Essential Florida attractions from Jill Podehl: One winter some years back, officials at Florida Power & Light’s facility just north of West Palm Beach began noticing that manatees were congregating around the facility’s warm-water outflow, and the idea for Manatee Lagoon was born. Today, Manatee Lagoon is one of the best places to visit in Florida to see these gentle 1,500- to 2,000-pound creatures. Manatees love people. If they see you on a dock, they’ll swim right up and have even been known to roll over in the water, so people can pat their bellies. On the endangered list for many years, they’re now making a comeback, and today some 6,000 manatees are known to inhabit the waters around the state, more than almost any other place in the world. As a result, there’s even talk of removing them from the endangered species list. Manatee Lagoon’s Discovery Center features imaginative hands-on exhibits, observation areas, a manatee webcam, and an outdoor deck at which the manatees congregate, especially in winter. The star of the show is Mia, whose travels and interactions with other sea cows you can track. Read more details at https://www.behance.net/jillmacho.
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a modern establishment that opened in 2017. It is housed in an environmentally friendly building with LEED certification, with a total of four structures spread across four acres on one campus. It’s a delightful museum that is a definite must-see in Miami, especially for families with kids or anyone who loves science. There are many good attractions in the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, so there’s something for everyone. The planetarium is probably the most loved exhibit, with a gorgeous HD screen that offers a stunning look at the galaxies beyond. The permanent exhibit offers excellent looks at the important aquatic ecosystems of South Florida. There’s even a viewing portal that lets you look into the habitat of the Gulf Stream Aquarium, which spans three stories. There’s simply too much to do at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. From exploration to virtual environments and from dance floors to dinosaurs, virtually no one will find themselves wanting more to do!
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 enjoy a blue sky on a perfect beach ? Miami is a fabulous destination to relax. What can you see in Miami? The American Airlines Arena is the home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. It is also the main venue for large concerts and other special events, including top name singers and performers. It can hold more than 19,000 people. The structure itself, opened in 1999, has been awarded the Leed Green Building Certification for being an energy efficient building. The arena stands out prominently on Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami.
Best rated Florida attractions from Jill Podehl: The majority of celebrities live on islands along MacArthur Causeway, which leads to South Beach, a.k.a. SoBe, Miami’s acclaimed district for naughty and nice. Two family attractions – Jungle Island and Miami Children’s Museum – have also moved along the bridge’s causeway in the vicinity of Miami’s busy cruise ship port. Ocean Drive, SoBe’s much-photographed street, faces a wide, bustling beach and is lined with its historic Art Deco gems. Intimate, chic hotels have taken up in the jauntily painted masterpieces, their lively cafés spilling onto the sidewalk with hip clientele, wannabe fashion model servers, and Latin tunes.
Zoo Miami is home to more than 500 different animal species, and over 3,000 individual animals of all kinds call this fun Florida spot their home. The zoo is popular for its extremely natural environments that allow the animals to be safely separated from visitors without using things like cages or closed compartments, so the animals are happier and you get to see them in a natural manner. Not far from the downtown area, the zoo hosts plenty of programs and events to keep people of all ages entertained. Certain animals can be ridden and children will tremendously enjoy events like the giraffe feeding. Since it’s such a big zoo, you’ll be able to stay occupied all day long, and that’s why it’s one of the top 10 definite must do things in the city. See even more info on Jill Podehl.
History and architecture buffs will want to explore Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a romantic Italianate villa overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. It was once the winter home of wealthy industrialist James Deering. In Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is a one-of-a-kind natural swimming pool set in a coral rock quarry. You’ll never run out of things to do in Miami, no matter what tickles your fancy, how much you have to spend, and who you’re traveling with.
