Note: The Vizcaya Museum and its gardens were damaged by Hurricane Wilma. The Vizcaya remains open to the public, though some features are under repair, and the gardens lost many trees.

Looking for something off the beaten path? Pay a visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The Vizcaya was built in 1916 to be the winter residence of Chicago industrialist James Deering, who apparently was not fond of the arctic cold that blankets Chicago for five months every year. To escape, he constructed a palatial 34-room home overlooking Biscayne Bay. Of course, what industrialist could build a mansion without filling it with fine art? Deering stocked his winter palace with a dizzying array of 15th- to 19th-century art. Another big attraction of this erstwhile Italianate palazzo is the stunning 10 acres of gardens and fountains that surround the main house. The gardens were designed with French and Italian Renaissance motifs, less formal than an English garden and much more accessible. The romantic atmosphere of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens makes it an excellent day trip for couples or those seeking to become couples. After just one visit, many couples decide to hold their weddings here.