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Where to Go
The Venetian Pool
“The world’s most beautiful swimming hole,” this 820,000-gallon swimming pool
was built in 1923 from a coral rock quarry and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The pool is fed with cool spring water and is
surrounded by two waterfalls, coral caves, and grottos. It is located at 2701
De Soto Boulevard. For more information, call 305-460-5356. For directions,
click here.
More >>
Fairchild Tropical Garden
The Garden is an 83-acre natural preserve on
the edge of Coral Gables that offers something for everyone. There are guided
walking tours, tram tours, and special seasonal events. The botanical garden’s
winding paths provide magnificent views of exotic plants, tropical flowers and
fruits, flowering vines, palms, and oaks. The hidden trails wind around 11
lakes, rain forest displays, wild undergrowth, ferns and orchids. Located at
10901 Old Cutler Road, Phone: 305-667-1651. For directions,
click here
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Golf Courses
Experience the Granada or Biltmore golf courses, the perfect spots for players
looking for a relaxing round of golf amid beautiful scenery.
The City operates the Granada Golf Course, the oldest 9-hole
course in Florida. Generous fairways, newly remodeled greens, minimal bunkering
and no water hazards make Granada accessible to golfers of all abilities.
Located in the heart of Coral Gables, Granada is surrounded by some of the most
historic homes in the City. It is located at 2001 Granada Boulevard. For more
information, call 305-460-5367. For directions, click here
click here.
The Biltmore Golf Course is a rare golf course because it is
both challenging for the experienced golfer and playable for the novice. It is
well-run and maintained, and above all, affordable. It has the historic
Biltmore Hotel as its backdrop, and unlike most Florida golf courses, the
Biltmore is not overrun with water and houses. Water comes into play on only 6
holes - just enough to keep you on your toes. The few homes that line the
perimeter of the course are some of the most beautiful in the City. The
Biltmore Golf Course is at 1210 Anastasia Ave. For more information, call:
305-460-5364. For directions,
click here.
Matheson Hammock Park
Known worldwide for its beautiful flora and fauna, this 600-acre park has
attracted nature-lovers and boaters for years. Matheson Hammock has a new,
well-marked 45-minute nature trail where you will encounter many species of
native vegetation and wildlife. Walk through the hammock to enjoy 15 native
hardwood trees such as the Gumbo Limbo, Jamaica Dogwood, West Indian cherry,
Stoppers, Live Oak, Wild Coffee and a wide variety of flowering shrubs and
vines. You will also see squirrels, gray Everglades foxes, opossums, skunks,
and colorful butterflies. A man-made island pool, flushed naturally by the
tidal action of nearby Biscayne Bay, features warm, safe waters. A nearby
restaurant is built into a historic coral rock building and offers beautiful
waterside views. Amenities include a full-service marina, a snack bar, picnic
pavilions and nature trails. The park is located at 9601 Old Cutler Road. For
more information, call 305-665-5475. For directions,
click here.
Coral Gables Merrick House
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this house stands as a
tribute to the history of South Florida. The Merrick
House was the home of Reverend Solomon G. Merrick, his wife Althea and
their six children. The Merricks’ oldest son, George, founded and developed the
City of Coral Gables. An example of early Coral Gables architecture, the house
exists much as it did in the 1920s and is operated as a museum. It is filled
with the Merrick family’s artwork, photographs, furniture, and personal
treasures. The Merrick House is located at 907 Coral Way. For more information,
call: 305-460-5361. For directions,
click here
More >>.
Lowe Art Museum
Located on the
University of Miami campus, the Lowe
Art Museum’s 12,000-plus freestanding objects, including: Greco-Roman
Antiquities; the Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque Art;
17th-20th century Art of the Americas and Europe; Asian, African and
pre-Columbian art. The collections span 5,000 years and represent the best of
Western and non-Western art, from classical to the contemporary. The pieces are
rotated among large and intimate gallery spaces. The Lowe Art Museum is located
at 1301 Stanford Dr. For more information call: 305-284-3535. For directions,
click here.
Fine Art Galleries
Coral Gables is an art lover’s paradise. Known as one of South Florida’s
premier centers for the arts, the City is home to dozens of art galleries. On
Gables Gallery Nights, a favorite event among locals, more than 4,000 people
walk or ride the trolleys to downtown Coral Gables to admire works by local,
national, and international artists. For a list of Coral Gables galleries,
click here.
All Aboard the Trolley
Visitors can ride the new vintage-style, hybrid
electric trolleys – a free and convenient way to move around the
shopping and entertainment destinations in downtown Coral Gables. The trolleys
are air-conditioned and have wide windows on all sides to give passengers a
panoramic view of the City sights.
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