Coral Gables: Gardens, Architecture and History

Coral Gables offers several areas of focus when planning a stay: historic sites, architecture, garden visits, dining and performing arts. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which topics you’d like to spend time on. The destinations also offer different kinds of visits—from guided tours through historic rooms to walks and a narrated tram tour.

History and Architecture

The Venetian Pool opened in 1924 as the Venetian Casino. The facility is fed by spring water from an underground aquifer and has two waterfalls. Its original name, Venetian Casino, is part of the history of the place now known as Venetian Pool.

The Coral Gables Merrick House is a listed landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds include a historic grotto with ten fish species. Guided tours led by a guide take visitors through 14 rooms and are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Check the schedule before you arrive.

At the Coral Gables Museum, you can explore architecture as well as urban and environmental design. This takes the focus beyond individual buildings to questions of urban and environmental planning. Douglas Entrance, also called La Puerta del Sol, is one of the most elaborate entrances.

Gardens, Dining and City Life

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden covers 83 acres. Its size gives a garden visit a different scale from a single museum or architecture stop. The garden offers a free narrated tram tour; daily schedules may vary. Check the schedule before your visit.

Giralda Plaza is a pedestrian passage with restaurants, bars and cafés; its establishments offer indoor and outdoor seating. The selection includes Mexican, Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Greek, Mediterranean and Peruvian cuisine.

Walks, Events and Stage

At Miracle Mile, you can dine outdoors, people-watch and take a leisurely stroll. Some buildings there feature Mediterranean-style architecture with stucco façades and arched entrances. Events include art walks, shopping promotions, musical performances and holiday celebrations. If you want an event to shape your visit, confirm the specific date in advance.

By comparison, Giralda Plaza focuses on restaurants, bars, cafés and a variety of cuisines; Miracle Mile adds outdoor dining, people-watching, walks and events. When planning, this makes it easier to decide whether to focus primarily on dining options or to include several activities in public spaces.

Actors’ Playhouse presents a full season of Mainstage and children’s programs. The theater’s Theatre Conservatory offers classes for children, teens and adults. This means there are different formats to choose from: a season of stage programs and classes for several age groups.

Explore more destinations: Opa-locka, Bay Harbor Islands, Golden Beach, Kendall, Country Walk, Homestead, North Miami, Miami Beach

For the broader travel overview: Miami-Dade.