KATIE KENNEDY

Visiting the Vizcaya Museum
📍 Miami, Florida

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There’s something I find so exciting about visiting historic homes and mansions. From the Ca d’Zan in Sarasota to the Breakers in Newport, I never turn down a visit. It’s like taking a step back in time, where you can see the Gilded Age through their lens. The number of people who lived in these opulent mansions was slim, but haven’t we always been interested in the lives of the rich and famous? Here are highlights from visiting the Vizcaya Museum to bookmark for your next Miami visit. 

The Location

A significant piece of what makes Vizcaya such an incredible property is its location. Built in 1914, the mansion turned museum sits right on Biscayne Bay, offering sweeping views of Key Biscayne and Downtown Miami. It feels like an ‘old meets new’ scenario, with a century old mansion nestled amongst the modern additions located just next door. Once you pass through the gates, you’ll be brought back in time, and the buzz of Miami and South Beach will seem like a million miles away.

The History

Originally called Villa Vizcaya, it is the former estate of James Deering, from Deering McCormick Harvester fame. Like many magnates of his generation, he used his fortune to create a palatial vacation home in Florida to escape the harsh northern winters and to benefit their health. The name Vizcaya came from the Spanish rendering of Biscay, the name of the Bay where the home sits. When Deering initially brought the property, the 180 acres consisted of mangrove swamps that are common along southern Florida’s shoreline. As a conservationist, a portion of the property was dedicated so the mangroves could stay intake. Construction on the villa began in 1912, with Deering spending his winters here from 1916 until he died in 1925.

After his death, the property was inherited by his two nieces, but because of multiple hurricanes and maintenance costs, they began selling portions of the property. One of those purchases was by the Catholic diocese and would ultimately become Miami Mercy Hospital. In 1952, Miami-Dade County purchased the villa and gardens for $1 million. The goal was to restore the property, bring it back to its former glory, and preserve it as a historical space. It has been open to the public since 1953 and welcomes over 300,000 yearly.

The Architecture

The Vizcaya Museums boasts some of the best examples of Italian Renaissance architecture on this continent. This style extends from the villa to the garden, with many Baroque elements. Interestingly, the architecture used Cuban limestone and coral because of the slowdown in trade to and from Europe during World War I. The result is a unique combination where the home feels equal parts European and South Floridian. As you visit, slow down and take your time admiring every detail, from the stonework to the landscaping. It’s an absolute visual feast!

Your Visit

In a perfect world, I would spend all day at the Vizcaya Museum. On this visit, we arrived right after lunch and felt a bit rushed to beat the afternoon thunderstorms. I recommend getting there right when they open at 9:30. Take in the morning light and wander through the Italian gardens. Each day, they offer several guided tours that give insight into life during the 1920s and how the home was built. We spent a few hours here, but there’s so much we didn’t get to explore. I’m kicking myself for not visiting the Vizcaya Village or exploring to find the grotto. As I said, don’t be surprised if you want to spend all day here!

Miami is so much more than beaches and endless nightlife. There is a beautiful charm and history that is woven throughout the city. The trick is to slow down your pace to try and find it. Mark this a wonderful visit to the Vizcaya Museum, and I can’t wait for a return visit.

Love from Miami,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Scenes from Miami
📍 South Beach, Florida

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I’ve lived in Florida for nearly my entire life. In that time, I’ve been able to visit so many different corners of the Sunshine State. From 30A on the Emerald Coast, all the way down to Key West, there’s so much to love. Still, there’s one particular destination here that truly seems to stand out. I’m talking about the Magic City herself, Miami. I hate to say it, but in my 30-something years, my time visiting Miami has been pretty minimal. That’s why I was so happy to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors that make this city so unique on our recent trip for David’s work. Here’s a quick recap on our most recent scene from Miami.

Explore Art Deco Architecture

Exploring South Beach is a visual feast! Especially along Beach Drive, it’s a technicolor rainbow of hotels and restaurants with Art Deco design features. One of my favorite activities is to start the day with an iced coffee in hand and walk down to take it all in. I couldn’t even make it one building over without stopping to take pictures. Especially with the morning light, I love the shadow work that the palm trees create. It added to the character and is a great reminder that you’re in one of the most tropical destinations in the US. On your walk back, take a stroll on the beach to sample the colorful lifeguard stands that are iconic to Miami.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Miami has a seemingly endless list of incredible restaurants across many cuisines to try. It would take a lifetime to try them all. In my quick visit, I prioritized authentic Cuban food, a cute Mediterranean restaurant, and eating at a newly dubbed Michelin-starred restaurant. Let’s just say that I ate incredibly well and came away with an even longer list of dining spots for the future as I talked with locals and other tourists. My favorite picks will be featured in my upcoming Long Weekend Guide, so be on the lookout for more details on when it goes live!

Shop In the Design District

Besides the glorious food, Miami is a shopping haven. That’s especially true if you have a limitless budget. On this trip, I took a visit to Miami’s Design District. Here, you’ll find a flagship boutique for nearly every luxury designer you can think of. I was just window shopping, but I can’t wait to visit again when I have something specific I’m shopping for. This neighborhood also has a few incredibly trendy restaurants. Swan and Mandolin are trendy, but they can still back up their status on my must-dine list with delicious dishes and stunning interior design. Word to the wise… In Miami, the tip is often included in your bill, so double-check when checking out.

Excuse me while I pass along an oversimplified wrap-up of Miami. There’s just so much to this city that it would take several visits to give you a full summary. Luckily, David’s job is based here, and I anticipate many more trips to come! This won’t be my last blog post about ‘Scenes from Miami’. I can promise you that!

Love from Miami,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.