Known as “The City Beautiful,” Coral Gables was master-planned by visionary developer George Merrick in the 1920s. Today, the thriving city is home to stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture, wide avenues, landscaped plazas and beautiful public spaces. This tree-lined residential area southwest of Downtown Miami makes for an ideal family-friendly getaway. Its beach on Biscayne Bay, museums, legendary bookstore and great restaurants are ripe for exploration.

Fun Outdoors

Venetian Pool

For a fun-filled afternoon of splashing around under the sun, the Venetian Pool might just be the most unique watering hole your family has ever dipped its toes in. Set in a coral rock quarry, the 820,000-gallon pool is fed by natural springs and filled with grottoes and waterfalls and a Venetian-style bridge.

Matheson Hammock Park

Thanks to the tranquil, shallow waters lapping at the lovely manmade atoll beach on the shores of Biscayne Bay, Matheson Hammock Park has one of Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s top family-friendly beaches. While you’re there, invite the kids to take an easy hike through the preserved hardwood hammock or have fun paddling around on rented kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.

Chapman Field Park

If your kids enjoy spotting wildlife, consider exploring Chapman Field Park’s rookery island and mangrove waterways by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Vendors such as iPaddle Miami will make life easy by delivering the gear directly to you. You may see manatees, wading birds and other critters.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Back on land, immerse your children in a different part of the natural world with a visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s 83 acres, which are filled with tropical plants and trees. Meander along trails to the butterfly garden, rainforest and sunken garden while learning about plants and wildlife native to Miami as well as from around the world.

Museums & Culture

Coral Gables Museum

To learn more about the history and urban planning involved in designing “The City Beautiful,” pay a visit to the Coral Gables Museum. Its exhibitions delve into architecture and environmental design. If you happen to be in town on the second Saturday of the month, swing by for Family Day on Aragon. The kids will love the hands-on activities, live entertainment and fun workshops.

Lowe Art Museum

With a permanent collection spanning from ancient Greek artifacts to paintings by modern masters, the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami is an ideal place to soak up some culture on your family vacation. With its manageable size, free admission and captivating temporary exhibitions, it’s a pleasant place to visit and stretch your mind.

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre

Enjoy a night at the theater with your family at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Miami’s premiere regional theater company. In addition to Tony Kushner’s powerhouse “Caroline, Or Change” and “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” the 2024 season includes children’s theater productions of “Stuart Little,” “Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Arthur & Friends Make a Musical!”

Dining

CRAFT Coral Gables

Start or end your day at CRAFT Coral Gables, which specializes in both hearty breakfast fare served until 4 p.m. and Neapolitan-style pizza often accompanied by live music in the evening. CRAFT also has a straightforward kids menu with crowd-pleasers such as chicken tenders and cheeseburgers with fries.

Doc B’s

Set on a corner on Miracle Mile, Doc B’s is another great option for family dining with its spacious dining room and wide-ranging menu of Americana fare, including burgers, sandwiches, salads and pizza.

The Grilled Cheese Gallery

Grilled cheese is a surefire way to satisfy kids of all ages. The Grilled Cheese Gallery takes the humble sandwich to the next level with more than a dozen varieties, ranging from the classic (made with cheddar on artisan white bread) to the Duchess (made with lobster, a four-cheese blend, lemon, paprika and chipotle aioli).

Shake Shack

When a quick bite to go is in order, there’s no place like Shake Shack for a gourmet smash burger, cheese fries and a strawberry milkshake in a fast-casual setting.

Coral Gables Trolley — Take the free Coral Gables trolley

Getting Around Coral Gables

Visitors can get around Coral Gables with ease aboard the city’s free trolley service, which operates Monday through Saturday along two routes that connect riders to the Douglas Metrorail station just south of Coconut Grove. Hop on and off to enjoy points of interest along the way, including Coral Gables Museum, Books & Books and Miracle Mile’s shops and restaurants. To make it even easier to use, you can track the trolley in real-time.

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