Must See Sights and Landmarks in Westchester Area

"‘You will be seeing unusual accomplishment,’ reads the inscription on the rough-hewn quarried wall. That’s an understatement. There is no greater temple to all that is weird and wacky about South Florida. The legend: a Latvian gets snubbed at the altar. Comes to the USA and settles in Florida. Handcarves, unseen, in the dead of night, a monument to unrequited love."

"Unlike the Medditerian Revival mansions at Coral Gables or the Art Deco buildings of the South beach, The Coral Castle Museum is a singular structure. It is said that the 1,100-ton coral rock castle was built single-handedly by a man who lost his love. The structure alludes to mysteries like that of Stonehenge."

"‘You will be seeing unusual accomplishment,’ reads the inscription on the rough-hewn quarried wall. That’s an understatement. There is no greater temple to all that is weird and wacky about South Florida."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."

"Located in the neighbourhood of Miami on the Main Highway in Coconut Grove, Plymouth Congregational Church was built in 1917 and is one of the ancient churches in the city. Plymouth Congregational Church is architecture in mission revival style with inspiration from old city church in Mexico and is a part of the US National Register of Historic Places since 1974. The church is well known as a pretty wedding venue among locals."

"As I stand outside and walk into this beautiful old church feelings coming to mind are; beauty, old, history, planning, stories, Spanish, love, unique,… read more ». Rating: 5 based on 5 reviews"

"Saint Francis de sales Catholic Church is a small white church located 3 miles away from Miami beach towards its North End. Built in 1940, Saint Francis de sales Catholic Church is made with mission chapel and serves the Parish community in the region. Structured beautifully with Parish architecture, the church welcomes every visitor for a spiritual tour."

"Take I-95 south and grab the Rickenbacker Causeway until you hit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This beautiful state park is right at the end of Key Biscayne and gives you uninterrupted views of the ocean—a perfect sunset watching spot. The state park has a lighthouse, where guests can climb to the top and look out into the ocean and the beach below. Next to it is a cement lookout spot that serves as a bench to watch the sunset and enjoy your Zak the Baker treats (if you didn't eat them already on the car ride down)."

"1111 SW 1st Avenue, MiamiA former El Bulli employee, and recognized as one of the most talented chefs in the world, Diego Muñoz, has created one of the most interesting new restaurants in Miami, in the innovative 1111 Peruvian Bistro. Chef Muñoz travelled the world for work and for inspiration. This inspiration manifests itself food that hints of his global view, his mentors, and the places he has lived."

"Grab the car and spend the afternoon in Coconut Grove strolling through the Tuscan-style pedestrian mall CocoWalk, which includes hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars. A hidden favorite down the road, Monty’s, is ideal for waterfront afternoon drinking and the occasional local band. Walk along the dock to admire boats of all shapes and sizes."

"Experience sunset at the quietly beautiful Holocaust Memorial. The memorial is a large arm, outstretched to the sky with over 100 smaller figures clinging to it and each other. In a city with one of the largest populations of Holocaust Survivors, since 1990 this memorial has served as a reminder of the suffering that occurred in Nazi concentration camps and hosts a number of community and educational events."

"1933-1945 Meridian AvenueMiami Beach, FL 33139(305) 538-1663. The Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach was opened in 1990 with Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel as the guest speaker. The memorial is also built in the former home of Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the States."

"Even for a Holocaust piece, this memorial is particularly powerful. With over 100 sculptures, its centerpiece is the Sculpture of Love and Anguish, an enormous, oxidized bronze arm that bears an Auschwitz tattoo... Top ChoiceHistoric Building in Coconut Grove"

"Though tennis was born as the "sport of kings," paupers are entitled to a place to work on their forehand. In a region littered with pay-to-play courts that require reservations, it's nice to know there are four free tennis courts at Polo Park where you can squeeze in some sets even if all you've got is a racquet and some balls. The well-maintained mid-Beach tennis facility operates on an egalitarian first come, first serve (see what we did there?) policy."

"I actually found this parish when I google searched on Miami Perpetual Adoration. It came up as the closest parish to Coconut Grove. The masses are mostly… read more »"

"Soundscape Park is a modern landscaped park that offers outdoor movie events supported by high-tech audio and visual effects. The venue presents a wonderful mix of nature and arts, which gives an atmosphere of lasting calmness. Breathe in the fresh air and watch the swaying branches of the elegant palms in the park."

"Outside of the New World Center, this park is one of the best places for open-air screenings in Miami Beach. During some New World Symphony performances, the outside wall of the Frank Gehry–designed concert hall..."

"You may be able to view a free Wallcast concert or a movie outside in the adjacent SoundScape Park, depending on the symphony’s schedule. Option # 2 - Nightlife"

"Though the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAAM) has long been one of the city’s most popular modern art museums, it’s become an even bigger player on the Miami art scene since its relocation to the Biscayne Bayfront in 2013. As if the Herzog & de Meuron-designed building weren’t impressive enough, inside the massive 200,000-square-foot museum is everything from kinetic sculptures to replica boats and an outdoor sculpture garden that has become a magnet for Instagrammers ($16/adult). The museum is now close during the pandemic, but you are invited to do a great virtual tour at the official website."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user B137 used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Have you thought about spending an afternoon to see the beautiful art of the 20th and 21st centuries?. Pérez Art Museum Miami is the perfect centre to have such a beautiful experience."

"One of Miami's most impressive spaces, designed by Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron, integrates tropical foliage, glass, concrete and wood – a melding of tropical vitality and fresh modernism that fits... Top ChoiceState Park in Key Biscayne"

"HistoryMiami doesn't sound like the name of a historical museum, which is exactly what its board members had in mind. The less-bulky name signified a new direction for what was previously called the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Today, the museum, which actually began as a historical association in 1940 continues to offer the exhibits that were developed throughout the previous decades, as well as incorporating new ones."

"HistoryMiami Museum, formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, was founded in 1940 and is the largest history museum in the state of Florida. The museum offers the community, its residents and visitors meaningful ways to connect with the rich past as well as the ever-evolving future of the region and its diverse inhabitants."

"If you don’t mind breakfast at a chain restaurant, we don’t mind including one of the most consistently good options for breakfast in Naples, even if it is a bit pricey. From "million dollar bacon" (again, pricey but oh so yummy) to the vanilla chai, First Watch serves some excellent breakfast choices which include traditional favorites and a wide array of healthy options as well. This award winning Florida based chain of restaurants use only in-season produce for all their preparations."

"The outdoor seating area is walled off by hedges dripping with pink and purple flowers, giving your meal a garden party vibe. This Midtown restaurant is currently one of the most popular brunch destinations in Miami. So make sure to make a reservation to get your table."