A Miami Local’s Guide to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, Florida

I’ve lived in Miami almost my entire adult life and I’ve never been to Vizcaya. Until today, I had only seen it in quinceañera photos.

For those of you that find your way to my website from Russia or Australia, allow me to elaborate. In Latin American cultures, when a girl turns fifteen, her family throws her a huge coming-of-age birthday party similar to a Sweet Sixteen. Since Miami is 85% Hispanic, these parties are very common. And since Vizcaya is one of the most beautiful places in Miami, quinceañera photos are usually taken there.

As we made our way through the beautiful shaded drive up to the entrance, we could see the place was packed. When we got to the parking lot, we were turned away because the “lot was full,” even though I’m fairly certain I saw open parking spots beyond the rent-a-cop’s golf cart. But he was probably just too lazy to move the cones that had been placed there earlier in the day. So we had to park at a lot across the street from the grounds and walk. At least parking was free. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).