was destroyed by a band of marauders believed to be Confederate soldiers. The lighthouse went out of active service in 1878 but was relit in 1978 and today is open to the public. The restored Keeper's Cottage houses a museum.

If you’re in the Everglades area for the canoeing or other water action, why not take advantage also of the extensive biking trails in the area? In fact, Everglades National Park allows biking along the main park roads, on the Shark Valley tram road, on the Old Ingraham Highway, on Long Pine Key Nature Trail, and on the Snake Bight and Rowdy Bend trails at Flamingo. Much of it gives you plenty of miles to pedal on: Miami-Dade Parks’ 14-miles bike hike along the Long Pine Key path traverses pineland and prairie habitat. Keep an eye out for alligators slumbering along the sides of many of these trails--they may be more alert than they seem. And if you’re a competitive-minded biker up for an local event while visiting Miami, then mark your calendar and get ready for the MS 150/Breakaway to Key Largo Bike Tour which heads south every year at the end of April, starting from the Miami Metro Zoo and ending up down in the Keys. ...read more > >

Hialeah Park
Hialeah Park contains one of horse racings oldest and most prominent tracks. Built in 1925 as a resort facility, the park was modeled after European racing sites such as Longchamps in France and several notable tracks in England. Bought in 1930 by Joseph Widener, the park was redesigned and includes a Renaissance Revival clubhouse, associated buildings and formal landscaped gardens of flora and fauna native to southern Florida. The park has a lake with several islands inhabited by large flocks of pink flamingos. Hialeah Park has become so famous for these birds that it has been officially designated a sanctuary for the American Flamingo by the Audubon Society. The racetrack and associated buildings are among the oldest existing recreational facilities in southern Florida. Originally built to attract the rich and famous who rode special trains to the park from Palm Beach, Hialeah Park has contributed to the development and popularization of southern Florida as a winter resort.
Hialeah Park is in the City of Hialeah (NW of Miami) and is bounded by East 32nd Street, East 4th Avenue (Flamingo Way), the Florida East Coast Railroad and Palm Avenue.

Miami Metro Zoo
12400 SW 152nd Street
Miami, Florida 33177
1-305-251-0040

Miami Museum of Science
3280 S. Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
Current Exhibit Information - Click Here
1-305-646-4200 Museum
1-305-646-4400 Planetarium

Every Wednesday through September 1 - Senior Summer Science Series at the Miami Science Museum

A perfect way to start your Wednesday. Get the latest in science and technology straight from the experts in the field in an easy-to-follow lecture geared towards senior citizens. Then, enjoy breakfast before joining Museum staff for related hands-on demonstrations and tours. This week's event features globally renowned marine geologist, Dr. Robert Ginsburg, who has been funded extensively by National Geographic and other funding agencies, presenting an illustrated comparison of coral reefs and cities that reveals remarkable functional similarities. Join us for a great lecture, fun activities, and delicious breakfast.

Date: Every other Wednesday, continuing June 9th and concluding September 1st
Time: 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM
Speakers and Topics:

July 21: Ken Goodman, "Ethics, Science, and Society: New Challenges for the 21st Century." Mr. Goodman, PhD is co-director of the UM Ethics Programs, and he directs the Ethics Programs' World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Ethics and Global Health Policy. He has edited a forthcoming book on the Terri Schiavo case.

August 4: Jeffery Vance, "Genetics and Disease." Mr. Vance, M.D., PhD. is a UM geneticist.

August 18: Lynne Fieber, "Sea Hares as a Model of Aging." Ms. Feiber, PhD is a Professor at Rosenstiel.

September 1: Roberto Torres, speaker from the Nature Conservatory, topic TBA. Mr. Torres, MA is a Field Representative at The Nature Conservancy.

If you have any questions, you can contact Melanie Abril, Visitor Experience Facilitator, at 305.646.4236 or mabril@miamisci.org.

June 29, 2010 - The Science of Success Networking Breakfast with Special Guest Speaker Brian Breslin

Brian Breslin will be doing a quick introduction into what Social Media is, is not, and what it can and cannot do for your business. The presentation will be largely hands on with an emphasis on audience interaction to give attendees tangible tools that make sense for their business.

Brian is an internet entrepreneur, technology enthusiast, web strategist, and all-around geek. As founder of Infinimedia, Inc., a multinational web software development and consulting firm, Brian has been worked with a multitude of companies ranging from Fortune 100 to Fortune 10000 firms helping them with their online strategy. While at Infinimedia, Brian launched StartPR, an online brand monitoring & management tool, and Twitbin, one of the earliest Twitter clients.

Brian has been an active tech community evangelist in South Florida for several years having started RefreshMiami, the largest tech group in Miami, and been actively involved in Barcamp, Wordcamp, Mobile Monday Miami, and a number of other local groups & events. Brian speaks regularly on the subjects of social networks, social media, web strategy, and community building. Tuesday, June 29, 2010
8-10 a.m.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
$25.00, including breakfast. Parking is free.
Miami Science Museum ~ 3280 South Miami Avenue

Lizard Day - July 18, 2010
Each Summer, reptile enthusiasts come to the Miami Science Museum for two special events: Lizard Day and Snake Day. Proud owners show off their pet reptiles and compete for prizes in a competition with categories such as: The Largest, Best of Show, Most Unusual, People's Pick and Junior Herpetologist. In addition to the pet reptile competition, guests will also enjoy a sampling of Insect Cuisine freshly prepared by a professional chef.
More information coming soon.
Time: 11am - 6pm
Location: Miami Science Museum
Phone Contact: Greta Parks 305-646-4256
Email Contact: gparks@miamisci.org

Snake Day - August 15, 2010
Each Summer, reptile enthusiasts come to the Miami Science Museum for two special events: Lizard Day and Snake Day. Proud owners show off their pet reptiles and compete for prizes in a competition with categories such as: The Largest, Best of Show, Most Unusual, People's Pick and Junior Herpetologist. In addition to the pet reptile competition, guests will also enjoy a sampling of Insect Cuisine freshly prepared by a professional chef as well as an exciting live display and show of the most venomous snakes in the world.
More information coming soon.
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Miami Science Museum
Phone Contact: Greta Parks 305-646-4256
Email Contact: gparks@miamisci.org

Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
1-305-361-5705
Miami Seaquarium opens daily at 9:30 am - 365 days a year

Monkey Jungle
14805 SW 216th Street
Miami, Florida 33170
1-305-235-1611

Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Way
Miami, Florida 33132
1-305-400-7220
www.jungleisland.com
See three spectacular shows: Winged Wonders, our world famous bird show; Reptiles of the Jungle, which includes cold-blooded reptiles that will send chills down your spine; and Tale of the Tiger with awesome tigers and much more.

If that's not enough, encounter exotic animals, like our twin orangutans; our Liger, he's part lion and part tiger, and many more fantastic exhibits and events.

Visit with our new Red Kangaroos and see our South African Penguins! Come welcome our new Loveable Lemurs, from Madagascar. For hands-on activities, visit our Petting Barn, feed our birds; and don't forget to ask about our VIP Safari Tours, Lemur Experience and Penguin Encounters! These are hands on, face to face experiences with incredible animals.

Open Daily 10am - 6 pm; 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami on Macarthur Causeway between Miami Beach and Downtown Miami

Venetian Pool
2701 DeSoto Boulevard - Coral Gables
Originally a rock quarry, the Venetian Pool is situated in a residential area of Coral Gables. Used as a source of coral rock for construction during the early years of Coral Gables, the quarry was later turned into a public pool. Coral Gables Corporation architect Phineas E. Paist and artistic advisor Denman Fink designed a pool inspired by the lagoons of Venice. The Venetian Pool was completed in 1924. The pool is surrounded by several Spanish style buildings, a garden patio and a grotto. The grotto is carved from the coral rock of the quarry walls with waterfalls, a cave and a rock diving platform. Spanning one section of the pool is a Venetian style bridge leading to an artificial island with large palm trees. The terra cotta roof tiles, observation towers and loggias of the pool's buildings continue a tradition of Mediterranean-inspired design found throughout Coral Gables.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
3251 S. Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
1-305-250-9133
Modeled after a lavish Italian Renaissance style palace, Vizcaya was built in 1916 as the winter residence of industrialist James Deering. The estate is located on the west shore of Biscayne Bay and is operated as a decorative arts museum by the Dade County Park and Recreation Department. Vizcaya is famous for its fantastically decorated rooms filled with antiques ranging from the 15th through the early 19th centuries and for its ornamental ironwork, particularly the front gate, created by Samuel Yellin. The estate is also well known for its formal gardens inspired by Italian Renaissance palace gardens. Among the many gardens at Vizcaya are the walled Secret Garden, the large Formal Garden with elaborately clipped low hedges; the Theatre Garden, a small garden in the form of an Italian outdoor theatre; and the Fountain Garden, a large circular garden with a 16th century fountain at its center. Also of note are the Casino, a loggia or open summer retreat at the southern end of the garden; the Mount, an artificial hill with man made shell lined grottoes in the front and back; a latticed Tea House on one end of the sea wall and a breakwater built in the shape of a large stone barge. Local building materials were used throughout the house and grounds and several prominent artists contributed to the overall decoration of the estate.

1-Ask any boating insider and they’ll tell you the Miami Boat Show is THE boat show of the year. If you are a boating enthusiast, you’ll be in paradise at the Miami Boat Show. Hotel rooms, of course, fill up fast, beginning with the popular Art Deco hotels near the Miami Beach Convention Center on South Beach/Miami Beach...read more »

See Manatees Sightseeing Adventure - Everglades Florida - Take the whole family on this exciting 1½ hour private boat trip into a remote Everglades manatee hideout. Trips are by appointment only ~ Call Captains Barry and Carol at 239-642-8818

Everglades Area Tours - Chokoloskee Island - Everglades Florida - Sea kayak the Everglades; Enjoy a guided boat tour in the 10,000 Islands; Experience kayak fishing in the Everglades National Park backcountry; Canoe through magnificent mangrove tunnels; Enjoy a guided bicycle tour amongst old-growth cypress hammocks; Catch tarpon and snook on a guided fishing trip; Hike into the prairies, wetlands and sloughs to find rare orchids; Take a guided birding tour; Rent a sea kayak, canoe or fishing kayak for the day; or simply enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and hang out with us at JT's on Chokoloskee