Weekend Getaway · Florida
A Weekend in Coral Gables, Florida: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore in Miami’s City Beautiful
Tucked between Brickell and Coconut Grove, Coral Gables pairs historic Mediterranean architecture and lush greenery with a vibrant arts scene, a famous pool carved from coral rock and some of South Florida’s best shopping.
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Coral Gables, Florida, tucked between Brickell and Coconut Grove, is renowned for its historic Mediterranean architecture, lush greenery and vibrant arts scene. Planned in the 1920s by developer George Merrick as “The City Beautiful,” it invites you to meander along streets lined with landmarks, trendy boutiques and inviting cafés, from The Biltmore Hotel to the Venetian Pool. Explore the city’s past at the Coral Gables Museum, browse galleries and catch a show at Actors’ Playhouse, then spend a morning among rare tropical plants at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Here’s how to spend the perfect weekend there.
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Things to Do
Things to Do in Coral Gables
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a serene oasis within the city, with an extensive collection of rare tropical plants, lush pathways, vibrant blooms, a rainforest exhibit and tranquil lakes, plus educational programs throughout the year. Next door, Matheson Hammock Park combines mangrove-lined trails with a man-made atoll pool that fills naturally with water from Biscayne Bay, a marina and picnic spots on the water.
For a full beach day, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, at the tip of Key Biscayne about a 30-minute drive away, offers sandy shores, swaying palms, turquoise water and a historic lighthouse. Back in town, rent a kayak at Matheson Hammock to explore the coastal waters, or cool off at the Venetian Pool.
Don’t miss the Venetian Pool, created in the 1920s from a coral rock quarry, is a freshwater pool fed from underground springs, with cascading waterfalls, grottoes and caves, and Mediterranean Revival architecture that make it a one-of-a-kind swim in South Florida.
Shopping
Where to Shop in Coral Gables
Coral Gables offers an upscale yet charming shopping experience. Stroll the famed Miracle Mile, lined with boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops, where Mediterranean-inspired architecture sets the scene for finding the latest fashion or one-of-a-kind gifts. For a more exclusive shopping trip, the Shops at Merrick Park is an open-air destination with high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Gucci and Tiffany & Co., along with alfresco restaurants and spas.
Vintage lovers can browse antique shops and markets for timeless finds, and the boutiques of The Plaza Coral Gables and the streets around it round out a shopping scene that caters to every taste, from modern fashion to locally made goods.
Coral Gables was planned in the 1920s as “The City Beautiful,” and a century later it still lives up to the name.
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Where to Eat
Where to Eat in Coral Gables
With alfresco terrace seating on The Plaza Coral Gables, Americana Kitchen at Loews Coral Gables Hotel offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of the City Beautiful. Helmed by Executive Chef Ricardo Jarquin, the kitchen celebrates locally sourced ingredients in a true all-American setting. Menu highlights have included Tuna Tartare with seasoned rice, furikake, avocado and crispy gochujang wild rice; a Citrus Crab Roll with yuzu kosho and Key lime aïoli; the Americana Seafood Tower; Shrimp & Chorizo Paella; Seared Snapper with carrot romesco; and desserts such as Burnt Key Lime Tart, Mango Tres Leches and Guava Cheesecake.
What to See
What to See in Coral Gables
With its blend of Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Coral Gables is a picturesque destination for architecture lovers. Stroll the tree-lined avenues and you’ll find red-tiled roofs, wrought-iron balconies and elegant archways reminiscent of old-world Europe, along with charming residential streets of coral rock walls, lush gardens and courtyards.
The city’s most iconic landmark is The Biltmore Hotel, a grand 1920s structure with hand-painted frescoes, ornate ceilings and intricate marble columns, along with a championship golf course and one of the most famous pools in Florida.
The Coral Gables Museum showcases the city’s history and creativity through exhibitions and guided tours, in a building that blends classic and contemporary architecture. The Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami holds more than 19,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art history, and Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, a historic theater dating to 1948, stages acclaimed productions on Miracle Mile.
The Plaza Coral Gables is home to an impressive collection of public art, including KAWS’ “WAITING,” a 16-foot gray bronze sculpture about family bonds; Jean-Michel Othoniel’s “Coral Fountains,” an organic fountain of gilded beads; and Tony Cragg’s “Mean Average,” a tall, abstract sculpture that invites viewers to see their surroundings differently.
Where to Drink
Where to Drink in Coral Gables
The lounge at Americana Kitchen crafts classic and inventive cocktails to a soundtrack of all-American singers, evoking a bygone era of American dining. Try the signature Cielo Sunset, with Patrón El Cielo and fresh-squeezed blood orange, or a low- or no-ABV pick such as the Twist of Hugo, with prosecco, vanilla, soda water and fresh mint. Reserve a table at Americana Kitchen.
Where to Stay in Coral Gables
For a stay in the heart of the City Beautiful, Loews Coral Gables Hotel sits on The Plaza Coral Gables, with elegant Mediterranean-inspired architecture, guest rooms and suites with modern amenities, a rooftop pool, a spa and Americana Kitchen on site, steps from Miracle Mile, upscale shopping and cultural landmarks. Through its Local by Loews program, the hotel hosts pop-ups and experiences with local businesses, and as part of Loews Loves Pets, four-legged guests receive their own welcome amenities, room-service menus and dog-walking routes (a pet fee applies). For the perfect weekend, spend Saturday at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Venetian Pool, then shop Miracle Mile before cocktails and dinner at Americana Kitchen; on Sunday, tour The Biltmore Hotel and the Coral Gables Museum, browse the Shops at Merrick Park and end with a sunset at Matheson Hammock Park.
Reserve your stay at Loews Coral Gables Hotel →
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Coral Gables, Florida: FAQ
Is Coral Gables, Florida worth visiting?
Yes. Coral Gables offers historic Mediterranean Revival architecture, The Biltmore Hotel, the Venetian Pool, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, shopping on Miracle Mile and at the Shops at Merrick Park, the Lowe Art Museum, public art at The Plaza Coral Gables, and easy access to Miami’s beaches.
How should I spend a weekend in Coral Gables?
Spend Saturday at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Venetian Pool, shop Miracle Mile, and have cocktails and dinner at Americana Kitchen. On Sunday, tour The Biltmore Hotel and the Coral Gables Museum, browse the Shops at Merrick Park and catch the sunset at Matheson Hammock Park.
Why is Coral Gables called The City Beautiful?
Coral Gables was planned in the 1920s by developer George Merrick as a garden city of Mediterranean Revival architecture, tree-lined streets and landmarks such as The Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool, earning it the nickname “The City Beautiful.”
Where should I stay in Coral Gables?
Loews Coral Gables Hotel, on The Plaza Coral Gables, offers Mediterranean-inspired design, a rooftop pool, a spa and Americana Kitchen on site, within walking distance of Miracle Mile and the city’s cultural landmarks. It is also known for its pet-friendly Loews Loves Pets program.
Where should I eat in Coral Gables?
Americana Kitchen at Loews Coral Gables Hotel, led by Executive Chef Ricardo Jarquin, serves locally sourced American cooking and craft cocktails on an alfresco terrace on The Plaza Coral Gables.
How far is Coral Gables from Miami Beach?
Coral Gables is about 30 to 40 minutes by car from Miami Beach, depending on traffic, and about 15 minutes from Miami International Airport.
When is the best time to visit Coral Gables?
November to April, South Florida’s dry season, is the best time to visit Coral Gables, with warm, sunny days and lower humidity. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season runs June through November.
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