Must See Sights and Landmarks in Key Biscayne Area

"Located just off South Dixie Highway in Homestead, the Coral Castle Museum is a unique outdoor attraction that was built by a local man entirely from local limestone. It’s still a mystery how he moved and manipulated the massive limestone blocks used in the castle’s construction; some have suggested he may have had extraterrestrial help. Though the verdict is still out on that claim, there’s no doubt that it’s a popular attraction with children and adults alike, and it’s one of those one-of-a-kind Florida attractions that you won’t see elsewhere."

"‘You will be seeing unusual accomplishment,’ reads the inscription on the rough-hewn quarried wall. That’s an understatement. There is no greater temple to all that is weird and wacky about South Florida. The legend: a Latvian gets snubbed at the altar. Comes to the USA and settles in Florida. Handcarves, unseen, in the dead of night, a monument to unrequited love."

"No one’s figured out how one diminutive mason managed to move the huge stones for this sculpture garden dedicated to his lost love."

"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."

"Hop aboard for a fun 90-minute sightseeing cruise that takes you past waterfront mansions, Port Miami, Fisher Island and other highlights. See captivating views of the Miami skyline while enjoying beverages and light snacks."

"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)."

"Or you can experience the pulse of a multi-dimensional metropolis, exploring 1930s to 1950s Art Deco glamour in South Beach and Mid-Beach, big city sophistication in Downtown, avant-garde art installations in Wynwood, shopping in the Design District, and a melting pot of Latin heritage in Little Havana. Given short driving distances between these eclectic neighborhoods, it’s possible to explore Miami’s multiple identities in a weekend without feeling rushed."

"After seeing your fill of water views and tropical plants, make your way to Calle Ocho, in the heart of Little Havana. Stop by Versailles, a favorite Cuban restaurant, for a syrupy Cuban coffee, a guava-filled pastelito, or, if you’re already hungry, a meaty Cuban sandwich. 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."

"Put some miles on your car; Little Havana calls. Calle Ocho (Eighth Street) is another world, and you’ll know it immediately by the language of the street signs. Salsa music pours out from storefronts onto the streets. The scent of fresh guava pastries is never far."

"Created by renowned Italian artist Claudio Ciaravolo to launch the SoBe is Love public art project a few Art Basels ago, this sculpture symbolizes the project’s message of love and community unity in light of post-election political divide and an epidemic of national gun violence and highlights intercultural principles of hope and faith. The SOBE sculpturer pays tribute to the late artist Robert Indiana, whose sculptures are universally recognized as symbolic of these same messages, and looks totally cute in pink."

"Intensely moving, this memorial created by artist-architect Kenneth Treister honors victims and offers solace to survivors of the horrors of the Holocaust of the Jewish people in Europe. Included in its design is an arbor that depicts the history of the Holocaust in black granite and a tunnel that opens up to "The Sculpture of Love and Anguish." This enormous bronze arm, with its base of writhing human forms, is variously interpreted as a symbol of despair or hope. The memorial also encompasses a reflecting pool and walls inscribed with the names of thousands of victims."

"Experience sunset at the quietly beautiful Holocaust Memorial. The memorial is a large arm, outstretched to the sky with over 100 smaller figures clinging to it and each other. In a city with one of the largest populations of Holocaust Survivors, since 1990 this memorial has served as a reminder of the suffering that occurred in Nazi concentration camps and hosts a number of community and educational events."

"1933-1945 Meridian AvenueMiami Beach, FL 33139(305) 538-1663. The Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach was opened in 1990 with Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel as the guest speaker. The memorial is also built in the former home of Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the States."

"Outpost of the upscale steakhouse chain offers classic American fare & a clubby, refined setting. Curbside Takeout & Delivery. Menu:thecapitalgrille.com"

"2629 NW 79th Ave, Doral, Miami FL 33122 [2nd branch at 160 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables].Billed as ‘Traditional Peruvian Cuisine With A Twist of Originality’ Divino Ceviche is run by Christian Encalada, a class-topping chef who worked for Gaston Acurio, and also learned his craft in Spain. This upscale ceviche restaurant in Coral Gables gets rave reviews and offers a modern take on Peruvian cuisine. Dishes with descriptions like ‘Fried cassava balls, filled with mozzarella cheese & served with huancaina sauce’ and ‘Thinly sliced fish marinated lightly in lime and covered with Peruvian yellow pepper cream, rocoto pepper cream, and a classic white cream’ are sure to get the digestive juices flowing."

"This family-owned hangout is Miami’s first craft beer brewery. Wynwood Brewing Company has its own 15-barrel brew house and tap room, and was launched with the goal of introducing Miami beer drinkers to local South Florida beers. On the menu, find six of its own: La Rubia Blonde Ale, Wynwood IPA India Pale Ale, the medal-winning Pop’s Porter Robust Porter, Lock On Dry-Hopped Lager, Father Francisco Belgian-Style Golden Ale and other seasonal brews."

"If you couldn’t guess it, Wynwood Brewing Co. settles in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District. Wynwood Brewing Company was the first craft brewery in the area, founded by Luis Brigoni and his father, who transferred their Puerto-Rican pride into beer. They have award-winning beers Pop’s Porter and La Rubia (blonde ale)."

"The craft beer scene is here in South Florida with the opening of the Miami Brewing Company—the region’s first craft brewery—at Schnebly Redland’s Winery in Homestead. The family-owned operation uses the tropical fruits and flavors..."

"With about a dozen specialty beers on tap (plus seasonal selections) and another half-dozen or so microbrews in bottle, Titanic may not have the biggest selection, but there's no arguing that this brewery and restaurant has the most flavorful, carefully crafted beer in town. Brewmaster Jamie Ray whips up at least half of the daily draught offerings, including the evocatively named Boiler Room Nut Brown Ale and Triple Screw light ale, and he keeps receiving national awards for them at competitions where the judges, for the record, never spit. Then there are all the beer-related events -- live blues-and-brews, Mug Club specials, name-that-brewski contests, University of Miami sports nights, Brewmaster dinners, free T-shirt happy hours."

"In 1982 two Florida International University students in their early twenties, Patrick Gleber and Kevin Rusk, helped transform Miami's oldest bar, Tobacco Road, from a decrepit, crime-ridden dive into one of the most popular food and music venues in the county. Then came Fishbone Grille, continuing a tradition of excellent food at a moderate price. So in 1997, when Rusk announced he was going to start a brew pub in Coral Gables, it seemed a recipe for success."

"Review: Friendly servers, fun atmosphere, flavorful flights of beers. Dogfish Head Miami opened its doors when Concrete Beach Brewery closed its social hall. This vibrant and creative brewery has a cult following in Delaware (and you can join their Off-Centered Society, a rewards program that’s kind of like a secret society!)."