Deering Estate — Attraction in Palmetto Bay

There are many beautiful old homes and historic buildings in Miami from Florida's land boom years in the 1920's and the 444 acre Deering Estate overlooking Biscayne Bay is one such example. The grounds of the estate are an environmental, archaeological and historic preserve containing one of the largest unspoiled coastal tropical hammocks in the United States. Through ten thousand years of human history Paleo Indians, Tequestas, Seminoles, Afro-Bahamians, and Anglo-Americans have all lived on the property that is now called the Deering Estate.

Located in the Cutler neighborhood of Palmetto Bay, this was the retirement home of Charles Deering (1852-1927) who was a Chicago industrialist, preservationist, environmentalist, art collector, and philanthropist. He was the first chairman of the International Harvester Company.

The property has a three-story wooden house built in 1900, called the Richmond Cottage which was named after S.H. Richmond and his wife Edith who, opened the house as an Inn which hosted such prominent guests Henry Morrison Flagler and James Ingrahm. In 1901 it was listed as the southern most hotel in the United States. In1916 the Richmond was purchased by Charles Deering who added it to other buildings he put on his on his estate which included a carriage house, pump house and power house. He also built a limestone and concrete wall surrounding the estate and built the boat turning basin in Biscayne Bay.

While exploring the Richmond Cottage I discovered the alcove on the second floor that displays the results of all the paranormal investigations that have taken place around the estate. "Proof" included transcripts of conversations with spirits, accounts of first hand experiences, and photos. I enjoyed spending a few minutes looking through their albums and watching the short video. The estate has the reputation of being the most haunted in south Florida and in October through November the Deering estate offers ghost tours.

In 1922 Deering completed his three-story Mediterranean Stone House designed by Phineas Pais who designed many of the beautiful buildings in Coral Gables. The home has poured concrete walls and oolitic limestone. Deering lived here until his death after which he passed to his wife and children. The last Deering relative living in the house passed away in 1982 and the property was listed for sale. The estate was acquired by the State of Florida in 1985, and is part of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, which manages the property. In 1986 the Deering Estate was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After Hurricane Andrew struck the estate in 1992, a wine cellar was discovered hidden behind cabinets.

In addition to the buildings, the property contains two important archeological sites, the Cutler Burial Mound and the Cutler Fossil Site. One of the few surviving prehistoric mounds in Miami-Dade County, the Cutler Burial Mound contains the remains of 12 to 18 Native American from the Glades I and II periods (50,000 to 100,000 years ago). The Cutler Fossil Site is a sink hole discovered in 1979. It contains the bones of Pleistocene animals including extinct peccaries, mammoths, sloths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats along with artifacts from early humans. These sites are only accessible through a one hour walking tour led by a Deering Estate Naturalist. It is offered from October until May and included with the price of admission.

In addition to touring the buildings and archeological sites the Deering estate offers canoe tours, paranormal investigations, bird walks, moonlit kayaking, Biscayne Bay boat tours, hiking on the nature trails, and eco-tours. The Deering Estate is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $15 but they offer different discount days. I was able to tour for $5 as part of a Fourth of July promotion. Follow them on Facebook to keep posted on all of the different events held at the estate...

I took a Night Hike at the Deering Estate. While our guide, Jared, was an extremely knowledgeable, highly experienced naturalist and specialized scientist who spoke about every specimen of flora and fauna around us with great passion and tremendous skill, it was profoundly noticeable how humanity is lacking any sense of spirituality whatsoever when it comes to their interaction with nature.

The Great Divine Forest has PERMITTED us to enter its darkness and mystery, and yet the people have lost the capacity to be truly Still, to be Silent, to honor the forest. They walked proudly and loudly with their important questions, marching along with their flashlights and shuffling their backpacks, talking about proper ways of killing "invasive species" and ridding the forest of the viruses. Invasive species? We ARE the only invasive species on this Earth and there is none to match us. The incredible ability with which we can destroy and the superiority and arrogance with which we do it is surely unapparelled.

The guide led us to a literal Native American burial ground and calmly pointed out that despite the fact that neither the Miccosukees nor the Seminoles want us there, we still have the right to stand on the wooden bridge and proceeded to talk about the 12 dead bodies below the mound. An Indian burial ground in the middle of the night? Are you serious? And everyone was totally ok with this. I was stunned. Have these people never heard about what happens after such things? It just blew me away. He "called" for owls, in a very talented way, but of course, they never came because the Great Owl is no fool. It knows we are mere humans pretending to be owls. What was truly concerning is that the Owls might not have answered, but I have zero doubts, the Spirits of the Tequesta Ancestors surely did... and how what we did that night on this tour will influence the rest of our lives remains...

Deering Estate is truly one of South Florida’s hidden gems. Tucked along the edge of Biscayne Bay, this historic landmark offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and peaceful serenity. From the moment you arrive, you're surrounded by a sense of timelessness—lush tropical landscaping, grand historic buildings, and the inviting calm of the bay.

One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the walkable nature trails. The paths wind through a variety of ecosystems, from mangroves to hardwood hammocks, offering a peaceful escape and the chance to spot local wildlife. Each step feels like a quiet journey through Florida’s untouched past.

The guided tours provide fascinating insight into the history of the estate and its original owner, Charles Deering. The architecture and preserved rooms make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

But what truly made my visit unforgettable was the sighting of a white peacock. Seeing such a rare and elegant creature wandering freely on the grounds was magical—like something out of a dream. It felt like a moment suspended in time, adding an almost surreal touch to an already beautiful experience.

Whether you’re a nature lover, history enthusiast, or just looking for a quiet place to recharge, Deering Estate is well worth the visit. It’s a peaceful, enriching retreat that reminds you how special South Florida’s natural and cultural...