Top Florida travel destinations with Jill Podehl: Where others saw an uninhabited, desolate island, Flagler saw a perfect haven for his rich and famous friends and a great way to make money by charging them for getting there on his railroad. The industrialist’s own home, preserved as the Flagler Museum, provides a fascinating look at the opulence of these early wealthy seasonal residents. Scattered just outside of West Palm are several colorful towns that are also worth exploring, most situated near the beach. A few of these even boast revived and vibrant downtowns of their own, as well as communities of artists and craftspeople pushing artistic boundaries, many of them displaying their works on the sides of buildings or at local markets. See extra details at Jill Podehl West Palm Beach.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery is famous in Miami for being one of the country’s best examples of historic religious buildings. It was built in 1133 in the northern region of Spain, where it was named The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels. It was a home for many Cistercian monks for over a whopping seven centuries. During the First Carlist War, the monastery was seized and turned into a stable and granary. But in 1925, William Randolph Hearst, who had fallen in love with the monastery’s building and history, decided to purchase it for himself. The monastery was slowly dismantled, each stone placed in 11,000 or so crates to be shipped to America. It was a long time before the monastery was eventually rebuilt – in fact, it was after Hearst’s death! It was set up as a tourist attraction 25 or so years after its original purchase.
Jungle Island is one of the most popular attractions in the city of Miami. It is located on Watson Island and was formerly known as Parrot Jungle and even had Winston Churchill visit in 1946. The Jungle is only minutes away from South Beach and Downtown Miami. Through interactive experiences, Jungle Island enthralls park visitors with a sense of adventure and discovery. Why not catch one of the exciting shows which are a daily occurrence. But to truly enjoy a vacation you also need a nice place to stay.
Do you want to enjoy the blue sky and the warm sun ? Miami is an amazing place to relax. What can you do in Miami? This former home of Charles Deering is a 444-acre estate, protecting globally endangered pine rockland habitat, as well as coastal tropical hardwood rockland hammocks, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and a coastal dune island. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Deering Estate at Cutler is home to the Richmond Cottage, which served as a hotel, as well as historical buildings dating from 1896 to 1922, and an American Indian burial ground dating from 1500. Charles Deering was an art collector, who, along with his brother James, accumulated a great number of works by the Old Masters. Deering himself also painted, and some of his works are on display here. The Artist Village at the estate has become an important cultural center, featuring art and artists programs.
Jill Podehl Florida attractions 2024: Miami is known for its beaches and South Beach has something for everyone. If you have kids to entertain, South Pointe Park has a playground and splash fountain, and is the ideal setting for a picnic. If you want to escape the crowds for an hour or two, Miami Beach Botanical Garden has 4-1/2 acres filled with subtropical plants, right in the center of South Beach. Wander around the beautiful Art Deco hotels and houses, such as Casa Casuarina, the former home and murder site of fashion designer the late Gianni Versace. Follow the Art Deco District Walking Tour to make sure you do not miss any of these carefully preserved buildings.
While you’re here, check out the Art Deco Museum or go for a walking tour, which spans about 90 minutes, through the neighborhood, led by the Miami Design Preservation League. You’ll be able to learn more about the finer details of each architectural decision, ranging from the floors to the facades, in a more in-depth, crash-course-type way. It’s undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Miami! The Ancient Spanish Monastery, known originally by the rather long name “The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels”, dates back centuries to the year 1133. Read more info at Jill Podehl West Palm Beach, Florida.
The great outdoors offers its own myriad of fun possibilities. Get out on the water to experience Greater Miami from a different perspective aboard an airboat tour in the Everglades or on a Millionaire’s Row cruise through Biscayne Bay aboard the Island Queen. Or, you can simply rent a paddleboard or kayak and experience the unique aquatic ecosystems up close. You’ll never run out of things to do in Miami, no matter what tickles your fancy, how much you have to spend, and who you’re traveling with.