Coconut Grove

 

Minutes away from Downtown Miami lies the laid-back community of Coconut Grove. Being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Miami, it has enjoyed a reputation as South Florida’s most attractive, dynamic, and independent-minded community. With a population of over 20,000 residents, Coconut Grove looks out from behind lush subtropical foliage toward the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay. With easy access to Biscayne Bay, Brickell business district, the University of Miami, and the top quality schools in the district including Ransom Everglades, Carrollton, and St. Stevens, this makes Coconut Grove one of Miami’s top spots for raising families.

 

Coconut Grove is home to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The former villa and estate was home to the businessman James Deering and is currently a historic building. More elegant hotels like the Mayfair and the Ritz Carlton line up Coconut Grove, as well as the Miami Science Museum with many activities for children of all ages, and CocoWalk, Coconut Grove’s open-air shopping mall, is a fantastic place to shop, eat and enjoy a uniquely Miami shopping experience. Another one of Coconut Grove's popular places is The Barnacle, which is a Florida State Historic Site containing the oldest standing home in Dade County. Built by Ralph Munroe in 1891, this historic estate has survived several major hurricanes including the Hurricane of 1926 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

 

Outdoor dining in Coconut Grove is an important part of Grove living. On any given weekend you will find bustling restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. Special events are also common in Coconut Grove like the Great Grove Bed Race and the King Mango Strut, which brings a wild and wacky parade to downtown Coconut Grove. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is another widely known event that is always jam-packed with guests from around the country. This festival is a contemporary art gallery and neighborhood institution in Coconut Grove produced by the Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association. The gallery presents regular exhibitions by emerging established artists representing varied mediums. The Goombay Festival also takes place in Coconut Grove, bringing Bahamian culture to Grand Avenue and the Great Taste of the Grove featuring live music, an array of food and drinks to sample guaranteed to keep your taste buds. Parks are also commonly visited by neighbors and visitors including Matheson Hammock Park, and Crandon Park by Key Biscayne.

 

Most residents of Coconut Grove drive on the congested South Florida freeway/road system to get to work, school, or throughout the rest of the city. Luckily residents here can take advantage over the fact that The Grove is served by three stops on the Metrorail, connecting the area to downtown Miami.