 Wide, tree-lined boulevards, winding roadways and green space give Coral Gables its identity as “The City Beautiful.” Planned on a grand scale in the late 1920s, the city’s design blends color and detail with Mediterranean Revival style.
Coral Gables’ enduring charm recalls George E. Merrick’s vision of beauty. Merrick developed a gracious suburb, which combined monumental buildings, ornate plazas and fountains with “villages” of houses built in Colonial, French, Dutch, South African and Chinese styles.
SIGHTSEEING
A walking tour will take you past some of the meticulously preserved landmarks that grace Coral Gables. Coral Gables City Hall, the city’s most important publicly owned building, is decorated with interesting interior murals and a distinctive portico. Not far away, two fountains mark the ornate entrance to the Country Club of Coral Gables Historic District, typical of the master-planned city. Beyond, many charming houses may be seen in streets with evocative names. The Venetian Pool, carved out of a spring-fed coral rock quarry, is a popular landmark and local attraction. Other Coral Gables landmarks include the University of Miami, the oldest university in the Greater Miami area dating back to 1925. The University enhances Coral Gables’ cultural amenities with the on-campus Lowe Art Museum; The Gusman Concert Hall; the Bill Cosford Cinema and the Ring Theater.
SHOPPING
Red brick paving, sidewalk cafes and tropical landscaping give character to Miracle Mile, the stretch of Coral Way between LeJeune Road and Douglas Road. Shoppers flock to fine boutiques and specialty stores to find the hottest new styles in everything from casual to couture fashion, bridal gowns and accessories and elegant home furnishings. The Village of Merrick Park is South Florida's newest luxury retail forum. The Mediterranean-style Village is set in an attractive garden setting and is anchored by Neiman Marcus and the first Nordstrom in Miami along with 115 internationally renowned retailers and a variety of upscale restaurants. The Downtown Coral Gables area is also noted for fine art galleries, which are a feature of Gables Gallery Night on the first Friday of each month. The events bring in thousands of people to view the works of local and international artists.
DINING AND NIGHT LIFE
Check out any list of fine restaurants and you will see that Coral Gables has a selection of highly rated dining establishments. Coral Gables restaurants appear on the culinary map for a variety of cuisines: French, Spanish, Brazilian, Floribbean, Cuban, Italian and classic steak houses. Their elegant ambience and exacting service are taken for granted in a city dedicated to fine living.
Never unduly loud, Coral Gables gently winds down after-hours as a more mellow mood takes over. Energy is redirected to quieter pursuits – live music in an art café, smooth jazz in a supper club or a film in one of the city’s three art cinemas.
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