Coral Gables

Coral Gables is a city in South Florida, in the United States.

Just south of downtown Miami is beautiful Coral Gables, or simply "The Gables" as it is known to natives. The city is perhaps best known as the home of the University of Miami.

The University of Miami is well known for its top academic programs in business, marine science, medicine, music and other fields. It also is well known for its premiere athletic programs. With five national championships since the early 1980s, the University of Miami football team has won more national championships than any other Division I football program. Its baseball team also is a national powerhouse and has won the College World Series numerous times.

This planned section of town is an oasis of quiet stately homes, shopping and Miami restaurants in the heart of Miami. If you're tired of South Beach and the downtown scene and are looking for some classy fun, take a trip to the Gables.

The city is home to many historic landmarks as well as 22 parks, 33 public tennis courts, two public golf courses, and other first-class recreation amenities. Among them: the largest tropical botanical garden in the continental United States, a spring-fed grotto swimming pool made of native coral rock with underwater caves, tree-lined bike paths and walking trails, and more.

In the past three decades, the city has experienced healthy growth, which has bolstered the economic base. Today, Coral Gables is home to 175 multinationals, 26 consulates and trade offices and more than 30 fine art galleries. It is also known as the Fine Dining Capital of South Florida and has the highest concentration of live theater in Miami-Dade County. Growth in the commercial sector has brought a wealth of new activities for residents, including nighttime entertainment, live music, casual and fine dining, and new retail options. It has also helped maintain low property taxes. At the same time, the residential areas have remained protected from commercial intrusion.

The city supports both the residential and business sectors with excellent city services, having attained the highest possible standards in every field. In fact, Coral Gables is the only city in the state of Florida and one of only two cities nationwide to have a Class 1 Fire Department, a fully-accredited Police Department, and the highest awarded Building and Zoning Department rating. In addition, Coral Gables has been named a "Tree City USA" for 14 consecutive years, it has an award-winning Communications Division and offers one of the most comprehensive Parks and Recreation programs in the state.

Coral Gables is well-known for its outstanding restaurants. With more than 40 great places to eat, all within walking distance in the downtown area, the hardest decision will be which one to try first. There are places to meet for a casual outdoor lunch as well as elegant, top-rated restaurants for fine dining.

• Coral Gables House, 907 Coral Way. Former home of George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, dating from 1907.
• Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd, +1 305 448-7421. Historic church built by George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, in the Spanish Renaissance style.
• Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd, +1 305 665-5475. Open daily from 6am to sunset. Man-made atoll with scenic walks, boating and picnic area.
• Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Dr, +1 305 284-3535. With many antique art, ceramics, pottery and sculptures ranging from Greco-Roman times, Renaissance, Baroque, Art of Asia, Art of Latin America, and ancient potteries, the Lowe Art Museum offers a great range of art through the centuries.
• Venetian Pool, 2701 DeSoto Blvd, +1 305 460-5306. 11AM-5PM every day, but call to verify hours. Public pool in a Venetian style, with natural grottoes and a sunbathing area. In the 1920s Denman Dink transformed this limestone quarry into a pool with a waterfall, an area for kids and an area for adults. The water in this pool comes from a spring and is drained daily. In addition to the swimming facilities there is a snack bar (you cannot bring outside food into the Venetian Pool) and lockers. Swimming lessons are also offered here. The Venetian Pool is best known for having Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller (the silver screen’s first Tarzan) swim here. $6 people 13 years and older, $3 children under 13 $ (November to March); $9 people 13 years and older, $5 under 13 (April to October)..
• University of Miami. The main campus for this premiere university is situated in the city, including the Convocation Center, Hurricane Sports, Lowe Art Museum, Cosford Cinema, Gusman Concert Hall, Jerry Harman Ring Theater and John C Gifford Arboretum.
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Florida 33156, +1-305-667-1651. 09:30-16:30. An 83-acre (34 ha) botanic garden, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. It is a museum, laboratory, learning center, and conservation research facility. It is home to the only outdoor rainforest in North America, several famous outdoor art installations (including world famous Chihuly glasswork), the January Chocolate Festival, and world-famous Mango Festival (every June or July featuring information on and samples of hundreds of different mango varieties). It is also home of the American Orchid Society. $25 adult / $18 senior / $12 child 6-17.
• Matheson Hammock Marina. Grassy park with a man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay. The park has a full-service marina, snack bar and restaurant built into an historic coral rock building, picnic pavilions and nature trails.

Coral Gables House, 907 Coral Way. Former home of George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, dating from 1907.

Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd, +1 305 448-7421. Historic church built by George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, in the Spanish Renaissance style.

Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd, +1 305 665-5475. Open daily from 6am to sunset. Man-made atoll with scenic walks, boating and picnic area.

Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Dr, +1 305 284-3535. With many antique art, ceramics, pottery and sculptures ranging from Greco-Roman times, Renaissance, Baroque, Art of Asia, Art of Latin America, and ancient potteries, the Lowe Art Museum offers a great range of art through the centuries.

Venetian Pool, 2701 DeSoto Blvd, +1 305 460-5306. 11AM-5PM every day, but call to verify hours. Public pool in a Venetian style, with natural grottoes and a sunbathing area. In the 1920s Denman Dink transformed this limestone quarry into a pool with a waterfall, an area for kids and an area for adults. The water in this pool comes from a spring and is drained daily. In addition to the swimming facilities there is a snack bar (you cannot bring outside food into the Venetian Pool) and lockers. Swimming lessons are also offered here. The Venetian Pool is best known for having Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller (the silver screen’s first Tarzan) swim here. $6 people 13 years and older, $3 children under 13 $ (November to March); $9 people 13 years and older, $5 under 13 (April to October)..

University of Miami. The main campus for this premiere university is situated in the city, including the Convocation Center, Hurricane Sports, Lowe Art Museum, Cosford Cinema, Gusman Concert Hall, Jerry Harman Ring Theater and John C Gifford Arboretum.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Florida 33156, +1-305-667-1651. 09:30-16:30. An 83-acre (34 ha) botanic garden, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. It is a museum, laboratory, learning center, and conservation research facility. It is home to the only outdoor rainforest in North America, several famous outdoor art installations (including world famous Chihuly glasswork), the January Chocolate Festival, and world-famous Mango Festival (every June or July featuring information on and samples of hundreds of different mango varieties). It is also home of the American Orchid Society. $25 adult / $18 senior / $12 child 6-17.

Matheson Hammock Marina. Grassy park with a man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay. The park has a full-service marina, snack bar and restaurant built into an historic coral rock building, picnic pavilions and nature trails.

• Miracle Mile, 224 Miracle Mile, +1 305 569-0311. The main shopping district.
• Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave. Fairly new outdoor shopping mall. Very similar to Bal Harbour Shops. This mall features mostly designer stores such as Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus and is the home of Miami’s first Nordstrom. Restaurants and small boutiques abound as well.
• The Collection, 200 Bird Road. Whether you're in the market for a new car or simply like to drool over Ferraris, Porches, and Maseratis, The Collection helps fulfill your need for speed.

Miracle Mile, 224 Miracle Mile, +1 305 569-0311. The main shopping district.

Village of Merrick Park, 358 San Lorenzo Ave. Fairly new outdoor shopping mall. Very similar to Bal Harbour Shops. This mall features mostly designer stores such as Jimmy Choo, Neiman Marcus and is the home of Miami’s first Nordstrom. Restaurants and small boutiques abound as well.

The Collection, 200 Bird Road. Whether you're in the market for a new car or simply like to drool over Ferraris, Porches, and Maseratis, The Collection helps fulfill your need for speed.

• Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile (near Actor’s Playhouse, +1 305 446-7710. Mon-Tue 6PM-10PM, Wed-Sat 6PM-11PM, Sun 5:30PM-9:30PM. New World. One of three Ortanique restaurants (the other two are located in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas). The food has a mixture of Caribbean and French influences. Reservations are requested. $19-$36 per person, per meal.
• Talavera, 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Mon-Fri 11:30am-11:00pm, Sat 11:00am-11:30pm, Sun 11:00am - 11:00pm. Mexican. Talavera is not your average local Mexican dive. It's cuisine is a bit more refined (think chicharones with the guacamole) with a full bar. The margaritas are highly touted.

Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile (near Actor’s Playhouse, +1 305 446-7710. Mon-Tue 6PM-10PM, Wed-Sat 6PM-11PM, Sun 5:30PM-9:30PM. New World. One of three Ortanique restaurants (the other two are located in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas). The food has a mixture of Caribbean and French influences. Reservations are requested. $19-$36 per person, per meal.

Talavera, 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Mon-Fri 11:30am-11:00pm, Sat 11:00am-11:30pm, Sun 11:00am - 11:00pm. Mexican. Talavera is not your average local Mexican dive. It's cuisine is a bit more refined (think chicharones with the guacamole) with a full bar. The margaritas are highly touted.

• The Bar, 172 Giralda Ave (2 Blocks from the Hyatt and Westin Omni, +1 305 442-2730. 11:30am to 2am daily. The Bar's kitchen is open late and the food has been voted "Best Bar Food in Miami." Another accolade comes from Maxim Magazine 2002 claimed The Bar was the "Best Bar in America.". Has drink specials every night of the week.

The Bar, 172 Giralda Ave (2 Blocks from the Hyatt and Westin Omni, +1 305 442-2730. 11:30am to 2am daily. The Bar's kitchen is open late and the food has been voted "Best Bar Food in Miami." Another accolade comes from Maxim Magazine 2002 claimed The Bar was the "Best Bar in America.". Has drink specials every night of the week.

Most consulates in the area are in Miami, and a few honorary consulates are in Fort Lauderdale.

• Barbados Barbados, 150 Alhambra Plaza, +1 786 515-1201.
• Colombia Colombia, 280 Aragón Ave, +1 305 441-1235.
• El Salvador El Salvador, 8550 NW 33rd St., Ste 100, Doral, +1 305 774-0840. Website is Spanish-language only.
• Italy Italy, 4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Ste 590, +1 305 374-6322.
• Norway Norway (Honorary), 806 S. Douglas Rd., Ste. 580, +1 305 358-4386.
• Spain Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Rd., Ste 203, +1 305 446-5511.
• Thailand Thailand (Honorary), 2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Ste 300, +1 305 445-7577.

Barbados Barbados, 150 Alhambra Plaza, +1 786 515-1201.

Colombia Colombia, 280 Aragón Ave, +1 305 441-1235.

El Salvador El Salvador, 8550 NW 33rd St., Ste 100, Doral, +1 305 774-0840. Website is Spanish-language only.

Italy Italy, 4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Ste 590, +1 305 374-6322.

Norway Norway (Honorary), 806 S. Douglas Rd., Ste. 580, +1 305 358-4386.

Spain Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Rd., Ste 203, +1 305 446-5511.

Thailand Thailand (Honorary), 2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Ste 300, +1 305 445-7577.

Coral Gables is in the metropolitan area of Miami. Nearby is Crandon Park Beach in Key Biscayne (on an island in the Biscayne Bay) and Parrot Jungle Island in Miami (close to the port).