Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Infuse a little history into your Miami vacation with a visit to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Originally built as a winter home for one of the city's founders, James Deering, it is a living and breathing space, which combines the unique artistry of Europe and the Americas, with a bit of Miami style.

Best and worst time to go to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The museum opens at 9:30 a.m.; get there early to beat the afternoon heat when visiting the Gardens portion.

Must see/do at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The main draw of the museum is the lush gardens including tons of unusual and endangered plants and historic trees, as well as statues, busts, and urns.

Admission to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Admission is free for children 5 and under. Admission is in the $18 range for others, with a discount for children 6-12, seniors, students, visitors using wheelchairs, and military.

Parking and public transportation to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The museum is centrally located on US 1 in north Coconut Grove and with easy access to I-95. Free parking is available on premises. If traveling by Metrorail, get off at Vizcaya Station and follow directions at the crosswalk.

Food at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Overlooking the swimming pool, the charming café offers a delicious selection of salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and other snacks.

Insider tips for visitors to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
A Citi Bike station is available at the museum. Also, make sure to check out the museum's event schedule prior to visiting to find out about any special events including the Moonlight Garden Tours, ConSerVations, and swanky galas.

Author's bio: Mandy Baca has lived in Miami for 27 years. She is a freelance writer for various Miami publications.