Best History Museum in Normandy Isle

"South Florida – a land of escaped slaves, guerrilla Native Americans, gangsters, land grabbers, pirates, tourists, drug dealers and alligators – has a special history, and it takes a special kind of museum to capture that narrative. This highly recommended place, located in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, does just that, weaving together the stories of the region’s successive waves of population, from Native Americans to Nicaraguans."

"Narrow in on the history of Miami itself with this cool museum. For extra fun, head out on the second Saturday of the month for crafts, music, and more as part of Family Fun Days."

"Gathering, preserving, and celebrating Miami's history through exhibitions, city tours, collections and publications is the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.[Learn more]"

"A visit to the International Swimming Hall of Fame entails an impressive tour offering much more than visitors expect. The complex includes a museum, hall of fame, and world-class aquatic center. After its construction in 1965 and extensive renovations in 1991, the aquatic center today hosts national and international swimming events while the Hall of Fame showcases the accomplishments of competitive swimmers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, divers, and others."

"A shrine to renowned swimmers and water polo players, the International Swimming Hall of Fame features a collection of memorabilia and Olympic Gold medals of famous swimmers. Anyone with even a passing interest in watersports will love learning about swimming from this official repository for aquatic history. Today, it aims to be a focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics and promoting swimming as the essential life skill it is."

"If you love to swim, it’s not all the difficult to figure out what to do in Florida. Surrounded by all this water and warm temperatures, you might get more swimming done in a weekend than you have in the last year or so. You should come to the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum if swimming is something that really excites and delights you."

"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."

"Though it may seem out of place in such a swanky and exclusive setting, the Holocaust Memorial on Meridian Avenue in South Beach is a poignant attraction that’s free to visit and worth a look when you’re in the area. Miami is home to a sizeable Jewish population, and the memorial was the brainchild of a small group of local Holocaust survivors in the mid-’80s. The memorial has been open to the public since 1990, and the site includes a memorial wall and a pleasant garden that’s conducive to quiet contemplation."

"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."

"If you are a history buff or culture buff, then you will love the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. Here you’ll find many contemporary visual art exhibitions, live stage performances, educational facilities for aspiring local artists, and much more. Just be sure to check their website for listings and seasonal exhibitions that are so good."

"The Center, which is southeast of Young Circle, has a great reputation for presenting übercool contemporary art exhibitions and providing…"

"It's difficult to name a better place to see incredible art for free. Since it moved into its current digs in the Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA) has put on one blockbuster exhibition after another, celebrating contemporary masters such as Judy Chicago, Larry Bell, and Ettore Sottsass alongside underappreciated black and Latin artists such as Paulo Nazareth and Purvis Young. Thanks to its great taste and no entry fee, the ICA is the Miami museum that commands repeat visits."

"Art lovers won’t want to skip a visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Miami. This free museum is located in the Miami Design District and is focused on fostering the exchange of art and ideas through the Miami region and beyond. With exhibitions from local, emerging, and under-recognized artists, this is the place to visit if you want to support the arts."

"Located in North Miami, MOCA was founded in 1981 in an effort to bring contemporary art to an underserved population. This art museum in Miami blends the works of newly discovered artists with the beauty and history of the masters. MOCA has 8-10 exhibits throughout the year, and approximately 600 permanent works."

"The privately funded luxury collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz finally got a name as the de la Cruz Collection in Miami, designed by John Marquette. The de la Cruz art museum, established in 2009, has been the home of the art-lovers for more than three decades, and now they have opened it for the public to encourage the free flow of artistic thoughts in the neighborhood. Covering an area of 30,000 square feet, the gallery is stuffed with contemporary art exhibits and also organizes lectures, summer workshops, and scholarships for students at DASH and NWSA."

"Housing one of Miami's finest private collections, this 30,000-sq-ft gallery has a treasure trove of contemporary works scattered across three floors, which you can roam freely. Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, who..."

"This classic farmers’ market is open every Saturday and offers an extensive assortment of organic fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds and raw vegan options. Complete with a DIY salad bar, homemade sauces with fresh farm-grown ingredients and even street tacos, Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Market is the pinnacle of fresh food in Miami. Customers can choose from a variety of sweet treats, brewed kombucha and trail mix blends that are sure to satisfy."

"DAY TWO: WYNWOOD AND DESIGN DISTRICT – MODERN ART & RETAIL THERAPY Spend your morning at the beach, enjoying the beach club service of your hotel. Lunch light in your lounger—the beach clubs offer full food and beverage menus—or enjoy something a bit more epicurean on the terrace at"

"Running through the center of Fort Lauderdale from the Central Business District to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard is a modern thoroughfare packed with one-of-a-kind shops, unique galleries, buzzing restaurants, trendy boutiques, and busy nightclubs. Las Olas boasts an artistic Mediterranean influence in the architecture of its buildings and finely landscaped green spaces, creating a beautiful space where visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida’s most famous street. If you are wondering what to do in Fort Lauderdale today, this is a great place to start exploring."

"For a more chilled beach day option, head to North Beach Oceanside Park, a serene destination, out of the way of the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach’s hotels and restaurants. Pack your cooler to the brim, bring a Pub sub, and take in the blissful scene of the Atlantic Ocean. The park also features shaded walking trails, a bike path, and a dog park and playground to entertain the kids and fur babies."

"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."