The city of Coral Gables provides many opportunities to immerse in historical, gastronomical, and culturally popular experiences. This guide intends to give readers recommendations on places to visit that are unique to Coral Gables and can help expand knowledge on their perception of the City of Coral Gables.
The Venetian Pools:
The Venetian Pools is the largest freshwater pool in the United States. The Venetian Pools opened in 1924 as the “Venetian Casino” and was created from an abandoned coral rock quarry. The area is decorated in the Mediterranean Revival style and is the only pool on the National Register of Historic Places. It is recommended to go on weekdays when it is less busy and open from 11-5:30. It is also worth noticing that if you are a Coral Gables resident you can get a hefty discount. If you find yourself in Coral Gables on a warm day, you should check out the Venetian Pools on a rare occasion to cool off in “Venetian-esque” surroundings.
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens:
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens is another gem situated in the area of Coral Gables. The park is 83 acres large and has collections of several exotic, native plants, birds, and fruit and various ecosystems and exhibits. One of the several notable exhibits is the Wings of the Tropics Conservatory for Butterflies. Fairchild Gardens is also known for their events, such as the International Mango Festival and the Fairchild Palms 5K run/walk. Fairchild Gardens is definitely a must visit if you are in Coral Gables. You could certainly spend a whole day walking through and attending events at Fairchild. If you get hungry the Glasshouse Café is the cafeteria found inside the park with views of the greenhouse. Fairchild is open every day of the week from 10AM to 5PM. Hours might differ for holidays. There is also the possibility of becoming a member and getting unlimited access for a year. Student discounts exist on day-fares and there are also discounts if you bike to the gardens.
Merrick Park:
If you want to experience the side of Coral Gables’ shopping and dining, the open-air mall known as Merrick Park is worth checking out. The Village at Merrick Park, as it is formerly known, is a unique high-end shopping mall close to the center of Coral Gables. It is a 10-minute walk away from the Douglas Metrorail Station and a 3-minute walk away from the nearby trolley station. For authentic Parisian Cuisine, Brasserie Central is the place to go, serving escargot among other French delights in a Parisian decorated restaurant. Sawa a Mediterranean style and Mi’Talia an Italian place are two highly restaurants also found in the mall. In other words, for everything from a simple coffee break to a full meal, the shops at Merrick Park are likely to have something you are looking for. On the other side of the coin, shopping at places such as Nordstrom, Gucci or Hugo Boss is possible. It is also possible to work out at Equinox with a day pass or existing membership or check out Bo Concept’s home furniture design store. Spa treatment is also available if you have had a long day, at stores like Le Petite Spa Corp.
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