Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Devin Cejas on October 23, 2010 at 9:25am

Hi Laure, let me begin by welcoming you to Miami! I am a native and currently in my final year at the MLA program at Florida International University. Unfortunately Miami is still very young in the field of LA with a limited pallet of significant projects to be experienced along the public realm. Although South Point Park is a welcomed project by a renown professional in the field, other projects are yet to be built. We are awaiting the opening of the west 8 landscape project for the new Symphony center designed by Frank Gehry and the much anticipated Miami Arts Museum at Bicentennial Park. With that said I can lead you toward smaller scale projects beginning with Raymond Jungles Lincoln Road Plaza adjacent to the new Herzog and De Meuron parking garage and Enea Garden Lounge deigned by swiss LA Enzo Enea (http://www.eneagarden.ch/en/html/show_room/oeffnungszeiten_miami.html).

If nature and horticulture is your thing then you are at the right place: The Everglades National park, The Kampong, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Shark Valley and if you decide to travel a bit out west you must visit Big Cypress National Preserve! Hope this gives you some insight and activities to plan for! Enjoy the Weather!

Permalink Reply by Lauren on October 23, 2010 at 9:34am

In Miami there is the pedestrian mall also known as Lincoln Road that was orginally designed by Carl Fisher and has since been redesigned by Morris Lapidus. One of my favorite things to do when I am in South Beach is visting the resorts and hotels. It may sound odd, but South Beach known for its tourism and making it home to some of the most famous hotels such as: the Biltmore Estate, Foutainebleau, the Clevelander, Delano, the National, etc...

I would also recommend driving up to Hollywood to see the downtown area as well as Young Circle. Fort Lauderdale is also has Riverwalk, Las Olas and the pedestrian walk along the beach which was designed by EDSA. Design in South Florida is similiar to Southern California, primarily new construction design and without seasons, the vegetation and materials tend to make design different from that of other states.

Permalink Reply by Dane K. Spencer on October 23, 2010 at 12:36pm

Laure,

You're right in the thick of some great State Parks. Be sure to check out Everglade National Park too! Have fun.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/findapark/district-southeast.cfm
http://www.nps.gov/ever

Permalink Reply by Laure Aubert on October 25, 2010 at 3:41pm

Hello everybody
Thanks a lot for all your answers. In fact I did the Everglades several times, a nature tour at Shark Valley, airboat tour and the very special Loop Road, a great experience ! I love your national parks (yesterday snorkelling by Biscayne National Park).
I already know the Lincoln Road, it is quite good at night, but there is a place with artificial grass...;( it sounds strange.
Yes I have heard of Fort Lauderdale, I will check that in the next days.
Is the Fairchild garden really so good ? it is quite expensive !
The Miami garden lounge seems really good. It is open on the evening too ? I don't find any information about the opening hours. (your link leads to the main page of Enea gardens). I was checking the internet for the Herzog and Meuron Parking and the plaza, thank you , I have to see that !
Lauren, about visiting hotels, can you go inside the hotel like that ? what do you mean ?
Thanks again,
Laure