Home > Our Gardens > The Kampong Located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, Florida, The Kampong contains a fascinating array of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees. The garden is named for the Malay or Javanese word for a village or cluster of houses. Some of the first plantings there came from Indo-Malaysia, brought there by the renowned explorer/horticulturist who introduced these species to the United States and who owned the property in the early 1900s. The collections were expanded and diversified by the next owner, who eventually gifted the garden to the NTBG. Heritage collections from Southeast Asia, Central and South Americas, the Caribbean, and other tropical locales create a cornucopia of exotic fruit, including candle fruit, peanut butter fruit, egg fruit, cocoplums, and over 50 varieties of mango. Numerous species of palms, cycads, and flowering trees are studied by scientists from the world over. The Kampong serves as the mainland campus for the NTBG's educational courses, as a living classroom used by universities and colleges for botany and horticulture courses, and is a popular spot for plant enthusiasts of all ages.

The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.continuing the legacies of Ryland and Standard Pacific Ryland and Standard Pacific are now one company, CalAtlantic Homes. With a shared vision of unique new home design, outstanding quality and an unwavering commitment to true customer service, Ryland and Standard Pacific are joining forces as CalAtlantic Homes. Together, we are better than ever with a combined 100 years of experience and expertise building new homes across the United States.4 Bedroom Homes For Sale Fairview Heights Il At CalAtlantic Homes we are proud to build what you cherish most of all. Eureka Forbes Air Purifier IndiaMost people do not associate scenic drives with visits to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and South Florida. Bichon Poo Puppies For Sale In Ohio

Since learning to drive 30 years ago there, I have found many scenic drives in South Florida and will share a few local road trips with you in this article. Hint: when possible, stay off the major roads. The Overseas Highway is one of the world’s great scenic drives and the only road to Key West. The drive between Key Largo and Key West crosses 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Take time to explore the quirky shops and restaurants, natural areas, beaches, and other attractions in the Florida Keys. McCool Travel Tip: I like to drive on Card Sound Road in one direction. One highlight of famed South Beach is seeing and being seen along Ocean Drive. Located between 1st and 15th Streets along the Atlantic Ocean in Miami Beach, Ocean Drive is the Miami you see on TV (like Miami Vice) and in movies (such as The Birdcage and Scarface). The fitness path and beach on the ocean side is packed with models, sun bathers, skaters, walkers, and runners while the commerce side has art deco buildings, neon lights, shops, bars, and restaurants.

On busy nights, it is faster to walk along Ocean Drive, as it becomes a virtual parking lot. Growing up in South Florida, the tagline jingle for one of the radio stations was Jimmy Buffett’s “Strolling along the avenue that’s known as A1A.” A1A is basically the street that is closest to the water. It runs from Key West to the Georgia border, along the east coast of Florida. A portion of it is a National Scenic Byway. In many places, US1 and A1A are the same road. When they are separate roads, I almost always choose A1A. Some highlights north from Ocean Drive include Bal Harbour (where extremely wealthy South Americans shop on weekend visits), Haulover Beach (official public nude beach and fishing excursions), Aventura, and North Miami Beach. Further north is Broward county (Lloyd State Park and Hallandale beaches are two favorites!), Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, and the rest of Florida. OK, there is more to South Florida than the ocean. Tamiami Trail, a road between Tampa and Miami, begins in downtown Miami on Brickell Key and soon turns into SW 8th Street (aka Calle Ocho);

it is the heart of Little Havana and a definite must-see. Driving west on Tamiami Trail, after about 18 miles, you will pass Krome Avenue and enter the Big Cypress National Preserve (part of the Florida Everglades). Many attractions are operated by the Miccosukee Indian tribe. Shark Valley Loop Road (and the Shark Valley Visitor Center) is part of the Everglades National Park and a great place to see gators in the later winter and spring. A little further west is a primitive road from the 1920s called Loop Road. Road conditions may be treacherous but I always see amazing wildlife (including giant gators) along it. Ochopee, a few more miles west, is known for having the world’s smallest post office. Side note, my grandparents lived near here (in the Big Cypress) for 20 years. Ten times a week for four summers I traveled across Rickenbacker Causeway to my college internship at the Fisheries Center on Virginia Key. About the only nice thing I can say about I-95 is that it ends at the entrance to Rickebacker.

Rickenbacker Causeway leads to Key Biscayne, Virginia Key (with Seaquarium), Cape Florida Lighthouse, and Crandon Park. I love the views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami, especially at night. Stiltsville can also be seen from Key Biscayne and Cape Florida. A special treat is eating a take out meal from La Carreta (in Key Biscayne) on the sand facing the twinkling lights of Brickell—or on the other side facing the vastness of Biscayne Bay. South Florida is not known for having hills. The highest natural point is only 40 feet above sea level. One of the highest points in South Florida (outside of buildings) is from the top of the bridge. At a whopping 78 feet, it is popular with cyclists. Driving south from Rickenbacker Causeway, turn left (first left!) on S. Bayshore Drive, not US1. S. Bayshore Drive goes past Vizcaya, through Coconut Grove (both are worth a stop—or a whole week’s visit), and then turns into Old Cutler Road. This drive is a treat. You might get sick of seeing countless massive banyan trees, stone houses, and overall quaintness—but probably not.

You will pass the exclusive Ranson Everglades School, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Matheson Hammock Park, and Charles Deering Estate but the drive is the highlight for me. There is even a surprise (sorry!) massive traffic circle that is almost reminiscent of a European city. The beauty of the everglades is that different areas have different personalities. A drive across Alligator Alley (between Ft. Lauderdale and Naples) is different than Shark Valley (see #4 above). The southern Everglades drive between Florida City and Flamingo is other-worldly; like a tropical lunar landscape. You will see pine trees, which is seemingly odd for the Everglades. This is the extreme southwest part of Florida and you will see unusual fauna like roseate spoonbills and maybe even crocs and gators together. Most of the drive is simply beautiful and peaceful, as most visitors do not venture to this southern end. Be smart and do it! Also, make sure to bring bug repellent and sunscreen. OK, it is difficult to pick only one more scenic drive in South Florida.

I could go with Krome Avenue which travels between the Everglades and the ever encroaching civilization, passing incredible produce stands. Or a boat tour, like of the Ft. Lauderdale canals or Intracoastal waterway or cruise to nowhere. Instead, I must point out that South Florida has so many wonderful neighborhoods. Miami Beach has art deco and “old school” architecture, downtown Miami is now all glittery, the islands (Star, Hibiscus, Palm, Fisher) are where the wealthy live. Coconut Grove and Coral Gables are a couple of the oldest and most scenic areas. In Little Havana and Hialeah, you will see and hear more Spanish than English. There are many ethnic neighborhoods, including Little Haiti, Little Tel Aviv, and Little Moscow. There is a scattering of Romanian restaurants and churches in the Ft. Lauderdale area. It is fun to see older houses with fireplaces, like in Hollywood and Wilton Manors. Opa Locka has many Arabian themed buildings—but do not visit after dark! I love exploring the relative spaciousness of Miami Lakes and Weston.