Places to Visit This Weekend: Vizcaya Village

With the warm weather continuing to set into the Miami air, Falcons are constantly in search of new local places to explore with friends or by themselves. Though hidden gems are always a fun choice, one of the best places to visit in Miami lies with a beloved tourist spot: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.

Opening its doors over one hundred years ago Vizcaya has grown to be amongst the most treasured Miami landmarks. Vizcaya was founded by American manufacturer James Deering, who also held the position of vice president of the International Harvest Company. Following his retirement, Deering purchased over 130 acres of land in hopes of doing good. Deering spent roughly $26 million to build Vizcaya over eight years, finally finishing in 1916. Despite multiple tragedies and natural disasters impacting the land, the property stayed cherished and grew rapidly in popularity. Today, the property is estimated to be worth over $9 billion.

For less than $25, people are allowed to explore leisurely throughout a waterfront estate home featuring 32 decorated rooms, as well as 10 acres of landscaped gardens. With its beautifully decorated interior and exterior, Vizcaya also opens its doors to photo shoots and wedding parties.

However, there’s another side to Vizcaya that attracts hundreds of customers every Sunday.

Located in Vizcaya Village, Vizcaya Village’s Farmers Market operates weekly from 9:30 AM to 3:30. The Farmers Market brings both visitors and vendors to the estate. The Market supplies visitors with locally grown and hand-crafted goods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, jewelry, and pottery.

The market prides itself on being accessible to all. In partnership with the Urban Oasis Project, Vizcaya offers SNAP benefits from local farms to make food more affordable for visitors. They also provide free vegetable boxes and family gardens. Vizcaya also prides itself on its compost program. People can bring their food scraps, leftover veggies, and other compostable materials such as newspapers from 9 am to 2 pm.

Aside from the tours of the mainland, you can purchase a $5 tour around Vizcaya Village to shop and learn about local history. Visitors will learn about the design of the village, the people who lived and worked at Vizcaya 100 years ago, and the present and future of the village. Tours last around 30 minutes and are available at 11 a.m.

Vizcaya also hosts wellness classes throughout the month. The first three Sundays of the month feature an outdoor yoga class led by Hanu Yoga Studio, while the last class of the month rotates between a variety of different classes, including Tai Chi and Zumba

With its beautiful sights and a wide variety of activities for a low price, Vizcaya’s Museum and Farmers Market is a great place to visit on your weekend.