Bringing European flair to the coast of Miami, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a great spot to explore and take photos in the city.
If you are looking for something else to do in Miami, Florida besides going to the beach, I highly recommend visiting Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. It is an absolutely gorgeous estate and is a photographer’s delight! This waterfront villa was built in the early 20th century and has 10 acres of formal gardens that were inspired by European gardens. The gardens reminded me so much of Versailles near Paris and Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Vizcaya is located along Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove area of Miami. It is easy to get to via public transportation (train or trolley), a quick rideshare from downtown Miami, or if you drive yourself there is a parking lot onsite.
History of Vizcaya
Vizcaya was built by James Deering between 1914 and 1922. It was built in the style of an eighteenth-century Italian villa. He used the house as his winter residency for several years until his passing in 1925. After James Deering passed away his nieces and nephew inherited the villa. Currently, Vizcaya is owned by Miami-Dade County and operated by the non-profit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, Inc.
Gardens
The elaborate European-inspired gardens at Vizcaya are reminiscent of 17th and 18th-century Italy and France. The gardens are designed like rooms with several different sections to explore.
The main central area of the garden has a fountain and many low hedges. Located off the central area are the Secret Garden, the Theater Garden, the Maze Garden, and the Fountain Garden. The gardens are decorated with statues, busts, vases, and urns. These art pieces are from the Renaissance and Baroque periods along with modern pieces from the early 20th century.
Along Biscayne Bay, the Tea House was my favorite spot at Vizcaya. The white, green, and pink structure of the Tea House overhangs the water and is gorgeous. Near the Tea House, in the water is the Barge which was sculpted by Alexandre Stirling Calder. The Barge is a breakwater that is shaped like a boat and has carvings on it that represent mythical Caribbean creatures.
Main House
The main house was inspired by 18th-century Italian villas particularly country estates in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The main house is huge with 70 rooms of which 34 can be toured by the public. The villa was originally built with an open-air courtyard in the center of the house. However, a glass roof has been placed on top of the courtyard to help preserve the house.
We did not spend a lot of time in the main house because we were very tired after a long travel day. However, Vizcaya has one of the most significant collections of Italian furniture in the United States and is filled with artifacts.
Cafe and Shop
Located on the left side of the Main House when looking at the front is the Vizcaya Café and Shop. This is a great spot to grab a bite to eat or to cool off with a drink during your visit. The cafe has both grab-and-go food options along with a menu of sandwiches, salads, and more. We enjoyed all of the food that we had.
The shop is located in the same spot as the cafe and has items for sale that are inspired by Vizcaya’s architecture and gardens.
What is your favorite spot to explore in Miami?
