The best things to do in Coconut Grove, Miami's charming and historic waterfront

The grand dame of Miami real estate, this Italian Renaissance-style villa set on Biscayne Bay served as Chicagoan industrialist James Deering’s winter home from 1914 to 1916. Its perfectly manicured gardens are a photographer’s dream. Visit for the wildly extravagant architecture, the idyllic setting, and hundreds of European antiques and works of decorative art from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Time Out tip: Vizcaya often hosts free, family-friendly programming and festive events like themed parties, outdoor yoga and a Farmers Market every Sunday from 9am to 2pm at Vizcaya Village just across the street. 

David T. Kennedy is a charming waterfront park with walking/cycling trails, a dog park, outdoor fitness equipment, volleyball courts and the Instagrammable “Miami”-etched benches that face Biscayne Bay.

Time Out tip: After a scenic workout or some leisurely dog- and people-watching, cool down with a frozen lemonade from the A.C.’s Icees truck, which has had a permanent spot in the parking lot for more than four decades. 

Feed your soul, nourish your body and stock your fridge at Glaser Organic Farms’ weekly market. Aside from fresh, seasonal produce, the event brings out numerous local vendors from the health and wellness space for a delicious array of treats to satisfy different cravings and dietary preferences—from sweet and salty to vegan and gluten-free. Saturdays 10am–6pm

Books & Books is a beloved independent shop stocked with bestsellers but also lots of small publishers. You can rely on their knowledgeable employees to guide you through the store’s vast selection of books and to help you select your next page-turner. In need of a last-minute gift for someone of any age? Books & Books has quite a range of options, from fun notebooks to swanky coffee table books. And don’t forget to check out the kids’ section upstairs while you’re at it.

Monty’s is a tried-and-true spot on the water suitable for rowdy college students and families alike. Thatch-roofed, open-walled miniature tiki huts surround a stage from which reggae and calypso bands do their damnedest to persuade the crowds to dance. From post-work drinks to weekend brunch offered every Saturday and Sunday, there’s never a wrong time to hit up Monty’s for an indulgent meal and some boozy drinks overlooking the water.

Time Out tip: Time your visit with the live tunes: every Thursday from 5 to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm.

The Kampong is a stunning, nine-acre botanical garden with an Indonesian-inspired house set by a lagoon that’s been visited by the likes of Winston Churchill, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Dwight Eisenhower in its storied past. One of just five National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Florida and Hawaii, it’s certainly a place worth visiting not only for the eye candy but also for its weekly programming—which ranges from sunset yoga to photography classes to candlemaking and more.

Launched in 1963 by local residents, this three-day festival over Presidents’ Day Weekend brims with music, food, art and family-friendly activities. Enjoy work from more than 260 artists—everything from glass and clay works to fiber, photography and painting are featured here—all while you stuff your face with local bites.

This historic, beautifully renovated and rebranded hotel boasts a tranquil plant-filled atrium on the ground level, where you'll find the open-fire concept Mayfair Grill (recently taken over by top Miami chef Giorgio Rapicavoli) and the Fountain Lounge, a sexy lobby bar for sipping cocktails. On the rooftop pool deck, hang for a while at SipSip, a lively Caribbean-themed rum bar with breezy views of the bay.

Time Out tip: For a funky Sunday funday, head to up to Sipsip from noon to 8pm to partake in $10 cocktails and discounted snacks like $2 oysters and $8 fish tacos.

Constructed in the late 19th century, this distinctive home on the water’s edge served as the original residence of pioneer Ralph Munroe. It’s the oldest standing house in Miami-Dade County, having survived hurricanes and other natural disasters, and today operates as a historical site. For just $2 (free for kids five and under), you can explore the home and the old boathouse—or pencil in one of its many public events, like seasonal theater productions and live entertainment.

Opened in 2019, Mr. C is a luxury boutique hotel where each of the 100 rooms boasts its own breezy outdoor terrace. Booking a treatment at the luxurious and intimate Beata spa, which specializes in skincare and facials, grants you access to the hotel’s beautiful rooftop pool. Also on the roof, Bellini Restaurant and Bar is an incredible perch for enjoying classic Italian fare with sweeping bay and city views. 

One of the Grove’s numerous waterfront greenspaces, Peacock spans more than 9 acres including basketball courts, soccer fields, a playground and a boardwalk that overlooks Biscayne Bay.

Time Out tip: Glass & Vine also offers a scenic indoor/outdoor dining experience within the park that adults will appreciate while kids enjoy the adjacent playground. 

One of Miami’s longest-running annual parades, King Mango parodies the previous year’s headlines on the first Sunday of each new year, turning them into wacky and hilarious costumes and floats. We get it, some years are tougher to relive than others. But the mixed bag of quirky characters and mildly offensive humor proves that laughter cures all. After the strut, ring in the New Year with live entertainment and bands playing all around the Grove. There’s a reason this parade has been going strong for more than three decades.

From a humble food truck to a petite MiMo storefront and now a fresh shop in one of Miami’s most coveted zip codes: Our favorite El Bagel recently expanded to Coconut Grove and it's every bit a destination in its own right. Like the Biscayne Boulevard “bageleria,” El Bagel Coconut Grove serves its regular lineup of bagels, signature sandwiches and drinks. Think staples like the traditional BEC and the classic Lox Supreme made with locally smoked lox plus original creations like the EB Original with scallion cream cheese, roasted jalapeños and thick-cut bacon will also feature on the menu. 

Time Out tip: Latkes and other new items are offered exclusively at the Grove location, along with vegan options, uncut bagels, schmears, salads and fish available for purchase.

Previously a dusty construction zone, the outdated and underutilized CocoWalk has finally been transformed into a multistory, semi-outdoor mall designed to match the luxe new condos that have risen on the waterfront. Anchored by Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, current retail tenants include Bluemercury, Glosslab and Sportive, but the main draw is the food: Mister 01, Salt & Straw, Sushi Garage and upscale vegan spot PLANTA Queen are just a few places you can grab a bite in the area.

One of the few omakase spots in town that won’t break the bank, OMAKAI Sushi recently expanded beyond its original Wynwood location and found a home in Coconut Grove.

Time Out tip: Aside from OMAKAI’s various reasonably priced tasting menus, they also offer happy hour every Monday through Saturday from 3 to 6:30pm with some killer deals. Think $3 beers, $5 wines, $5 appetizers and $6 nigiri and hand rolls.

This open-air, waterfront space is a sophisticated playground of sorts, boasting numerous food vendors, bars, ample seating, games and music to enjoy in the evenings and weekends. Families gather to let the kiddos stretch their legs during the day while evenings or for bustling happy hours. Either way, you'll be enjoying the bayfront views and the boats slip by.

Whether you’re looking to grab a quick taco, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail in a speakeasy-style bar or dance the night away, Bodega’s Coconut Grove location offers a three-in-one special. With a taco shack in front, a lounge to party ‘til the wee hours in the back, and a swanky mezcaleria upstairs, you can truly choose your own adventure—or hey, even enjoy all three if the mood strikes (and the tequila hits).