Getting to the Hotels from MIA and FLL Airports
Miami International Airport (MIA) is located just a few miles north of Coral Gables.
Options for traveling to the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables from MIA include Uber/Lyft or standard Taxi service (both cost around $25); and city busses (take the 37 bus southbound for the Hyatt, fare is $2.25, service ends around 10 p.m.).
Ft. Lauderdale Airport (FLL) is about 30 miles away, but worth considering because you can sometimes find lower fares.
Options for travel from FLL to Coral Gables include: Uber/Lyft (around $60); standard Taxi (around $75); Tri-Rail to MIA ($5, last train leaves at 9:53 pm) and then see above.
Coral Gables in General
Coral Gables is a separately-incorporated city located within Miami-Dade county that is home to the University of Miami. Coral Gables is mostly surrounded by the City of Miami and other separately-incorporated cities including South Miami and various unincorporated pockets governed directly by the county.
The city website includes useful information about recreation facilities, etc.
Transit in General
Miami-Dade county is not exactly known for its commitment to mass transit. However, Coral Gables is relatively well served both by the county busses and the Metrorail, as well as the free trolley system, and the Freebee, an oversized free golf cart service that serves Coral Gables and other neighborhoods. And, of course, every third car in Miami-Dade is an Uber or a Lyft.
All of these services have associated apps that you may want to consider downloading ahead of time.
Restaurants
Miami Herald Food Critic Carlos Frías has great taste. Check out his recommendations here.
In Coral Gables/ Walkable from the Hotels
Latin
Havana Harry’s (Cuban/local favorite)
Sergio’s (Cuban/fusion)
Coyo Taco (Mexican/casual)
Aromas del Peru (Peruvian, with several ceviche options)
Graziano’s in the Gables (Argentine steakhouse)
Graziano’s Market (Argentine restaurant/market, known for their brunch, wine/empanada happy hours)
Asian
Izakaya (Japanese/sushi)
Ichimi (Ramen)
Zitz Sum (Chef-Driven Asian)
Mediterranean
Spanish/Tapas
Vegetarian-Friendly
Italian/Pizza
Cafe
Bachour (pastry, breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Green Gables Cafe (breakfast and lunch)
Threefold (breakfast and lunch)
Café Demetrio (breakfast and lunch)
Pasion del Cielo (coffee)
Desserts
Misha’s Cupcakes (popular local chain)
Morelia Gourmet Paletas (Mexican-style ice-cream treats)
Freddo (Argentine ice cream chain)
Salt and Straw (ice cream)
Bars
Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen (Australian brew pub)
Cebada (Rooftop bar)
Fritz and Franz (German)
The Globe (bar with Jazz)
*You will also find a variety of familiar chain restaurants scattered along Miracle Mile
(a.k.a. Coral Way)
Short Drive (Mostly non-walkable Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, Dadeland, Wynwood)
Latin
Versailles (Traditional/ Cuban Exile HQ)
La Trova (Cuban/Famous Chef Michelle Bernstein)
Asian
1 800 Lucky (Asian food hall in Wynwood)
Atchana (Thai)
Bombay Darbar (Indian/Traditional)
Ghee (Farm-to-Table Indian/Famous Chef Niven Patel)
Lan Pan Asian Cafe (Fusion)
Mamey (Asian-Caribbean Fusion, owned by Chef Patel)
Matsuri (Japanese/Sushi)
Fancy Americanish/Chef-Driven
Mediterranean
Spanish/Tapas
El Carajo International Tapas and Wines (inside a gas station)
Vegetarian
Italian
Farinelli 1937 (wine/pizza/salad)
Strada (fancy)
Cafe
Madruga Bakery (breakfast and lunch)
Bars
Taurus (diveish with whiskey)
The Mighty (neighborhood bar with good cocktails and beer selection)
Monty’s (waterfront)
Biltmore Hotel (old world fancy)
Titanic Brewery and Restaurant (microbrewery with good happy hour deals)
Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern (converted old house with deck)
Lincoln’s Beard (microbrewery in a warehouse area)
J. Wakefield Brewing (microbrewery in Wynwood)
Wynwood Brewing (microbrewery in Wynwood)
Nightlife
Fonda La Chimosa (Colombian Restaurant and Salsa Dancing)
Ball and Chain (Cuban Restaurant and Salsa Dancing)
Lagniappe House (Live Music)
The Dirty Rabbit (Latin Dancing)
Racket (Late night cocktails)
Gramps (Live music and cocktails)
Club Space (Downtown Dance Club)
Exercise and Outdoor Stuff
•Coral Gables Running Routes
The most accessible low-traffic jogging near the conference hotel is around the Granada Golf Course, just west of Le June and south of Alhambra Circle. (The Golf Course is about a two-mile circuit.) For a longer route include Country Club Prado Parkway just west of the Golf Course.
•Swimming
Venetian Pool: The rare “historic” swimming attraction–a deep, cold, lake-like spring-fed pool in the middle of Coral Gables.
University of Miami Pool: An Olympic-size pool for serious swimming. Admits visitors for $8. Call ahead to make sure it’s open.
Open Water and Beaches: See Key Biscayne (below)
•Key Biscayne
Virginia Key/Key Biscayne is the beach area closest to Coral Gables (around 4 miles east). To get there you need some kind of wheels, either public transit such as the Coral Way trolley, the 24 bus, or the Metro Rail to Vizcaya station, or Uber/cab.
The Rickenbacker Causeway is great for running and cycling and then there are various beach areas between the causeway entrance and the historic lighthouse at the tip of KB. They include Hobie Beach (hobie rentals, open water swimming), Crandon Park (general service nice beach), and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (wild and scenic)
•Bikes
You can rent bikes in Coral Gables from No Boundaries Sport https://www.noboundariessport.com/.
Miami also has Citibike, though mostly on Miami Beach and Coconut Grove and not in Coral Gables.
Snorkeling in Key Largo (about an hour’s drive from Miami): Pennekamp Park has a boat that goes out regularly. It’s a good idea to make reservations; you can rent equipment from them too. https://pennekamppark.com/snorkeling-tours/
Kayaking: The closest option is Shake-a-Leg, which offers kayak and canoe rentals. They’re located in Coconut Grove next to a visibly marked old Coast Guard station hanger. You can paddle around the bay and visit a series of islands. If you can get farther afield, you can drive to either Bill Sadowski Park (about 30 minutes from Coral Gables) to kayak the canals, or Oleta River State Park (also about 30 minutes from the Gables) if you want to kayak around some mangroves (note: it becomes a drinking scene with loud music in the afternoon).
Museums/Things to do with Children
•Fairchild Tropical Garden (butterfly releases take place twice daily, usually mid-morning and mid-afternoon)
Deering Estate (a historic home in a scenic area with environmentally-significant hiking trails and a significant indigenous history from the Tequesta to the Seminole Wars era.)
*Tropical Park (farmers’ market on Saturdays, children’s playground, hiking paths, boating and fishing available on the lakes, various basketball courts and sports fields)
*Coral Gables Art Cinema frequently shows family- and kid-friendly movies late mornings on Saturday and Sunday.
*Shark Valley Visitor Center is the nearest point of entry to Everglades National Park (about 33 miles due west of Coral Gables). It offers guided tram tours and bicycle rentals. Alligators are usually plentiful and plainly visible.
C19 2022: Reconstructions 