Outdoor sights in Miami
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A
Charles Deering Estate
The Deering estate is sort of Vizcaya lite, which makes sense as it was built by Charles, brother of James Deering (of Vizcaya fame). The 150-acre grounds are awash in tropical growth, an animal-fossil pit of bones dating back 50,000 years and the prehistoric remains of American Indians who lived here 2000 years ago. Much of what was appropriate for display can be found in places like the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, but some artifacts are on display here. There’s a free tour of the grounds included in admission, and the estate often hosts jazz evenings under the stars.
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B
Kampong
If you speak Malay or Indonesian, yes, the Kampong is named for the Bahasa word for village. David Fairchild, Indiana Jones of the botanical world and founder of Fairchild Tropical Gardens, came up with the title, undoubtedly after a long Javanese jaunt. This was where the adventurer would rest in-between journeys in search of beautiful and economically viable plant life. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the lovely grounds serve as a classroom for the National Tropical Botanical Garden, but tours are available by appointment.
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C
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a beloved environmental crusader; this nature center is a perfect little introduction and exploration of the continental USA’s own subtropical ecosystem: South Florida. There are weekend hikes and nature lessons (including programs for tots) that let kids wade into the water with nets and try to catch sea horses, sponges and other marine life (released after a short lesson).
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D
South Pointe Park
Closed for an overhaul when we visited, this small park at the southern tip of Sobe is getting a $22.3 million facelift into a kid-friendly promenade, with sand dune paths, arcing fountains, turtle-sensitive lighting that won't scare off nesting sea turtles and, ironically, a sculpture of an iceberg.
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E
Jungle Island
The Jungle Island, which used to be Parrot Jungle, but they added so many animal attractions a name change seemed in order.
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