4 Things You Have To Do In Miami, FL This Summer

By Gretchen Kernbach on June 20, 2016

4th Street Commons is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

The summer is not for sitting on the couch, especially not in Miami, FL. There is more to do than bake in the sun and party all night. Miami has a range of attractions that can be enjoyed by all people of all ages. Make this summer an adventurous one.

Jungle Island

The 75-year-old entertainment destination is open year-round. Jungle Island is a tropical zoo that inhabits, according to jungleisland.com, “extremely rare twin orangutans and over 300 vibrant birds, including the world’s only trained Cassowary.”

In addition, tourists will be able to observe other animals such as leopards, snow tigers, red kangaroos, lemurs, Burmese pythons, and African penguins.

pexels.com

Three shows are offered daily to visitors as well. Winged Wonders is a show about tropical birds. The audience will witness stunt-performing macaws and a range of other birds from around the globe. Wild Encounter is a presentation regarding felines. According to jungleisland.com, “This incredible presentation of big cats is produced by T.I.G.E.R.S., The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species, an international big cat conservation educational organization. After each show, guests can purchase special, up close photographs with tiger cubs or primates.”

Thirdly, Wild Adventures is a demonstration put on by the animal care staff. It is an opportunity to learn more about rare and unusual animals in the jungle.

Jungle Island also offers several exhibits to guests, some even being interactive. Orangutan School is a display of these primates’ intelligence. Manu Encounter brings tourists face-to-face with squirrel monkeys and free-flying parrots and macaws.

To learn more about Jungle Island, click here.

Coral Castle  

This enchanting garden is made up of 1,100 tons of carved coral rock. This museum came to be in 1923 when a man, Edward Leedskalnin, decided to secretly sculpt the rock. Now, one of the world’s most mysterious achievements is on display in Miami.

http://students.com.miami.edu

According to coralcastle.com, “To this day, no one knows how Ed created the Coral Castle. Built under the cover of night and in secret, at a time when there were no modern construction conveniences, Ed would only say that he knew ‘the secret of the pyramids.’ When he died, his secrets died with him, and to this day scientists and thinkers still debate Ed’s methods.”

Walk through the stone garden, alone or with a tour, and imagine all the time and hard work put into creating the shapes. For more information, click here.

Miami Seaquarium

At the Seaquarium, visitors have unique opportunities to get up close and personal with aquatic life. Dolphin Odyssey and Dolphin Encounter are two separate programs that allow guests 30 minutes to interact with the park’s dolphins, doing things such as shaking hands and sharing kisses.

The Sea Trek Reef Encounter, according to miamiseaquarium.com, “is an underwater walking journey through [a] 300,000 gallon tropical reef.”

Everyone is given a dive helmet that allows a 20-minute walk under the water in which tourists will encounter tropical fish and stingrays among other sea creatures. Other interactive programs at the Seaquarium include being trainer for a day and swimming with seals.

Image via miamiseaquarium.com

Besides the add-on programs offered, general admission paves the way for a fun-filled day of observing a variety of sea life. Guests can watch sharks during their feeding time, penguins playing amongst themselves, and watch sea turtles swimming around. Manatees, seals, sea lions, stingrays, crocodiles, and other tropical fish and birds are on display as well.

For an extra sense of adventure, visitors should try out Sharky’s Sky Trail. The aerial obstacle course is 32 feet above the Seaquarium. According to miamiseaqurium.com, “Park guests will be able to climb three stories in the air to face 18 challenges including rickety bridges, suspended ropes and other balancing obstacles.” Do not worry, everyone is safely harnessed.

For more information about Miami Seaquarium, visit this link.

Villa Vizcaya

The national historic landmark is a captivating walk-through tour that indulges visitors in learning about art and history. The house belonged to James Deering, an executive of the Deering Harvester Company in the early 1900s. Visiting Vizcaya is not simply a tour of an old house, there is much more to be appreciated.

The insides and outsides of the estate contain architectural beauties and geniuses. According to vizcaya.org, “The interiors of the Main House were meant to suggest the passing of time and the layered accumulation of artifacts and memories. The rooms were designed around objects acquired in Italy and assembled into new compositions by Chalfin.”

Chalfin was one of the interior designers who worked on the construction of the house.

wikipedia.org

Inside the house, along with the magnificent design schemes, are several collections of art and furniture. The inspiration comes from different Italian cities. The music room is supposedly inspired by Milan, the reception room by Palermo, and the Cathay and Espagnolette bedrooms by Venice. Surrounding the estate is a carefully designed landscape that guests are free to walk through.

To learn more about Vizcaya, click here.

4th Street Commons [phone: 305-551-0320] is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where beneficiaries find help, hope, and a second chance at life through work therapy, education, counseling and spiritual development. 

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