The best things to do in Coral Gables

Begin where Coral Gables did, at the George E. Merrick House. This limestone home stood here long before the city took shape, back when guava trees and grapefruit groves grew where multimillion-dollar mansions now stand. Its been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 and there are guided tours available on most weekends.

Majestic, luxurious, palatial—Coral Gables’ premier hotel is a stunning example of European grandeur thanks to its Mediterranean revival-style architecture, French and Spanish antiquities and hand-painted vaulted ceilings. Spend the day golfing on its world-class course, relaxing at its full-service spa or enjoying a sumptuous Sunday brunch with flowing Champagne, oysters and more.

While you’re at The Biltmore, why not book a show at the adjacent Coral Gables theater? Helmed by producing artistic director Bari Newport, the intimate venue leads the charge for avant-garde productions in the city. Smart, provocative shows with solid production values and excellent acting are the standards here. It’s no wonder GableStage has racked up numerous awards in its 20-plus–year history.

Driving around, you might notice a few blocks that fall out of line with the city’s stringent Mediterranean revival-style aesthetic. These are the seven Villages of Coral Gables, which were commissioned by Merrick himself to attract buyers who wanted to feel as though they lived elsewhere. There’s the Dutch South Africa Village and the Chinese Village, French Normandy and the Florida Pioneer, among others. See if you can spot them as you drive around.

Have you ever wondered what the inside of a classic Coral Gables home looks like? Every year the Coral Gables Community Foundation hosts the Tour of Kitchens, wherein residents open their doors so that you can admire their good taste as you savor bites from Coral Gables restaurants. But let’s be real; this is one instance where you’re coming to satisfy your appetite for interior design, not food. The event takes place in February and tickets are $130 a pop.

Opened in 1923, this glittering freshwater pool boasts waterfalls, tropical foliage, cave-like grottos and a mini sandpit to lay your towel on all summer long. There’s also a café that serves snacks, pizza by the slice and different types of ice cream. It was formed out of the former coral rock quarry where limestone used to build The City Beautiful was taken, and every day this 820,000-gallon pool is drained and refilled with fresh spring water for the enjoyment of Gables residents and visitors alike. The pool is open only in the spring and summer and be warned – it is always cold. 

Coral Gables was originally sold as "America's Venice" for a reason. Canals flow through the entire city, and thanks to Miami-Dade Parks and Rec, you can explore the neighborhood in the most underrated way: via canoe! The Coral Gables Waterway Canoe Tour is a two and a half hour experience that covers both history and ecology. And if you'd rather get eye level with mangroves, there's also a Matheson Mangrove Canoe Trek. 

This vibrant seasonal market takes place between January and March and highlights artisanal vendors and local farmers during the only time of the year it’s not too hot to shop outdoors. It’s small and won’t overwhelm you with a massive selection. Plus, there’s plenty of street parking for easy and pleasant grab-and-go shopping in between errands.

Downtown Coral Gables’ main drag is lined with bridal shops, jewelry stores, trendy boutiques and a multitude of restaurants. Following an extensive, million-dollar renovation, the strip features wider sidewalks, a greater selection of outdoor dining options and more tree-lined areas to go for a stroll. And when you’re done on The Mile, head one block north to the blocked-off Giralda Plaza for al fresco (and even some rooftop) dining.

This charming nonprofit cinema shows indie and international films, award-winning documentaries and classics of the cult and box office hit varieties 365 days a year. There’s a small café onsite that serves affordable wines, beer and popcorn, which you can enjoy within its cozy single-room theater. 

One of South Florida’s seminal companies for more than 30 years, this nonprofit theater puts on staged productions of award-winning shows and musicals from Broadway and beyond. A prime location on Miracle Mile makes this a great destination for theatergoers, who can enjoy a bite and a drink pre or post-show. 

It’s fitting that the museum dedicated to all things City Beautiful is housed within its former police and fire station. The Coral Gables Museum gives a historical overview of the area, highlighting its early settlers, European architecture and melting pot of cultures. Once you’ve whizzed through the small structure learning everything there is to know about the Gables, experience it IRL on one of the museum’s guided walks or bike tours.

Put on by Kiwanis of Little Havana, Carnaval on the Mile is a lively two-day festival that celebrates the Caribbean and Latin culture through community. The entirety of Miracle Mile is lined with tents housing local artists and food vendors, and Miami's best live bands fill the street with music and live performances. The event is free and open to the public and takes place in early March.

Opened in 1950, South Florida’s first museum sits on the University of Miami campus and features 5,000 years of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities as a part of its extensive permanent collection. And when you’re done perusing the museum, take a stroll through UM’s gorgeous campus filled with palms, rare plants and amazing mid-century architecture.

Did you know that the University of Miami’s lauded music school brings Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award-winning artists and ensembles to The City Beautiful? Over 100 concerts are scheduled annually for Frost Music Live, where anyone can enjoy an intimate concert, whether they like classical music, jazz or pop. Tickets usually run between $15 and $30, making this an affordable—and wonderful!—cultural treat for any day of the week.

Held at the University of Miami, this annual arts event features over 150 outdoor fine-art exhibits, local vendors, a beer garden, live music and lots of food. And at 73 years old, it happens to also be Miami's longest-running juried art festival. 

This verdant, 83-acre tropical oasis features a lush rainforest with a splashy waterfall, sunken gardens, dramatic vistas, an enormous vine pergola, a butterfly garden and a museum of plant exploration. Fairchild’s collection of rare palms, orchids and other flora is no doubt stunning, but for something more hands-on, plan your visit to coincide with events like morning dog dates and evening sip and strolls; classes to sharpen your painting or gardening skills; or festivals celebrating everything from chocolate to mangos.

With a serene bayside lagoon hugged by a sandy atoll, hiking trails through mangroves and hardwood forests and coral rock pavilions in which to picnic, Matheson Hammock is a beloved daytime getaway for everyone. Catch a boat to go snorkeling through Biscayne Bay or venture to the atoll as the sun sets for fresh seafood and coastal Italian fare at Noma Beach at Redfish, which touts itself as the only waterfront restaurant in the Gables. 

Running parallel to one of Miami’s most scenic drives, the Old Cutler Trail is a lush, canopied pathway that’s popular with bikers and hikers alike. The 11-mile trail is almost entirely shaded by ficus and banyan trees and will take you past other Coral Gables landmarks like Matheson Hammock and Fairchild Tropical Garden, as well as some of Miami’s most beautiful homes. The trail begins where Old Cutler, Sunset, and LeJeune Roads convene and ends at 87th Avenue in Cutler Bay.

Coral Gables’ idea of a mall is a pristine, open-air shopping complex with greenspace for little ones to play, outdoor restaurants and designer shops galore. With more than 100 stores, Merrick Park offers a mix of midprice retailers like Lululemon and Madewell as well as luxury stores like Gucci and Neiman Marcus.