Field Museum of Natural History

Field Museum of Natural History, the main hall

One of the world’s largest natural history museums. It was established in 1893 and has a permanent collection of more than 24 million specimens. Museum represents an educational and scientific institution of global importance.

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

One of the world’s largest and most exciting aquariums. It was opened in 1930 and hosts some 32 thousand animals of some 1500 species. The façade of the aquarium has a Neo-Classicist façade that is characteristic of many American museums.

Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago

This large and important art museum was founded in 1879. The museum has evolved a cutting-edge educational and research program that involves hundreds of thousands of artworks in its collections.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

An enormous art museum. It was established in 1927 with very rich collections of European and American art. Museum has an extensive collection of Peter Paul Rubens paintings as well as paintings of Lucas Cranach the Elder, Thomas Gainsborough, and many other famous artists. Fine gardens and numerous beautiful buildings.

Lightner Museum

Lightner Museum - former Hotel Alcazar

One of two neighboring hotel buildings, constructed in the Spanish Neo-Renaissance style in 1887. Both buildings represent some of the earliest examples of poured concrete buildings in the world. Here was the largest indoor swimming pool in the world.

Pirate and Treasure Museum in St Augustine

Pirate and Treasure Museum in St Augustine

One of the most interesting pirate-related museums in the world. Contains one of two remaining authentic Jolly Roger flags in the world, authentic pirate treasure chest and other valuables.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle

An unusual stone structure, created by Latvian eccentric Edward Leedskalnin (Eduards Liedskalniņš) in the 1920ies. The structure includes stones, each weighing several tons. He built it alone, without the assistance of heavy machinery. For a while, this caused rumors about the supernatural forces of Leedskalnin, but now the construction technologies have been explained.

Tampa Bay Hotel

Tampa Bay Hotel

Historical, pompous hotel building. Constructed in Moorish Revival style in 1888 – 1891. This structure marks the beginnings of the tourism industry in this part of Florida.

Villa Zorayda

Villa Zorayda

Private home of Boston millionaire Franklin W. Smith. It was built in 1883 in resemblance to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. This is one of the first buildings in the world that was built of poured concrete and also one of the first Spanish Neo-Renaissance buildings. Beautiful interiors. Also the first example of fantasy architecture, characteristic for Florida.