Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Can’t decide between a trip to Miami and a vacation in Italy ? Here you can have a little bit of both. In the 1910s, noted industrialist James Deering brought a taste of Europe to Biscayne Bay when he commissioned the construction of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, modeled on a centuries-old Italian villa, as his winter home in Miami. What are we going to see here? In the 1950s, James Deering’s nieces decided that their uncle’s carefully constructed estate—now a national landmark—could make for an interesting tourist attraction. Between the house and its grounds, Vizcaya is a living museum dedicated to the early days of Miami’s rise as a destination and to old-school European design. The waterfront home’s many treasures include more than 2,500 antique art objects and furnishings; 10 acres of immaculately landscaped gardens, including 2,000 orchids; and 25 acres of endangered forest lands. It would be easy to while away an entire day at Vizcaya and imagine what it would be like to live here, prowling around the main house’s 34 beautifully decorated rooms. There are a lot of corners to turn and furniture to browse, and trust us, you don't want to miss one inch of either the house or the gardens, so plan your visit accordingly. What did you make of the crowd? As one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, there’s always a crowd at Vizcaya. Lucky for you, there’s plenty of acreage to explore. The crowd is largely made up of tourists, including families, though there are plenty of locals who make a regular visit to bask in the opulence. You won't have the place to yourself no matter when you visit, unfortunately. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? Given the property’s age and its dedication to preserving the grounds just as they were in Deering’s time, visitors should note that uneven floors and lots and lots of steps are part of the property’s makeup and charm. Any guided tours worth trying? If you want to make the best use of your time, opt for a guided tour. Guided tours are a popular choice for visitors, with a handful of available options: If you want to go it (sort of) alone, there’s a 90-minute audio guide (available in five languages, for $5) that lets you choose your own path as you make your way through both floors of the main house and the gardens. If the garden is your main interest, $5 will get you an interactive, guided adventure detailing everything from the landscaping decisions to the animals that call it home. (Tours take place daily at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.between November and April.) For a shorter version, take a 45-minute house tour where guests get to ask all the questions they want; tour times are posted daily. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? It would be easy to spend several hours at Vizcaya without getting bored. If you only have an hour to spare, you might need to decide: house or gardens. Sure, you could spend 30 minutes in both, but you’d be better off choosing one over the other to maximize the experience." - Jennifer M. Wood