Coral Gables is known for it's numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains from 1920's. That's why I…read morefind it so interesting to see what current works of art are being added. Anything new needs to harmonize with the beautiful features that George Merrick added in when he created the city. In 2014 the city approved two sculptures to be installed at the traffic circles along Segovia Street. They were designed by New York-based artist and sculptor Alice Aycock. The two installations are the first public art pieces to be added since George Merrick was alive. The sculptures are inspired by the passion flower and are constructed of more than 4,000 pieces of metal. The two sculptures are different. The sculpture on Biltmore is larger and has two flower designs. The Coral Way sculpture is designed to mimic a flower flowing in the breeze. More than 180 submissions were judged before a panel selected Aycock's design. The flowers have received mixed reviews from the community. Many feel that the modern art is not in keeping with the look of the city. A group of residents tried to have the sculptured removed but did not muster enough signatures for the ballot. Some of the complaints are that the sculptures are not Mediterranean and that accidents have increased at the traffic circles since the sculptures were installed. Others complain bitterly that they are not even able to choose a paint color for their house yet the city has moved away from the Mediterranean look of the city without consulting them. The city has decided to keep the sculptures despite the protest of some people who do not care for the look of modern art in their 1920's Mediterranean Revival city.

Interesting new metal art located near the golf course and situated on two roundabouts. There are…read moretwo pieces one on each roundabout - They are passions flowers. Other people here have told the history about them so I will leave it at that. However what I did read about on the net and thought was amusing - was some local residents were not very happy with them, thinking they did not represent Coral Gables mediterranean image, so they started a petition to get them remove. They did get over a thousand signatures but no where near enough to make an impact and get them removed. Looks like they are here to stay. I was not too keen when I first saw them and had a little chuckle to myself as the largest one is situated in front of a plastic surgery office (HE HE)...(apt? - you decide). However after walking around and actually really looking at them, the location, the area, they started to grow on me!...Let me know what you think - when you go for a look!

It was a beautiful afternoon to wander around the Grove . There is so much construction here I…read moredon't really recognize it anymore. We have enjoyed many delicious restaurants & eclectic shops over the years. There is a lot of new residential construction next to beautifully carved old buildings. This was a Bahamian settlement in the 1870s, now celebrated in the Little Bahamas neighborhood and through historic sites. Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest neighborhood, known for its bohemian charm, lush canopy, and laid-back bayside lifestyle. It's along Biscayne Bay, this walkable village offers a blend of historic charm, high-end dining, sailing culture, and elite private schools. It is a premier residential area combining tropical surroundings with modern, upscale shops. There are still many banyan trees, but the roaming peacocks are history.

Kicking off 2026 with a review from my time last month in Coconut Grove. Thoughts of my long…read moreweekend there brings a smile to my face. Not only did we luck out with beautiful weather, but we were able to walk around the area daily, patronize a handful of local businesses, and enjoy the friendly, charming vibe that this adorable area has to offer. There is plenty of shopping and people watching + dog watching to be had as well. Don't miss Coconut Grove if you're in the Miami area. A few highlights from my time there: El Bagel, Chug's Diner, Regatta Park, David T. Kennedy Park and the walking path there, and so many great little shops, boutique hotels, etc... Until next time, Coconut Grove!

We love art! You got to--to appreciate this space. Great staff Rachel (so informative), Alex in…read morespray paint, and Alex -the one checking tickets- all sooo friendly and great. Rachel is above and beyond awesome. Beautiful art space outdoor and indoor (this was a great break from the heat). The outdoor fans, great idea but they aren't cold so not helping anyone cool off hehe On our second visit we brought the kids and did some spray painting on canvases and a skateboard. Such a great experience. Alex and her partner Andres were so helpful made the experience very enjoyable.

Wynwood Art Walk Tours isn't just walking past murals. It's walking with someone who knows which…read morewalls have stories attached, which artists took risks, which pieces cost the neighborhood something. The murals themselves are massive and they're professional, but scale alone doesn't make art work. Context does. Shepard Fairey's augmented reality layer is the differentiator here. It's not a gimmick. When you scan a mural with your phone, the piece opens up into layers and motion. It's the artist's way of saying "there's more here than what you see." It works because it's restrained, not constantly pulling you into your screen. You're still in the neighborhood. You're just seeing deeper. The guide we had knew the economics of gentrification in Wynwood. Knew which artists have been here for years and which are new money. Knew the politics of murals, why some walls get painted and others get buffed, why some artists collaborate and some don't. That knowledge cost something to build. You're paying for it. We took three teenagers, ages 14-17. Not a group naturally inclined to stand still for street art. They asked questions about technique, about why certain artists choose certain walls, about whether the AR experience changes how you see the piece or adds distraction. They engaged. That's not about impressive art alone, that's about the tour structure creating room for actual thinking instead of passive consumption. The neighborhood is dense and chaotic and intentional all at once. You'll see pieces that are technically flawless next to pieces that are deliberately rough. Some murals are massive, some are character-scale. Some artists are making statements about politics, some about beauty, some about ownership. The variation is what keeps it alive. A sanitized art walk would kill this. Walking it yourself is free and worth doing once. Walking it with the tour is $29 and worth doing if you want to understand why these walls matter to the city and why some artists chose to paint them. The difference is context. Context costs something, but you leave with more than photos. The sun hits different at 4 PM than at 11 AM, so timing matters if photography is part of your thing. The neighborhood gets foot traffic but it's not overwhelming. You're in a real place, not a theme park. That texture is part of why this works.

¡Azúcar! Celebrating Celia's 100th Birthday is the latest exhibit at the Coral Gables Museum,…read morehonoring Celia's trajectory and life. The museum is cozy and transmits a historic vibe, being set in the old firehouse station, and features a charming patio perfect for enjoying a refreshing afternoon or a starry night. The exhibit is beautifully curated and full of life, it truly immerses you in her journey and fills you with the energy of her achievements. It's inspiring to see Celia throughout all her phases, uplifting your spirit and reminding you of the incredible, adventurous experiences life can bring. I really appreciate when institutions pay homage to true Latin icons with all the glory that a symbol of Latin music and culture deserves. Even though the exhibit is small, it's a joyful little capsule of azúcar that reminds you that life is a carnival of happiness. La Reina Celia will always live on through us, every time we dance to her rhythms and step into her world. Just wish it would be a little bigger as the ticket might be a little bit expensive for the exhibitions space and offer (my only reason I don't that the final star it deserves). Coral Gables Museum, keep nourishing our spirit with exhibits like this.

Este consulado es horrible, implementaron un sistema de citas que no sirve para nada, se hacen…read morefilas inmensas y parece que no trabajan por el tiempo que se tarda.

In all the years that I lived in Miami, I never once visited Viscaya; I live in shame. Mostly…read morebecause when you're local the mentality is, "why pay to see a fancy house? you can drive by coral gables or south beach and see them for free". I will say, the grounds are absolutely delightful, especially if you go in the Springtime as we did where flowers are all in full bloom, that alone is worth the ticket price. The architecture is exquisite! A feast for the eyes in so many ways. When we came to visit, they were doing renovations. You could see the water damage on the roof and walls, probably caused by one of the many Summer storms, because of that the tickets were at a discount that day but we were still able to appreciate the beauty of Viscaya. There are two cafe's. One in the garden of the main house, and another across the street where farm animals use to be kept. Surprisingly, the food and drinks are reasonably priced. The day we were there, a wedding was going to take place and there was a lot of commotion going on. Fancy tables being set up, fine china, crystal glasses, the whole works. We asked a security guard how much it costs to have a wedding reception there and he said: "Just to rent the space, no tables, no nothing, starting price is 100k". So if you have 100k lying around, and plan to get married soon, this could be an option for you. Jokes aside though; I'd definitely visit again.

Imagine being transported to a palatial European setting...except you're in Miami. We took the…read moremetro to Vizcaya and made the ten minute walk to the gardens. The property and history is pretty amazing. As many other reviews have mentioned, a good portion of the rooms and structures are closed for renovations. They have reduced the entry to $20 from $25 but it still was a little disappointing that the casino building and several rooms in the house were closed. Being that it was the offseason, some of the gardens did seem to be past their peak. We hope to return when everything is open in season and tour the whole facility.

This was my second time at this place and it's always great…read more You can park on the parking lot or around the streets and I was able to find a spot where the free parking was. It's really nice inside with different rooms, great service, and everything was impeccable. This is a good venue for events!

Not accepting new golf memberships, fitness center classes are only available if you phone to sign…read moreup. website doesn't work and staff is not friendly.

It was a beautiful day but Miracle Mile is a sad area these days. I remember every time we were…read moreout I will tell my husband to drive me by Miracle Mile to see all the stores to me it was heaven . More than half the stores are closed, I guess rents and taxes are super high. I remember when there were boutiques, women's clothing stores, restaurants, and shoe stores in every corner. Now most of it is closed even restaurants. The Miracle Theater is still there and the Barnes and Noble. We were dumbfounded. We walked from 37 Ave to LeJeune and back in half an hour. The only street that still has good open restaurants is on Ponce de Leon. The City should help this area to bring it back.

Coral Gables was built during Florida's land boom years in the 1920's. After two major hurricanes…read moreand the Great Depression, money dried up. After WWII veterans started flocking to Florida to recuperate in its warm weather and a new renaissance began. The 1940's saw new developers and businesses flock to the city. The "Father of Miracle Mile," is George K. Zain. Zain along with his wife, City Commissioner Rebyl Zain came up with the idea of Miracle Mile and they got it built. Miracle Mile refers to a four block section of road between Douglas Road and Le Jeune Road. By resolution of the Coral Gables City Commission, the section of road was named Miracle Mile in 1955. In 1949, Albert H. Friedman of Ro'al Apparel Shop, "Jimmy" Baldi of J. Baldi Salon, and Carroll Seghers of Carroll's Jewelers established the Miracle Mile Merchants Association. The first meetings were held in the rear of Ro'al at 348 Miracle Mile where the City of Coral Gables erected a historic marker. The Association honored Mr. Friedman in 1980 by declaring him "Mr. Miracle Mile." In 2005, the Coral Gables City Commission named the Downtown District in honor of George and Rebyl Zain and Albert H. Friedman. Today Miracle Mile is home to shops and restaurants.

I love Coral Gables. One of the things that makes it so charming are the fountains and plazas like…read morethis one. Balboa Plaza is just a tenth of an acre in the median of Coral Way, South Greenway Drive, De Soto Boulevard, and Anderson Road. This plaza is named for Spanish conquistador, Vasco Nunez de Balboa (1475-1519) who is famous for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean which made him the first European to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean from the New World. Balboa Plaza was designed by Denman Fink, the uncle of George Merrick who founded Coral Gables. He was not a licensed architect so he worked with landscape architect Frank Button. The plaza includes a wall fountain that spouts water into a half circle basin. In 2018 the public art piece A Midsummer's Night Dream by artists Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt was added to the plaza. The art piece is a giant sofa made of oolitic stone. It is 30 feet long and four feet high. On either side are two lamps standing 14 feet high. About their art piece the artists said "the oversized piece is sudden and wondrous, at once real and fantastic, familiar and unprecedented, bringing a slice of domesticity in a public park. The artwork invites us to converse, experience a moment of repose or wait for a friend. Together with the two lamps we are reminded of home." A Midsummer's Night Dream is estimated to have cost $120,000 and it was donated by MG Developer Miami LLC, the first contribution to the Art in Public Places, Public Art in Private Development program. In addition to the stone couch the park has giant banyan trees. Like all of the plazas in Coral Gables, this is the perfect place to stage a photo shoot. If you want some great shots bring your model and head on over to this historic treasure.

This is what I found on the internet…read more Balboa Plaza is a grassy street median at the intersection of Coral Way, South Greenway Drive, De Soto Boulevard and Anderson Road. Designed by George Merrick's uncle, Denman Fink, and landscape architect, Frank Button, the site includes a wall fountain that spouts water into a semicircular basin. The decorative limestone structure has end-piers with lanterns. This plaza is named for the Spanish conquistador Vasco Nuñez de Balboa. _______________ A really beautiful area of Coral Gables, gorgeous walls, fountains and there is a HUGE seating area. v v pretty, would make for awesome instagram photo ops. Unfortunately for me I came on a very raining day. If you like historical sights, then come and see this gem!