By: Kara Franker
Coral Gables is brimming with art, culture and history.
Head to historic Coral Gables for a colorful arts and culture scene, beautiful architecture and festivals for all ages. Known as the “City Beautiful,” Coral Gables features family-friendly vibes, a great food scene and opportunities for local boutique shopping. Adding to its allure, the neighborhood offers visitors and locals a peek into Miami’s stunning architectural past. Stroll down charming retail-lined boulevards shaded by towering banyan trees, among a variety of galleries, theaters, historical sites, gardens and more.
Enjoy Broadway classics and timeless shows at Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
Catch a Show
Coral Gables is known for its entertainment and theater community. Located in the heart of Miracle Mile, you can’t miss the historic Actors' Playhouse at Miracle Theatre, which puts on Broadway showstoppers as well as local productions for both adults and children. Past performances have included classics like “West Side Story,” “The Toxic Avenger,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “In the Heights” and more.
Inside the luxurious Biltmore Hotel, you’ll find a small local theater called GableStage. It was originally founded in 1979 as Florida Shakespeare Theatre, bringing together international talent and top local actors, directors and playwrights to produce Broadway-style shows. This award-winning theater produces everything from Off-Broadway hits to indie classics.
The Coral Gables Art Cinema is an art house theater that plays top independent, foreign and documentary films like “Summer Wars,” “Paprika,” “Dazed and Confused” and “Lost in Translation.” Movies play almost daily, and visitors can visit the website for movie dates and times.
Learn about the neighborhood's history at the Coral Gables Museum
Explore Local Art
Coral Gables is also home to a range of boutique art galleries that house everything from contemporary fine art to sculptures, paintings and more.
While these galleries are open year-round, on the first Friday of every month art lovers can head to Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Gallery Night Live, where dozens of curated galleries open their doors along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Hosted by Virginia Miller and the Coral Gables Gallery Association, this free event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Most galleries typically serve complimentary wine and refreshments for pedestrians wandering in and out of their shops. When it’s over, Coral Gables’ charming bar and restaurant scene is still open and vibrant, so pop into one of its intimate bars for another glass of wine or late-night bites and cocktails.
Located on Aragon Avenue not far from Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Museum takes visitors on a journey through the neighborhood's architectural landscape. Housed in a historic coral stone building built during the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this museum features architecture, urban design and planning exhibits, all with an element of sustainability. It also hosts monthly bike tours, monthly canoe tours and Saturday morning walking tours. The museum also offers free admission on the first Friday of the month in conjunction with Coral Gables Gallery Night, when it hosts presentations of current exhibits along with live music.
While it isn’t an official art gallery, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is home to prized collections of exotic plants, vibrant flowers and a handful of outdoor art installations situated throughout the lush property. Dale Chihuly has had longstanding exhibits there, while butterfly gardens, art and photography classes and stunning views make this garden a must-see cultural institution.
Attend a Festival
With its charming ambiance, Coral Gables is the perfect neighborhood to host local festivals. One of the most popular annual summer festivals is the International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Each spring, Miracle Mile turns into a global stage for musical performances featuring Latin jazz, funk and Caribbean rhythms during Carnival on The Mile. A non-stop party, this event is free and open to the public. Area restaurants line up along Miracle Mile to serve delicious food and drinks to hungry patrons.
From January through the end of March, Coral Gables hosts a Saturday morning farmers market, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., where local growers sell bananas, chilies, citrus, spices, herbs, honey, a wide variety of plants and trees, and much more. It takes place in front of Coral Gables City Hall, at the intersection of LeJeune Road and Biltmore Way.
Coral Gables is home to many historic landmarks, like the Merrick House
Learn About Our History
Learn more about all of the wonderful cultural amenities, historical attractions and natural wonders that Coral Gables has to offer by visiting the City of Coral Gables’ official Welcome Center, located at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 100.
This partnership with the GMCVB features materials such as maps and serves as a gathering point for members and visitors.
Located inside the Chamber’s headquarters in the heart of the downtown Coral Gables business community, the Welcome Center is home to a plethora of useful information and sizzling savings for your next vacation, staycation or weekend adventure!
Browse through places of interest, dining options and hometown happenings on their fully ADA compliant Welcome Center kiosk. Or you can interface with the app on your mobile device.
Coral Gables has endless opportunities for exploration, no matter what type of traveler you may be. Come and experience The City Beautiful for yourself.
As a historic community in the center of Miami-Dade County, Coral Gables gives visitors and locals a peek into a part of Miami’s past. Eleven locations have earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places:
There’s surely more arts and culture in beautiful Coral Gables than you can soak up in just one trip. So you’ll just have to save some for your next visit to The City Beautiful.
And please make it soon! Exciting experiences await you.