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Originally built in Spain starting in the year 1133, the buildings of this Spanish Monastery were occupied by monks. The buildings were purchased by William Randolph Hearst in 1925, disassembled and brought to the United States. The stones were numbered and catalogued for later identification. The shipment was quarantined by the Department of Agriculture as an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease occurred in the province of Spain from which the pieces were sent. Not until 1954, subsequent to Hearst’s death, were the stones reassembled. 

Art Deco is an architecture of the 1920’s and 30’s. During that period, this style was displayed at trade shows, expos and fairs, including the 1925 Paris Exposition. In South Beach, you’ll find the Art Deco District along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, from about 6th Street to 23rd Street. The buildings are colorful – some refer to the colors as “ice-cream pastels” – and include intricate detail. Active restoration efforts have revived the Art Deco District. The Miami Design Preservation League was successful in the fight to designate the area a National Historic District.

Whether it's a relaxing day at the beach, a visit to the historic lighthouse or an afternoon of saltwater fishing, Cape Florida SRA offers visitors an outstanding, outdoor recreational experience. The park provides a valued retreat for urban residents who wish to escape the city to experience the Real Florida. Voted one of the "Top 10 Beaches in the U.S.", the park's 1.25 miles of wide, sandy beachfront offers visitors exceptional Atlantic swimming year-round. Some of the best shoreline fishing in the region is available from the seawall located along Biscayne Bay. Saltwater fishing licenses are required in Florida. 18 covered pavilions provide shaded picnicking overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. "The Lighthouse Cafe" offers visitors casual oceanfront dining in a relaxed open-air setting. The concession offers a variety of rentals including bicycles, Hydrobikes, rollerblades, ocean kayaks, windsurfers, beach chairs and umbrellas. 

Biscayne National Park is approximately 35 miles south of Miami and consists of 44 islands, but primarily underwater life – a haven for snorklers and divers. You’ll see multi-colored marine life, including parrotfish, angelfish and coral labyrinths. Ongoing conservation efforts prevailed in designating over 180,000 acres national park status. The park can be visited only by boat -- private boat, rented canoe, or tour offered at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Additionally, there are a number of other activities to enjoy. First and foremost, you’ll want to try snorkeling or scuba diving here. The waters are clear and warm and tours are offered. Alternatively, you can view the colorful tropical fish and sea turtles from a glass-bottom boat tour. Canoes and kayaks are available for rental and free tours are held every Saturday morning. 

Celebrate the grand finale of Carnival Miami in the heart of Little Havana. The largest open house of the year takes place right on historic Eighth Street, where the Cuban community originally took root. Featuring live entertainment by world-famous Latin performers and delicious refreshments prepared by plenty of Latin food vendors, this annual block party attracts more than one million visitors each year.

From 1920 to 1940, Edward Leedskalnin built this unusual monument, reportedly after being jilted by a 16-year old love back home in Latvia. Coral Castle is made from 1,100 tons of coral rock that was carved into various shapes, though it is somewhat a mystery exactly how this was possible. Engineers and scientists have been stumped. The Castle walls and gates surround the carvings of furniture, creating a sort of “roofless” castle.

From the Tequesta Indians to the pioneers of the 1890s to Deering himself, this area of Cutler was a prime location for settlement. Just off of Biscayne Bay, this unique natural setting is home to many rare plants, tropical hammocks and endangered land forests. Today, you can tour the historic Stone House and the Richmond Cottage or explore the areas at the Environmental Center museum.

Domino Park is located at the corner of SW 8th Street and 15th Avenue in Little Havana and is a gathering spot for the locals, but visitors are also welcome to join in. The official name for the park is Maximo Gomez Park, but its nickname of “Domino Park” is best known. The park was formally constructed in 1976, but domino challenges took place well before that time. Dominos is a long-time Cuban tradition, and Domino Park is reminiscent of earlier days in Havana, Cuba.

Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. Ranger led walks and talks are offered year-round from the Royal Palm Visitor Center west of the main entrance,and at Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Gulf Coast during the winter months.