Brickell/Financial District Walking Tour

Start at the Latin American Cafe and begin your day the way many resident Cubans do. Order a "cafesito," which is much like an Expresso but much sweeter. It is said Cubans take their coffee this way because it's too hot in Cuba to drink a hot cup of regular coffee.

Also popular is "Cafe Con Leche" (Coffee with Milk) and "Tostada" (Cuban Toast with butter). Dip your toast in the Cafe con Leche.

Japanese sculptor Isamu Noguchi designed this fountain, which is named after the late Senator Claude Pepper, a popular defender of elderly rights, and his wife. The fountain's design represents the phases of the sea. You will see the calm phases, as well as the waves in the basin. That being said, on most days, you'll see the fountain in a water-saving mod, and it won't go through its programmed cycles. The white shelter you see to the north is the automated control station that takes into account the current wind speed and adjusts the fountain accordingly.

This is another work by Isamu Noguchi. This 29 ton marble sculpture is designed to bring play and art together. Isamu Noguchi redesigned Bayfront Park in the 1980s with a vision of a park "for the people". Feel free to let the little ones play on the slide (or yourself if you feel so inclined).

This memorial was erected in 1960 as a sign of Pan American goodwill. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy, it was rededicated to his memory.

This sculpture, also by Isamu Noguchi, is dedicated to the astronauts of the last Challenger Flight. The 100 foot metal pipe tower invokes images of the plume cloud left behind by the ill-fated voyage. It also invokes images of DNA, reminding us how we are all linked together.

This bascule bridge was originally built in 1915 and was replaced in 1995. Do not attempt to cross the bridge when the bridge tender engages the pedestrian gate. On the east side of the bridge, note the 53 foot tall bronze sculpture by Manuel Carbonell. It is titled "The Pillar of History" and its top features a Tequesta Indian Family. The warrior is aiming at the sky into eternity, with his wife and child by his side, while his son covers his face expecting extinction. The bas relief going up the column graphically depicts the history of the Tequesta Indians.

When the Icon building was being built, an archeological survey was performed. The Miami Circle was discovered, the only evidence of a permanent settlement cut into rock in North America. It consists of a perfect 38 foot circle cut into the limestone below. The panels around the park depict its history and its possible uses at the time. Note that the actual circle was reburied for preservation, the rocks you see here show its burial location.

This park used to contain several Indian Burial Mounds, however over time there exact location has been lost to history. This site was also the home of Mary Brickell, one of the founders of Miami. She owned the land here, bordered by the Miami River to the north. At the time, she named this area "Millionaire's Row," although most of the mansions that lined this street have given way to business centers, hotels, and condominiums. Her vision of this area being an economic center for Miami remains.

The Mausoleum located in the park is all that remains of the original Brickell home. The family which was interred here was moved in the 1950s to Woodlawn Cemetery.

A panel at the entrance of this park gives further information on the Tequesta Indians.

This church was built in 1949 and is an exact replica of the church built north of this site in 1900.

This restaurant is a great place to relax. If the weather is nice, ask to sit on the outside terrace on the bay.

Every item is priced at $14, $20, or $24 and includes an appetizer of your choice.

This is a sculpture by Daniela Wicki. At night the glass piece at the top of the metal "stems" gradually change color.

This church built in 1946 is in the Romanesque Gothic style. It is built from reinforced concrete and faced with limestone. It is part of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Byzantine rite but accepts those of all faiths.

You are welcome to enter to admire the terrazzo floors and exposed beams and arches, but be mindful of the practicing faithful that may be worshiping or praying inside.

As you stand in front of The Palace Condo building, take a look across the street to the building named Brickell Capital.

This is one of the examples of the mansions that used to line Brickell Avenue, formerly known as Millionaire's Row. This was the home of George E Nolan and one of the few homes spared by the hurricane of 1926. The trees and shrubs in the median were the concept of Mary Brickell. The idea was to have a tree-lined boulevard framed with mansions on either side.

The building is now used by a Latin American Financial Advisory firm.

As you approach the Santa Maria Condo building, you will see a marker approximating the location of Fort Dallas (the original name of Miami).

There is also another example of a Brickell Mansion partially hidden from view behind the wall. It is currently used as the recreation center for the building.

If you look at the buildings on the South (Biscayne Bay) side of Brickell Avenue, you will note that many of them appear in the opening credits of TV shows such as Burn Notice, CSI Miami, and others. They were first made famous by the opening credits of Miami Vice.

This is perhaps one of the most iconic of Miami's downtown buildings. It also hides a practical joke by the architectural firm of Arquitectonica.

As you approach the building, note the hole cut out from its center with the bright red spiral staircase. The cut out also contains one of the building's pools and hot tubs.

As you pass the building, you can see what became of the cut out piece of the building. Its as if it was placed here behind the tennis courts and is now used as a recreation center for the building.

Here is the second park known as Brickell park. During its construction Indian Remains were found here. Construction only continued after a blessing from the Miccosukee Tribe.

Located in the rear of the park at the center is a memorial to the September 11 attacks. The memorial was created by French sculptor Christian Bernard. His sculpture contains a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center. This steel beam is the last one of several donated to cities across the US.

This secluded park will give you an idea of what this area looked like before development. There are several trails to explore and the shade provided by this subtropical hardwood hammock offers a welcome relief from the Miami sun.

This yellow framed home is the home of Author and Miami Historian Arva Moore Parks. She is largely responsible for the protection of many Miami landmarks including Harry Truman's Miami Little White House and the Biltmore Hotel. Her works include "Miami, The Magic City” and “George Merrick’s Coral Gables".

This home is an example of the homes that used to line South Miami Avenue.

This was the former home of John and Ethel Murrel. At the time of its construction, there was a widespread American desire for architecture and craftsmanship from an earlier period. It is the only example of a French Chateau in Miami. Of note are the two towers and leaded windows. It serves as a doctors office today.

John Murrel was one of the original Miami pioneer families and founded Miami's Humane Society. He was also instrumental in the successful formation of teams consisting of both white and black officers in the Miami Police Department.

From this point you may elect to conclude this tour by walking east to the free Metromover for transport back to Bayfront Park station which will leave you near the start of the tour. Simply board any arriving train and debark at Bayfront Park Station and enjoy the aerial views of the Miami skyline.

You may also opt to continue along South Miami avenue, in between SW 10 and SW 9 Street you will find Mary Brickell Village which offers dining and shopping opportunities.