Historic Sites in El Portal

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park offers an opportunity to relax in a serene atmosphere. Also, there are a few beautiful boutiques (The Showroom, First Flight Out, Nikki's Beachouse Boutique) on Commodore Plaza -beach style clothes, cosy decoration, design accessories. Fringed by trees and cafés with terraces, this district has a cool Caribbean vibe going on."

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."

"A mere 21 years after Miami was officially incorporated as a city, the mission-style "coral rock" building of the Plymouth Congregational Church was constructed in Miami's oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove."

"Fort Lauderdale has a rich history which may be overshadowed by the more modern an sophisticated metro area that it has become. Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum chronicles the city's history from the early Seminole era to World War II. It also offers information about the city's historic district and a chronology of its development. Other exhibits feature scale models of historic structures, including a recreation of a Seminole village complete with arts and crafts."

"The building opened in 1925 and became a US National Historic Landmark in 2008.* It’s an impressive landmark. It first started as headquarters for the newspaper Miami News. It now is a contemporary art museum."

"Spanish missionaries and treasure seekers first explored the Florida coast as far back as the 17th century, and the Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is a fascinating bit of local and international history that dates back centuries before that when it was originally constructed in Spain. Inhabited by monks for nearly seven centuries, in the early 1920s, it was bought by American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, disassembled, shipped to Florida, and reassembled on its current site. It has been open to the public since the mid-’60s, and for those who don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, the best way to experience it is by guided tour."

"Fort Lauderdale's rich history for African-Americans is presented in this inspiring museum. Many of the honors that are due to pioneers in the African-American community in Broward County are not recorded, but it is here through exhibits and lectures and special events that visitors and locals can learn more of this interesting and exciting chapter of local history. Built in 1924, this was the region's lone African-American school for children during segregation."

"Wander around Calle Ocho for some interesting street art, watch locals play dominos in Maximo Gomez Park, and pick up a hand-rolled cigar as a souvenir. Although it’s known for its Cuban heritage and influence, Calle Ocho isn’t just limited to Cuban food. Go for that Cuban sandwich or basket of croquetas from Versailles, or try some Nicaraguan food at Guayacan, Mexican food at Mi Rinconcito Mexicano, or, my personal favorite, the Thai cuisine at Lung Yai Thai Tapas. Yep, some of Miami’s best Thai food is found in Little Havana!"

"Little Havana’s most evocative reminder of Old Cuba is Máximo Gómez Park, or ‘Domino Park,’ where the sound of elderly men trash-talking over games of chess is harmonized with the quick clack-clack of slapping dominoes. The jarring backtrack, plus the heavy smell of cigars and a sunrise-bright mural of the 1994 Summit of the Americas, combine to make Máximo Gómez one of the most sensory sites in Miami (although it is admittedly one of the most tourist-heavy ones as well)."

"It’s neither polished nor particularly pretty, but it’s a glimpse into real life in Spanish-speaking Miami and a place to watch Cuba’s old guard face off over dominos in Maximo Gomez Park; grab a 50 cent cortadito (a shot of Cuban coffee with steamed milk) from a walk-up window; and watch cigar rollers hand roll stogies at family-run factories. End your jaunt in Little Havana with a scoop (or two or three) of homemade Abuela Maria® ice cream at"

"If you’re feeling ambitious on your townie cruiser, you can ride north to Bal Harbour or Haulover beaches; natives know these as water-sports havens—and for Bal Harbour’s luxury shopping. Otherwise, drop off your bike along Ocean Drive and grab a spot on the beach, Lummus Beach, which runs from around 6th to 14th streets. This is a beach for locals and tourists alike, and the spread of humanity—supermodels, families and even topless tanners—make this a go-to spot for people-watching."

"Miracle Mile is one of the Miami area's most beautiful shopping locations. There are over 150 shops and 40 gourmet restaurants, all within a short walking distance of each other. These shops include a wide range of bridal boutiques, kitchen and appliance stores, men's apparel shops, jewelry stores, hair salons, spas, and more."

"The one-mile street has everything — bookstores to restaurants to boutiques. If you’re looking for a clean and classy backdrop with European vibes then here it is. Also, the Umbrella Sky Project is within walking distance."

"Pop into Threefold Cafe for breakfast, then spend a few moments walking off your meal in the Miracle Mile area."

"A Fort Lauderdale mainstay and local institution, Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show is an absolute must-do. This restaurant has served excellent, traditional Cantonese and American dishes in an exotic atmosphere for almost half a century. The decor makes you feel like you are on a Polynesian village, with a thatch roof, statues, tiki torches, and a bridge at the entrance."

"Bite into fresh sushi and sip creative sake cocktails at the Living Room Sushi Bar. Our restaurant offers a modern take on sushi fare including Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Poke Bowls, Yellowtail Jalapeno and Lobster Roll with Wasabi Aioli."

"The food is delicious I ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen and it was great. Also the place is very clean. The service was wonderful and the food came hot and f..."

"8880 W State Road 84 Pine Island Ridge Plaza, Davie, FL 33324-4455Sushi, Asian, Thai, JapaneseLunch, DinnerTakeout, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Reservations+1 954-451-3949http://www.zabbthaisushi.com"

"A mere 21 years after Miami was officially incorporated as a city, the mission-style "coral rock" building of the Plymouth Congregational Church was constructed in Miami's oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove."

"Take I-95 south and grab the Rickenbacker Causeway until you hit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This beautiful state park is right at the end of Key Biscayne and gives you uninterrupted views of the ocean—a perfect sunset watching spot. The state park has a lighthouse, where guests can climb to the top and look out into the ocean and the beach below. Next to it is a cement lookout spot that serves as a bench to watch the sunset and enjoy your Zak the Baker treats (if you didn't eat them already on the car ride down)."

"If you are in Miami and want to catch a baseball game, head over to the brand new loanDepot park in Little Havana. Home to MLB’s Miami Marlins, this relatively small and new park features a retractable roof and one of the most modern designs in all of Major League Baseball. The park can hold over 36,000 fans, has great views of downtown Miami, and even has massive fish tanks along the backstop that remind you exactly what city you are in."