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+ Matheson Hammock Park gives glimpse of Miami past

The drive to Matheson Hammock Park is just as gorgeous as the natural setting that surrounds the actual park. Located on scenic, tree-lined, woodsy Old Cutler Road, the park is a wonderful glimpse into Miami's past.   Opened in 1930, the original idea of preserving the natural beauty surrounding the park remains today and is evident in the beautiful expansive view of Biscayne Bay. The man-made atoll pool, one of the park's highlights which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of the Bay. The sea breeze is ideal for picnicking at their pavilions, enjoying their nature trail or perhaps grabbing lunch in their coral stone restaurant. Kayakers and canoers love visiting here for a rest stop and grabbing lunch and relaxing before heading back. Matheson Hammock Park is located at 9610 Old Cutler Road, 305-665-5475 , www.miamidade.gov/parks/Parks/Matheson_beach

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+ Soundscape Park: Al fresco music in heart of South Beach

The New World Symphony has a new home and fantastic outdoor space where there performances can be viewed by the general public. Soundscape Park is in the heart of South Beach, between Lincoln Road and the Convention Center and Fillmore concert venue. The space is a welcome addition to an area that was begging for such a wonderful spot to listen to music al fresco. Aside from being a great spot to sit and read or admire the wonder that is Miami Beach, it's best known as a spot where the general public can sit and enjoy a live performance by the New World Symphony. That's thanks to a screen that projects the performance to the Soundscape audience. It's the perfect spot to bring a blanket, wine and cheese picnic and catch the spectacular musicians, led by award-winning Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas. Soundscape Park is located at 400 17 St., Miami Beach

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+ Wrestlin’ a gator is an art form to these guys

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+ Cultural Fridays: Little Havana’s lively monthly festival

Little Havana is always a lively place but on the last Friday of every month it truly comes to life during Cultural Fridays, the monthly arts and culture festival held on historic Southwest Eighth Street, known as "Calle Ocho." [caption id="attachment_55805" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Photo courtesy of Google Images"][/caption] Set on the iconic three-lane, one-way stretch of road, the festival takes place  along three blocks filled with art galleries, restaurants and performance stages. There are walking tours of the historic Little Havana homes led by renowned historian Dr. Paul George, tango classes at DAF Studio, an Art Fair at Domino Plaza, salsa dancing at El Pub Restaurant and lots and lots of art for viewing. Eat at one of the many Cuban, Spanish and Latin American restaurants and dance the night away at one of the few nightclubs along Calle Ocho. Cultural Fridays is every last Friday of the Month on Eighth Street from between SW 14th and 17th Avenues, 305-643-5500, www.viernesculturales.org

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+ Margulies Collection: Wynwood District pioneer’s space shines

The once sleepy Wynwood neighborhood over the last decade has become a force in the growing and world-reknowned Miami arts community and pioneering the transformation is Martin Margulies, well known art collector. At the giant Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, located of course in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District, the variety of art on display is impressive and obviously his life's work. Contemporary and vintage photography, sculptures, installations and video pieces. Sculptures by artworld heavyweights Joan Miro, Williem de Kooning and Isamu Noguchi are here for the viewing. Amazing that works by such masters exist in one place together. This is an art lover's dream and give yourself a few hours because working through the space requires just that. The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse is located at 591 NW 27 St. 305-576-1051 www.margulieswarehouse.com

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+ Oleta River State Park: Explore nature on land or in water

Oleta River State Park makes perfect use of its surroundings in the most unlikeliest of places, near Biscayne Boulevard and on the way to Sunny Isles Beach. It's Florida's largest urban park and just for that is worth exploring for adventure seekers and lovers of the outdoors. The bike paths here are extensive and range from novice trails to more challenging ones that provide an exciting ride for even the most experienced mountain biker. The scenery makes the adventure that much more exhilarating. Kayaking or canoeing along the river provides incredible views of mangrove forest preserves filled with native South Florida plants and wildlife. Picnics are easy here too with nine pavilions available for rent and grills and picnic tables throughout the park. They've also got rustic cabins available for overnight guests. A dip in their manmade beach makes the outdoor experience complete. Oleta River State Park is located at 3400 NE 163 St., North Miami Beach, FL 305-919-1844 www.floridastateparks.org/oletariver

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+ Jungle Island: Paradise attraction on Watson Island

Just the car ride to Jungle Island is glorious with cruise ships on one side and mansions on the other and sparkling water all the way around. The attraction uses its surroundings to their advantage. The tropical landscape lends itself to the Parrot Bowl shows where vultures, cockatoos, swallows and more share center stage. Exhibits around the Island feature several species of monkeys, snakes and birds including penguins, flamingos, American alligators, Burmese pythons, skunks, cobras and chameleons. They live among a variety of gorgeous plants and flowers that provide the grounds' beautiful landscape. They also make full use of their waterfront location by incorporating an area called "La Playa" (The Beach) where adults can lounge on a beach chair under an umbrella while the kids frolic in a 17-foot water slide. The view's unbeatable and it's a great way to cool off.

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+ CIFO Art Space: Contemporary art in warehouse space

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+ Art Center/South Florida: Watch artists at work

What makes the Art Center/South Florida so unique is that aside from being such a great place to view local art it's actually a working studio where artists rent space and create their work. Besides making it the perfect excuse to stroll up and down Lincoln Road on Miami Beach, not that any excuses should be needed for doing that, it's a great way to experience the craft of creating art first-hand. Big names in the South Florida art community, like Carlos Betancourt, Robert Chambers, David Rohn, Michele Oka Doner and others, have displayed their work here and the exhibitions include public art commissions, performance and video art, multi-media works as well as more traditional paintings and drawings. Art Center/South Florida is located at924 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL

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+ Area Stage: Edgy, provocative theater

Husband and wife team John Rodaz and Maria Banda-Rodaz have made the success of Area Stage their labor of love and the laboring continues. Long considered the place to see edgy, provocative live theater, the Rodaz team haven't lost their thirst for bringing theater lovers what they want, an experience that leaves them wanting more. Just look at their titles "Confessions of  a Jewish Shiksa Dancing on Hitler's Grave" about the daughter of Jewish Holocaust survivors who's raised Catholic and the trouble that ensues when she reveals her true identity. And like this, there are plenty others being presented here. The Rodaz' refuse to stop pushing the envelope to bring the best they can to their audience. Area Stage is located at 1560 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL

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+ Tigertail Productions: Culture of every kind

Veteran cultural group Tigertail Productions, headed up by legendary director Mary Luft, is presenting another season jam-packed with musical and theatrical performances as well as spoken word events. They've been presenting passionate programs in performing and visual arts since 1979 and each year is better than the next. They're known for pushing the envelope and bringing recognition to lesser-known artists who they feel deserve their time on stage. Gracing this season's calendar are Dutch jazz artists the Benjamin Herman Quartet, a variety of spoken word or "WordSpeak" events and workshops, blues legends Henry Gray & the Cats and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. The Jess Curtis Gravity Dance troupe, featuring dancers from France, Germany, Italy, England and the United States, is an interdisciplinary mixed ability performance. And Japanese couple Eiko & Koma present their provocative performance piece "Raven." Tigertail's performances are held on Miami Beach, in Coral Gables and throughout Miami. Visit their web site for exact locations.

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+ Miami Science Museum & Planetarium: A world of hands-on exploration

Hands-on, interactive permanent as well as traveling exhibitions are what Miami Science Museum is all about. Add in the interpretive presentations, Wildlife Center and Planetarium laser shows and it's a full day affair! Visiting this attraction means learning about all things scientific, whether it's wind, electricity, the human body, dinosaurs, sharks, energy this place gets people moving since most all displays are interactive. Head outside to the Wildlife Center and see their amazing collection of turtles, snakes, birds of prey and other critters. It's also a rehabilitation center for sick and injured birds so it's an educational lesson as well. And in the Planetarium, daytime shows focus on the telescope and on identifying the stars and planets. In the evening, laser shows take over, they've been a hit here for years and keep going strong. Watch laser lights move and groove while listening to the sounds of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley. On the first Friday of the month they open up the rooftop observatory for star viewing. The Miami Science Museum & Planetarium is located at 3280 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL

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+ Freedom Tower: Historic building houses provocative exhibitions

The Freedom Tower is Miami's Ellis Island, a historic building that symbolizes the city's melting pot of immigrants. The national historic landmark has seen many ups and downs and was on the verge of disappearing when it was donated to Miami Dade College. It has now become a space for provocative art exhibitions, most recently Instruments of Torture. The connection began last Fall with the unveiling of the world map mural located in the Freedom Tower's Mezzanine floor. Other major art exhibitions featured here included the works of masters Goya, Dali, DaVinci as well as presentations by authors and other dignitaries. There's always an interesting cultural artistic or literary presentation happening at the Tower and with a central location in Downtown Miami it's easy to make a day of it visiting here. The Freedom Tower is located at 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL

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+ Award-Winning Shows at GableStage

With 148 Carbonell Award nominations and 43 wins, it's no wonder audiences flock to see GablesStage plays, which are presented in the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Perfecting their theatrical craft for more than three decades, the players at GableStage, led for the last nine seasons by Producing Artistic Director Joseph Adler, whose legendary and provocative productions have been making headlines in Miami since his arrival at the theater, is something no one at this venue takes lightly. Speed the Plow and  A Lesson Before Dying are some of the award-winners and this season's comedy Speech and Debate and the drama Fifty Words could very well garner more accolades.