South-west of the city centre is the suburb - now not quite so select as it originally was - of Coral Gables, laid out in Mediterranean style by George Merrick from 1926 onwards to the design of his father, with extensive parks and sports grounds.
It is bordered by Calle Ocho to the north, Sunset Drive to the south, Le Jeune Road to the east and Red Road to the west.
Notable features are City Hall, the Miracle Mile, the Colonnade Building, the Venetian Pool (a swimming pool in a quarry of coral limestone) and Coral Way, with Coral Gables House (1907). A striking architectural feature is the former Biltmore Hotel, designed by George Merrick in the 1920s. The Lowe Art Museum of the University of Miami has collections of the arts and crafts of the Pueblo and Navajo Indians, American painting and old masters of the Renaissance and Baroque (the Kress Collection).
The 83-acre Fairchild Tropical Garden has an extensive collection of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines. The site also offers programs in environmental education, conservation and horticulture.
Address: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156, United States
Phone: 1 (305) 667-1651, Fax: 1 (305) 661-8953
Hours:
9:30am-4:30pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Reservations required for groups.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service, Wheelchair loan or rental
The Lowe Art Museum of the University of Miami features a large and diverse collection ranging from the arts and crafts of the Pueblo and Navajo Indians to American painting to old masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods (the Kress Collection).
The total collection consists of more than 6000 pieces with one highlight being the Alfred I Barton collection of Southwestern Native American weaving. There are also galleries with art from Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
Address: Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Drive, Miami, FL 33146-2005, United States
Phone: 1 (305) 284-3535, Fax: 1 (305) 284-2024
Hours:
10am-4pm; Sun:12pm-4pm; Closed: Mon
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Florida Grand Opera performs new works each season at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County or the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The opera has a reputation for engaging young artists who are making the transition to professional careers in the arts, with the Young Artists Studio.
Address: Florida Grand Opera, 8390 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33145-2927, United States
Phone: 1 (305) 854-7890, Fax: 1 (305) 856-1042
Tips: Call for schedule.
Prices vary according to performance.
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Village of Merrick Park is a shopping destination with world-class shops, a garden, fountains, and tropical foliage. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes.