{"id":3293,"date":"2015-09-30T06:34:23","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T11:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=3293"},"modified":"2015-09-30T06:34:23","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T11:34:23","slug":"miamis-coconut-grove-offers-unique-history-modern-living-for-locals-visitors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=3293","title":{"rendered":"Miami’s Coconut Grove offers unique history, modern living for locals, visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted September 30, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By VIVIAN BRAGA<\/p>\n

MIAMI — Once known as one of the most trendy spots in Miami, Coconut Grove faded as South Beach and Brickell rose. Now, the area is again growing to be one of Miami\u2019s most popular neighborhoods, offering locals and visitors highly disputed restaurants, historical sights and a busy nightlife.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople now think the Grove is cool,\u201d said local resident Rita Alvarez, \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t until a few years ago that people finally re-discovered the magic of this place and gave it a chance\u201d.<\/p>\n

As one of Miami\u2019s oldest neighborhoods, the Grove was buried when big investments were put into malls, chains and luxurious condos in the South Beach and Brickell area. But now, almost 15 years later, the old Grove spirit has been brought once again.<\/p>\n

Vizcaya, CocoWalk, Peacock Park, Monty\u2019s and the Mayfair Hotel & Spa are only a few of the famous attractions one is able to enjoy when visiting Coconut Grove for a day .<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to come and hang out here on Sundays with my family, there\u2019s just so much to do,\u201d said local visitor Martha Medeiros. \u201cThe Grove definitely offers the best brunch experience and environment, it\u2019s cozy and at the same time fancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peacock and Greenstreet Cafe are one of the most popular restaurants visited by locals and tourists in the area, especially for brunch.<\/p>\n

\"brunch<\/a>

Brunch experience at Peacock Cafe. (Photo by Vivian Braga).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cSometimes I have to call in and reserve a table a week in advance,\u201d said Giulia Bittencourt, frequent visitor of Peacock Cafe. \u201cSome of these restaurants have been here for years, but it wasn\u2019t until sometime ago that this madness for breakfast at the Grove began.\u201d<\/p>\n

For history and culture lovers, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has become increasingly popular on the Grove\u2019s to do list.<\/p>\n

The historic property and landscape have changed dramatically over the past years.<\/p>\n

This major tourist attraction offers visitors a beautifully designed mansion with 34 decorated rooms showcasing thousands of art objects and contemporary furnishings as well as European-inspired formal gardens and landscapes.<\/p>\n

\"Viscaya<\/a>

Vizcaya Museum in Coconut Grove (Photo by Vivian Braga).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt feels like a little bit of Europe in a Miami,\u201d said museum visitor Robert Gordon. \u201cThere\u2019s just so much history here and at the Grove. It\u2019s where it all began. It\u2019s where Miami was born.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mayfair Hotel & Spa is another common location for visitors at the Grove because of its atmosphere, impeccable service and fine decoration.<\/p>\n

The recently renovated building, \u201chas lately become more disputed by guests who come looking for the refreshing ambiance and setting of Coconut Grove,\u201d said Mayfair\u2019s receptionist Paola Samuels.<\/p>\n

Above, the Mayfair Pool & Lounge is located offering guests an incredible view of Miami\u2019s skyline combined with a Gaud\u00ed inspired design and casual vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mayfair\u2019s lounge is for sure my favorite secret spot at the Grove,\u201d said local visitor Justin Talmaciu. \u201cEven though it\u2019s far from the South Beach scene, they still host some of the most popular resident DJs, so you can still get a party feeling but in a more exclusive place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the 15,000 square feet of space, flowy white curtains enclose eight private pool cabanas and sofas, each containing its own flat screen television. Guests are able to sip on the bar\u2019s signature drinks while discovering a recently renovated unique Grove destination.<\/p>\n

When the clock hits 11 p.m., Coconut Grove bars like Moe\u2019s become filled by college students. Only a short cab ride away from one of Florida\u2019s most renowned academic institutions, University of Miami\u2019s students frequently seek the Grove for a good night out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoe\u2019s on Thursdays are almost like a ritual for me,\u201d said University of Miami student Melissa Cabral. \u201cIt\u2019s literally one of the few times a week I get to really enjoy a typical college night out bar hopping with all of my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

For most visitors, the most common issue encountered is parking. The rapid growth of the neighborhood has led to an increased availability of varied parking options, but these can get expensive. Private parking lots can range up to $15, whilst some garages charge hourly rates. Street parking costs 25 cents per quarter hour, but these spaces can get hard to find.<\/p>\n

\u201cI highly recommend taking an Uber or the Metrorail to come to the Grove,\u201d said local Peter Van Dunem. \u201cMost sights are walking distance one from the other and you\u2019ll end up spending way less than if you had to pay for parking.\u201d<\/p>\n

The increased popularity of the Grove has made it very accessible for visitors. The Metrorail ride costs about $3 and the Coconut Grove stop has become one of the most frequented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best part about the Grove is that it feels like it\u2019s at the center of Miami\u201d said college student Sue Kim, \u201cIt\u2019s right in between Coral Gables and Downtown and I feel like the area easily benefits from visitors who come both from the north and south of town\u201d.<\/p>\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n

GreenStreet Caf\u00e9
\nWhere: 3468 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, Fla. 33133
\nPhone: 305-444-0244
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.greenstreetcafe.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Peacock Caf\u00e9
\nWhere: 2889 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove, Fla. 33133
\nPhone: 305-774-3332
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.peacockcafe.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Viscaya Museum
\nWhere: 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami, Fla. 33129
\nPhone: 305-250-9133
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.viscaya.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The Mayfair Hotel
\nWhere: 3000 Florida Ave., Miami, Fla. 33133
\nPhone: 305-441-0000
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.mayfairhotelandspa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr Moe\u2019s
\nWhere: 3131 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, Fla. 33133
\nPhone: 305-442-1114<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Posted September 30, 2015 By VIVIAN BRAGA MIAMI — Once known as one of the most trendy spots in Miami, Coconut Grove faded as South Beach and Brickell rose. Now, the area is again growing to be one of Miami\u2019s … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":168,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"sidebar-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3293","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3293"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3297,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3293\/revisions\/3297"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}