Coconut Grove is the oldest permanent settlement in Miami Dade. So, it is no wonder that Coconut Grove is one of Miami most historic, culturally rich neighborhoods with a vibrant laid-back, tropical vibe and bohemian charm. Known for its shady promenades lined with funky shops and restaurants, the Grove packs in a whole lot of history and culture into a relatively little area along Biscayne Bay. Banyan trees, palms, and live oaks line quiet residential streets. Parks and green spaces dot the Biscayne Bay shoreline, and peacocks are known to roam wild.

Many families and young professionals own their homes in Coconut Grove and love the urban suburban mix feel it offers due to its many parks, restaurants, coffee shops and water activities, primarily, boating.

The Grove, as it is often referred to, is famous for boating, and it is home to the Dinner Key Marina, where you can feast your eyes on a multitude of sailboats moored just offshore. Most people who are new to sailing learn how to do it well at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. And those that do not engage in the sport but love the sight of a great weekend regatta, can watch the spectacle from Peacock Park or David T. Kennedy Park. In fact, The Grove, especially the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Regatta Park. are the center of the action during Miami Sailing Week.

The Grove offers various outdoor dining options. Glass & Vine, the lush indoor/outdoor oasis within Peacock Park, draws in the brunch crowds on beautiful weekend afternoons. Coconut Grove’s newest and most chic restaurant, Bayshore Club, made its debut in the coveted waterfront space that was the former longtime home of Scotty’s Landing. The massive indoor and outdoor space is a nostalgic nod to midcentury travel and the area’s Pan Am roots. Just north of the restaurant, Bayshore Club features an area called “the lawn,” with private cabanas, lounge seating, games like ping pong and corn hole, and even fire pits. And yes, in true Miami fashion, you can even arrive for your meal via boat. Another noteworthy and restaurant is Peacock Garden Bistro where you can dine under the stars in the “secret garden.”

One of the best arts and cultural events drawing art lovers from all over the county and the country takes place in February and it is called the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. It takes over the neighborhood and showcases work by local and international artists in an outdoor setting.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the most famous house in Coconut Grove, is a palatial historic residence and pristine grounds which will transport you to Miami’s gilded age. The Italian Renaissance-style villa and gardens set on Biscayne Bay were completed in 1916 as Chicagoan industrialist and Europhile James Deering’s winter estate. Today, Vizcaya is a popular year-round attraction that hosts a range of events, from farmers’ markets and community workshops to decadent themed fetes.

Coconut Grove is also known for its many beautiful, lush, and accessible parks. Among the 16 parks Coconut Grove boasts is the Kampong, an 11-acre tropical garden that was originally the home of famed horticulturalist Dr. David Fairchild in the early Twentieth Century. The Kampong includes an Indonesian-inspired house set by a lagoon, and it is one of just five National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Florida and Hawaii.

In addition to The Grove’s natural beauty, residents enjoy some of Miami’s best shopping. Besides numerous local boutiques, the neighborhood is home to two open-air malls, Coco Walk and Streets of Mayfair.

There is always something to do and enjoy in The Grove, from reveling in the craziness of the King Mango Strut Parade, one of Miami’s longest-running annual parades which parodies the year’s headlines on the last Sunday of December, to learning about the history of Coconut Grove while pedaling in tandem aboard a 15-seater Cycle Party bicycle, to spending a splendidly relaxing afternoon at any one of the 16 parks.