Engaging Students Since 1953
Our school programs offer a unique opportunity for teachers to immerse their students in the rich history and captivating beauty of this National Historic Landmark.
From engaging guided tours to hands-on learning experiences, enhance your classroom curriculum and ignite a passion for art, history, and nature in your students.
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Student And Teacher Experiences
Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council
Grow with Purpose. Lead with Impact.
The Vizcaya Teen Environmental Council (VTEC) is a dynamic, teen-led program that empowers high school students to become changemakers in their communities through the lens of urban agriculture, sustainability, and environmental leadership.
As ambassadors of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, VTEC members will:
- Cultivate real-world skills in sustainable farming and food systems
- Design and lead teen-focused experiences that promote environmental awareness
- Engage with the community through hands-on projects and outreach
- Develop leadership and teamwork abilities that extend beyond the garden
Applications for the 2025–2026 VTEC cohort have closed. We will reopen applications in summer 2026.
Want to be the first to know when applications reopen? If you’re a teen, teacher, or guardian interested in VTEC, sign up below to receive updates about upcoming opportunities.
Why Join VTEC?
- Hands-on agriculture: Learn how to grow food, care for the land, and understand the power of local, sustainable agriculture.
- Leadership development: Build confidence, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Community impact: Make a difference by promoting food justice and environmental stewardship.
- Earn while you learn: Receive a monthly stipend and earn service hours.
Qualifications
- Be a 10th-, 11th-, or 12th-grade student during the 2025–2026 school year.
- Complete an online application.
- Attend one (1) virtual or in-person informational session.
Please note that participation in VTEC requires a commitment to attend biweekly Thursday sessions from October through April (every other week), as well as three Sunday sessions between January and April.
Applications for the 2025–2026 VTEC cohort have closed. We will reopen applications in summer 2026.
For more information about VTEC, please contact us at school.programs@vizcaya.org
Learn More About VTEC
Immersive and Engaging Experiences
Tours are guided experiences designed to engage students in learning through inquiry-based, object-based, peer-to-peer discussions, and hands-on activities. Tours for 2nd-12th grade students may be reserved for the Main House and Gardens, are presented in English, and last two hours.
Tour Options
A Day in the Life of Vizcaya 2nd-12th
Visit the Main House and Gardens to understand how Vizcaya was enjoyed and experienced by staff and guests of James Deering. Students will learn about life in 1910s Miami through this interactive tour.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Visual Vizcaya 2nd-12th
Discover Vizcaya’s collection and artistic traditions through exploration and artmaking. After, students will practice “plein air painting” through a watercolor painting activity in the gardens.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Environmental Exploration 2nd-12th
Discuss preservation and adaptations while learning about South Florida’s native habitats through this tour of Vizcaya’s natural communities. Students will record their observations of flora and fauna with their own nature sketchbooks.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Design & Engineering 2nd-5th
Discuss Vizcaya’s unique design and immerse in concepts of architecture, engineering and geometry through hands-on activities and exploration.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Geography and Exploration 2nd-5th
Learn about Vizcaya’s cultural exchange and discover how South Florida’s geography contributed to the shaping of Vizcaya. Students will become explorers as they participate in a scavenger hunt using maps and compasses.
Below is a pre-visit activity you can do with your students in the classroom:
Plan a Field Trip to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens!
Vizcaya welcomes all K–12 students to explore the historic estate through themed tours designed to connect with Florida State Standards. Our programs are inclusive of all learning levels, and we look forward to hosting you and your students for an unforgettable experience.
Special Opportunities for Title I Schools
Vizcaya is proud to offer free admission to all Title I schools. Additionally, a limited number of bus scholarships are also available for Title I schools in Miami-Dade County. Through the Bus Scholarship Fund, schools may receive free bus transportation. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Full details are available in the reservation form.
School Tour Availability Update
Thank you for your interest in Vizcaya’s school tours. At this time, we are fully booked for the current school year and cannot accommodate additional reservations.
If you would like to be notified should any dates become available, please complete the request form below. We will reach out if openings occur. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you and your students in the future.
Teacher Workshops
Teacher workshops at Vizcaya are designed to fulfill the requirements of the Florida state educational standards and enhance the learning experience for students. Participants will receive a free field trip to return with their students.
Upcoming Workshops
Creative Vizcaya Curriculum
October 3, 2024 9:00-3:00 PM
Participants in this workshop will review and receive the Creative Vizcaya Curriculum, lessons that are centered on the work of local artists and steam connections. High-school educators will receive the corresponding art supplies for their students!
Urban Farming
January 17, 2025 9:00-3:00 PM
Participants will reflect on Urban Farming practices in relation to student engagement, discuss healthy eating, and create collective resources to support Urban Farming in the classroom or garden. This hands-on workshop includes a gardening component!
Educator Appreciation Day
2025-2026 Dates Coming Soon
Join us in celebrating teachers, principals, and administrators at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens! Enjoy free workshops, artmaking, and tours at the historic estate. Educators will receive x4 passes to visit the Main House and Gardens with their loved ones.
Creative Vizcaya Curriculum
Explore steam lessons developed by artists in your classroom! High school art educators are invited to beta-test these lessons and earn free art supplies for you and your students. Want to access our curriculum? Fill out the form below.
Visit Vizcaya This Summer!
New Dates Coming Soon Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens with your camp or program! All experiences include a tour of the Main House, an activity, a self-guided visit to the Gardens, and an outdoor space for lunch. We suggest that participants bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellant!Summer Experiences
A Day in the Life of Vizcaya
Visit the Main House to understand how Vizcaya was enjoyed and experienced by staff and guests of James Deering. Students will learn about life in 1910s Miami through this interactive tour and play a game inspired by the lives of Vizcaya’s historic staff.
Visual Vizcaya
Discover Vizcaya’s collection and artistic traditions through exploration and artmaking. After, students will practice “plein air painting” through a watercolor painting activity in the gardens.
Geography and Exploration
Learn about Vizcaya’s cultural exchange and discover how South Florida’s geography contributed to the shaping of Vizcaya. Students will become explorers as they participate in a scavenger hunt using maps and clues.
Badge Programs at Vizcaya!
Girl Scouts can explore the Main House, Gardens, and participate in engaging activities to earn their badge. Programs are 2-3 hours and include admission to Vizcaya, a designated picnic area for lunch/snack, program materials, and a badge! To book your badge program please email school.programs@vizcaya.org.
For Brownies
Outdoor Art Creator
Explore Vizcaya’s gardens and unique environment as inspiration for creating and designing outdoor art. Along with learning Vizcaya’s history, Girl Scouts will learn how landscapes, art, and nature work together.
For Juniors
Outdoors Art Explorer
Juniors will explore the estate, engage with nature through artmaking, and use the gardens as inspiration for their own community project. Activities include music-making, photography, hand building with clay, and mixed-media work.
Gardener Badge
For Cadettes
Outdoor Art Apprentice
Cadettes will experiment with a different forms of art, such as music, architecture, clay work, photography, and drawing. Girl Scouts will learn more about the various natural spaces around them through artmaking and exploration.
For Seniors
Outdoor Art Expert
For Ambassadors
Outdoor Art Master
Ambassadors will explore art and design inside Vizcaya’s Main House and outside in the gardens. While sharing Vizcaya’s rich history and conservation efforts, Girl Scouts will be able to engage with nature through interactive activities.
Notice of filming & Photography
Individuals visiting as part of a school program or tour may be photographed or captured on video for the purpose of creating educational content as well as for the promotion of the museum and its programs. Any guests, especially children, that are not to be photographed should be flagged to Vizcaya’s School Programs Manager or equivalent liaison upon arrival at the estate. We appreciate your cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all.
University group options
University Groups may reserve a private Guided Tour of the first floor of the Main House and/or gardens. Tours are 45 minutes in duration and designed to be interactive and provide a basic introduction to the concepts behind the creation of the estate.
All tours foster inquiry and audience engagement, encouraging participants to make personal and meaningful connections with Vizcaya while encouraging new ways of thinking.
Tours can be custom tailored to connect with course curricula. Instructors wishing to lead self-directed art activities in the Main House and/or gardens must reserve these experiences with Vizcaya when scheduling their visit.
Guided Tour participants are welcome to explore additional areas of the Main House and/or gardens on their own before or after their guided tour(s).
The Vizcaya Café and Shop offers lunch options for groups of 10 or more. To book a group meal, contact Paula Gooden at paulag@ajoywallace.com or 305-856-8189.
Plan your group reservation
Plan your visit including group size, options, dates and times, and review Vizcaya’s University Group policies and procedures.
Request a reservation
After planning your group’s visit, complete the online form to request a reservation.
For questions, please contact Vizcaya at group.tours@vizcaya.org or 305-860-8442.
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With support from the Janet Traeger Salz Charitable Trust, the second annual event, Creative Vizcaya, occurred in March 2023. Inspired by Vizcaya’s rich historic art…
