In Coral Gables, also known as ‘The City Beautiful,’ nearly every piece of the architecture is Mediterranean Revival style. This city is full of arts and culture, with theaters, cinemas, museums, and bookshops all over the city. The historic landmarks of the city like the Venetian Pool and the Miami Biltmore Hotel, further beautify the city. Coral Gables is well-known for its shopping and dining experience, making it the “Fine Dining Capital of South Florida.” These are things you wouldn’t want to miss out if you want to explore the city fully.
Read on to find out the activities you just have to do in Coral Gables, Florida:
1. Admiring types of plants at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
In Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, you will see different rare tropical plants like palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. Among them, there is a unique flower called pergola, which is a flower in green color. Along your way, admire beautiful blooming flowers.
The garden is also home to a butterfly garden and orchid garden with butterflies and orchids from all the tropical regions of the world. You also get to spot animals like iguanas, crocodiles and more. You can join the 45-minute free tram tour that is led by an expert guide explaining the history, missions and Fairchild’s plant collections.
After that, you can walk around yourself to get a detailed and closer look at the flora and fauna. A private tour is also available with charge. Lunch and afternoon tea are provided with an extra fee. If you want to save money, have a picnic in the park instead.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Address: 10901 Old Cutler Rd, 33156 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
2. Shop, dine or watch a movie at Village of Merrick Park
The Village of Merrick Park offers you a whole new shopping experience with beautiful streetscapes, and top grade fashion and brands like Jimmy Choo, Anthropologie, Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Bahama, Boy Meets Girl and all the names you could think of. The village includes both high-end and average priced stores and also both men and women, so it is basically a place for everyone. There are gardens and fountains where you can take a rest while shopping and for you children to run about.
The restaurants are medium-priced and affordable with seats in the garden or in a laid-back environment. Stretch yourself and get comfortable in the seats of movie theaters, which are recliners, while enjoying a movie. Do check out the events in the area around the time of your trip there.
Village of Merrick Park
Address: 358 San Lorenzo Ave, 33146 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Village of Merrick Park
3. Spend some educational time at Lowe Art Museum
Sitting in the heart of the University of Miami, Lowe Art Museum is the largest collecting art museum in South Florida Region. The scope of its collection galleries includes Renaissance and Baroque, Ancient and Native American, African, and Asian art with an addition of contemporary glass and studio arts in its new wing. It has a diverse collection of photographs, sculptures, pottery, paintings and more.
The purpose of the museum is to attend the educational and cultural needs of University of Miami and the South Florida Community. The museum is open every day except Mondays. There are different tours available catering for different ages, tourists, and on-site students.
Lowe Art Museum
Address: 1301 Stanford Dr., University of Miami, 33146 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Lowe Art Museum
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4. Be engulfed by the world of words at Books & Books
Walking into a Mediterranean-style interior, with old wooden floors, a fireplace, beamed ceilings, floor-to-ceiling dark-wood bookshelves, immediately you feel the ambiance of an artistic atmosphere. Here, you can find literature, from new releases to old classics, and a newsstand with broad choices of national and international magazines and newspapers. Events are held most every day, like inviting authors from the world for a book signing, introducing their books and discussing opportune topics. They also organize free workshop and lectures, live music, reading groups and sometimes partnering with cultural, educational and charitable organizations for special events. After you have found the book you want, sit in the cafe situated in the store with a lovely courtyard and start burying yourself in the book and the soothing atmosphere.
Books & Books
Address: 265 Aragon Ave, 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Books & Books
5. Watch a play at Actors' Playhouse
No matter what age you are, what race you are or with what cultural background, the performance at Actors’ Playhouse covers, including grown-up shows, kid’s productions, extensive educational outreach and community services. Its genre ranges from intense dramas to musical theater to side-splitting comedies. It is a 600-seat mainstage auditorium at the Miracle Theatre, so book your tickets early as the early bird catches the worm.
The audience runs the gamut of local residents to domestic and international travelers. Be amused by the acting of the actors which are both professional and talented. Get your snacks from the expansive lobby with a wide choice of refreshments and enjoy the beauty of the theater itself with a good sound system and comfortable seats. Also, have a nice meal before or after the show at the restaurants nearby.
Actors' Playhouse
Address: 280 Miracle Mile, 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Actors’ Playhouse
6. Catch a movie at Coral Gables Art Cinema
Compare to mainstream cinema which showcases blockbuster movies, Coral Gables Art Cinema is a much quiet and simple theater showing high-caliber indie, artistic, non-commercial and foreign films that don’t show on blockbuster cinemas. The theater also presents the first-run premier of American independent and international features, including fiction and documentary. Besides that, there are also special programs and film festival events which are suitable for any races, language or cultural diversity.
The theater has perfect acoustics and comfortable seats with large leg room, like your own movie theater at home. The staffs selling tickets at the box office and selling food at the cafeteria are friendly and amiable, enhancing your experience at the cinema. Parking is easy as there is a carpark adjacent the theater. There are several restaurants nearby to feed your hunger before or after watching a movie.
Coral Gables Art Cinema
Address: 260 Aragon Ave, 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Coral Gables Art Cinema
7. Venture into the past of the haunted, the Biltmore
If you are curious and crazy about supernatural events, Biltmore is a place you would be dying to discover. With a history of being a military hospital in World War II and the campus of the University of Miami medical school, it is claimed to be haunted, by the spirit of Thomas Walsh. Therefore, join the walking tour provided by the hotel, you will be aroused many ghost tales and stories linking to the hotel.
Despite being haunted, it is a marvelous memorial dating back to 1926. In the early 20s and 30s, the hotel is a popular place for celebrities, socialites, and royalties. Come here on Sundays to taste the famous and delicious brunch in the luxurious garden. For a haunted hotel, you will be surprised to see visitors from all over the world.
The Biltmore
Address: 1200 Anastasia Ave., 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: The Biltmore
8. Watch a basketball game at Watsco Center
Watsco Center, also known as the Bank United Center, is an 8,000-seat multipurpose arena sitting on the campus of the University of Miami. Watsco Center opens its doors to concerts, including Green Day, Coldplay, John Mayer and more, televised events and award shows, the X Factor and Billboard Latin Music Awards. The venue also welcomes politicians like Former President Barack Obama. You also get to see University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball games at the center. Keep track of the events happening on their website, so you can participate while you are there and feel the grand atmosphere of the center, perhaps a father and son basketball game will be great.
Watsco Center
Address: 1245 Dauer Dr, 33146 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Watsco Center
9. Get yourself wet in the Venetian Pool
Without any chlorine in the pool, Venetian Pool is the largest freshwater pool in the United States, filled with fresh water daily from artesian wells. The depth of the pool range from 1.2 meters (4 feet) to over 2.4 meters (8 feet). This is a pool for all ages, from your child to your grandparents.
Your children will be safe in the kiddy pool near the lifeguard station on top on the bridge where it leads out to an island with palm trees on it. There is a grotto across the pool stretched into the hillside. There’s also a waterfall in the pool which you can massage your back with. You can also enjoy sunbathing at the sandy sunning area. Catch a glimpse of the city of Coral Gables on top of two historical lookout towers at the pool.
Venetian Pool
Address: 2701 De Soto Blvd, 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Venetian Pool
10. Grab a bite, get a drink and shop with style at Miracle Mile
There are all kinds of activities you get to do here at Miracle Mile, shopping, dining, reading, visiting art galleries, wine tasting, dancing and watching movies or a play. For shopaholics, whether you are men or women, there is a variety of things you can shop for at the boutiques and shops, such as accessories, sportswear, clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Other than that, pamper yourself with a hair makeover or a relaxing spa. There is also a whole lot of food choices, from the Caribbean to Japanese, Asian, French, German, pizza, and anything that comes to your mind.
Miracle Mile
Address: Coral Way Ave. and S.W. 42nd Ave., Between S.W. 37th, 33134 Coral Gables, FL
Website: Miracle Mile
Little things that make your trip complete
The things listed above are just simple, little things you can do, like visiting a museum, choosing a book, enjoy a play, shopping or have a swim. Although it’s just ordinary things, you can experience the culture of the people and realize the beauty of this city when you immerse yourself fully into doing it.