When one thinks of Miami area neighborhoods, South Beach (part of Miami Beach) usually comes to mind. South Beach is a great neighborhood for soaking in the sun, eating al fresco or shopping along fashionable Lincoln Road, or dancing at any of the many night clubs. But Miami has other great neighborhoods worth exploring, including Little Havana, the Miami Design District, downtown Miami, and Brickell. On a recent trip to south Florida, we checked out three other attractive and lively neighborhoods that have transformed over the years – Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables, all of which should not be missed.
Art and Entertainment in Wynwood
Wynwood, located north of downtown, is a neighborhood in constant transition. It has become one of the most creative, popular and exciting neighborhoods in Miami. Twenty years ago, this neglected and dangerous neighborhood, formerly known as ‘Little San Juan’, was characterized by abandoned garment related warehouses. In the early 2000s, artists and entrepreneurs began moving into the neighborhood, converting the industrial buildings into galleries and studios, and a small scattering of restaurants. Many of the buildings throughout the neighborhood were painted over with vibrant, colorful murals. At one point there were over 70 galleries in the neighborhood, however most have since closed and the neighborhood has transitioned to an entertainment zone, with dozens of boutiques, bars, craft breweries, restaurants, food halls, coffee shops and other establishments. About a dozen galleries still remain, but most of the murals are still here, and are a major tourist draw.
The latest transition is the addition of technology companies, and residential buildings, many catering to the luxury market. In addition, the neighborhood is a model of sustainability, with walkable streets, bikeshare stations, parks and mixed use development.
One of the centerpieces in the neighborhood is the Wynwood Walls located within the Wynwood Art District, where more than 35 murals by world-renowned artists can be seen. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Nearby is the Museum of Graffiti, which contains an art gallery, and graffiti murals, and gift shop dedicated to preserving the history of graffiti. A number of tours of Wynwood, including street art tours and food tours, can be made through Viator.
Each Presidents’ Day Weekend, over 50 galleries from around the world participate in the annual Art Wynwood event featuring international contemporary art.
Most of the commercial activity is centered along Northwest 2nd Avenue and the many side streets off it. Here, visitors can sample beer from the craft breweries such as Wynwood Brewing Company and Cerveceria La Tropical, or have a bite at any of the many restaurants including The Salty, Coyo Taco and Zak The Baker, or have a coffee at Panther Coffee before heading to the boutiques such as Frangipani and Wynwood Tribe.
Off North Miami Avenue in the east side of Wynwood is a development called The Oasis. This 35,000 square foot outdoor space features lush landscaping and a public gathering space, restaurants and cafes, and a variety of food vendors operating out of outfitted, colorful shipping containers. The adjacent Tower Bar is also constructed from shipping containers and depicting a creative colorful mural by renowned Spanish artist Antonyo Marest.
With the latest addition of residential use, and many of the new towers replacing the older buildings, it will be interesting to see how many of the murals and art venues remain, and what the next transition for this neighborhood will be.
Bohemian to Chic Coconut Grove
The name Coconut Grove evokes a tropical paradise. Indeed, while walking or driving around Miami’s oldest neighborhood, you’ll be surrounded by quaint timber framed bungalows tucked behind lush tropical yards of banyan and banana trees. This bayside neighborhood, known as ‘The Grove’ lies directly southwest of the Brickell neighborhood, and downtown Miami further to the north. In the 1870’s, the neighborhood was inhabited by sailors, pioneers, and both white and black Bahamians, with many of their descendants still living in the neighborhood today. Coconut Grove was the home of the first hotel in south Florida catering to early tourists from the Northeast.
In the 1960s, Coconut Grove served as the hub of South Florida’s youth countercultural movement. It was also a bohemian enclave known for its eclectic artist community and laidback lifestyle. The 1970’s saw additional development, and the area became a tourist spot by the 1980’s.
Today, Coconut Grove is one of Miami’s most desired neighborhoods to live in, due to its walkability, safe streets, charm, and attractions. New luxury condominiums are sprouting up, and the neighborhood is transitioning from bohemian to chic.
The compact downtown area of Coconut Grove is focused along Grande Avenue, and is filled with boutiques, galleries, upscale restaurants and sidewalk cafes. We had excellent souvlaki at Meraki Greek Bistro. The centerpiece of the downtown is the large open air shopping center called CocoWalk filled with two levels of restaurants, shops and a cinema.
The highlight of Coconut Grove is the Italian Renaissance-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens located along the waterfront. The massive estate was built as a winter retreat in 1916 by James Deering, an industrialist from Chicago. The 70 room home is filled with European furnishings, antiques and paintings, fresco ceilings, along with a central courtyard filled with tropical plants. The adjacent ten acre gardens comprise formal gardens similar to Versailles, as well as tropical gardens filled with palms, orchids and mangroves. While walking along the waterfront promenade, I was greeted by several colorful sunbathing iguanas.
Across the road from Vizcaya, the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning, where local vendors sell fruits and vegetables, baked goods, vegan products, and more.
Another Coconut Grove attraction is Barnacle Historical State Park where Miami’s oldest home is located. The home was designed by owner Ralph M. Munroe in 1891, who was a pioneering photographer, author, sailboat designer and environmentalist. The property offers visitors a glimpse of the frontier life at the time, when all travel to the area was by sea. The park is covered with many large trees, nature trails and has replicas of two of Munroe’s sailboats.
Coconut Grove is also host to a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Miami Wine Festival, Miami Sailing Week, the Coconut Grove Craft Beer Fest, and the King Mango Strut Parade. Each February during Presidents’ Day weekend, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival takes over the neighborhood. In operation since 1963, this festival showcases work by local and international artists in one of the largest outdoor arts festivals in the nation.
Coral Gables – The City Beautiful
Coral Gables, a wealthy city located immediately west of Miami, was developed as a planned community in 1925 as part of the City Beautiful movement. Hence, the city’s nickname ‘The City Beautiful’. Home to the University of Miami, the city’s architecture is of Mediterranean Revival style. The developer, George Merrick, envisioned the ‘Castles of Spain’ to be replicated here. Later, the city was expanded to include themed villages, allowing additional architectural themes such as Italian, French, Dutch South African and others. The city’s strong historic preservation program has ensured that the original architectural integrity is maintained.
The history of the city, including the architecture, urban design and planned vision, can be found at the Coral Gables Museum, located downtown. The museum is located in the city’s old police and fire station, and includes permanent and rotating exhibits within galleries, a public plaza, and a gift shop.
Coral Gable’s vibrant downtown is centered along Coral Way and Ponce de Leon. Much of the eating establishments, coffee shops, boutiques, galleries, and theaters are located on the Miracle Mile located on Coral Way between LeJeune Road and Douglas Road. This stretch was recently renovated to provide more tree canopy and landscaping, wider sidewalks, and more outdoor dining areas.
West of downtown is the Merrick House, a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was originally constructed in 1899, and expanded through 1925. Visitors can view the home’s 14 rooms or walk around the grounds that include a grotto, heritage garden and lily pond.
One of the city’s most elegant buildings is the impressive Biltmore Hotel, completed in 1926, and host to many famous visitors. The building is of classic Mediterranean architecture, with Italian, Moorish and Spanish influences. Its centerpiece is the tower, inspired by the Giralda, a medieval tower of the cathedral of Seville. The hotel is surrounded by lavish gardens, a beautiful swimming pool (at one time the largest pool in the world) and expansive 18 hole golf course. Another leisurely activity is to take a drive around the city’s neighborhoods and streets, looking at the beautiful homes, parks and gardens.
