One full day in Florence....museums closed...other helpful ideas on what to do? Top 5 memories?

There are so many other things to do in Florence. First off get the Rick Steve's Italy book it will tell you everything to do in Florence. One of the fun things we did was have lunch upstairs in the large Merchado, everything you could imagine that you would eat in Florence you can buy there. The Bobolli Gardens are beautiful. There are other great museums also. Your best bet is to get the book and read about Florence.

1 Duomo, Baptistry, Campanile
2 Piazza della Signoria, Loggia dei Lanz, Palazzo Vecchio
3 Santa Croce
4 Santa Maria della Carmine (with Brancacci Chapel)
5 Ponte Vecchio
6 Piazzale Michelangelo
(sorry that's six)

Judy...I have the RS book. I just thought it would be interesting to get the general publics opinion. Maybe some off the beaten path stuff. Love to hear what other people loved about it.

Thanks so much for your reply/advice!

Walk everywhere. A treat is to go the ferragamo shoe museum or to santa maria novella store nr train station.whatever u do you cannot go wrong.

Depending on which Monday, the Museum of San Marco and the Bargello may be open (they are open two Monday's each month). The Duomo complex will be open.

You could put a short trip to Lucca into your long day (about one hour from Firenze).

Mercato Centrale would be my go to for lunch. Great market full of local awesomeness downstairs and then a gourmet "food court" upstairs.

Duomo, Santa Croce, Piazza Michelangelo (and the neighboring San Miniato church), the Oltrano district (across the Arno river; try Il Gelato di Filo - we went there twice during our 3 day stay), Piazza della Signora would be my other must-dos. We didn't get a chance to do the Palazzo Vecchio (but I hear it's great). Don't forget to just walk around and pop into a cafe.

For dinner, check out Trattoria Al Tranvai. We liked it so much, we ate there twice. Menu in italian (although friendly staff help you translate), locals only, excellent food.

Don't sweat it that you're missing the museums. Much else to see and do!

Every time I go to Florence I must:
* visit central market (the downstairs closes early afternoon but the upstairs food court is open until late)
* get to the Santa Maria Novella Farmacia...just decadent perfumes/soaps etc.
* have gelato at Grom
* take the bus to Piazelle Michalengelo and have drinks on the terrace
* sit with a glass of wine in any outdoor cafe and people watch for at least an hour or two!

I enjoyed the Museo Galileo which is open Mondays.

http://www.museogalileo.it/en/visit.html

The Museum of San Marco and Medici Chapels are top of my list, and either one or the other is open on alternating Mondays. Another vote for the Galileo Science Museum; not much English but a really awesome collection.

We arrive early on Sunday and plan to visit the museums then. We also have purchased a Firenze Pass to avoid the lines. The next day Monday we are going to take a wine tour and cooking class from Accidental Tourist

My husband and I both love to cook. They also pick you up and return you to a centrally located spot in the center of town. We will use the pass again later that evening and the next day. You can also just take the morning wine tour alone and a few other options.

Kathi

Agree with all of the above.

The one lesser known attraction is that Farmaceutica recommended by June. Here is the link: http://www.smnovella.it/?lang=en

It is very close to the train station and is really worth a visit.