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Coral Gables, FL: Where Fun & Adventure Collide – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do & Places To Visit!

The Venetian Pool was cut right out of a coral rock quarry out there back in the year 1924. The University of Miami campus covers over 260 whole acres of the ground right out there. The Merrick House was built by Solomon Merrick right the whole way back in the year 1903. Shops at Merrick Park out there runs over 100 of the stores. Walk the Mile.

You are going to Coral Gables, Florida and you want to know what the town does best. Coral Gables was built to be shown off and it still is. The University of Miami, the food, the historical sites, the art and culture, the outdoor hours, the shopping, the events and festivals, the family days and the odder corners are all here.

The University of Miami is the first stop in Coral Gables. The campus carries the Lowe Art Museum, the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre and the Frost School of Music. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is the other, with its gardens, its rare plants and a butterfly exhibit.

Eaters do well in Coral Gables. Miracle Mile is the dining and shopping district and it runs cuisine from around the world. The Coral Gables Farmers Market handles the fresh produce, the artisanal goods and the live music. A food tour will take you through the strongest restaurants and cafes in Coral Gables.

Key Takeaways

• Coral Gables, Florida offers a wide range of activities and attractions, from exploring the University of Miami to indulging in culinary delights.
• You can discover historical gems, immerse yourself in art and culture, embark on outdoor adventures, enjoy some retail therapy, attend events and festivals, have fun with the kids, or seek unique experiences in Coral Gables.
• Don’t miss out on the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miracle Mile, and the Coral Gables Farmers Market when visiting Coral Gables.

University of Miami

The University of Miami is worth the visit whether or not you are here for the education. It sits in Coral Gables and it is a university with an international name and the people to match.

With over 260 acres of campus there is plenty of ground. The Lowe Art Museum handles the culture, and the Titanic Brewery & Restaurant handles the rest. Celebrities turn up here, because the University of Miami is a favorite of the rich and famous.

You do not need to be a student or an academic. There is plenty at the University of Miami for a visitor. Walk the campus grounds, or take a game at the Hard Rock Stadium. And there are international programs here too, with partnerships at universities around the world.

Bookworm or party animal, the University of Miami has something on it. It is the stop to make in Miami, Florida, and you may come away knowing something new.

Culinary Delights

Best Restaurants

You are in Coral Gables, Florida so you are going to eat well. The restaurants here are strong. Asian fusion, classic American or anything between, the town covers it.

Zitz Sum is the one to book. The kitchen runs contemporary Asian cooking and it does it properly. For seafood, the Pernod mussels are the order, and one plate will not be enough.

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar is the other. They cook American fare from scratch daily and the Southern fried chicken is the reason people return. The happy hour holds up too, and the candied bacon changes the evening.

Farmers Market

For fresh, locally sourced produce, take the Coral Gables Farmers Market. It opens every Saturday from November to April and it is where you stock up on fruit and vegetables and the rest.

Alongside the produce, the farmers market runs vendors selling homemade jams and jellies through to artisanal cheeses and baked goods. Musicians play there often enough to plan around.

A proper meal or fresh produce to take home, Coral Gables handles both.

Historical Gems

Coral Gables carries a long history and it looks after it. These are the historical sites to get to.

Merrick House

Start where Coral Gables started, at the George E. Merrick House. This limestone home stood here before the city took shape, when guava groves and pine forests covered the land. It was built in 1903 by George’s father, Solomon Merrick, and it is now a museum covering the life and legacy of the Merrick family.

Biltmore Hotel

The Biltmore Hotel is a historic landmark, built in the 1920s by George E. Merrick. It was once the tallest building in Florida and it has hosted Al Capone and Bing Crosby among others. The architecture blends Mediterranean and Spanish influences, and the interior carries frescoes and hand-painted ceilings.

Historic Homes

Coral Gables holds a number of historic homes worth the walk. The Merrick family built many of them and they show what the city was at the start. The Merrick House, the Deering Estate and the Curtiss Mansion are the ones people name. All three have been preserved and restored.

Coral Gables holds so many historic homes that the whole district is on the National Register of Historic Places. History people should work through them.

The history of the Merrick family, the architecture of the Biltmore Hotel or the historic homes themselves, Coral Gables has plenty of it. Take the walking shoes and go.

Art and Culture

Art people do well in Coral Gables. These are the places to make time for.

Lowe Art Museum

The Lowe Art Museum is the place to work through art properly. The collection reaches across Africa, Renaissance, Baroque, Asia, Roman Antiquities, Greco-Roman Antiquities and Ancient African material, among others. Lectures and live music events run there as well.

Coral Gables Art Cinema

Coral Gables Art Cinema screens classic and modern art films. The programme runs work from Latin America, the Ancient Americas and the Pacific Islands among others. Lectures and discussions run alongside the films.

Coral Gables Museum

The Coral Gables Museum is the one for the history of Coral Gables. It covers the city’s history, culture and architecture. The exhibitions include glassworks alongside El Greco, Claude Monet, Francisco Goya, Thomas Gainsborough, Paul Gauguin, Roy Lichtenstein, Sandy Skoglund and Purvis Young.

For art and culture, Coral Gables carries plenty. Do not skip these rooms.

Outdoor Adventures

For sun and open air, Coral Gables has plenty. These are the outdoor stops.

Venetian Pool

Cool off at the Venetian Pool, a freshwater pool cut from a coral rock quarry in 1924. It runs two waterfalls, caves and a sandy beach. It works for a family day of swimming and sunbathing. Check the schedule first, because the pool closes for events.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Walk the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for the gardens, the sculptures and the native plants. Events run there through the year, so check the calendar. Photographers do particularly well in it.

Matheson Hammock Park

For a day back in the natural country, take Matheson Hammock Park, which runs trails, palms and a dragon exhibit. It works for a picnic or for a slow walk. Kayaks and paddleboards rent there too, for the mangroves.

So take the sunscreen and get out to one of the outdoor spots in Coral Gables.

Retail Therapy

For shopping, Coral Gables runs two of the strongest destinations in South Florida: Miracle Mile and Shops at Merrick Park.

Miracle Mile

Miracle Mile is where the shopping goes, across stores and boutiques. High-end fashion, gifts or a plain afternoon of browsing, Miracle Mile carries it. These are the top stores on it.

Nic del Mar

For the latest swimwear, Nic del Mar is the shop. Bikinis through to one-pieces, they carry the range.

Books & Books

This independent bookstore is a Coral Gables institution. Work the shelves for the current bestsellers or take one of their author events.

The Fashionista Boutique

This boutique runs a curated selection of clothing, accessories and gifts. Statement jewelry through to current clothing, The Fashionista Boutique has it.

Shops at Merrick Park

Shops at Merrick Park is the upscale destination. With over 100 stores and restaurants you can lose a whole day in it. These are the top stores in it.

Neiman Marcus

This high-end department store carries designer clothing, shoes and accessories. For luxury fashion, Neiman Marcus is the room.

George Merrick drew the whole of Coral Gables on paper before any of it was built out there. The Biltmore Hotel that he put up out there has been taking guests since the 1920s. Al Capone and Bing Crosby have both stayed out there in that same hotel. The city was made to be shown off.

Tiffany & Co.

This jewelry brand needs no introduction. For a serious piece, Tiffany & Co. carries engagement rings, necklaces and bracelets.

Sephora

This beauty retailer carries makeup, skincare and haircare across the range. A new lipstick or a full skincare routine, Sephora has it.

High-end shopping or a plain afternoon of it, Miracle Mile and Shops at Merrick Park cover both. Go and spend.

Events and Festivals

Coral Gables is known for the events and festivals it runs through the year. Eater, music person or art person, there is one for you. These are the ones not to miss.

International Mango Festival

If you like mangoes, this festival is the one. Held at the Fairchild Botanical Garden, it runs across a weekend and it celebrates everything mango. Mango tastings through to cooking demonstrations.

Family Day on Aragon

For a family day out, take Aragon Avenue on the second Saturday of each month for Family Day on Aragon. The Coral Gables Museum hosts it, with family activities including arts and crafts and live performances.

Coral Gables Festival of the Arts

This annual festival celebrates art across the board. Held in the heart of Coral Gables, it runs across a weekend with over 200 artists showing their work, alongside live music and plenty to eat and drink.

Umbrella Sky Project

This installation is worth going out of your way for. On Giralda Plaza, the Umbrella Sky Project hangs hundreds of colorful umbrellas overhead. It is built for Instagram.

Coral Gables Food, Wine & Spirits Festival

This festival is about eating and drinking well. Held at the Coral Gables Museum, it brings out the strongest restaurants and chefs in the area, with wine and spirits to sample.

Whatever time of year you come to Coral Gables, something is on. Check the events calendar before you book.

Fun for Kids

Coral Gables works with children. Outdoor activities or indoor entertainment, there is plenty to fill the day.

The Silly Monkey Playhouse is the one to take them to. This indoor playground runs a soft play area, a ball pit and slides, which is what a child actually needs. There are musical instruments and teachers there too, for the creative half of the afternoon.

For children who are into princesses, the Princess Tea Hour at the Biltmore Hotel is the one. They dress up and get tea and snacks fit for royalty. The princesses turn up, alongside face painting and story time.

For outdoor time, the Coral Gables Youth Center. There is a playground for the small ones and basketball and tennis courts for the older ones. They run sports programs and classes for every age.

And do not forget the parks in Coral Gables. The Venetian Pool through to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, there is plenty of open space for children to work through.

So take the children out and give Coral Gables the day.

Unique Experiences

Private Tour

For something personal in Coral Gables, take a private tour. Explore the city on foot, by bike or by Segway. A private tour lets you set the itinerary and spend the time on what actually interests you.

The popular options include the Coral Gables Waterway Tour, which runs the city’s canals and waterways, and the Coral Gables Food Tour, which works through the strongest cooking in town.

Broadway Caliber

For Broadway, take a performance at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. This historic theater has been running since 1948 and it has hosted Broadway-caliber productions across the years.

Musicals through to dramas, the Actors’ Playhouse runs a broad programme. Check the schedule before you arrive to see what is on during your stay in Coral Gables.

Coral Gables runs experiences you will remember. A private tour or a Broadway-caliber show, this city has a version for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some free things to do in Coral Gables that won’t break the bank?

Coral Gables has plenty that costs nothing. Walk the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, or take a picnic at the Matheson Hammock Park. The Coral Gables Museum lets you in for nothing on the first Saturday of every month.

What’s the most romantic spot in Coral Gables to take a date?

For a romantic afternoon in Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is the answer. The historic pool is surrounded by foliage and waterfalls. It stays open late on Friday and Saturday nights, so a moonlit swim is on the table.

Are there any quirky or unusual facts about Coral Gables that most people don’t know?

Did you know that Coral Gables was originally designed as a “City Beautiful” by George Merrick in the 1920s? Or that the city is home to the Biltmore Hotel, which was once used as a military hospital during World War II? And if you’re a fan of the movie “There’s Something About Mary,” you might be interested to know that the house used in the film is located in Coral Gables.

What’s the best way to explore Coral Gables on foot?

Coral Gables is a pedestrian city, so walking is the way to take it. Walk Miracle Mile for the shops and restaurants and cafes. The Venetian Pool is worth the walk too, and there is a self-guided walking tour of the historic Coral Gables Merrick House.

Where can I find the best shopping deals in Coral Gables?

For shopping deals in Coral Gables, take the Shops at Merrick Park. This outdoor shopping center runs high-end stores alongside more affordable options. The Miracle Marketplace is the other, with discount shopping across the range.

What’s the one thing I absolutely must do if I only have a day to spend in Coral Gables?

With a single day in Coral Gables, take the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The garden runs plants and flowers across the range, with a butterfly exhibit and a rainforest exhibit in it. A whole day disappears into it easily.

Frequently asked questions about Coral Gables, Florida

What exactly was the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, Florida originally cut out of?

The Venetian Pool out there was cut right out of a whole coral rock quarry back in the year of 1924. It runs two of the waterfalls and the caves and a whole sandy beach right inside it out there. The pool out there closes for the events, so do check the whole of the schedule before you go. Swim.

Who was it that actually built the Biltmore Hotel over in Coral Gables, Florida?

George E. Merrick built the whole of the Biltmore Hotel out there right back in the 1920s. It has been taking the guests right from the day that it first opened its doors out there in Coral Gables. Al Capone and Bing Crosby have both stayed inside that very same hotel out there as well. Frescoes.

When exactly is the Coral Gables Farmers Market in Florida open to the public?

The Coral Gables Farmers Market out there opens every single Saturday from November right through to April. Fresh fruit and the vegetables and the artisanal goods are all on it out there as well. Homemade jams and the cheeses and the baked goods all sit right alongside the whole of that. Music.

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