Description

Now this is a museum. Henry Flagler's opulent Spanish Renaissance-style Alcazar Hotel, built in 1889, closed during the Depression and stayed vacant until Chicago publishing magnate Otto C. Lightner bought the building in 1948 to house his vast collection of Victoriana. The lobby of the museum is exactly as the hotel lobby was back in the 1800s. The building is an attraction in itself and makes a gorgeous museum, centering on a palm-planted courtyard with an arched stone bridge spanning a fishpond. The first floor houses a Victorian village, with shop fronts representing emporia selling period wares. The Victorian Science and Industry Room displays shells, rocks, and Native American artifacts in beautiful turn-of-the-20th-century cases. Other exhibits include stuffed birds, an Egyptian mummy, steam-engine models, and examples of Victorian glassblowing. (Yes, it's a strange amalgamation for a museum, but there's sure to be something you're interested in here.) Plan to spend about 90 minutes exploring, and be sure to be here at 11am or 2pm, when a room of automated musical instruments erupts into concerts of period music. Check out the cafe, too, housed in what used to be a stunning indoor pool.The imposing building across King Street was Henry Flagler's rival resort, the Ponce de León Hotel. It now houses Flagler College, which runs not-to-be-missed 45-minute tours daily (at 10am and 2pm) of its magnificent Tiffany stained-glass windows, ornate Spanish Renaissance architecture, and gold-leafed Maynard murals ($6 adults, $1 kids under 12). Call tel. 904/823-3378 or visit www.flagler.edu/news_events/tours.html for information. Across Cordova Street stands another competitor of the day, the 1888-vintage Casa Monica Hotel. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.