Historic Coconut Grove is Secret Miami Hot Spot
South Florida Destination Great Escape for Culture and Entertainment
Feb 21, 2009
Historic Coconut Grove in Miami, Fla., is a superb nestling point for a weekend or week-long getaway because of its spectacular water views, boutique and brand name shopping, cultural variety, and hot nightlife.
The Grove was settled in 1834 by Bahamian seamen on the edge of Biscayne Bay. Today its central shopping and entertainment district is a short walk from several high-rise hotels, which provide excellent views of the bay and a multitude of boats at Dinner Key Marina, Florida’s largest marine facility.
Coco Walk is Coconut Grove's Main Attraction
Coco Walk, just a few blocks from the bay, is a Mediterranean style open-air center featuring a movie theater, restaurants, specialty boutiques and outdoor musical entertainment.
The outdoor shopping mall offers such restaurants as TuTu Tango, Café Med and The Cheesecake Factory to delight your taste buds as well as walk-up ice cream and lemonade vendors. Shops include Azul Boutique, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret and the Artist in Residence Gallery. Evening entertainment is offered at Coco Walk restaurants, and its Vision Night Club is a popular dance spot.
Also not to be missed in Coconut Grove is The Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theater at Mayfair in the Grove. A sidesplitting show at the Improv is a great way to spend at least one evening of a weekend stay, and a cold one at Wet Willie’s Daiquiri Bar is a nice way to begin or end the outing. Mayfair is also known for its shopping, including Out of Africa and United Colors of Benetton.
Coconut Grove Museums, Parks and Gardens
One street over on the Biscayne Bay waterfront is the Barnacle State Park featuring the oldest home in Miami-Dade County and one of the last remaining stands of Miami hardwood hammock. The historic home of pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe offers a nostalgic journey back to the late 1800s.
A five-minute drive or cab ride away is Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Its 34 elegant rooms are filled with European art, furniture and tapestries collected by Deere during his travels. North American and Asian art donated by patrons is also on display.
The old world beauty of the main house continues throughout the grounds, which are graced by 10 acres of exquisite gardens and reflecting ponds with views of Biscayne Bay. Orchid lovers will want to visit the David A. Klein Orchidarium to the north of Vizcaya’s main house.
And for more botanical delights the Grove also is home to a national tropical garden, The Kampong, a haven for fruit and flowering tropical species from across the world.
While model-rich Miami Beach and its glamorous Art Deco resorts tend to get more press, those who visit the Grove are privy to Miami’s historic beauty and grace.
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