Hot Florida travel destinations from Jill Podehl: On Worth Avenue, on the enchanting island of Palm Beach, local residents say that if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it. But the great thing about this street is that you don’t have to buy anything to enjoy it. Here, you’ll find some of the most fashionable clothing and accessories shops anywhere, including top luxury brands such as Brioni and Louis Vuitton, alongside fascinating antique and decor shops. You’ll also find the world’s greatest jewelers and perfumeries, as well as unusual treasures, like the wonderful Raptis Rare Books. Also in the mix are art galleries and department stores, along with the landmark Ta-Boo Restaurant, where the Kennedys used to gather. Set back in leafy courtyards are artists’ studios, large bronze statues of children playing, and gourmet food shops. For a great coffee and a breakfast or lunch to-go, pop into Cafe Delamar located on Peruvian Avenue. Better still, go early and grab an outside table. In winter, local historian Rick Rose runs Worth Avenue historic walking tours which take you into the hidden places along Worth Avenue. On these tours, you’ll see the home of Addison Mizner, the visionary who created Worth Avenue a century ago. Behind the home is the gravesite of Johnny Brown, the monkey who always perched on Mizner’s shoulder and who once ran for Mayor of Palm Beach and actually got some votes. Discover additional info at Jill Podehl.
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful Miami attractions. With 84 acres of land to its name, the garden is completely filled with all manner of tropical flowers, plants, trees, and more. There are different exhibits across the stretch, each themed and climate-managed to create realistic environments. The Wings of the Tropics exhibit is one of the most well-known in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. An impressive 40 exotic butterfly species live here, flying around in a beautiful arc. If that’s not for you, there are 26 other exhibits to check out. You’re spoiled for choice! Wherever you choose to go, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is sure to amaze and awe. The lovely location also offers a great set of guided tours and tram tours if you want a guide on your journey. There are also a few stops for meals and snacks across the garden if you get peckish.
With a hint of 1930’s nostalgia, the beautifully restored buildings within the Art Deco District have a lot to offer on a relaxed day in the Miami beach area. Looking out to see, (a lot of them located front Ocean Drive) the pastel painted buildings pose a great place to stop for lunch of an evening meal. With its neon signs and canopy covered dining areas, the Art Deco District truly comes in its own after dark. But to truly enjoy a vacation you also need a nice place to stay.
Do you need to enjoy a blue sky on a perfect beach ? Miami is a fabulous location to relax. What can you see in Miami? Located on a barrier island and connected to the mainland by a series of bridges, Miami Beach is a mix of quiet neighborhoods, lively entertainment-focused areas, and long stretches of soft-sand beaches. For visitors, South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District, with pastel buildings from the 1930s and early 1940s sporting classic neon signs, is one of the main highlights. An expensive tourist district, this area features numerous beachfront restaurants, shops, hotels, and plenty of sunbathing opportunities. The most popular street in this area is Ocean Drive, a section of road located along the oceanfront and home to some beautiful Art Deco buildings. One block inland, running parallel with Ocean Drive, is Collins Avenue. Collins Avenue is actually State Road A1A and is the main oceanfront street in Miami Beach, joining numerous neighborhoods.
Jill Podehl Florida travel tours today: No trip to Miami is complete without a visit to Little Havana. This vibrant, south-of-downtown neighborhood is packed with art galleries, unique shops, and busy restaurants and bars. Explore the area: Head to Maximo Gomez Park (known as Domino Park by the locals) for a real flavor of Hispanic culture, to watch men playing dominoes outdoors, smoking cigars and arguing about politics. Look out for the huge mural depicting the Summit of the Americas in 1993. The neighborhood Calle Ocho is located in the center of it all, where you can watch the markets and street stands in action while soaking up some Cuban culture. Fan of Latin cinema? Another highlight is the Little Havana Paseo de las Estrellas (Walk of the Stars), which is a Latin American version of the Hollywood Walk of the Stars, commemorating Latin American actors, writers, artists and musicians.
Commonly referred to as the Miami Beach Architectural District, it is one of the neighborhoods in Florida to have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places – and the first 20th-century one to be added, ever! The neighborhood and its buildings and structures were mostly built between the 1920s and 1940s, and the architecture throughout looks like the kind of old-fashioned “futuristic” you might see in dated science fiction movies. Fun spaceship-like shapes and structures make for a delightful glimpse into the beginnings of the city and its style. Find additional details on Jill Podehl West Palm Beach.
History and architecture buffs will want to explore Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a romantic Italianate villa overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. It was once the winter home of wealthy industrialist James Deering. In Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is a one-of-a-kind natural swimming pool set in a coral rock quarry. As such, it’s hard to pick the best places in Miami for guests. There’s simply so much to do and enjoy! It’s a tough list, but we’ve put together a selection of some of the very greatest of the greatest that the city has to offer.