Jill Podehl Florida destinations today: Henry Flagler not only created Palm Beach but many other important Florida landmarks as well, such as the Overseas Railroad to Key West, which was, alas, wiped out in a long-ago hurricane. As you drive up to the 1902 Georgian/Mediterranean mansion he called Whitehall, you’ll know instantly that this is no ordinary museum. Upon completion of Whitehall, the New York Herald promptly called it the grandest mansion in the world. Indeed, with a telephone system, electric lighting, central heating, and 22 bathrooms, it was possibly the most technologically advanced home anywhere at the time. Today, you can wander through the grand hall, kitchens, parlors, and studies that Henry Flagler wandered through, as well as the hallways where the art he collected on his travels is still displayed. His splendid home also became the first museum in Florida. In addition to Flagler’s own art collection, important revolving exhibits feature renowned painters, sculptors, craftspeople, and photographers. The Flagler Museum is truly a home and a museum for the ages. Guided tours are available, and afterward, be sure to pay a visit to the museum’s delightful café. Better still, opt for their wonderful afternoon tea experience in the garden, available in the winter months. Discover more details at Jill Podehl.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is famous in Miami for being one of the country’s best examples of historic religious buildings. It was built in 1133 in the northern region of Spain, where it was named The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels. It was a home for many Cistercian monks for over a whopping seven centuries. During the First Carlist War, the monastery was seized and turned into a stable and granary. But in 1925, William Randolph Hearst, who had fallen in love with the monastery’s building and history, decided to purchase it for himself. The monastery was slowly dismantled, each stone placed in 11,000 or so crates to be shipped to America. It was a long time before the monastery was eventually rebuilt – in fact, it was after Hearst’s death! It was set up as a tourist attraction 25 or so years after its original purchase.

With its many interactive exhibits and a large number of hands-on displays the Miami Science museum offers a truly immersive experience encompassing a wide range of scientific fields including physics, biology and chemistry. Established in 1950, the museum has grown significantly and has expanded its space considerably throughout the years. The Museum exhibits regularly change offering fresh themes and displays to a 2nd 3rd or 4th visit is never too much. But to truly enjoy a vacation you also need a nice place to stay.

Do you want to bath in the sun ? Miami is a fabulous place to relax. What can you do in Miami? This former home of Charles Deering is a 444-acre estate, protecting globally endangered pine rockland habitat, as well as coastal tropical hardwood rockland hammocks, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and a coastal dune island. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Deering Estate at Cutler is home to the Richmond Cottage, which served as a hotel, as well as historical buildings dating from 1896 to 1922, and an American Indian burial ground dating from 1500. Charles Deering was an art collector, who, along with his brother James, accumulated a great number of works by the Old Masters. Deering himself also painted, and some of his works are on display here. The Artist Village at the estate has become an important cultural center, featuring art and artists programs.

Jill Podehl Florida travel tours 2024: Key Biscayne holds popular tourist attractions, busy recreational marinas and fantastic beaches. Windsurfing and sailing are foremost along its windy causeway, known as Hobie Beach. Miami Seaquarium ranks as one of Florida’s first marine attractions, but keeps up-to-date with dolphin interaction programs and environmentally inclined exhibits. Nearby marinas offer everything from boat rentals to diving excursions. There are more ways to play at Crandon Park, a huge beach park with amusement rides, tennis and bike paths. At the island’s southern tip, a state park protects a historic lighthouse and the beach that fronts it.

Commonly referred to as the Miami Beach Architectural District, it is one of the neighborhoods in Florida to have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places – and the first 20th-century one to be added, ever! The neighborhood and its buildings and structures were mostly built between the 1920s and 1940s, and the architecture throughout looks like the kind of old-fashioned “futuristic” you might see in dated science fiction movies. Fun spaceship-like shapes and structures make for a delightful glimpse into the beginnings of the city and its style. Find additional info at Jill Podehl West Palm Beach, Florida.

Visitors to Greater Miami will discover a whole wide world of exciting attractions, from the natural wonders of Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park to the postcard-perfect architecture of South Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. Creating your perfect itinerary means choosing from the nearly endless variety of enticing options. Miami is a city renowned for its beautiful beaches, thriving nightlife scene, great cuisine, and cultural merging.

Best Florida travel destinations by Jill Podehl