{"id":4652,"date":"2019-09-26T13:44:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T18:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4652"},"modified":"2021-10-23T12:36:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-23T17:36:06","slug":"48-hours-miamis-unique-coconut-grove-offers-unique-charm-weekend-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=4652","title":{"rendered":"48 Hours: Miami’s unique Coconut Grove offers unusual charm, weekend activities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted October 2, 2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By ADAM J. SPECTOR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the distinctive architecture of the area, unique stores and restaurants, historic landmarks and countless other things to do, Coconut Grove is arguably the second-most recognizable part of the Miami Metropolitan area to visitors aside from Miami Beach. The area of Coconut Grove is the oldest continuously populated neighborhood of Miami, as it officially became a part of Miami-Dade County in 1925. In addition to its unique charm, Coconut Grove is one of the more walkable areas of Miami, making it a perfect place for a short 48-hour trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12:30 p.m. Enjoy lunch at Lokal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Interior of Lokal, located on Commodore Plaza. The secret entrance to Vicky’s House is in the phone booth to the far right. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lokal is one of the more popular\nrestaurants in Coconut Grove. Known for its creative takes on the classic\nAmerican hamburger and its unique atmosphere, ‘it’s not always easy to get a\ntable, as the place is usually quite crowded. The restaurant serves many\ninteresting twists on old-time classics. Each menu option is creatively thought\nout by its owners and chefs, including such choices as the Miami Heat burger as\nwell as the Cracker Cowboy chicken sandwich. For dessert, it’s worth checking\nout Vicky’s House, the hidden milkshake bar that is only accessible through a\nphone booth in the corner of Lokal’s interior. Once you go through the booth,\nyou will be transported back in time in with milkshakes inspired by 80s\ncultural staples and an exact replica of the owner\u2019s kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1:30 p.m. Shopping at nearby stores\nincluding This N That<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The “secret” entrance to Vicky’s House inside of Lokal <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Located right across from Lokal are a\nnumber of unique shops. This N That, is one of the oldest stores in the area,\nwhich has been in business since 1957. The ‘store’s merchandise, including\nfurniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, collectibles and antiques are donations,\nand the store is run by the non-profit organization, Plymouth’s Women’s\nFellowship. Although the items have been donated, there is a lot of good stuff\nto be found at lower than average prices. In addition to finding a plethora of\naffordable relics, you’re also supporting a good cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3:30 p.m. The Barnacle Historic State\nPark<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Munroe House in Barnacle Historic State Park (Photos by Adam Spector)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Biscayne Bay is located at the end of Barnacle Historic State Park property.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the way to the Barnacle Historic State Park, make sure to pass by the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which is one of the most talked-about abandoned buildings in the city. The building first opened its doors in 1927 and has been a staple of the area ever since. Although the Coconut Grove Playhouse has been closed for more than a decade, the old-fashioned exterior with its classic 1920s look still remains a prominent landmark in the area. After passing by the playhouse, re-enter the “Era of the Bay,” and a time before even railroads came Miami. The Barnacle Historic State Park is a five-acre Florida State Park in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami at 3485 Main Highway. Built in 1891, it is the oldest house in its original location in Miami. The Barnacle was designed by owner Ralph M. Munroe in back in 1891, who is considered the \u201cFather of Coconut Grove.\u201d Munroe was also an author, photographer, boat designer and a well-known environmentalist. For a $5 entree fee, visitors can take a quick tour inside the estate and ‘there’s a nice walking path with plenty of scenery to stop and observe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 p.m. Dinner at Spillover:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dinner, head to the Spillover, a low-key bar, and restaurant owned by one of the Grove’s top restauranteurs. The Spillover offers a wide array of starters, salads, sandwiches, main dishes and desserts, which are all made in-house and from scratch, including their famous key lime pie. The restaurant is best known for its local seafood, such as the Florida Fish Tacos ($15). The restaurant also has outdoor seating, which is popular with dog owners and there is actually a menu for dogs with each item only costing $5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 p.m. Rest at the Mayfair Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Interior of Vicky\u2019s House after entrance through the Time Machine.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Mayfair Hotel & Spa is a very\nunique hotel located near Cocoa Walk. The moderately priced hotel also has a\nspa as well as an outdoor pool on the roof. Other than the rooms, much of the\nhotel is outdoors. The nice rooms, great location, and one-of-a-kind style of\nthe building make this the perfect place to stay for a 48-hour trip to the\nGrove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SATURDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. A stroll through Peacock Park<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peacock Park is a 9.4-acre park by the\nshore of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. The ambiance is incredible, and it’s an\nopen green space on a beautiful piece of land. In addition to this, there is a\nbaseball field, a basketball court, swings, making it a great place to hang out\nfor people of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 a.m. Greenstreet Caf\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in within Peacock Park, the\nGreenstreet Caf\u00e9 is another one of the more popular restaurants in Coconut\nGrove, as it is crowded just about every day of the week during breakfast,\nlunch, and dinner. The restaurant is known for high-quality food, reasonable\nprices and its unbeatable location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 p.m. Kayaking in Biscayne Bay<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right off of Bayshore Drive and near\nDinner Key, Kayaks, Flyboards, and Jet Skis can be rented from the nearby\nshops, such as Miami Watersports, located on 3400 Pan American Drive Pier 9.Kayak\ntrips in Biscayne Bay are always great fun, as one can go around all the small\nislands nearby or remain in their kayaks all times. It’s calm and beautiful, as\nthe sun reflects off the water. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with\nFlorida nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 p.m. Monty’s Raw Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monty’s Raw Bar is a quintessential\nCoconut Grove restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating. With great live music,\nlocal foods, and beautiful views of Biscayne Bay, Monty’s is a must-visit for\nlocals and visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 a.m. Brunch at Chug\u2019s Diner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within walking distance of Mayfair,\nChug\u2019s is a small diner in Coconut Grove serving mostly breakfast and many Cuban\nfavorites with a modern flair. The low prices for food and nice outdoor seating\narea makes it a fun place for a quick bite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

11:15 a.m. A Walk Through Regatta Park<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The exterior of the Cruz Building, located on Commodore Plaza across from Lokal and next to This N That.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Regatta Park is a public park located\nin Coconut Grove located right next to the bayside with some nice waterfront\nviews. The park is often the site of small festivals and community gatherings\nthroughout the year. Opened in 2015, Regatta Park is the newest park in the\nGrove and is especially popular with dog-owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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