Ocean Reef Art League

Off Reef Excursions 

Season 2024-25 

Join us as we explore South Florida gems! We have a jam packed Off the Reef Excursion calendar this season and I hope you join us. Between the amazing trip destinations, familiar and fun faces, and getting off the Reef for a little bit, each trip is an enjoyable experience. I look forward to leading the trips and creating new memories with everyone! Let us do the driving!

Karen DiMaura, Off Reef Excursion Chair

  • All Off Reef Excursions require pre-registration. 

  • You can register by calling the Art League 305-367-2359 or emailing Artleago@bellsouth.net 

One of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida, established in 1927 with 60-acres of botanical gardens, over 3,000 species of rare and exotic plants and trees, and home to the Florida Native Wildlife Sanctuary, this is Flamingo Gardens! Our day will be filled with fun as we explore different exhibits of the 60 acre Flamingo Gardens, we will be pairing a walking tour with a short, narrated tram ride to ensure we get to see every exhibit on the property. We will embark on a leisurely stroll accompanied by a knowledgeable botanist to learn about rare and exotic species of plants as you are surrounded by lush greenery. As we venture through the gardens, we will make a stop at the wildlife sanctuary.

The wildlife sanctuary is one of the first of its kind, giving residence to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife. In addition to the non-releasable Florida Native wildlife Sanctuary, Flamingo Gardens is also home to some of the last original jungle growth in South Florida and it still remains as it has for over 100 years, much as it would have appeared when Seminole Indians occupied it! We will enjoy a narrated tram ride through the vast 42 remote acres of Flamingo Gardens, traveling through a unique native hammock of 200 year old Live Oaks, a tropical rainforest, the tropical fruit groves and the mitigated wetlands, where many of the juvenile birds that are born in the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary are released. While we are on this side of the gardens, passengers will have the opportunity to disembark the Tram at the Wetlands Walkway and/or at the Pioneer Walkway to walk around the lake and see the wildlife, wander along the Pioneer Walkway to discover native Florida plants, or visit the brand-new butterfly conservatory where visitors can learn about the inseparable connection between butterflies’ survival and our own!

As the day gets later Flamingo Gardens will transform right before your eyes as the sunsets and the gardens begin to sparkle with thousands of beautiful Christmas lights. Enjoy a self guided walk with friends and family through beautifully decorated walkways and get into the holiday spirit! Now that we have worked up our appetite, we will reboard the Motor Coach and head to one of Davies most popular restaurants.

Explore the unique history and culture of South Beach! This multi-cultural city has captivated locals and visitors for decades as it boasts an unmistakable architectural style, rich history and an outstanding culinary reputation.

Accompanied by a local guide, you will venture through bustling streets, visit the Wolfsonian Museum, the Versace Mansion, hear stories and historic facts about the area and immerse yourself in multiple culinary experiences that celebrate the cuisine of various Latin cultures.

Enjoy visiting the stunning collection of buildings that showcase the glamorous and sophisticated design aesthetic of the 1920s and 1930s. This architectural style truly stands out amidst the bustling streets of South Beach with its bold geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and intricate detailing. As you stroll through the district, you’ll be transported back in time to an era of opulence and elegance. You will discover the legacy of Barbara Capitman who dedicated her life to protecting and promoting the iconic South Beach District. Each building tells a story of Miami’s Golden Age with pastel-colored facades, adorned with sleek curves and ornate motifs, taking you back in time to when South Beach was a playground for the rich and famous. By the end of the tour, visitors will have captured the essence of culinary traditions and understand how Latin cultures have influenced the culinary scene in South Beach today.

Jersey Boys chronicles the incredible journey of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. This Tony Award-winning musical takes the audience through their rise to fame, personal struggles, and eventual triumph of the iconic 1960s rock ‘n’ roll group. The story unfolds through each band member’s perspective, offering a captivating exploration of their dynamic relationships and the challenges faced on their path to stardom. Filled with classic hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Jersey Boys is a compelling tribute to the power of music and the enduring legacy of one of America’s greatest musical acts. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio, and lyrics by Bob Crewe. Afterwards, we will dine at Coral Gables Season’s 52.

“The energy is unstoppable!” - Associated Press

Get ready for the perfect blend of art, artistry and culinary delights as we delve into the vibrant city of Wynwood. We will venture through the colorful streets of Wynwood admiring beautiful murals and unique street art, all telling a story and adding an artistic flair to this vibrantneighborhood. This area is also home to several culinary artists who push the boundaries with every dish they create. Visitors will experience many dining establishments and enjoy a variety of unique dishes that encompass the Wynwood culture. Accompanied by a local guide, we will explore the history of Wynwood, how the city originated and the people who worked together to create one of the world’s largest outdoor museums! Visitors will walk away having viewed the works of prominent artists such as Kobra, Futura, Ron English, and Shepard Fairey and will also have a better understanding of the various types of graffiti art including tags, masterpieces, blockbusters and more. After discovering the Wynwood neighborhood we will venture over to the Bakehouse Art Complex in the heart of South Florida’s bustling art scene. The Bakehouse art complex is an impressive non-profit organization that is comprised of a community of over 100 residents and associate artists. They offer the highest level of artistic creativity, development, collaboration, and their programs focus on nurturing artists by supporting the creation and exhibition of new work. There is a rich diversity of culture, languages, and artistic practices within the Bakehouse Art Complex. Some mediums explored are painting, sculpture, printmaking, metal and woodworking, photography, digital/interactive media, performance art, even history.

Join us as we become Wynwood locals for the day and experience some of the most unique art, savor delicious local food and visit the extraordinary Bakehouse Art Complex, home to some of the most promising artists of this decade!

Join us as we explore the Biltmore Estate historic landmark, a true South Florida symbol of elegance and sophistication. The Biltmore offers spectacular landscapes and unique Mediterranean architecture designed by architect Donald Ross in 1924. Within 14 months of the plans being finalized, the 10 million dollar project was completed, and Biltmore opened its doors to the public in the year 1926.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will be taken through the timeline and evolution of the Biltmore estate as you stroll through the grand lobby with hand painted frescoes on barrel vaulted ceilings, travertine floors and carved mahogany furnishings that will transport you back to the era of the roaring twenty’s.

After exploring the estate, we will enjoy a fabulous brunch at the Biltmore. Internationally acclaimed as one of the most lavish and celebrated brunches in all of Miami, the Biltmore’s Signature Sunday Brunch features a Caviar Bar, Seafood, Sushi and Dessert, as well as their traditional Carving and Breakfast stations. And, of course, no brunch would be complete without bottomless bubbly. It is a dining experience not to be missed.

Experience Fort Lauderdale’s humble roots along the New River to its growth as a mecca for tourists and boaters alike with a historic walking tour. Begin at the historic downtown with a tour of Fort Lauderdale’s first hotel, now history museum, the 1907 King Cromartie House, and 1899 Replica Schoolhouse before traveling along the banks of the New River. You will be taken back in time as you explore the preserved period furnishings, clothing, antique doll and toy collections. Journey through the growth of the city with historic photographs and stories before

heading to the start of modern- day Fort Lauderdale, the historic Stranahan House and Las Olas Blvd. The Historic Stranahan House Museum is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest and most historically significant surviving structure. This is where it all began....holding the story of a family, a house, and the birth of a city. After our tours conclude, we will enjoy a nice lunch at a restaurant along the New River.

Off Reef Excursion Cancellation Policy

The Art League reserves limited tickets, and many of our Off Reef Excursions sell out. For this reason, we must impose a 14-day cancellation policy.

Additionally, if the Off Reef Excursion has been prepaid by the Art League and there is not a member to fill your reserved spot, you will be billed.