Great Architecture in Miami & Star Gazing in the Keys

[Kitchen]

So I am thinking about doing a trip down to Miami and into the Keys next month as a portfolio project.  Anyone have any suggestions on great pieces of architecture to check out in Miami?  Personally I am a fan of modern architecture.  

Also, I need to build a stock library of night sky images and would like to drive down into the Keys for that.  Any suggestions on where to go without any light pollution at night?  

Thanks, Joe 

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

Took a motorcycle trip from Miami to Key West once. There were a few mostly undeveloped keys along the way that should have what you need. Looking on satellite it looks like Bahia Honda Key is large enough to park on at night.  Watch out for loose chickens on Key West!

[Bigkahuna]

The keys aren’t especially dark. All the rentals and resorts tend to keep it moderately bright. Perhaps a few miles offshore may be better though ? 

[cwrightthruya]

Rent a skiff and go to the sandbar off big pine. It's on the gulf side and has some of the best sunsets and extremely little light pollution. But you have to have someone brave enough, knowledgeable enough, or with a very shallow draft boat to traverse the waters at night. In that area if you run aground and someone catches you...it's a very large multi hundred thousand $ fine.

The problem with chartering a larger boat is that charter boats will not turn their running lights off at night in that area because of all the cross traffic in hawks channel and the Florida straights. This makes any kind of true blackout night sky photo impossible because it's basically standing in a lighted parking lot on the water.

On the gulf side anything with more than a couple foot draft is asking for issues.

It's not as fun, but your best best is to stay off key west and try and hit some of the pulloff roads between key west and big pine. They are mostly private with some great views of the night sky. Just not as pristine as 30miles off shore.

[Kitchen]

Thanks for the tips, and that is one useful map.  

I may have to pass on the motorcycle but a convertible may be nice.  

[Chas.Alpha]

Yeah, the entire peninsula of Fla. is considered Bortle 9 from a stargazing point of view. Miami lights the entire Southern half of the Eastern US seaboard, near as I can tell. There is a decent dark-sky sight about 50 miles West of Jacksonville, as long as you aren't afraid of gators and snakes! Something you might find fun; The entire Southern coast of the lesser keys is riddled with 16th and 17th treasure, compliments of the 1733 plate fleet. If you stumble across a stone that looks like a small bunch of oyster shells, them just might be "Pieces 'o Eight!!!

AAARRRRGH, MATEY!!!!!!!