Miami, Florida, a popular vacation destination for many travelers, is home to outstanding beaches, name brand shopping and history-rich places of interest. Although there are numerous choices for the Miami tourist, some stops rate must-see status for any Miami itinerary. When visitors to Miami want to soak up some sun waterside they head to South [...]
Venetian Pool Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida, a popular vacation destination for many travelers, is home to outstanding beaches, name brand shopping and history-rich places of interest. Although there are numerous choices for the Miami tourist, some stops rate must-see status for any Miami itinerary.
When visitors to Miami want to soak up some sun waterside they head to South Beach or the Venetian Pool. South Beach is a white sand hotspot known for its great nightlife and star-studded clientele.
The Venetian Pool is an 820,000 spring-fed pool formed in a rock quarry. This historic site includes a chance to explore coral caves, waterfalls and grottos. The hours of operation and admission prices vary throughout the year so guests are encouraged to check the pools website at www.venetianpool.com for more information.
Miami tourists in search of some name brand shopping or outlet bargains usually migrate to the Sawgrass Mill or the Bayside Market Place. The Sawgrass Mill is home to over two miles of shopping, including outlets for Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Mill is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9:30 PM and on Sundays from 11 AM to 8 PM.
The Bayside Market Place, an open-air center including nine full-service restaurants, name brand stores, local flavor kiosks and daily entertainment features a 180-degree view of the water for shoppers to enjoy as they explore all the shops.
For wildlife loving tourists Miami offers two great attractions, the Miami Metro Zoo and Parrot Jungle Island. The Miami Metro Zoo, a unique 740-acre wildlife park, offers guests a chance to see subtropical animals in a cageless setting. The zoo is open 365 days a year from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and admission is $11.50 for adults and $6.75 for children 3-12.
Parrot Jungle Island is a bird sanctuary featuring many types of free-flying birds, a petting zoo and an Everglade exhibit. Parrot Jungle Island is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children. Parking costs $6.00.
One of South Florida’s oldest attractions, Parrot Jungle Island has been open since 1936, when Franz Scherr rented some land south of Miami to display a shipment of 25 macaws. His family doubted the birds would stay in the park, but they quickly grew accustomed to their new home and eagerly performed tricks for visitors. [...]
Parrot Jungle Island
One of South Florida’s oldest attractions, Parrot Jungle Island has been open since 1936, when Franz Scherr rented some land south of Miami to display a shipment of 25 macaws. His family doubted the birds would stay in the park, but they quickly grew accustomed to their new home and eagerly performed tricks for visitors. The park moved to its new location in 2003. It is now home to over 3,000 animals and 500 plant species.
Birds like macaws, cockatoos and flamingos call Parrot Jungle home, as do an albino alligator, a 21 foot crocodile, a liger (lion/tiger cross) and a rare pair of twin orangutans called Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Pie. The “stars” of the park are featured at www.parrotjungle.com/jsps/meetanimals.jsp.
Two exhibits in particular are standouts. The Manu Encounter is a replica of Manu, Peru’s famous clay cliffs. About 200 parrots and macaws call it home. The Everglades Habitat simulates the “river of grass” that surrounds Miami and covers southern Florida.
The park offers three twenty minute shows. Winged Wonders is the most famous, featuring trained birds roller skating, playing cards, and doing other tricks in the Parrot Bowl. Reptile Giants features snakes, crocodiles and their cousins in the Serpentarium. In the Jungle Theater, Wild Encounter brings the audience up close to uncaged exotic animals.
The park is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Regular admission is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children 3-10 and free for children under three. Seniors, the military and students with ID get $2 off the regular adult price. The website lists occasional discounts at www.parrotjungle.com/jsps/events.jsp. Tickets can be purchased online and printed at home.
Parking is an additional $6 per vehicle in the garage. It is off of 395 East at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, between downtown Miami and South Beach.