Things to Do: Matheson Hammock Park Beach

I love the beach at Matheson Hammock because it's perfect for the little ones. The water is enclosed sea water so it's extremely calm and shallow. You pay a $5 per car entrance fee but that's reasonable considering you'd have to pay a toll and parking meters or garages if you wanted to head to Miami Beach. The beach is monitored by 3 lifeguards so it's safe as well. You can bring your own food and camp yourself at the beach the whole day. I love how you can see downtown Miami from the beach and, in general, the beach is a beautiful spot for picture taking. The beach is located at 9610 Old Cutler Road.

From MiamiDade.gov: Matheson Hammock Park is a lovely scenic park with an unusual feature--a man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay. Its tranquil breeze-swept beach is a haven for families who enjoy its warm, safe waters and beautiful waterside views. The park also has a full-service marina, snack bar and restaurant built into an historic coral rock building, picnic pavilions and nature trails. Matheson also contains a sailing and power boat school.

Things to Do: Fairchild Tripical Botanic Garden

I already told you that we went to Fairchild but I figured I'd go into more detail. Fairchild is located off Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. If you are up for it, you can walk the entire 2-mile pathway. Fairchild is absolutely stunning and extremely picturesque (I understand why people would shell out $200 to have professional pictures taken there). Right now they are having an art exhibit and there is art throughout the grounds. My favorite part of Fairchild is that you can bring your own food and have a picnic. They even give you free cold water! The downside to Fairchild is the cost of admission. At $20 per adult, it's not cheap. They do, however, make it worth while to get an annual membership. I bought my membership on Earth Day when it was half off and it has already paid itself off because I have been to Fairchild twice, once with Alex as my free guest. A perk of membership is that admission is included to all their special events (hello, Chocolate Festival!).

Probably one of the most beautiful views at Fairchild.
Lily pads. Seats in the butterfly area of Fairchild.

Butterfly.

This building has a store and space for events.

Floating art.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. They are open almost every day of the year and they give free admission to Dade County teachers.

Things to Do: Miami Metro Zoo

I love the zoo. I love seeing all the animals. Miami Metro Zoo is a our local zoo and has made quite the comeback. When Hurricane Andrew hit the South Florida area, the zoo suffered huge losses. I remember it took them a very long time to rebuild the aviary area of the zoo and the zoo looked very bare and almost forgotten. The zoo is very kid friendly; other than the obviousness of the animals the zoo also has a splish and splash area for those extra hot days.

Here are some pictures of my favorite animals:
Miami Metro Zoo is located at 12400 Southwest 152nd Street in Miami. Admission is $16 per adult but they are always running specials online for reduced admission. It is definitely worth getting an annual pass because the zoo is quite large and it's hard to really enjoy it fully in one day.

Things to Do: Art Shows

I love going to art shows. I love seeing how much talent there is out in the world. There is something so fun about browsing the various tents and imagining how a piece would go perfectly in your home. What I love the most about art shows is that they are free minus parking for some locations. I believe the only art show that charges an admission fee is the Coconut Grove Art Festival but there are so many great free ones in the Miami area. We got a preview of the upcoming art show season this past weekend when we went to In the Park with Art in Palmetto Bay. The weather was perfect for browsing the tents of the over 100 artists present. I was blown away with what I saw. The photography was stunning, the pastel work amazing, the jewelry gorgeous. I will admit that I have become obsessed with artist Annie Maxwell. I first saw her work displayed in one of the galleries during the Gables Gallery Night and I saw her work again this weekend. I love how vibrant and alive her pieces feel. I also love how her work incorporates the feel of the Caribbean, specifically Cuba.

Image from Fine Art America

I'm looking forward to the South Miami Art Festival this weekend and possibly going to check out Sleepless Night on Saturday Night.

Things to Do: Art in the Park

This is another Miami freebie. It's called Art in the Park and it's held the first Friday of the month in conjunction with the Coral Gables Gallery Night. There are local artists, drinks, and live music from 7pm to Midnight. This event is great for bringing a blanket and a container full of food and perching yourself under the night's sky for an evening picnic and a free concert.

Don't want to bring a blanket? No problem. They set up couches.

Things to Do: Biltmore Hotel

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

This is going to be a new thing here on the Confessions Blog. Because money is tight (isn't it for everyone?) and there's a baby on the way, we have cut back on our eating out. This is a little sad because I love to explore new restaurants, especially now that I am so unfamiliar with the dining scene here in Miami, but priorities are priorities. As a result, I have become obsessed with free/inexpensive things to do.

Going to the Biltmore Hotel is something I have always wanted to do. Luckily enough, the Dade Heritage Trust conducts free tours on Sundays. The hotel is gorgeous and has the most incredible history. From being a posh hotel in the 20s to a hospital during the World War to completely abandoned in the 60s and 70s to beautifully restored in the 80s, the hotel has been through it all. It is located in Coral Gables and was the brain child of Coral Gables founder George Merrick. Probably the most interesting thing about this hotel and what draws people in is the ghost of Al Capone's bodyguard. If you are lucky, they take you up to the 13th floor where the murder occurred and you get to walk through the same space where the body and blood were.

Lobby

Ballrooms

Courtyard.

Suite where the murder took place. Look familiar? Think Bad Boys.

View from 13th floor.

This is the room the ghost haunts.

For more information on the Biltmore Hotel go here. For more information on Dade Heritage Trust go here.