Vizcaya

 Before Christmas - during the week when they worked on the room two days in a row (on the 2nd day) - the kids and I visited Vizcaya.

Vizcaya is a historic home and garden now owned by Miami-Dade county and opened as a museum.  It was built by the Deering Family.  Nearer to us is the Deering Estate, the two homes were built by two half brothers.  The homes are both on Biscayne Bay, but are extremely different.  While large and stately, Deering Estate is a home you can imagine yourself living in, in contrast Vizcaya is lavish and opulent.  The rooms are decorated in over-the-top themes.  It is eye-poppingly elegant.  Even the kids noticed that no person with kids ever lived there!

We got to visit Vizcaya for free through the Miami Dade Library museum pass program.  Regular admission is $18 for adults and $6 for kids over 5.

You can't take any pictures inside, but they have a virtual tour on their website.  All our pictures are from the gardens, which I thought was well worth the visit. 

In the Tea House

Cacti grow very well in South Florida - we get very little rain this time of year and lots of people have huge cactus plants in their yards.

Where is Jane Austen when you need her?

Princess siting!  (Actually quinceanera pictures.)