GMCVB Vacation Planner 2012 : Page-19
COCONUT GROVE A little bohemian, a little Bahamian, and altogether fascinating, “the Grove” is just 10 minutes south of Downtown Miami but is still a place where people can stroll tree-lined streets, pop in at cafes and bookstores, and savor a waterfront ambience. Settled in the 1800s by Bahamian pioneers along with an eclectic group of scientists, writers and other intellectuals, Coconut Grove is one of Greater Miami’s original neighborhoods and still maintains its historic charms, which visitors will discover at places like The Barnacle, home of early settler Ralph Munroe; and the palatial Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, former winter residence of industrialist James Deering. Over the years, adventurous spirits continued flocking to the Grove, including artists from all over the U.S. and Europe, who opened studios and art galleries and often could be seen setting up their easels on the sidewalk to capture the local scene on canvas. Today, Coconut Grove retains its village ambience and artistic character, two traits that meet beautifully during the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Other major events also reveal the unique spirit of the Grove, from the annual Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival, Taste of the Grove and the Great Grove Bed Race to the many world-class regattas that take place every season, paying tribute to the Grove’s bayside location and status as a renowned sailing community. Among the major regatta events are the Orange Bowl Regatta in late December, the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in late January DOWNTOWN MIAMI The view from a sleek office or hotel tower tells the story in Downtown Miami — busy streets, teeming with businesspeople and tourists; the distinctive facades of entertainment showpieces and shopping enclaves; enormous cruise ships and other vessels docked at one of the world’s busiest ports; and shimmering in the distance, Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. This is urban living, Miami style — surrounded by palm trees, flavored by cultural variety and wrapped in sunshine and balmy temperatures year round. But any time is a great time to be in Downtown Miami, especially when the Heat is on... that’s HEAT as in 2006 NBA champs The Miami HEAT, whose acquisition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh sent fans into a ticket-buying frenzy. The HEAT hold court at the AmericanAirlines Arena, set right against the Bay within walking distance of shopping and dining venues. Another major venue that has transformed the face of Downtown Miami is the visually distinctive Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, located just north of the AmericanAirlines Arena. In the heart of Downtown Miami, the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts — which opened in 1926 as the Olympia Theater — still reflects the grandeur of that era. Nearby, the Miami-Dade Cultural Center is home to the Miami Art Museum, HistoryMiami and the main branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library, while Bayfront Park and the James L. Knight Center are sites of frequent concerts and other cultural events. Of course, if you’re just looking for a few hours of fun, Downtown Miami is a great place to find it. Just off the MacArthur Causeway to the east, the Jungle Island wildlife theme park and Miami Children’s Museum feature entertainment for the whole family. For many visitors to Miami, shopping holds all the fascination they need, and Downtown Miami is the starting point. With Flagler Street as its historic heart, the Downtown shopping district is a wholesale haven where bargains abound. Heading east toward glittering Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace is an open-air complex of national retailers, one-of-a-kind kiosks, restaurants and cafes. In May 2012, Downtown Miami's waterfront hosts the start of the trans-Atlantic leg of the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race. Across the Miami River from the heart of Downtown lies the Brickell Business District — whose main corridor, Brickell Avenue, is lined with international banks, offices and hotels. Just around the corner is Mary Brickell Village, an oasis of shops and boutiques mixed with restaurants and popular watering holes. Downtown offices may empty into Mary Brickell Village at 5 o’clock, but the center’s leafy walkways and plazas draw plenty of visitors at all hours. To read more about Downtown Miami, turn to page 46. and Bacardi Miami Sailing Week in mid-March. To make it all the more enjoyable, the city’s regatta program, “Sail the Grove,” offers drink specials and free door prizes and giveaways, along with discounts on shopping and dining for all regatta participants. Shopping in Coconut Grove is almost an art in itself, as visitors browse the boutiques along Commodore Plaza and Main Highway for everything from fine jewelry and antique books to cutting-edge fashions. Meanwhile, entertainment centers like CocoWalk and the Shoppes at Mayfair boast an array of specialty shops, encompassing both national retailers and independent shops that epitomize sophistication and cool. CocoWalk and the Shoppes at Mayfair also boast a number of restaurants, along with clubs that keep the fun going way past dinnertime. When it comes to dining, though, the entire Grove is like one big culinary celebration, whether you’re feasting on the freshest seafood, prime steak and pasta, or sampling ceviche by the spoon. To read more about Coconut Grove, turn to page 56. MiamiandBeaches. com 19
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