Coral Gables

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Weekend in Coral Gables

A travel journal to Coral Gables by loli

Coral Gables is a small city in the middle of Miami's urban sprawl. Despite this, it has held on to it's identity and it's a beautiful place. You can count on grand trees, Mediterranean architecture, green parks, great restaurants, and more galleries per square mile than any city I know.

  • 11 reviews

Weekend in Coral GablesBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Enter the city from 8th Street and Red Road. It might not be on your way, but the old entrance is worth the detour.

Join the gallery walk on the first Friday of the month.

Try the 'Bombay Chicken Ravioli' at Bugatti's. Go for a bike ride to Hammock Park, make a stop over at Merri Christmas Park. Buy tickets to see the play at the 'Miracle Theater.' Check out the Poetry section at Books & Books. Sit at the Starbucks terrace in Miracle Mile and eavesdrop on it's patrons. Play chess at Cafe Demetrio. Go for a walk around the 'Granada Golf Course.' Have Sunday Brunch at 'The Biltmore Hotel.' Bring Money; the walks and bike rides are free, but restaurants and hotels are pricy.

Quick Tips:

If you can afford it, stay at 'The Biltmore.' The rooms are cozy, the beds super comfortable, and the pool is as big as a lake. Take the tour of this historic building. Rumor has it one of the floors is haunted.

Best Way To Get Around:

I love walking around Downtown Gables. Rollerblading around the Gold Course. Bike riding through it's streets.

But you can always drive, the weekend traffic is light and parking is not bad.

Don't rely on buses to see everything, because they only travel on the busy streets, and you'll never see the houses or the fountains.

Biltmore Hotel Coral GablesBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "The Biltmore"

Luxurious. Cozy rooms with inviting beds. Some have small balconies overlooking the golf course. The pool is huge and gorgeous. The food is outstanding.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables
1200 ANASTASIA AVENUE Coral Gables, Florida 33134
305-445-1926

Ortanique on the MileBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

It's the place to be before or after the theater show next door. The place is one of the latest Coral Gables hot spots.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Ortanique on the Mile
278 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, Florida 33021
305-446-7710

BugattiBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

First time I went there, I tried the 'Bombay Chicken Ravioli.' Now I go there just to eat that. But other items in the menu are equally good, I've taken many people there with good results. It's a good nonpretentious place to eat a good meal.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Bugatti
2504 Ponce de Leon Blvd Coral Gables, Florida 33134
305-441-2545

StarbucksBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Starbuck's"

You've had their coffee before, but the terrace on this one is great if you like to people watch and eavesdrop. It's at the heart of Coral Gables, weekend nights gets packed, reserve the sidewalk bench.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Starbucks
200 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, Florida
305-443-6620

Granada Golf CourseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

From Downtown, take Coral Way West until you see the golf course. Best time is mid-morning or at night.

Here you can walk, jog, or rollerblade. The golf course is surrounded by public streets, so you can walk all around it. The course itself is beautiful, it's trees spectacular. If you are there at night, when there are no golfers, go into the 'Cathedral' of trees on the south western tip of it. This is my favorite place in the whole city. The houses around it are also very nice.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Granada Golf Course
2001 Granada Blvd Coral Gables, Florida 33134
(305) 460-5367

Globe Cafe & Bar TheBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Globe"

305-445-3555

I love this place for mixing food and drink. There's always a nice jazzy-social atmosphere. Friday's happy hour is a little more hectic. The service is slow, because all waitresses are model-wannabe's, but you'll eventually get that drink. The food is pretty good too. I come here very often when I want to catch up with a friend over a drink.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Globe Cafe & Bar The
377 Alhambra Circle Coral Gables, Florida 33134
(305) 445-3555

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracl: Theater Administration & Box OfcBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Miracle Theater"

Small theater in the heart of the city. I've seen some very nice productions there. It's worth checking out what they are playing.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracl: Theater Administration & Box Ofc
280 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, Florida 33134
(305) 444-9293

Matheson Hammock Park MarinaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Downtown Gables to Hammock Park"

Going from Downtown Gables, take Biltmore Way South-West to Segovia; go south/left. Follow that until Riviera Drive. Take Riviera south/left all the way to LeJeune (it sort of ends there). Take LeJeune South to cross small bridge into Coco Plum Circle. Stick to the right, and go around the circle until you get to Old Cutler Road. Take old Cutler South/right (using sidewalk) all the way to Hammock Park. In Hammock Park, take the bike path on the left, all the way to the beach.

I reccomend taking time to enjoy the view of the bay and the city. Maybe even trying a swimm. The snack bar closes early, so if you plan to stay at the beach late, bring a snack for fuel on the way back. There are no restaurants along this route.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Matheson Hammock Park Marina
9610 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, Florida 33156
(305) 665-5475

Gallery WalkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The gallery walk is on every first Friday of the month. Most galleries are located on Ponce de Leon (north & south of Coral Way), but a few can also be found along Miracle Mile (aka: Coral Way) and a couple other streets. There's a free shuttle that can take you around or ask around. Some offer wine & cheese. There is also an event called 'Words & Music,' that takes place at the Ponce de Leon Circle. You can enjoy music, poetry, and other types of art all within a few steps. FREE EVENT
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Gallery Walk
Along Ponce de Leon Blvd Coral Gables, Florida

Books & BooksBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Books & Books"

This Coral Gables establishment has been catering to the literary community for over 18 years. 'The Miami International Book Fair,' the biggest in the country was started by the owner. There are nightly author readings and signings. You can check their schedule on booksandbooks.com or just stop by to browse.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by loli on November 6, 2000

Books & Books
296 Aragon Avenue Coral Gables, Florida

About the Writer

loli
loli
Miami, Florida
  • "In 1993 I quit my job to travel around the world. I'm the happiest when I'm discovering a new place..."
  • 5 journals
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  • 30 reviews

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