Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and around
Left Elegantly decorated interior of the house in Barnacle Historic State Park, Coconut Grove Right Children playing in a tidal pool in Matheson Hammock County Park, Coral Gables
South Miami has some of the metropolitan area’s oldest, most interesting, and most family-friendly neighborhoods. Lush tropical greenery shades winding streets where beautiful mansions and well-manicured parks can be found. Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are the two most popular districts in this part of the city, but visitors should not miss historic Cutler Bay, nor Homestead, an agricultural town at the edge of the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys. Farther afield, families will find plenty to see and do at the Fruit & Spice Park, Coral Castle, and Zoo Miami.
SEE MAP
3. The Barnacle Historic State Park
The Lowdown
Getting around Hiring a car is the best way to get around Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, though traffic gets quite heavy. The Florida Turnpike is quickest when traveling to the southwest quadrant. Metrorail from downtown travels to both neighborhoods and beyond, but not as far as Homestead. However, bus 34 connects the Metrorail terminus with Homestead.
Visitor information Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 224 Catalonia Ave, Coral Gables 33134; 305 446 1657; coralgableschamber.org. Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce,`3059 Grand Ave, Suite 210, 33133; 305 444 7270; www.coconutgrovechamber.com.Tropical Everglades Visitor Center, 160 US 1, Florida City, 33034; 305 245 9180; www.tropicaleverglades.com
Supermarkets Publix,14601, S Dixie Hwy, 33176; 305 255 8005 & 2270 SW 27th Ave, 33145; 305 445 9661; www.publix.com Markets Saturday Farmers’ Market, 405 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, 33134; also at 3300 Grand Ave at the intersection of Margaret St, Coconut Grove, 33133; every Sat
Festivals Redland Festivals at the Fruit & Spice Park (year-round). Coconut Grove Arts Festival, www.cgaf.com (Feb). Washington’s Birthday Regatta (Feb). Deering Seafood Festival (Mar). The Barnacle Old Fashioned 4th of July Picnic (Jul). International Mango Festival (Jul). Zoo Boo at Zoo Miami (Oct)
Pharmacy Walgreens, 3595 Coral Way, Coral Gables, 33145; 305 444 8427; www.walgreens.com; open 24 hours
Nearest playgrounds Salvador Park, 1120 Andalusia Ave, 33134; 305 460 5333. Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd, 33133; 305 442 0375; daily