12 Best Things to Do in Coconut Grove to Make the Most of Your Trip

Located in the American Southwest city of Miami, Coconut Grove is a vibrant South Florida neighborhood filled with world-class restaurants, fashionable boutiques, and tree-lined streets, just a few minutes from Downtown Miami and Brickell and about a half hour from South Beach. Although Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood has no beaches, it's far from landlocked. Located on Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove has long been a haven for boaters who dock at Dinner Key Marina. The waterfront is also home to lively restaurants, beautiful parks, and walking paths. Coconut Grove is also home to the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, one of the country's largest juried arts festivals in the country, and the King Mango Strut -- a New Year's parade that satirizes local and national politics.

• Best for fashionistas and foodies - Shopping and Dining
• Best for day on the water - Boating

• Best for architecture and history lovers - Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
• Best for nature and art lovers - The Kampong
• Best for organic and vegan cuisine - Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Market

• Best for boaters and water lovers - Dinner Key Marina
• Best for history Buffs - Barnacle Historic State Park
• Best for cycling and family adventures - Bike the Commodore Trail

• Best for people watching - CocoWalk
• Best for music fans - Live Music

• Best for relaxing afternoon - David T. Kennedy Park
• Best for learning about Miami's oldest neighborhood - Coconut Grove Walking Tours

Established in the late 1800s, Coconut Grove is the oldest permanent settlement in the city of Miami. The Coconut Grove neighborhood is known for its lush tree canopy and proximity to Biscayne Bay, making it a desirable place to visit and live. Downtown Coconut Grove is a family-friendly place lined with boutiques, cafes, and parks. Though it's just a short drive from Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach, Coconut Grove has a completely different vibe that can best be described as Boho-chic. These destinations should definitely be in your Miami neighborhood itineraries when you visit!

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Fashionistas and foodies
• ‌Website‌: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/restaurants/coconut-grove-restaurants
• ‌If You Go:‌ Try the key lime pie at Fireman Derek's pie shop (yes, owner Derek Kaplan was a genuine Miami Firefighter before he changed his career to pie maker).

Coconut Grove is one of Miami's best places to spend an afternoon strolling. The neighborhood's tree-lined streets offer shade from the city's heat, allowing people to enjoy a day of window shopping. Beat the heat by stopping into Panther Coffee for a refreshment or try a slice of pie from Fireman Derek's to fuel you up for a day of strolling. Afternoons are meant for enjoying a leisurely brunch at a hidden gem like Merekai or a lively outdoor cafe like Greenstreet. In the evening, why not enjoy dinner at Michelin-approved restaurants? Coconut Grove is home to some of the best restaurants in Miami.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ A day on the water
• ‌Website:‌ https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/l/outdoor-experiences/dinner-key-marina/2917
• ‌If You Go:‌ Make sure to bring good shoes and sunscreen for your water excursion.

Coconut Grove is located directly on Miami's Biscayne Bay, so boating is something you must do in Coconut Grove if you can. The neighborhood is steeped in boating culture and hugs miles of coastline. Boating enthusiasts can charter a boat for fishing or sightseeing at Dinner Key Marina where you'll find boats available for fishing charter or pleasure cruises. Or, simply enjoy some fresh seafood at Monty's Raw Bar for a marina view while still on land.

Coconut Grove's gorgeous terrain just begs to be explored. The best things to do in Coconut Grove during the day include strolling lush gardens like the Kampong, exploring historical mansions like Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and discovering delicious farmer's markets. Or, simply spend a leisurely time window shopping at its various boutiques, take in a reading at the local bookstore, or relax with a cold brew coffee at one of the Grove's many parks. Each of these places to visit in Coconut Grove are perfect if you just have one day, or you are looking for something to enjoy on a longer trip.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Architecture and history lovers
• ‌Website:‌ https://vizcaya.org
• ‌If You Go:‌ Visit Vizcaya's website for farmer's markets and special events.

If you love architecture and grand mansions, then a trip to Vizcaya is a must-do in Coconut Grove. Businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune, built Vizcaya on Biscayne Bay between 1914 and 1922 to the tune of $15 million. The estate, known then as Villa Vizcaya, was influenced by the French and Italian villa styles of its time. Today, the house and gardens are open to the public, with many Miamians hosting private events, weddings, and photo shoots on its exquisite grounds.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Nature and art lovers
• ‌Website:‌ https://ntbg.org/gardens/kampong
• ‌If You Go:‌ Check The Kampong's website for special tours and classes, which are usually free with admission.

Explore the collections of plant explorer David Fairchild at his wonderful home and gardens, located directly on Biscayne Bay. The Kampong is one of the most unique places in Coconut Grove and offers lush tropical gardens filled with perfume and fruit plants, along with a plant research and education center. The Kampong also offers guided tours of the gardens.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Organic and vegan cuisine
• ‌Website:‌ https://glaserorganicfarms.com/index.php
• ‌If You Go:‌ Taste some of Miami's rich bounty of tropical fruits such as mangoes, mamey, coconuts, jackfruit, and more.

Each Saturday, Glaser Organic Farms hosts an organic farmer's market in Coconut Grove. The market is filled with both hot and cold prepared foods, along with fresh fruit and vegetables from this local Miami farm. The market also hosts dozens of other vendors who offer everything from handmade crafts and jewelry to honey and coconuts. Bring your appetite and enjoy a lunch of fresh, organic items at the market's shaded picnic area.

Although it doesn't have beaches, Coconut Grove lies directly on Biscayne Bay. The "Grove" is home to several marinas where you can rent a sailboat, charter a fishing boat, or catch a sightseeing cruise. Coconut Grove is also home to many charming parks and walking/jogging paths. Outdoor activities in Coconut Grove can include taking a walk along Biscayne Bay for some exercise with a water view, or heading to family-friendly Peacock Park for a picnic, or tackling the workout circuit at David T. Kennedy Park.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Boaters and water lovers
• ‌Website:‌ https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/l/outdoor-experiences/dinner-key-marina/2917
• ‌If You Go:‌ Visit adjacent Miami City Hall, which is formerly the Pan Am Seaplane Terminal.

Considered Florida's largest wet slip marina, Dinner Key Marina is home to a multitude of watercraft. Here, you can catch a ride on a fishing boat, grab a sightseeing cruise, or even charter a yacht and crew. If you'd rather look at that water than be on it, there are several waterfront restaurants at the marina for your dining pleasure.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ History buffs
• ‌Website:‌ https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/barnacle-historic-state-park
• ‌If You Go:‌ Bring a blanket and relax on the great lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Walk through a small mangrove hammock to reach the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe. The home, built in 1891, was Munroe's rustic waterfront home. The home also offers concerts and hosts festivals and fairs on its grounds.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Cycling and family adventures
• ‌Website:‌ https://www.100floridatrails.com/trails/commodore-trail.htm
• ‌If You Go:‌ Be sure to wear a helmet -- the Commodore Trail's path has parts broken by the roots of the old shade trees that make bicycling here so enchanting.

Coconut Grove is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Miami — and also has the most shade trees. The best way to see the area and its unique houses is by bicycle. The Commodore Trail is a beautiful tree-lined bicycle trail that runs north to south for 5.5 miles, following a winding road straight through to neighboring Coral Gables.

In the evening, Coconut Grove comes alive with visitors and locals strolling its lush streets, dining in outdoor cafes, and window shopping. The Grove is home to several restaurants listed in the Florida Michelin Guide, along with small, local spots to grab a gelato, coffee, or even a piece of key lime pie. your list of what to do in Coconut Grove wouldn't be complete without people watching or live music.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ People watching
• ‌Website:‌ https://cocowalk.com
• ‌If You Go:‌ Plan your day around shopping and eating.

Located in the very center of Coconut Grove, CocoWalk is more than a shopping center. Recently given a facelift, CocoWalk offers communal space to relax and meet friends, multiple restaurants, boutiques, and a movie cinema. In addition, there are wellness centers, salons, and ongoing events.

• ‌Perfect For‌: Music fans
• ‌Website:‌ https://calendar.coconutgrove.com/calendars/all-events/3173182
• ‌If You Go:‌ The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District offers a robust calendar of live music at various locations throughout the neighborhood.

Miami's Coconut Grove offers live music nightly at its many parks, restaurants, and bars. The Coconut Grove Business Improvement District provides a calendar of events on its website.

Coconut Grove is one of Miami's most picturesque neighborhoods. The area is lush with greenery. The streets are lined with trees, making it a pleasant place to wander the day away. Try to spot one of Coconut Grove's most beautiful residents — the peacocks that call the Grove home. History buffs will want to seek out Coconut Grove's historic Bahamian neighborhood, where Bahamian people settled in the 1870s to seek out a better life.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ A relaxing afternoon
• ‌Website:‌ https://www.miami.gov/Parks-Public-Places/Parks-Directory/David-T.-Kennedy-Park
• ‌If You Go:‌ Bring your furry friend — Kennedy Park is dog friendly and has an off-leash safe dog area for Fido to roam in.

Located on Coconut Grove's Bayshore Drive, Kennedy Park is the place to find local residents of Miami's Coconut Grove jogging, playing, walking their dogs, or enjoying a beautiful sunny day in paradise. The park offers a looping jogging path, picnic tables, a dog park, a fitness circuit, and more. The park also has a short boardwalk that overlooks Biscayne Bay for a lovely water view. On a clear day, you'll be able to spot Downtown Miami and Key Biscayne in the distance.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Learning about Miami's oldest neighborhood
• ‌Website‌: https://coconutgrove.com/wp-content/uploads/Historic-Walking-Map-Sm.pdf
• ‌If You Go:‌ Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

If you'd like to explore Coconut Grove on your own, the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District has put together a handy walking tour map that can be downloaded for free. The map highlights 13 historical points of interest — all within easy walking distance of Downtown Coconut Grove. Sites include historic homes, the Coconut Grove Cemetery (founded in 1900), and Coconut Grove's Little Bahamas neighborhood. It's one of the most fun activities for families — and it's free. Be on the lookout for Coconut Grove's peacocks. These colorful mascots of Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood can be found wandering throughout the Grove and you can find colorful peacock statues scattered throughout the Coconut Grove neighborhood as a tribute to these fine feathered friends.

While Brickell, Wynwood, and South Beach might get most of the limelight, if you're looking for an enchanting day filled with history, green spaces, delicious food, boutiques, and plenty of places to explore, then Coconut Grove is a "must-see" when visiting Miami.