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The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a historical estate that lets visitors experience Fort Lauderdale’s Golden Twenties in all their opulent style. The 35 Million Dollar mansion was once the winter residence of artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and his family. Bartlett’s wife donated the villa to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983. Since then, visitors have toured the Bonnet House and its beautiful gardens – a perfect place for architecture fans, nature and animal lovers, art connoisseurs and anybody looking for peace and quiet in Fort Lauderdale.

The Bonnet House is located on a barrier island off the northeastern coast of Fort Lauderdale, just a few meters away from the beach. From Downtown Fort Lauderdale you can reach the estate in 10 minutes by car.

Attractions at the Bonnet House

Evelyn Fortune Bonnet donated the house to the Florida Trust under one condition: Its original design was not to be changed. Therefore, the building still looks like it did at the beginning of the 20th century when Frederic Clay Bartlett designed it in the Caribbean Plantation Style.

Visitors are amazed when they enter the gates and find themselves amidst lush, tropical surroundings. The Bonnet House’s exterior is graced by columns, fountains and obelisks made of coral stone, a typical building material in Florida. Elegant wooden panels and golden chandeliers can be seen inside the house. A main attraction is the salon ceiling carved from a single mahogany tree that washed up on the coast during a storm.

The rooms are lined with paintings and murals by Bartlett, an avid painter of Florida’s nature. This extensive exhibition is accompanied by many works of world-renowned masters like Picasso, as well as colorful sea shells and delicate china of the highest quality.

Outside the house, one of America’s most beautiful collections of orchids awaits you. The gardens are also a perfect place for animal lovers, as ducks, swans and other birds populate the coast here. Turtles swim in the water, and if you are lucky, you can spot Florida’s famous manatees in the wild. Looking up, visitors can still see the descendants of Emily Bonnet’s pets: two monkeys that love to climb the trees, but also frequent the footpaths.

Unlike most barrier islands in Florida, other buildings were not allowed here. Therefore, a considerable part of the 34 acres estate is still comprised of untouched nature, including large mahogany trees, lush coconut palms and extensive mangrove forests.

Before you leave the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, you should take your time to visit the gift shop. Here you can purchase elaborate jewelry, handcrafted items and colorful orchids for your loved ones.

Events at the Bonnet House

The Bartletts designed the Bonnet House as a site for culture and the fine arts. This is still reflected in the event calendar today. Besides housing exhibitions by local artists, the estate is also used for concerts, art lectures and orchid shows. Guests who want to save money should visit on a “Cool Saturday“: On the first Saturday of the month from July to October, the ticket price is only 10 USD. Children under the age of 12 visit the Bonnet House for free. This offer is valid from 9 am to 4 pm.

If you are looking for a classy ambience to host your own event, you can book the Bonnet House’s extensive gardens. There, an air-conditioned suite provides the perfect venue for weddings, birthdays or corporate events.

Those who love American luxury cars will be familiar with the name Packard. From 1899 to 1954 this company in Detroit built cars for wealthy customers – among them movie stars, politicians and mobsters. In these days, if you wanted to be somebody, you had to buy a Packard. Today, no more models are produced. However, thanks to collector Arthur Stone, a whole museum in Fort Lauderdale is devoted to Packard cars. Everybody who is even slightly interested in automobile history should stop by here. And even those who are not might still enjoy the journey to a time when driving cars was a gentleman’s sport.

Attractions at the Antique Car Museum

The Antique Car Museum features the world’s biggest collection of cars by manufacturer Packard, and is modeled after a 1920s showroom. All vehicles are kept in prime condition: Take, for example, the Runabout Speedster, an eight cylinder marvel with elegant bronze fittings.

Of course: Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and cars like the bright red Model 740 might not match the tastes of today’s motorists. The golden deco and huge hood ornament, however, are true eye catchers. The Station Sedan with its wooden panels is another intriguing vehicle.

Fans of gangster movies might recognize the Model 1100. In addition, the Antique Car Museum displays a colorful delivery truck, convertibles and limousines from the 1950s. And if you think driving a car was uncomfortable 100 years ago, the Model 1-35´s living room-like interior will change your mind.

Thanks to its historic look, walking through the museum is a remarkable experience. For example, there is even the replica of an old gas station. Detailed panels will give you all the technical specs of every model, and some cars are open so you can examine the powerful engines up-close. As if all this was not enough, you will find a multitude of miniature cars, vehicle parts and Packard memorabilia. You should account for at least 2 hours to see everything the collection has to offer.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees at the Antique Car Museum

The Antique Car Museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. On Saturday, the museum is open by appointment.

The museum is run by a Non Profit Organization on a donation basis. Tickets cost 10 USD for adults and 5 USD for children aged 5–12. Of course, you can also donate more if you want to support the collector’s work. Group tours are available upon request.

If you want to throw a “Roaring Twenties” party, you can rent the museum for your own event. Thanks to the huge space and a catering service, the venue is perfect for birthday parties, weddings and corporate events. You can find more information on the official website https://www.antiquecarmuseum.net/.

Directions to the Antique Car Museum

The Antique Car Museum is situated in Central Fort Lauderdale, between sights like the Fort Lauderdale Airport, Port Everglades, the Stranahan House and Las Olas Beach.

Modern high rises make up the bulk of Fort Lauderdale’s riverfront. But if you look closely, you will discover a gem from the old days. Right by the water, the Stranahan House takes guests on a journey to the early 20th century, when Fort Lauderdale was still in its infancy. If you are interested in historic architecture and relics from Florida’s pioneer era, you have come to the right place.

History of the Stranahan House

The Stranahan House was built in 1901 as a trading post to exchange goods with the Seminole Indians. This makes it the oldest building in Broward County. With time, the city of Fort Lauderdale grew around the house and became a sprawling metropolis.

The builder, Frank Stranahan, lived in this house until his death in the year 1906, together with his wife Idy. Before the Stranahan House was given landmark status in 1973, it served as a guesthouse and restaurant. In 1980, the original interior was restored, and since 1984 the Stranahan House has been a historical museum.

Attractions at the Stranahan House

The Stranahan House has retained its nostalgic charm, not only on the outside. The interior still looks like in the early 20th century when the Stranahans were living here: Elegant wooden furniture, lace doilies, expensive china and hunting trophies speak volumes about the privileged life of the Stranahans. In the kitchen, you will see how people used to prepare meals 100 years ago. Other exhibits include old trading goods, antique typewriters and Stranahan’s gramophone – a masterpiece designed by no other than Thomas Edison himself.

One thing becomes clear when you tour the house: Frank Stranahan was more than a gifted merchant. As the only vault-owner for miles, he took on the job as Fort Lauderdale’s banker. In addition, the pioneer from Idaho also ran the post office. You can still ring its bell today.

The walls are adorned with countless pictures and photos from the early days of Fort Lauderdale. But Frank and Ivy not only aimed at developing the city. They also had fruitful, life-long relations with the Seminole Indians. At a special exhibition, you can admire Indian clothes, blankets, dolls and jewelry.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices at the Stranahan House

Group tours are the only way to explore the Stranahan House. They take place everyday at 1, 2 and 3 pm. Some of the tours are reserved for school classes, so you should call the Stranahan House in advance and ask about available tours.

Tickets cost 12 USD for adults, 11 USD for seniors and 7 USD for students. If you are visiting the House with groups of 10 or more people, you have to make a reservation.

Events at the Stranahan House

Several times a year, the Stranahan House serves as a venue for entertaining events. On Christmas the estate is beautifully decorated with lights and a colorful Christmas Tree. Then, you can join a boat trip on the New River and admire festively lit houses on the shore.

In April, the Pineapple Jam draws in guests with delicious, fruity cocktails and live music. On Halloween it is time to discover the spooky past of the Stranahan House. Among ghost hunters, these estates are considered one of the most haunted places in the US. Legend has it that the ghost of Frank Stranahan still dwells here. No matter if you believe in such things – touring this old house at night is a spooky experience. If you want to listen to costumed guides telling scary stories from Fort Lauderdale’s past, you should join the Ghost Tour.

In addition, guests can also book the Stranahan House, or rather its extensive riverside garden, for their own events like weddings, birthday parties or corporate events with up to 200 people.

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had one thing in common: They loved to spend their vacation in the Sunshine State. Today, their original homes in Fort Myers rank among the city’s most popular attractions. At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, you cannot only tour historic houses, but also admire antique cars and groundbreaking inventions. The Botanic Gardens with their exotic plant life are a perfect spot for nature lovers.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – The House

American “Snow Birds” who spend the winter months in Florida are not a new phenomenon. Thomas Edison also preferred the warm climate of the Sunshine State, and so the inventor built a house on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River in 1886. After his friend’s death, the automobile pioneer Henry Ford bought the adjacent parcel and had a villa constructed there. Today, both properties are managed by a non-profit organization that tries to preserve the original architecture as well as the memories of these great American figures.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – Exhibitions

You can either take a guided tour or visit the Edison and Ford Winter Estates with an audio guide. Starting point are the historic houses where the interior has not been altered since the lifetime of Edison and Ford. Here you can see the study room where Thomas Edison came up with his inventions, as well as the Fords´ cozy living room and the first swimming pool built in Florida.

Thousands of exhibits are displayed at the Edison Ford Museum – from groundbreaking cars to Edison’s famous inventions like gramophones, light bulbs and early movie projectors. Here, you can also admire lesser-known creations such as first toasters and flatirons. A movie informs visitors about the camping trips of Edison and Ford, and the Spark!Lab is a perfect place for little inventors. Here, children can design their own hovercraft and test it in the wind channel.

A highlight of the museum is the authentic laboratory with its multitude of flasks and tubes. Here, Edison and Ford tried to produce rubber in order to make the USA independent from foreign exports. A whopping 17.000 plant samples were collected to achieve this goal.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates - Exhibitions - Fort Myers

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – The Gardens

The Botanical Gardens of the Estates are home to 1.700 plant species that grow in an area of 11 football fields. The plants come from every part of the world: from one of the tallest banyan trees in the USA to magnificent palm trees and prehistoric ferns.

In Edison’s lifetime, his gardens were more than a feast for the eye. The plants served a practical purpose. Bamboo, for example, was needed for the production of light bulbs. Edison’s wife also left her mark here, as can be seen in the Moonlight Garden with its reflecting pool and the Butterfly Garden where colorful pollinators flutter about. Even today, you can still see the Edisons walk the gardens – in the form of costumed actors, that is. Hobby botanists should check out the official website edisonfordwinterestates.org to see which plants are blossoming at the moment.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – Opening Hours, Ticket Prices and Events

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm. Tickets are available on-site and online. An audio guide is included in the entrance fee of 15 USD.

For an additional 8 USD you can join a group tour of the Estates. German tours are available two times a week. In addition, there are two special tours:

  • The Garden Tour lets you take a look behind the scenes in the Botanical Garden. (costs: 32 USD)
  • On the Inside the Homes Tour you can see rooms that are normally closed to the public. (costs: 40 USD)

Bargains can be struck with coupons from websites like groupon.com, mecouponz.com and floridaadvertisingservices.com.

Events at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates include orchid sales, weekly talks about Edison´s and Ford´s inventions and workshops with fun experiments for children.

Kennedy Space Center is widely regarded as the most important place in US space history. The first astronauts began their missions here, and even today 17.000 people are working on rockets that are shot into orbit from Cape Canaveral.

Kennedy Space Center is also the perfect place for vacationers in Florida who want to delve into the world of cosmic exploration. Gigantic Space Shuttles, space capsules, flight simulators and fascinating films draw in guests from far and wide.

Gigantic Space Shuttles - Kennedy Space Center

SIGHTS & AREAS: THINGS TO SEE AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Rockets of every generation and interactive exhibitions await visitors at Kennedy Space Center. The following attractions are particularly popular:

VISITOR CENTER

Your first stop should be the KSC Visitor Complex, an area big enough to keep you busy for hours. The complex is separated into different “missions” – in chronological order, so you can relive space history from its beginnings to today. Among the highlights of the visitor center are:

  • a true to scale replica of the Hubble Telescope
  • the 121 feet long Space Shuttle Atlantis that you can behold from all sides; visitors can even take a peek inside.
  • Real space toilets and sleeping chambers for astronauts
  • the Astronaut Hall of Fame, where space heroes like Neil Armstrong are immortalized
  • Forever Remembered, a memorial honoring the astronauts who died in the Columbia Incident of 2003
  • Nasa Now, an exhibition of modern satellites and space capsules developed by NASA and their partners
  • the Lunar Theatre, where original footage and lifelike models of the first moon landing are displayed.
  • Rocket Garden, a collection of seven towering rockets from the early days of NASA missions
  • a five story IMAX cinema with realistic 3D movies
  • Space Shop, the world’s biggest gift store for NASA memorabilia.
Vistor Center - Kennedy Space Center

JOURNEY TO MARS: EXPLORERS WANTED

Colonizing the Red Planet has long been mankind’s dream, and Journey to Mars lets visitors be a part of this endeavor. The exhibition not only displays vehicles that were already present on Mars, but also a space capsule and futuristic constructions like the ATHLETE vehicle that resembles a giant spider and can move on any terrain. What is more, all the information is updated in real time. This way, guests always get the latest news on the progress of NASA´s Mars missions.

APOLLO/SATURN V CENTER

A bus tour takes visitors to this extensive area where everything revolves around NASA´s Apollo missions. Before you gaze at the rockets, it is time to visit the command center used to control the flights from the ground. An original Saturn V rocket forms the center of the exhibition. Due to a length of 360 feet it takes a while before you have seen every part of this vehicle. Exhibits from inside the rocket show what life for the astronauts was like. And if you always wanted to touch a real moon rock, you can do so at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Apollo-Saturn V Center - Kennedy Space Center

SHUTTLE LAUNCH EXPERIENCE

Have you ever wondered what the start of a Space Shuttle must be like for the astronauts inside? Then experience these moments for yourself at the Shuttle Launch Experience. 60 million USD and six years of development were necessary to build this futuristic flight simulator. After an introduction by shuttle commander Charles F. Bolden, 44 people take the journey to space. After the ride a hatch will open, and you will see our blue planet in all its glory.

CHILDREN’S PLAY DOME

At Kennedy Space Center little explorers find a plethora of things to see and do, but no attraction gets them excited like the Children’s Play Dome, a space-themed indoor playground. Here, future astronauts can go for a climb, have fun with the slides, squeeze through narrow tunnels and take space shuttles on fantasy trips to the galaxy, while the grownups enjoy a well-deserved break at the picnic tables.

Childrens Play Dome - Kennedy Space Center

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – OPENING TIMES AND PRICES

Kennedy Space Center is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

1 Day Tickets cost 57 USD for adults and 47 USD for children aged 3–11. Included in the price are all attractions in and around the Visitor Complex, as well as a bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

If you do not manage to see everything in one day – a real possibility given the sheer number of exhibitions – you can get the Multiday Admission for 82 USD (67 USD for children). This allows you to visit the Center as often as you like for one year. The following enhancements can be booked in addition to your ticket:

  • KSC Explorer Tour: For 25 USD (19 USD for children) visitors can tour the restricted areas of the Space Center, including the giant Vehicle Assembly Building.
  • Cape Canaveral Early Space Tour: This 3 hour tour includes the historic launch sites at Cape Canaveral as well as the Air Force & Missile Museum. The tour costs 25 USD (19 USD for children).
  • Launch Director Tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis: For 65 USD guests are shown the Space Shuttle Atlantis on an exclusive tour led by launch director Mike Leinbach.
  • Dine With an Astronaut: Having lunch with a real astronaut gives you the chance to hear space stories first-hand and ask the questions you have always wanted to ask. This enhancement costs 30 USD (16 USD for children).
  • Astronaut Training Experience: If you want to know what it is like to be an astronaut in training, the Space Center has multiple programs for you: from a simulation of the atmosphere on Mars for 40 USD to training used by real NASA astronauts before they go on space missions (costs: 175 USD).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Seeing a rocket launch at nearby Cape Canaveral is an unforgettable experience – and one that is free if you watch the launch from the Visitor Complex. Additionally, there are tours to special visitor galleries costing 19 or 48 USD. If you want to stay updated on rocket starts, you can visit the official website kennedyspacecenter.com.

A PREVIEW OF WHAT AWAITS YOU IN THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

In this clip you can catch a glimpse how the Kennedy Space Center looks like.

DIRECTIONS TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island off Florida’s east coast, only a one hour drive away from Orlando. It takes roughly 4 hours by car to get there from Cape Coral. Flights to Orlando´s International Airport are considerably faster. Once in the city, you will have no problem booking a bus tour to Kennedy Space Center.

Calculate your route to Kenney Space Center

Address for your navigation system: Florida 32899, USA

Address for your navigation - Kennedy Space Center

History fans visiting the vacation island Key West should not miss the Truman Little White House. Here, you can learn more about famous US presidents, admire original interiors from the past and immerse yourself in over a century of American history. Exciting events make the Truman White House a perfect place for the whole family.

HISTORY OF THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

November 1946: Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, is feeling weary after his first year in office. The hustle and bustle in Washington, DC has left its mark. His physician suggests a vacation in a warm and sunny climate. Luckily, there is an officer’s residence on Key West that has already housed celebrities like Thomas Edison and W. H. Taft. For Truman, however, this house quickly becomes more than a vacation home. In his “Little White House” the democrat meets with his staff and makes important decisions. His successors Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kenney also like to spend their time here. In 1991, this valuable piece of American history is declared a museum. However, to this day the house still serves as a venue for official duties from time to time.

THINGS TO SEE AT THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

You van visit the Little White House on an official tour that takes place every 15–20 minutes and lasts about 45–55 minutes. Your knowledgeable guide will take you to the private quarters and the study of Harry S. Truman. The interiors have hardly changed since the time he left office – from the bedroom to the dining hall and the office where Truman used to sign important documents. You can even see the president’s fountain pen. Countless photographs clearly show that American history was written here. And what did the world’s most powerful man do to unwind? Play Texas Hold´em, of course. On the tour, you can still admire Truman’s poker table.

Afterwards, you can pay a visit to the gift shop to buy souvenirs like books, mugs, T-shirts, hats, buttons and postcards.

things to see at the truman little white house - key west

OPENING HOURS AND FEES AT THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

The museum is open every day from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Holidays are no exception. Since the Little White House is still a presidential residence, it may be closed to the public on short notice. Therefore, you should check the opening times on the official website www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com. On-site parking is not available. The nearest parking lot is located on Front Street.

If you buy them at the museum, tickets cost 22.52 USD for adults, 10.75 USD for children aged 4–12, and 20.37 USD for senior citizens and students. You can save money by purchasing your tickets on the website.

EVENTS AT THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

In Truman’s times, there were always people coming and going at the Little White House. Still today, the place serves as a venue for countless events: from concerts and lectures to fundraisers. In spring, little guests can go on an Easter egg hunt on the lawn, at the Tropical Fruit Festival, the University of Florida sells sweet fruits, and a fun garden party awaits you at the Bourbon & Barbecue Fest. If you want to know how the Trumans used to celebrate Christmas, you should join the Little White House Holiday Tours offered in December. Then, you can tour the festively decorated house and see exhibitions that are usually closed to the public.

Have you always wanted to eat at the same table as Mr. President himself? Then, you should book the dining hall with room for 14 guests. Thanks to its spacious lawn and nostalgic flair, the Truman Little White House is also a popular venue for weddings.

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE

The Truman Little White House is located at the western end of Key West.

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