Top Spots To Learn About South Florida History

South Florida is a historian's paradise. Everything from archaeological finds to museums to railroads to Indian reservations, Florida has a lot to explore. Both children and adults will enjoy exploring the history of Florida at the many historical venues in South Florida. True history buffs will enjoy visiting the sites listed here and the many other historical sites in South Florida.

History Miami Museum

101 West Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 375-1492
www.historymiami.org

The History Miami Museum has over 37,000 items on display in their exhibits. There are over 19,000 maps and a million photographs and other objects to see at the museum. In addition to the year-round displays, there are rotating displays that change several times a year. There is so much to see at this museum that visitors will need 2 hours or more to fully explore everything on display at the History Miami Museum.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

12450 S.W. 152nd St.
Miami, FL 33177
(305) 253-0063
www.gcrm.org

Come out to Gold Coast Railroad Museum and get a glimpse of what the early railroad train cars were like. Visitors can see stainless steel cars, non-streamlined cars, and lots of passenger cars from various eras of history. There is even a passenger car that was used during wartime to transport soldiers. Children can enjoy a hands-on model railroad section of the museum while parents relax in the observation room. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum even offers a 20-minute ride on the Edwin Link Children's Railroad.

Coral Castle

28655 S. Dixie Highway
Miami, FL 33033
(305) 248-6345
www.coralcastle.com

Coral Castle, located near Homestead, is an everlasting tribute to an unrequited love. Edward Leedskalnin spent 28 years of his life carving and sculpting huge blocks of coral using homemade tools. The work on the castle began in 1923 and ended only upon Edward's death in 1951. Visitors can see a Polaris telescope, fully functioning rocking chairs, a nine-ton gate that moves with the slightest touch, and walls that weigh over 125 pounds per cubic foot. In 1984, Coral Castle was added to the list of historic places on the National Register of Historic Places.

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(Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Seminole Okalee Indian Village

5716 Seminole Way
Seminole Paradise
Hollywood, FL 33026
(954) 797-5551
www.semtribe.com

Cowboys and Indians really did exist, the westerns we watch on TV may be exaggerated, but they are based just a tiny bit on facts. Take a step back into history by visiting the Seminole Okalee Indian Village in Hollywood, Florida. The village is located on the Hollywood Seminole Indian Reservation at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Visitors can see a traditional village and experience how Indians lived back on the reservation.

Graves Museum Of Archaeology & Natural History

481 South Federal Highway
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 925-7770
www.gravesmuseum.org

This museum houses archaeological finds discovered by members of the Broward County Archaeological Society. Visitors can learn about geology, Florida's pre-history, Hominid evolution, paleontology, pre-Columbian Florida, and much more at the Graves Museum of Archaeology & Natural History. There are even some hands-on areas for the children. New items are being added to the museums exhibits frequently so come back often.

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Katherine Bostick is a freelance writer covering all things Tampa Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.