I recently enjoyed a long weekend with friends in Miami snorkeling and losing at cornhole while frequenting an area brewery and eating at an Argentinian steakhouse. However, the highlight of the trip for me was an impromptu trip to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Vizcaya is the former home of James Deering, who served his family’s company as vice president of International Harvester in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s his health began to decline, causing him to purchase 272 acres of land south of Miami. There Deering built his Renaissance-style home, complete with traditional European gardens and his favorite art pieces.

The estate is massive. One could easily roam the gardens alone for an hour or two if Miami weather permits. Flowers, fountains, flora and fauna all arranged and preserved with great care. Each spot I meandered through became my favorite until I strolled through the next area and the next and the next.

While the gardens are undeniably lovely, seeing the east façade facing Biscayne Bay instantly transports you into the Gilded Age. With steps leading directly to the water’s edge, it’s easy to see how Deering entertained his guests at the turn of the century. Upon arrival, a grand barge doubled as a loading dock for everything and everyone arriving by sea. No longer accessible to the public, the barge simultaneously served as a breakwater to protect the estate and as a work of art. The only way to reach the main steps to the villa was by a gondola between the two.

Finally, should I had been so lucky to live at Vizcaya, my favorite space would likely have been the Venetian-style bridge leading to the domed tea house with inlaid marble floors. Effortlessly presenting a full view of the barge, the estate and the bay, I pictured myself casually sipping my tea to the slight sound of the soft waves in the ocean.

A photographer’s dream setting, on the day we visited there were several photoshoots taking place for engagements, quinceañera celebrations and even an elopement in the making. The background and natural lighting are exquisite, making Vizcaya an ideal location for weddings, ceremonies and black-tie events.

Inside the main home, you’ll find a significant collection of original Italian furnishings, art and treasures from Deering’s personal collection. Beyond the building’s Mediterranean design, you see numerous rooms with a distinct variety of influences ranging from French and Chinese to Spanish Colonial styles.

As a fan of interior design, architecture and history, Vizcaya checks all the boxes for me. It’s a delightful destination full of American individualism and innovation against Deering’s favorite global influences.

The resulting combination is pure museum magic.

— Carrie Cox, account executive