{"id":1170,"date":"2009-08-13T09:29:34","date_gmt":"2009-08-13T14:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=1170"},"modified":"2016-12-17T02:43:44","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T08:43:44","slug":"miami-neighborhood-boasts-luxury-hotels-restaurants-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2009\/08\/miami-neighborhood-boasts-luxury-hotels-restaurants-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami neighborhood boasts luxury hotels, restaurants and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Brian Chapman<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Miami

Coconut Grove dining. (Photo: Maegan C. Paniewski\/Image provided by Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau www.gmcvb.com.)<\/p><\/div>\n

After moving around as an Army brat and growing up all over the world, I finally found a place to settle down: the Coconut Grove area of Miami.<\/p>\n

Like the rest of Miami, Coconut Grove is blessed with warm weather and tropical sunshine year ’round.\u00a0 However, unlike the hustle and bustle of Miami, Coconut Grove is a quaint historic section of south Miami that is known for luxurious living, small town boutiques, and unparalleled dining.<\/p>\n

I love driving home through the canopies of enormous banyan trees, and seeing the same indoor plants from Virginia growing naturally all around me.\u00a0 If our yellow lab, Sunshine, lets us leave the dog park, my girlfriend and I walk into the very pet friendly heart of the Grove regularly for drinks and dinner.\u00a0 While enjoying cool breezes at sidewalk tables, it\u2019s easy to look around and see why Miami vacations<\/a><\/strong> are so popular — incredible sunshine,tropical environment, luxurious cars, and exotic people.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Miami

Grove Isle Hotel & Spa<\/p><\/div>\n

Cocowalk, in the heart of the grove, makes it easy to find familiar stores and restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Gap.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also find one-of-a-kind stores and restaurants like Jaguar\u2019s Ceviche Bar<\/a> and Ludo\u2019s Italian Restaurante.\u00a0 If you\u2019re not local, Coconut Grove has some of the best Miami hotels<\/a><\/strong>, such as The Ritz-Carlton<\/a><\/strong>, Mayfair<\/a><\/strong>, and Grove Isle<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 All of which have the best restaurants in South Florida and a full spa for a little bit of pampering before and\/or after dinner.<\/p>\n

Coconut Grove\u2019s central location and beautiful viewsof Biscayne Bay offer the perfect location for a variety of city events.\u00a0 Each year, my girlfriend and I join thousands of tourists and locals at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival<\/strong>.\u00a0 We also enjoy the impressive fireworks displays on the 4th of July and New Years Eve.\u00a0 In addition, Coconut Grove shuts down the streets for one of the largest Halloween parties with some of the wildest costumes ever seen on Halloween! Less traditionally, Coconut Grove hosts the annual Coconut Grove Bed Races<\/strong> and the King Mango Strut<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Miami

Vizcaya mansion. (Photo: Maegan C. Paniewski\/Image provided by Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau www.gmcvb.com.)<\/p><\/div>\n

each winter! Tracy and I also look forward to more subtle evenings out like going to see Shakespeare in the Park at Peacock Park<\/strong> or listen to the music at the Barnacle.\u00a0 Before the Sandbar, Fat Tuesday, and Crazy Pianos get jumping for the late night entertainment, be sure to check out the Vizcaya mansion<\/strong><\/a> or the Fairchild Botanic Garden<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

With so much to see and do, and so many restaurants and shops, Coconut Grove is a great part of any Miami vacation.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n