Thinking of visiting Florida? You just can’t miss out on visiting the beautiful Coconut Grove. Coconut Grove lies along Biscayne bay’s shoreline and is a chic, upscale neighborhood. There are many cafes on the sidewalks, as well as chic shops around CocoWalk Mall. One of the many green spaces in this area is the historic Barnacle Historic State Park on the bay, which houses a mangrove forest and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The museum’s center is an extravagant villa designed in Italian style. There are also many marinas and sailing clubs along the waterfront.
Locally, Coconut Grove is known as The Grove and is the oldest continually inhabited neighborhood in Miami, Florida. Although the neighborhood was sometimes called Cocoanut Grove, the official spelling of the name was Coconut Grove when it was incorporated in 1919.
If you’re thinking of visiting Coconut Grove for a short vacation, or if you’re moving to the area for good, then you are in for a treat! Coconut Grove offers tons of fun things to do that will surely make you fall in love with this beautiful neighborhood. Read on to find the 10 best things to do in Coconut Grove, Florida!
What are the BEST things to do in Coconut Grove, Florida?
1. Enjoy a Delicious Meal at Greenstreet Cafe
For 31 years, Greenstreet Cafe has been a favorite of both locals and tourists in Coconut Grove, Florida. It has become a landmark and is always on the list of visitors. Founded by businessman Sylvano Bignon, Greenstreet Cafe is a place with a friendly atmosphere and is a popular meeting place day and night by athletes, artists, and even local politicians.
They boast of their delicious meals from breakfast to dinner, and even late-night cravings! Greenstreet’s philosophy is to always serve good food to its customers. Some of their most popular dishes and drinks include their signature Fig Salad with Salmon and their delicious Cucumber Martini.
2. Explore the Coconut Grove Art Festival
Coconut Grove Arts Festival is always a highly anticipated event. This is the 56th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival and it is a highlight of Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s busy winter cultural calendar. The Coconut Grove neighborhood is alive with stalls and stands from more than 360 juried artists as well as culinary demonstrations, live music, and other family-friendly activities.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival is a celebration of the arts. The festival attracts more than 120,000 people each year and occupies a stretch of Coconut Grove that overlooks the Biscayne Bay sailboats. You can find art in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, painting, photography, and jewelry. You can also expect top-quality artists in a variety of styles!
3. Go on a Hiking Trip at The Barnacle State Park
The Barnacle Historic State Park, a 5-acre Florida State Park located in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.
The Barnacle Historic State Park was built in 1891 and offers a glimpse into frontier life during the Era of the Bay. This was Ralph Middleton Munroe’s home, one of Coconut Grove’s most charismatic and influential pioneers. Munroe kept the forest intact on his land by removing only a narrow buggy trail through the hammock, barely enough to accommodate one vehicle. The property is home to many old, large trees.
Daytime activities include visiting the historic site, hiking, and watching wildlife. It is a popular spot in Miami for concerts and other events throughout the year.
4. Bust the Florida Heat with Morelia Gourmet Paletas
Morelia Gourmet Paletas boasts of their different and delicious ice cream experience. They are located in the heart of Coconut Grove, next to Warby Parker and Panther Coffee. This is one shop that you can’t miss if you are visiting Coconut Grove.
A popular dessert spot, Morelia Gourmet Paletas offers 16+ different flavors which are all made with 100% natural ingredients. They also serve Paleta Shakes which are made from two different flavored paletas (of your choice!) and turn them into a smoothie or a milkshake, whichever you like! And you can also customize your paletas by simply adding a dip or a topping – or both – to your paleta!
5. Go International with Atchana’s Homegrown Thai
Atchana’s is a solid spot for Thai food in Coconut Grove. It is a family-operated restaurant that has been serving delicious Thai food in Coconut Grove. They have a variety of dishes including pad thai, crispy duck, and “Son-in-Law Eggs.” You can also take home a bottle of the Great Mango Sriracha they make.
Atchana’s Homegrown Thai restaurant which devotes a large portion of its menu to different types of Sriracha is a good place to start. Atchana’s Homegrown Thai even partners with other small businesses such as local microbreweries and South Florida farms for their ingredients to ensure that they are also extending all the support they can give to others.
This one should definitely be on your list when it comes to honest, down-home authentic Thai food!
6. Have a Fun Time at Top Golf
Top Golf has made socializing a sport by combining technology and entertainment. They boast of the energy and good vibes their customers feel in the venue. As one of the most visited entertainment places in Florida, there is totally no pressure to get high scores or have a great golf swing. It’s about having fun.
Top Golf also knows that great food and drink are the foundation of any social gathering. The Topgolf Miami Gardens restaurant has an experienced Executive Chef and a team of skilled chefs who use high-quality ingredients to bring a new twist to familiar favorites.
There are many things to do in Coconut Grove, but Top Golf is the place to be if you want to experience something truly special!
7. Dine at the Peacock Garden
Peacock Garden is a beloved local restaurant located in Coconut Grove. It has been the go-to place for dining in the Grove’s historic area for 10 years. Peacock Garden’s unique setting in a secret garden inspired it to offer an indoor/outdoor dining area that is perfect for al-fresco dining. Diners can enjoy a meal under starry skies and in the shade of trees while the garden surrounds them with flowers and plants. There are a Seafood & Raw Bar, Casual Favorites, and Fresh Fish as well as Steaks, Salads, and Pasta. A Daily Roast section offers rotating specials. The garden inspires cocktails that combine traditional mixology techniques with modern ones.
8. Visit Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park, an American national park, protects the twenty percent of the original Everglades located in Florida. It is the largest national park in America and the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River. Each year, the park is visited by an average of 1 million people.
The Anhinga Trail is a great place to see alligators, turtles, and herons. You can also climb the Shark Valley’s 65ft observation tower to get a bird-eye view over the glades. If you’re looking for dolphins, manatees, or crocodiles, take a tour boat or kayak and glide across Florida Bay. Flamingo, Florida’s southernmost point, is where the sunsets. You can explore the pinelands on a bicycle, bike among the mangroves at Nine-Mile Pond, and visit the Nike Hercules missile station. Take a hike deep into the heart of a Cypress dome with a ranger. Enjoy solitude and solitude while on a seven-day canoe trip that takes you along the Wilderness Waterway.
The website for the National Park has a calendar where you can plan your visit. There are many different tours available all year round. The calendar will also show you what events are ongoing and what events you can catch during your visit! There are permitted tours available for those who are looking to go around the park in smaller groups. There are also Ranger-guided tours available year-round and their schedules are posted on the calendar as well.
9. Get Drinks at Duffy’s Sports Grill
The original Duffy’s Drafthouse was started by two childhood friends who became business partners in Lake Park in Florida in 1985. Duffy’s offered a wide range of beer options, but only four items were available: Grilled Mahi Sandwiches, Hot Ham and Cheeses, Smoked Sausage, and 1/2 lb. Cheeseburger. These original dishes were served with potato chips, so you didn’t need to use any silverware or fryers.
If you’re up for a fun night in Coconut Grove, then Duffy’s is definitely one of the places you must visit! They even have Vegan-friendly and Gluten-free options. Duffy’s Sports Grill is open to serve you lunch, dinner, late-night meals, and drinks from 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM (the next day)!
10. Start Your Day Right with Brunch from B Bistro + Bakery
B Bistro + Bakery in Miami is an urban oasis created by Henry Hane, a Miami celebrity chef. B Bistro + Bakery draws on influences from all over the world, as well as the chef’s talents and passions. They offer freshly made pastries such as Danish, Brioche, and a variety of flaky croissants. Signature desserts include macaroons and petit gateaux (small cakes).
B Bistro + Bakery offers a rotating menu that includes savory breakfast items, delicious lunches, and open-face sandwiches. Every day, they are open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for breakfast, lunch, or brunch. It is simply a place you must visit when you’re in Coconut Grove looking for delicious meals!
There are just tons of great things to do in Coconut Grove and for sure, you will never run out of great places to visit whether you’re just visiting or staying for good! This is just a shortlist of what amazing, fun things you can do in the neighborhood but it doesn’t mean that fun ends here. Coconut Grove is truly sparkling gen in South Florida and you’ll be doing yourself a favor if you don’t miss out on any of these great places!
