Miami Art and Culture

Art and culture is big business in Miami. Home to the rich and famous, businessmen and a holiday favourite for thousands, it is little wonder that there are so many great attractions to visit. Opera houses, theatres, gardens and cultural exhibits can be found on many of Miami's streets, all offering to entertainment for the visitor.

Ancient Spanish Monastery
16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach.
Phone: 305-945-1461
This monastery was originally built in Segovia, Spain in 1141. In 1925 the beautiful building was purchased by William Randolph Hearst, a wealthy businessman (newspaper). Taken apart brick by brick, each peice was numbered, loaded onto a ship and transported to the US. Financial problems saw that the monastery was not reassembled as planned. In 1952, after the death of Mr Hearst, the bricks were aictioned to Miami developers who reassembled the monastery at its present site, glass windows and all.

Coral Gables House (Merrick House)
907 Coral Way, Coral Gables
The Merrick House, was the home of Reverend Solomon G. Merrick. Merrick’s oldest son, George, was the original founder and developer of the city of Coral Gables, which was incorporated in 1925. Today the house is a museum available for corporate meetings, private parties, dinners and luncheons. Coral Gables House is an historical landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is also one of Miami-Dade County's oldest buildings.

Venetian Pool
2701 DeSoto Boulevard, Coral Gables.
Phone: 305-460-5356
Once an unsightly pit architect Phineas Paist helped to transform the area into the world's most beautiful swimming hole, complete with expansive loggias, porticos, a palm-fringed island, beach and cobble-stone bridge. Formed from the coral rock quarry in 1923, Venetian Pool is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This 820,000 gallon pool is fed with cool spring water daily, and features two waterfalls, coral caves and grottos, Venetian-style buildings line the pool.

Miccosukee Indian Village
Miami, Florida 33144
Phone: 305-223-8380
This authentic Indian village was developed as an example of a working camp and aims to give visitors an insight into centuries of old Indian culture. Historic guided tours talk you through the life and times of the Miccosukee tribe. See demonstrations and exhibits of woodcarving, patchwork, beadwork, basket weaving and doll making. Crafts such as Miccosukee patchwork and beadwork to Cherokee moccasins and Navajo silver jewelry are on sale at the Miccosukee Gift Shop.