Ancient Spanish Monastery - This monestry was built in Spain in the 12th-century, the monastery served as home to Cistercian monks for nearly 700 years. William Hearst bought this in 1925, dismantled and brought the edifice to the US where it remained unassembled until 1964.
Address: 16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Telephone: 305-945-1461
Fax: 305-945-4052

Biscayne National Park - A 45-foot diving and snorkeling catamaran and a 53-foot glass bottom boat take adventurers across southern Biscayne Bay through wilderness, mangrove, and out to tropical coral reefs. Canoe and kayak rentals, picnic area, walking trails, fishing, camping and shower facilities are on site, and a waterfront visitors center has exhibits, films and information.
Address: 9700 Southwest 328th Street, Homestead.
Tel: (305) 230-1100

MetroZoo is open 365 days a year. Today's Miami Metro zoo can be traced back to Key Biscayne's Crandon Park Zoo, created in 1948 when three monkeys, two black bears and a goat were picked up from a road show stranded near MiamiStrollers. The collection grew to 1,200 animals, resulting in the Crandon Park Zoo, which in 1967 succeeded in the rare captive birth and rearing of an aardvark. hen 1965's Hurricane Betsy caused deaths of 250 animals leading to Metro zoo, a county-operated zoo opening in 1981, with 38 exhibits covering 200 acres. . In 1989, Metro zoo debuted both the first koala born on the east coast and PAWS, the children's petting zoo. On Aug. 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew again blew away some 5,000 trees and Wings of Asia, built to withstand winds of up to 120 m.p.h. The 300 exotic birds, representing the finest collection of Asian birds anywhere, were lost. Reopening four months later, by July, 1993. Later the animals were back at Metro zoo and 7,000 trees were planted. Exhibits now include the Andean Condor, Meerkats, Cuban Crocodiles, Squirrel Monkeys.
Address: 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33177
Telephone: 305-255-5551

South Florida Art Center
Everyone is welcome to visit more than 40 artists at work in studios and to view professionally created shows in the 800 Lincoln Road Gallery, free of charge.
Address: 800, 810, 924 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.
Tel: (305) 674-8278

Parrot Jungle Island
A new jungle has been developed on an island near Miami -- Parrot Jungle Island, June, 2003, replacing Parrot Jungle and Gardens, a South Florida fixture dating to 1936. The new 18.6-acre entertainment destination, between downtown Miami and South Beach just off MacArthur Causeway, boast of a home to some 3,000 exotic animals and 500 plant species, with animal stage shows. Parrot Jungle Island's centerpiece is Jungle Theater, an open-air "ooh" and "AAA" arena. Guests are "face-to-beak" with more than 200 parrots. The park has a huge collection of reptiles and amphibians, including an extremely rare albino alligator and a 21-foot crocodile. It shows feature antics of trained parrots, cockatoos, and macaws. Flamingo Lake with tropical fish and a sea of pink Caribbean flamingos.
Address: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami.
Tel: (305) 258-6453

Miami Seaquarium
Visit Lolita the Killer Whale, TV Superstar Flipper, Salty the Sea lion and much more. The Se aquarium is open 365 days and offers a variety of camp programs. Discovery Bay, home to Nile crocodiles, and Shark Channel, with brown nurse sharks, are restored to watery splendor. A Sea Lion Show at the Golden Dome features Salty and the Reef Rangers, and the Flipper the Dolphin Show takes place at Flipper Lagoon.
Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Telephone: 305-361-5705
Fax: 305-361-6077

Everglades Safari Park
For about 30 - 35 years, Everglades Safari Park has provided a "river of grass" showcase, becoming one of the Florida Everglades's largest, most complete attractions. The park offers several ways to observe the Everglades, including an Airboat Ride, Alligator Show, and a Jungle Trail. Airboat rides are guided by skilled narrators familiar with Everglades history, vegetation, and wildlife. A Jungle Trail leads to an Alligator Farm with more than 400 American alligators, a crocodile exhibit, and a replica of a Chickee Village.
Address: 26700 Tamiami Trail, Miami.
Tel: (305) 226-6923.