The fabulous Villa Vizcaya in Miami is a National Historic Landmark that provides a window into the elegant Miami of the early 20th century, when Vizcaya was a private estate. Built in Mediterranean Revival and Italian Renaissance styles, Vizcaya was designed to resemble a typical Italian villa and included a dairy, poultry house, mule stable, greenhouse and staff residences. Today, the house, including its expansive gardens, is a museum and major Miami attraction.
After pickup from your Miami hotel, you’ll head to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, perched on Biscayne Bay in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest. Once the private winter residence of industrialist James Deering, Villa Viscaya is now a National Historic Landmark. Admire the villa’s gorgeous Italian Renaissance and Mediterranean Revival architecture, opulent European décor, beautiful gardens and lovely setting on Biscayne Bay.
The house was designed to resemble a palatial Italian villa – a goal that was most definitely reached. The place is simply spectacular and preserves an interesting collection of European art and furnishings, all purchased by Deering on shopping trips through Europe. The house is surrounded by stunning gardens, including an orchid garden.
Vizcaya has been visited by some of the world's leading dignitaries, such as President Reagan, Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth, and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain. It’s also hosted important occasions, including the historic First Summit of the Americas with President Clinton in 1994.
A very interesting place to visit. The Grayline coach which took us there and back, left from another hotel which was very close by. It was slightly annoying that, after having crossed across a busy road, the coach stopped on the other side so we had to cross over again. It did not really affect our enjoyment, but other sightseeing tours were bundled up with ours. Also the time allowed at the venue was in the end only 2 hours, so that we had to rush.
Review by: Dan D, November 2017
This a wonderful place: elegant, valuable and peaceful.
Review by: Michael R, October 2017
This museum will transport you into the past as you walk and see the elegance of the art, culture and gardens. It will tell you what success means to many people. The museum offers a recording device of the tour that will guide you as you explore on your own leisure pace. It is a very interesting glimpse of art history that compares to many great mansions of Europe. Enjoy!
Review by: Thomas E. Camp C, September 2015
Beautiful place. Chose not to visit the gardens as weather was too hot and humid for us, but spent more time, then, looking carefully at the lovely artifacts and the view of the bay also in the great lunch and gift shop.
Review by: Narciso S, June 2015
Nice park! I like the gardens!
Review by: Eduard K, April 2015
very good
Review by: Nancy F, March 2014
This tour was a highlight of our trip to Florida. We especially appreciated round trip transportation to and from our hotel which was provided by Viator. Our only negative about the tour was that we had to separately pay for either/or audio tour or docent-led tour. We misunderstood to what degree Viator provided this.
Review by: Karen R, April 2013
Beautiful house and grounds! Very worthwhile tour and the guide at the house was very informative
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