Keith Williams’ Guide to Miami & Palm Beach
For the best gardens in Miami, we look no further than our friend Keith Williams. With partner Mario Nievera, he heads up Palm-Beach based landscape architecture firm Nievera Williams Design. And he’s got some great restaurant recommendations, too.
Destination: Miami & Palm Beach
“I’m from Michigan originally, so I love the weather,” he says, “Winter and summer. I love Miami because it’s so close to Palm Beach, and it’s a whole different world and experience.”
Gardens
My three favorite gardens to visit in Miami are Fairchild Gardens, Via Vizcaya and Kampong Gardens. Kampong Gardens is truly fascinating because of its history. It takes you back to the beginning of Horticulture and Botany, which I find so interesting.
The small bridge at Mounts Botanical Garden. Photo: Courtesy of Mounts Botanical Garden
I also love to visit Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach. The gardens are spectacular and cared for by a passionate group of people. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to lecture at these gardens several times.
The Rain Garden at Mounts Botanical Garden. Photo: Courtesy of Mounts Botanical Garden.
Museums
I’m truly a Museum junky. In West Palm Beach, we’re very fortunate to have the Norton Museum of Art. This museum is always expanding and has amazing shows.
Exterior of the Norton Museum. Photo: Tom Tracy.
Food
My fiancée and I are foodies, so we love trying out new restaurants and we love cooking at home. In Palm Beach, one of our favorites is Chez Jean Pierre. If we’re cooking at home, we usually stop in at Neptune’s, a great fish market. We always buy all of our fresh fish there.
Interior of Chez Jean-Pierre in Palm Beach. Photo: Courtesy of Jean-Pierre.
In Miami, we love hanging out at the SoHo Beach House, especially on Sundays—and we love Macchialina, a great little Italian restaurant down the street.
Sunday feast at Macchialina restaurant in Miami Beach. Photo: Courtesy of Macchialina.
Shopping
There aren’t too many retail nurseries in town, but I found and love going to Smarty Plants. It’s like a hidden secret. It’s a boutique nursery and only a few minutes away from my home.
I’m always looking for great outdoor garden accessories and my local go-to is MeCox Gardens. They always have great, unexpected finds! Lincoln Road in Miami never gets old. It’s a great place to go chill out, shop and of course my favorite…eat!
Thanks, Keith! For more about Williams and his highly personal garden designs, read Keith Williams: The Lush Life.
