The mansion at Viscaya is home to the famous Secret Garden and is one of Miami's most amazing sights.

Industrialist and Chicago native James Deering built his “castle in the sun” overlooking Biscayne Bay in 1916, and today the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens remains one of America’s greatest houses.

An heir to the International Harvester Company, Deering wanted his winter home to be a replica of an Italian villa. Deering and his designer scoured Europe for the finest antiques and artwork that money could buy. They bought a ceiling from a Venetian palazzo and a fireplace mantel from a French chateau. A 16th-century statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of hospitality, greets visitors at the main loggia, and the entrance to the library is covered with 19th-century French wall panels. In the exquisite dining room, two stone lions — possibly from Pompeii or Herculaneum — support a massive stone-topped table. These are just a fraction of the treasures found inside the decorated 34 rooms.

Vizcaya, named after a legendary Spanish explorer, is designated as U.S. National Historic Landmark and is accredited by the American Association of Museums for its original collections.

With all the opulence that the main house offers, it is hard to pull yourself away to go outside. But do. You simply should not miss the formal gardens, which cover 10 acres. Combining elements of Renaissance Italian and French designs, the gardens feature ponds, fountains, statues, and a central pool surrounding an elevated island. And when you look toward Biscayne Bay, you’ll notice the unusual stone barge carved from coral stone. Modeled after the barge of the doges in Venice, the impressive structure served as a breakwater to protect boats visiting the villa.

Located at 3251 South Miami Ave and one-quarter mile off Interstate 95, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is open to the public 364 days a year, and group tours are offered in 10 languages. Please visit www.vizcayamuseum.org or call 305-250-9133 for ticket information and hours of operation.

No Super Bowl tickets for you? No worries, Florida's casinos will keep you close to the action without the hassle.

If you haven’t scored a much sought-after ticket, you are not alone. In fact, of the 125,000 fans planning to come to South Florida, only 75,000 will attend the game. Most won’t have tickets unless they are affiliated with the NFL, corporate sponsors, or media outlets. A few lucky souls – 500 to be exact – won tickets through the annual Super Bowl random drawing last summer but they make up less than one percent of the fans who will be inside Sun Life Stadium on Feb. 7.

You may be the lucky one, though, because you get to enjoy all the excitement of Super Bowl Week in South Florida without the hassle of stadium parking or standing in long lines. And you might be even luckier when you visit one of South Florida’s many casinos during Super Bowl Week.

Area casinos and gambling venues are planning a variety of festivities to help everyone celebrate Super Bowl Week with special promotions, first-class entertainment, and concerts. On the night of the Super Bowl, all of the casinos will be showing live broadcasts of the game with several places having special “watch” parties.

GAMING NEAR THE STADIUM
If you still want to be near the fan frenzy, head over to the brand new casino at Calder Casino and Race Course, located only one mile from the Sun Life Stadium. A longtime member of South Florida’s sports and entertainment industry, Calder Race Course opened its $85 million casino in January in anticipation of both Super Bowl XXLIV and the NFL Pro Bowl.

“”We’re really excited about the Super Bowl,” says Tammy Gantt, director of advertising for Calder. “We can actually see the stadium from our facility, so we expect larger crowds.”

Calder is rolling out the red carpet for those crowds, too, with valet parking, self-service terminals for pari-mutuel wagering, and three new restaurants. The 104,000-square-foot casino has 1,225 Vegas-style slot machines, making it the first slots and gaming facility at a Thoroughbred horse track in Miami-Dade County.

In addition, the state-of-the-art Studz Poker Club at Calder opened last October with 29 well-spaced tables. The club features several amenities, including a massage service right at the tables and a roving teller who takes pari-mutuel wagers for the live and simulcast horse races. Studz has a unique room layout with a raised supervisor’s podium and specially-designed Gasser chairs for extreme comfort. The weekly tournament schedule is highlighted by the $550 Deep Stack Tournament held every Saturday at 11 a.m. and numerous other tournaments throughout the week. Free lessons are also available to new players.

PUT A LITTLE MAGIC IN YOUR GAME
Magic City Casino, located near the Miami International Airport, also has Super Bowl fever with events planned all week, including a concert by the Grammy Award winning group Los Lobos on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. Ticket information is available at www.magiccitycasino.com.

Formerly known as the Flagler Greyhound Race Course, Magic City Casino added 700 Vegas-style slot machines last October and now offers both gaming and premier greyhound racing. This will be the facility’s first Super Bowl Week as a casino, and larger-than-usual crowds are expected.

On Feb. 4, Magic City will host a Doggy Dinner Theatre complete with games, cash prizes, and giveaways. Live greyhound racing begins at 8 p.m. A live DJ in the Tres Hermanos bar kicks off the weekend on Friday, Feb. 5.

Game day will find big screen televisions tuned into Super Bowl LLXIV so that patrons won’t miss a minute of the sports extravaganza while enjoying Magic City Casino’s restaurants, casino, or friendly poker room.

Special promotions throughout Super Bowl Week are also planned at Mardi Gras Casino at the Hollywood Racetrak. Play the more than 1,300 Vegas-style slots and 30 action-packed poker tables in an always festive atmosphere. And, of course, the Super Bowl game will be shown on big-screens throughout the casino.

ROCK THE GAME AT HARD ROCK
Let’s face it — the Super Bowl is as much about spotting the celebrities as it is football. And what better place to bump into someone famous than the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, where a variety of star-studded Super Bowl-related events are planned.

Rooms at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel have been sold-out for months, but the casino has made arrangements with other hotels in the area to accommodate the extra volume of guests by offering shuttles to the Hard Rock Casino.

Blues legends B.B. King and Buddy Guy are slated to perform on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Live, a state-of-the art concert facility next to the casino. Ticket information is available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Miami’s own NFL great Jerry Rice will host a celebrity gala to benefit the Buoniconti Fund on Thursday, Feb. 4. Expected to attend are sports legends Joe Montana, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, and many more.

The public is invited to attend the “Rock ‘N Soul” party with super sports agent Drew Rosenhaus at the Hard Rock Live on Friday, Feb. 5. Tickets are $100 per person and are available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

And, of course, there is Super Bowl Sunday when the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will begin the day with the “Big Game Brunch, where 48 NFL cheerleaders will sign autographs. Former NFL coach and current FOX broadcaster Jimmy Johnson, along with several other celebrities, will host a trivia contest and silent auction. Tickets are $150 per person and are available at the hard Rock Live Box Office.

Settle down to watch the Super Bowl with a few thousand other fans at the “Watch Party” beginning at 5 p.m. in the air-conditioned Hard Rock Live venue. Enjoy food and drink specials and special appearances by the Lingerie Football League Girls.

“For those who don’t have tickets to the game, the “Watch Party” will be the best of both worlds,” says Ryan Rogers, public relations manager for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

GAMING AWAY FROM IT ALL
Some folks just don’t want to be caught up in the Super Bowl hoopla and would prefer to do their gaming at locations where it may be a little less crowded. If you want to get farther away from the Super Bowl traffic and still enjoy South Florida’s casinos and gaming venues, head to the northern part of Broward County.

The Isle of Capri Casino & Racing at Pompano Park features 1,500 Vegas-style slots, a 34-table poker room, and three restaurants. Just a little farther north is the Seminole Casino at Coconut Creek, a first-class facility with 1,500 Vegas-style and bingo style slot machines and a poker room that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No matter which South Florida casino or gaming facility you choose to visit, though, you’ll experience the unequivocal excitement of Super Bowl Week. No ticket required!

1. The Roji-en Japanese Gardens at the Morikami Museum, Delray Beach
If you are looking for a peaceful refuge from the fast-paced world of gaming, spend a few hours at the beautiful Roji-en Japanese Gardens at the Morikami Museum.

Ranked eighth among 300 Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the diverse gardens include bamboo groves, waterfalls, and Zen-inspired dry cascades and provide a perfect place to relax. Founded in 1977, the museum and gardens offer rotating exhibitions, tea ceremonies, and traditional festivals in addition to being one of the most picturesque places in Palm Beach county.

The Morikami is only 12 minutes away from the Isle of Capri Casino in Boca Raton and 25 minutes from the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek. Call for prices and hours of operation.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Road
Delray Beach, Fl 33446
Phone: 561-495-0233
www.morikami.org

2. International Game Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a fish? You’ll find out when you visit the International Game Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum at Dania Beach, near Hollywood. The museum’s 60,000 square foot entrance will immerse you in an underwater world filled with fish, and the intriguing Fish Gallery takes you even deeper into the sea. Fun for all ages, the museum contains the world’s most comprehensive collection of sport fishing information along with interactive exhibits. The museum is located only 15 minutes from Hollywood’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

International Game Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum
300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL
954-927-2628
www.igfa.org

3. Gatorama, Palmdale
Built more than 50 years ago on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, Gatorama is a pioneer in the alligator farming industry. The 15-acre attraction is a family-owned business where you can hold a baby alligator upon your arrival and then hike along a 1,000-foot walkway to view native Florida wildlife. Amateur photographers will enjoy the natural Florida setting, and culinary enthusiasts can learn about some unusual alligator meat recipes. Don’t miss the daily feeding shows. Located an hour and a half from Fort Lauderdale, Gatorama is also within a short drive to the Seminole Casino in Brighton.

Gatorama
6180 U.S. Highway 27
Palmdale, FL 33944   
Phone:  863-675-0623
www.gatorama.com

4. Big “O” Airboat Tours, Clewiston
Take an 10-mile airboat ride around the world-famous Lake Okeechobee to get an up-close view of alligators, pelicans, manatees, birds, native plants, and other indigenous species. Experience a part of Florida that most visitors never see with a one-hour tour by Big O Airboat Tours of Clewiston. Big O Airboat Tours leave from Martin’s Marina off Highway 27 in Clewiston, which is half-way between West Palm Beach and Fort Myers. The marina is also convenient to the Seminole Casino in Brighton. Reservations ― and cameras ― are recommended.

Big “O” Airboat Tours
Capt. Terry Garrels
920 E. Del Monte, Clewiston, FL 33440
1-800-473-6766 or 863-983-3151
www.bigofishing.com/airboat

5. Museum of Discovery & Science, Fort Lauderdale
If you don’t have time to visit the Florida Everglades in person, you can still learn about Florida’s most amazing natural resource at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. The Living in the Everglades exhibit includes an 11,000 square foot nature trail where you’ll see many of Florida’s natural inhabitants. If outer space is your thing, then take a simulated trip to the Moon or to Mars in the newest MODS exhibit, Runways to Rockets. The museum also houses the largest living Atlantic coral reef in captivity as well as South Florida’s biggest IMAX theater. You will discover more than 200 interactive exhibits at the museum, including the Discovery Center for children under seven. Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the museum is only minutes away from several casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

Museum of Discovery & Science
401 SW Second Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-467-6637
www.mods.org

6. The Florida Aquarium, Tampa
Rated among the top 10 aquariums in North America, the 250,000-square foot Florida Aquarium tells Florida’s unique water story as it follows a drop of water from its underground source to the open sea. Four unique galleries house more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world. Ocean Commotion, the newest gallery, is an innovative and interactive exhibit where you can even use your cell phone to listen to the sounds of the sea. Other highlights include The Penguin Promenade, where guests can interact with African Black-footed penguins in an up-close and personal setting. Hang on to your bracelets and shoelaces, though, because the penguins may think those items are their newest toys. The Florida Aquarium is located only 10 minutes from Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
813-273-4000
www.flaquarium.org/

7. Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee
As you drive through Lion Country Safari, be prepared to brake gently when zebras cross the road and remember that rhinos have the right-of-way. More than 800 animals roam free in a natural open environment, giving visitors a chance to experience the adventure of an African safari. After the four-mile drive, you’ll change your pace a bit when you walk through the Safari World entertainment and animal display areas, including the “Feed the Giraffe” exhibit where you will come nose-to-nose with the tall creatures. More than an attraction, Lion Country Safari is a licensed rehabilitation facility for injured wildlife and is involved in the captive breeding for several threatened and endangered species. USA Travel Guide ranked Lion Country Safari third on a list of the top 10 zoos in America in 2009. Located 20 miles west of West Palm Beach, the preserve is 45 minutes from the Port of Palm Beach, where you can board the Palm Beach Princess Casino Cruise line.

2003 Lion Country Safari Rd
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
561-793-1084
www.lioncountrysafari.com

8. West Palm Beach Antique Row Art & Design District
Don’t let the new name fool you. The West Palm Beach Antique Row Art & Design District is still the same place praised by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, and Art & Antiques as one of the east coast’s premier antique districts. With more than 40 antique shops, the charming district between Southern Boulevard and Belvedere Road on South Dixie Highway has attracted new businesses and galleries since changing its name last year. Shoppers will find an impressive selection of 17th to 20th century antiques, decorative arts, period deco, and more. The high-quality shops are all within walking distance and are surrounded by award-winning restaurants and interesting galleries and boutiques. After shopping, head to the nearby Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek or Isle of Capri in Boca Raton.

For maps and more information, visit www.westpalmbeachantiques.com.