Miami is a vibrant cultural melting pot that is home to many outstanding historic event venues. From iconic houses to beach hot spots to art deco facilities, event attendees with their sights set on Miami have no shortage of majestic ballrooms, tropical gardens and intimate courtyards.
At the same time, finding the ideal Miami location for your romantic day or important event may seem overwhelming at first. It helps to have an overview of the types of event venues available to give you a better visualization of your special gathering.
Whether you’re on the quest for a historic Miami event venue or simply visiting, here are some locations you should consider exploring while you’re in town:
Vizcaya is one of Miami’s most treasured cultural gems and a premier event venue that has generated many rave guest reviews. Overlooking the Biscayne Bay, the National Historic Landmark draws in visitors and event-goers alike who are enchanted by its majestic Rococo to Italian Renaissance architecture, diverse plant life and magical energy. When you’re at Vizcaya, you simply do not run out of exhilarating things to do.
Guests who attend a grand event or wedding at Vizcaya quickly realize that there is no other location like it, and it’s a photogenic place to experience with the family. The immaculate grounds encourage days filled with five-star dining, long walks through tropical gardens and maybe even a few discoveries within the house’s secret passageways. You or one of your guests might even experience a manatee sighting, which will surely be the talk over a seated dinner or strolling cocktail experience.
This historic landmark is quite the source of nostalgia, preserving the spirit of old Miami. It makes for a sophisticated event location. Guests will be entranced by vintage details like security cameras, teller stations and a brilliant iron-wrought bank vault that leads to an elegant ballroom.
Many shows and movies have been filmed at the Alfred Dupont Building. The radiant stone and iron surfaces have made an appealing background for Bad Boys, For Love Or Country, Blood & Wine, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Miami Vice and South Beach, to name a few. Guests enjoy the inspiring conversations that take place here or ordering from the bartenders behind the bank teller cages.
The three-level building is known for its unique character and detailed intricacies—stained glass ceiling, European and French/New Orleans architecture, 19th-century sculptures, brick archways and ironwork. Your guests will certainly feel like they’ve hopped into a time machine and traveled through time and space.
This all-in-one location provides multiple spaces for wedding ceremonies and receptions and many photographable backdrops. Picture a stunning bride descending the Cruz Building’s grand staircase. The first floor provides an excellent setting for the ceremony, while the second could be used for an elegant dining experience and third floor for a night of dancing. Although its massive splendor is something to be marveled at, it’s perfect for any size event, with a layout that allows for creative themes.
Completed in 1927, the Douglas Entrance is a historical venue in Miami, FL. Originally known as La Puerta Del Sol, “Gate of the Sun”, Douglas Entrance was one of the original entrances into the City of Coral Gables. Upon arriving you’re greeted by a beautiful, large fountain which can serve as the perfect backdrop for your ceremony. Cocktail hour can be held outdoors in front of the building’s façade or indoors along the Grand Staircase. Your reception can be hosted inside the ballroom which offers ornate, vaulted ceilings and large windows where natural light beams through.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery brings a piece of Europe to Miami. The 12th-century Romanesque and Gothic location is known for casting a spell over all who experience it. The ultimate destination wedding location features three chapels, 20 acres of rare palms, Spanish oaks and sprawling gardens.
There is plenty of space for all your wedding needs—pictures, ceremony, cocktail hour, a party or whatever you want. The Spanish Monastery offers a deeply intimate experience that is meant to be shared with loved ones. Consider mingling and cocktails in the garden with dinner and dancing in The Cloisters. Although it’s an ideal location for a wedding, it can easily accommodate any kind of important event.
Constructed in 1925 by aviation pioneer Glenn Hammond Curtiss, the Curtiss mansion is one of the largest Pueblo-themed houses in Miami Springs. It offers an opulent yet cozy feel for weddings and special events. And it can even serve as a romantic, intimate getaway. Think old Spanish film and you’ll be transported to a place that truly retains its historic charm.
Guests can enjoy cocktails on the terrace, make important toasts in the courtyard and dance the night away inside the mansion. The building’s brick patio, cozy fireplace and bistro lighting make for an intimate and inviting evening full of celebration. It’s also seen many corporate events like sales conferences, retreats or board meetings.
Guests choose the preserved 1920 estate of Charles Deering for its historic houses overlooking Biscayne Bay and manicured lawns lined with palms. The Spanish-Mediterranean-style house offers guests three unique areas to enjoy. The Grand Lawn is perfect for cocktail events and ceremonies. For indoor occasions, guests will be mesmerized by the elegant ballroom with checkered floors and crystal chandeliers.
Treat your guests to cocktail hour overlooking the bay plus dinner under the tree canopy of the open courtyard. The magical estate is the perfect event venue for anyone looking for a historic location that can accommodate large and small parties.
The rock and roll center comes with an art deco ambiance that provides the ideal backdrop for private events, cocktail receptions, product launches, fundraisers and more. The unique Miami Beach landmark is not your ordinary arts center venue.
The Fillmore is an incredible venue for corporate events, especially when highlighting the entertainment is a priority. Clients love this space for its top-notch audiovisual capabilities that take presentations to the next level. And the best part is that they’re completely handled by the venue. It’s also perfect for one-of-a-kind weddings and social events.
An iconic celebrity hangout and world class location for exclusive events, the Temple House has seen everything from fashion shows to galas to international conferences. The “avante-garde canvas” showcases a 25-foot-ceiling, elegant mezzanine and Grecian style outdoor terrace. You and your guests will remember your night here for years to come.
Located in the Art Deco District, the prized venue fits seamlessly into one of the world’s most popular destinations.
Once upon a time, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden boasted the largest mango and avocado groves in the world. Over the years, however, the garden had sadly deteriorated and experienced damage from Hurricane Andrew. In 1996, a group of passionate residents assembled to create the Miami Beach Garden Conservancy as a non-profit organization with a mission to restore the garden. This important accomplishment adds to the historic character of the property.
The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is one of Miami’s best-kept secrets and a stunning place to have a private event or wedding. It features a plethora of tropical plants, flowering trees and brilliantly colored koi fish swimming in a pond. The canopied terrace would provide a special setting for a summer party, dance or reception. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is the perfect stage for an informal garden event and will accommodate any taste.
Joy Wallace Catering and Events is well known for creating exceptional weddings and events at the finest locations across Miami. If you’re considering having your wedding, next business meeting or other special event in Miami, we would love to hear about it. Or if you just want to know more about things to do in Miami and other historic venues, let’s talk!
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