by The Editors | September 21, 2018
Fall Fête
A guide to Florida's museums, culture and entertainment
Beyond Florida’s sandy shores, sunny skies and iconic palm-tree-lined boulevards, the Sunshine State is home to some of the nation’s most sophisticated cultural centers. In Flamingo‘s FALL FÊTE: A Guide to Florida’s Museums, Culture and Entertainment we turn the spotlight on a diverse selection of the state’s must-see venues celebrating visual arts, performing arts, science, botanical gardens, architecture, history and more. With so many world-class organizations dedicated to education and creativity, the possibilities for cultural adventures from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast are endless. We hope we inspire you to take a trip, across town or across the state, to visit one of Florida’s cultural gems.
MOCA JACKSONVILLE
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville has been Northeast Florida’s premier cultural destination for over 90 years. From its nationally renowned Project Atrium installation series to its innovative arts education programs, MOCA Jacksonville is dedicated to the discovery, knowledge, and advancement of the art, artists and ideas of our time.
Opened: 1924
333 N Laura St., Jacksonville // (904) 366-6911
mocajacksonville.unf.edu
POLK MUSEUM OF ART AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLEGE
Named as one of the Top 10 art museums in Florida and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, this Central Florida museum with free admission features an extensive permanent collection of contemporary and modern art, as well as an impressive array of Pre-Columbian, Asian, European and American Decorative Arts. Upcoming exhibitions include “Chagall: Stories to Dreams,” “Degas: The Private Impressionist,” and “The Art of Romaine Brooks” on loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Opened: 1966
800 East Palmetto St., Lakeland // (863) 688-7743
PolkMuseumofArt.org
LIGHTNER MUSEUM
The Lightner Museum is located in Henry Flagler’s 1888 Alcazar Hotel and now houses the collection of publisher, entrepreneur, and collector Otto Lightner (1887 – 1950). The stories of Flagler and Lightner set the backdrop for understanding the Museum’s vast expanse of Gilded Age relics, which are elegantly exhibited on the museum’s three floors. Costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments and other artifacts give visitors a glimpse into 19th century daily life.
Opened: 1948
75 King St., Saint Augustine // (904) 824-2874
lightnermuseum.org
ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER
ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTERSet in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the center presents nearly 400 events each year across its flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs several Signature Series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 60,000 children each year. As Miami’s new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses BRAVA by Brad Kilgore, a fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market.
1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami // (786) 468-2020
arshtcenter.org
CUMMER MUSEUM
The Cummer, as locals affectionately call it, blends art, gardens and education to inspire imagination and passion. With a nationally renowned permanent collection including works by Romare Bearden and Norman Rockwell, the museum offers thought-provoking exhibitions and programs for seasoned art aficionados, those new to the art world and families looking for a creative space.
Opened: 1961
829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville // (904) 356-6857
cummermuseum.org
BOCA RATON MUSEUM OF ART
Founded by artists, the Boca Raton Museum of Art was established in 1950 as the Art Guild of Boca Raton. The organization has grown to encompass an Art School, Guild, Store, and Museum with distinguished permanent collections of contemporary art, photography, non-western art, glass, and sculpture, as well as a diverse selection of special exhibitions.
Opened: 2001
501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton // (561) 392-2500
bocamuseum.org
FLORIDA HISTORIC CAPITOL MUSEUM
Restored to its 1902 appearance, the Historic Capitol stands as an icon at the center of Florida’s Capitol complex; the modern-day nerve center of the Sunshine State government. Under the stained-glass dome, political history and tradition come alive in the exhibits. Through photographs, recordings, and audiovisual displays, visitors experience the people and events that have shaped today’s Florida.
400 South Monroe St., Tallahassee // (850) 717-1902
flhistoriccapitol.gov
NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN
Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre world-class garden paradise that features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. A hands-on interactive Children’s Garden along with 90 acres of beautifully restored habitats, walking trails and a Butterfly Garden offer educational entertainment and enjoyment for all ages.
Opened: 2009
4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples 34112 // (239) 643.7275
naplesgarden.org
THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCEThe Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. Located in Downtown Miami’s waterfront Museum Park, Frost Science is divided into four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings. Here, guests can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind, and much more.
