AN iconic Miami museum that was once the personal mansion of the city’s “Jay Gatsby” brings European elegance to American shores with 10 acres of lush gardens and ocean views.
The historic Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida, offers a range of activities for the public and is the setting for countless photo shoots, weddings and events.
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“Vizcaya is the perfect place for any type of special event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday or anniversary,” said Aaliyah Pasols, South Florida native and editor of The US Sun,
“I took my mother on Mother’s Day and she had so much fun taking photos in front of the beautiful garden and museum settings.”
It’s no secret why it’s so popular for photos: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens sits on 43 acres of land, with more than 10 acres dedicated to jaw-dropping gardens similar to those at Versailles, France.
The Formal Garden has a variety of low shrubs arranged in geometric patterns with palm trees to add a unique tropical touch.
Inside the mansion, which is now a museum, guests will notice elegant marble floors accompanied by stained glass doors.
The mansion has more than 70 rooms, half of which hold treasures dating back to the 15th century, according to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The museum is immaculately preserved, with many of the original owner’s belongings on display, from suitcases to crockery and books,” Pasols said.
The jaw-dropping property was first built in 1914 by James Deering, an industrialist with ambitious dreams.
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Deering aimed to incorporate 20th century technology into Renaissance architecture, leading to the creation of his world-class mansion.
The architect was considered the “Jay Gatsby of Miami” due to his bachelor lifestyle, often throwing parties at the massive mansion.
Deering vacationed at the property from 1916 to 1925, but eventually left the property to his nieces.
To add his personal touch to the place, Deering included a pool to channel his love of maritime activities and celebrated his passion for cinema by showing Charlie Chaplin films on his outdoor patio.
Although the pool cannot be used by visitors today, it is still there for you to marvel at in all its glory.
Vizcaya is not just known for its panoramic views. The property also hosts monthly events for the public.
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This August, the property will host a farmers market, a back-to-school fair and more.
On August 6, it will host the legendary White Party and The AIDS Era live broadcast.
The museum invites visitors to “step into the history and legacy of Miami’s iconic White Party, a symbol of unity and resilience during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s,” according to a description on the website. Eventbrite.
The hour-long live broadcast will allow visitors to hear personal stories of Miami’s AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and celebrate the resilience of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community.
Two nights later, on August 8, the museum will invite visitors into the historic gardens to celebrate the variety of flavors the community has to offer at the Vizcaya Village Night Market.
The museum is immaculately preserved, with many of the original owner’s belongings on display, from suitcases to crockery and books.
Aaliyah Pasols
The market will sell everything from homemade goods to artisanal goods, according to a release. Eventbrite description for the market.
However, this is not the only place available on the property to grab a bite to eat.
The museum offers a cafe and gift shop where you can snack on avocado toast, jerk chicken wings with guava barbecue sauce, empanadas, pizza, sandwiches and more.
“Be sure to visit the cafe for a refreshing treat that will help you escape the South Florida heat,” recommended Pasols.
The cafe also offers wine and dessert for those with a sweet tooth.
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More than 100 years after its construction, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens has become a cultural icon in the city.
Deering’s nieces gave the property to Miami-Dade County in the 1950s to open it to the public and it is now operated by the nonprofit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Trust, which focuses on contributing to the sustainability of its community.
“Vizcaya’s mission is to preserve the property’s cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future,” said the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens the website states.
Each year, the property hosts educational programs, community events and school partnerships that impact more than 5,000 elementary and middle school students each year.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
