One of the benefits of travel is expanding your knowledge the history of people and places. No matter what you’re interested in, South Florida probably has a museum devoted to it. So if its too hot or rainy to be outdoors, spend sometime inside one of these South Florida museums.
Miami
This unusual museum features some of the most famous chess players in history, including Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. Enjoy the many fascinating chess exhibits and artifacts, especially if you are an avid chess player.
The museum’s centerpiece, a hand made of bodies rising from the midst of a reflecting pond, is hard to miss. Visitors walk past panels telling the story of Hitler’s campaign against the Jewish people. A dim corridor leads to the roof exhibit where pleading sculptures speak of the horrors sustained by the victims of the holocaust. It is a deeply moving and a must see in the area.
The rarely visited museum features old Florida’s many memorable railroad cars, including the “Ferdinand Magellan,” the private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt and the Florida East Coast Railway locomotive #153 , the engine that pulled the rescue train out of Marathon, Florida after the 1935 hurricane.
Historical Museum of Southern Florida
This museum is one of the largest private history museums in the country. It houses 1,900 maps, more than one and a half million photographic images and over 12,000 local artifacts. Replicas of forts, movie theaters, a trolley, and even a diner from the 50′s can be seen in this expansive museum.
Fort Lauderdale
This state-of-the-art facility offers shows on astronomy and space exploration. For $2 at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, visitors enjoy a live history tour on the universe and galaxy. The 8 p.m., visitos can look through the telescopes for free!
IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum
This fun museum includes six galleries, an outdoor marina, a theater and indoor/outdoor demonstration area devoted to the most popular sport in Florida- fishing!
Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
Featuring an amazing gallery collection of vehicles, ornaments, and packard car-related paraphernalia, this museum is a hidden gem in the heart of Fort Lauderdale for car enthuthiasts.
International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum
If the sport of swimming and its history is an intrest of yours, check out this little known location. Its exhibits include ancient art and reproductions and original art depicting famous moments in swimming in the United States and around the world.
