When you have adult children, Christmas often changes. Traditions shift, schedules get complicated, and sometimes the best way to be together is to do something completely different. This year, we decided to celebrate Christmas in Miami.

Our first stop was South Beach, where we joined a tour of the famous Art Deco buildings. Everyone has heard the term Art Deco, but it’s not always obvious what you’re supposed to look for. Once you know the clues, though, the style starts to reveal itself everywhere.

Art Deco draws heavily on geometric designs—chevrons, zigzags, strong lines, and stylized floral motifs. It was influenced by discoveries in Egyptology, a growing fascination with the Orient, and African art. From around 1925 onward, the style also reflected a passion for modern machines. Airships, automobiles, and ocean liners inspired many of the building facades, giving them a sleek, forward-looking feel.

The Essex House and the Fairwind on Collins Street are great examples. The Essex House, with its three stories, porthole windows, “eyebrows,” and ship-like prow, looks as if it could sail straight into the ocean. 

The Davis Hotel also resembles the prow of a ship, and its use of aluminum is another hallmark of Art Deco architecture.

Other buildings, like the Tudor and the Dream, are also excellent examples of the style. You even have to pay attention to the floors. In the 1920s, you didn’t ask where the casino was—you followed the diamonds and lines in the flooring to find the gambling areas.

A quick visit to the old Gianni Versace estate lets you relive another layer of South Beach history. You can’t go inside, but you can stroll past the front steps where Versace was murdered and take in the weight of that moment.

Hotel Victor is another interesting stop. It broke a few rules architecturally, but since the mob was involved, that probably shouldn’t be a surprise. The lobby is open, and it’s worth stepping inside for a look.

And, as always, our traveling companions were more than happy to smile for the camera.

Next up was a walk through Little Havana.  Don’t forget to stop for the chicken to cross the road at the Goodwill store.

No trip to Little Havana would be complete without viewing the monuments to the Bay of Pigs.

I did love the wall art in Miami so I captured a lot of shots that I found enjoyable.

Meanwhile the chickens were getting out of control.

And don’t forget to pick up a few cigars while you’re in Little Havana.

We did take an afternoon boat trip to see the homes of the rich and famous and the Miami skyline from the water.  After walking in the morning, it was a nice reprieve to sit back and enjoy the view.  It was cloudy so next time, I’ll have to order up a sunny day.

If you like homes and gardens, visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.  We certainly enjoyed viewing the time spent there.  The gardens are particularly beautiful.

After a long afternoon checking out the sites, we stopped lunch and enjoyed a libation or maybe two on our way.

Our final stop was the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.  I thought the Vizcaya Gardens were great but Fairchild Gardens out did them by far.  It’s quite impressive when they divide the gardens up into different climates, tropical as well as arid.

Then you also have to watch out for toothy friends.

Best of all was the butterfly house.

This blue one was so hard to capture.  When it’s wings were folded, it was brown but opened to fly, such a pretty blue color.

This nice woman was telling me all about the gardens and how she loved them so I couldn’t help but sit down and listen to her stories about the Miami area.  Marjory Stoneman Douglas has many stories she’d like to tell you, she’s waiting for you to visit.