scorecardI visited Miami's oldest neighborhood and discovered a lush, one-of-a-kind oasis unlike the rest of the city
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. I visited Miami's oldest neighborhood and discovered a lush, one-of-a-kind oasis unlike the rest of the city

I visited Miami's oldest neighborhood and discovered a lush, one-of-a-kind oasis unlike the rest of the city

Joey Hadden   

I visited Miami's oldest neighborhood and discovered a lush, one-of-a-kind oasis unlike the rest of the city
The author went to Miami's oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove, and found a shady tropical paradise.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest neighborhood and feels like a shady, tropical, Bahamian paradise.
  • But the neighborhood is quickly changing, with luxury apartments, hotels, and offices on the rise.

Welcome to Coconut Grove, Miami's oldest neighborhood known for its leafy streets.

Welcome to Coconut Grove, Miami
A shady park in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Sun-Sentinel

South of downtown Miami, Coconut Grove is located on a marina, giving it a different vibe from Miami's beach neighborhoods.

South of downtown Miami, Coconut Grove is located on a marina, giving it a different vibe from Miami
A map of Miami shows Coconut Grove.      Google Maps

But new developments in the neighborhood put it at risk of losing its unique feel as new construction replaces older homes and natural spaces, The Sun-Sentinel reports.

But new developments in the neighborhood put it at risk of losing its unique feel as new construction replaces older homes and natural spaces, The Sun-Sentinel reports.
Construction and new buildings in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Sun-Sentinel

I recently made my first visit to Coconut Grove and found a green paradise and an artsy shopping district.

I recently made my first visit to Coconut Grove and found a green paradise and an artsy shopping district.
The author visits Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But as I walked closer to the water, I found tall buildings housing hotels, banks, and other businesses.

But as I walked closer to the water, I found tall buildings housing hotels, banks, and other businesses.
A street near the water.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Coconut Grove was first established back in 1873 before Miami even existed, The Sun-Sentinel reports.

Coconut Grove was first established back in 1873 before Miami even existed, The Sun-Sentinel reports.
A lush area of Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Sun-Sentinel

In the 1870s, Bahamians settled here because the tropical landscape felt familiar, and the Florida Homestead Act provided nearly free land, Conde Nast Traveler reports.

In the 1870s, Bahamians settled here because the tropical landscape felt familiar, and the Florida Homestead Act provided nearly free land, Conde Nast Traveler reports.
A shady driveway in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In the 1900s, the new Florida East Coast Railway brought in wealthy white people looking to build winter homes in Coconut Grove, according to the same source.

In the 1900s, the new Florida East Coast Railway brought in wealthy white people looking to build winter homes in Coconut Grove, according to the same source.
A 20th-century estate in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Then creatives moved in, from Robert Frost to Tennessee Williams, Conde Nast Traveler reports. Perhaps for the same reason others were drawn to the area — the tropical landscape and affordable living, Boca Raton Magazine reports.

Then creatives moved in, from Robert Frost to Tennessee Williams, Conde Nast Traveler reports. Perhaps for the same reason others were drawn to the area — the tropical landscape and affordable living, Boca Raton Magazine reports.
The Coconut Grove Historical Museum.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Joe Donato, a jazz saxophonist who lived near Coconut Grove in 1970, told Boca Raton Magazine he was intrigued by "the way they let things grow ... like a jungle."

The influx of artists moving in made Coconut Grove a "hippy haven" by the 1960s, comparable to NYC's Greenwich Village and San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district, The New York Times reported.

The influx of artists moving in made Coconut Grove a "hippy haven" by the 1960s, comparable to NYC
A mural in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The neighborhood's theaters and festivals brought audiences to the area, Boca Raton Magazine reports. This put Coconut Grove on the map as a destination for the arts, according to The New York Times.

More recently, Coconut Grove is becoming known for its real estate boom as luxury apartments and hotels go up along the bay, The New York Times reported in 2020.

More recently, Coconut Grove is becoming known for its real estate boom as luxury apartments and hotels go up along the bay, The New York Times reported in 2020.
Buildings on the bay in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As a result, the new developments are attracting people from the glitzier parts of Miami, according to Conde Nast Traveler.

As a result, the new developments are attracting people from the glitzier parts of Miami, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
A residential building in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The neighborhood is so big, I visited it twice. On the first day, I explored the residential parts of the neighborhood. On the second, I wandered busy streets full of shops, businesses, and hotels.

The neighborhood is so big, I visited it twice. On the first day, I explored the residential parts of the neighborhood. On the second, I wandered busy streets full of shops, businesses, and hotels.
The two sides of Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I found the residential areas to be lush with trees and less walkable. I was often the only pedestrian in sight.

I found the residential areas to be lush with trees and less walkable. I was often the only pedestrian in sight.
A shady street in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Riding bikes is the best way to see the neighborhood, Conde Nast reports. After seeing people riding down the streets, I agree.

Riding bikes is the best way to see the neighborhood, Conde Nast reports. After seeing people riding down the streets, I agree.
People ride bikes through Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While you won't find stores and restaurants in the residential area of Coconut Grove, it is full of lush parks with walking and biking paths.

While you won
A trail in a park in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

With 16 parks, Coconut Grove is considered one of the greenest parts of the city, according to The New York Times.

With 16 parks, Coconut Grove is considered one of the greenest parts of the city, according to The New York Times.
Steele Mini Park in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought these peaceful streets were the most beautiful part of Coconut Grove. They made me feel like I wasn't even in Miami anymore.

I thought these peaceful streets were the most beautiful part of Coconut Grove. They made me feel like I wasn
A hidden driveway in the residential area of Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I stumbled upon The Vizcaya Museum and Garden, an early 20th-century estate-turned National Historic Landmark surrounded by 10 acres of gardens, according to Conde Nast Traveler.

I stumbled upon The Vizcaya Museum and Garden, an early 20th-century estate-turned National Historic Landmark surrounded by 10 acres of gardens, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
The Vizcaya Museum and Garden entrance and Trolley stop.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It wasn't open during my visit, but I hope to see the gardens next time I'm in Miami.

Source: Conde Nast Traveler

Next, I visited more developed areas and found shopping centers, sidewalk cafes, and many hotels, and I felt like I was in Miami again.

Next, I visited more developed areas and found shopping centers, sidewalk cafes, and many hotels, and I felt like I was in Miami again.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

New office buildings in this more developed area are drawing creative, tech, and finance companies, with luxury architecture and modernized shopping strips, The New York Times reports.

New office buildings in this more developed area are drawing creative, tech, and finance companies, with luxury architecture and modernized shopping strips, The New York Times reports.
New developments in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Coconut Grove is also known as a shopping hub. Independently owned boutiques line its streets, as does CocoWalk, a mall with brands from GAP to Victoria's Secret.

Coconut Grove is also known as a shopping hub. Independently owned boutiques line its streets, as does CocoWalk, a mall with brands from GAP to Victoria
The CocoWalk mall in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The shopping district felt like a middle ground between the peaceful, residential area and the booming bay.

The shopping district felt like a middle ground between the peaceful, residential area and the booming bay.
People wait to cross the street in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It was walkable, with shops and sidewalk cafes on seemingly every corner.

It was walkable, with shops and sidewalk cafes on seemingly every corner.
A shady street of sidewalk cafes and shops in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I can't help but think that the best part of my trip to Miami was discovering Coconut Grove's tranquil, oasis-like areas.

I can
The author in shady Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As development expands in Coconut Grove, I hope this historic neighborhood won't lose its roots and the intriguing appeal that makes it so special.

As development expands in Coconut Grove, I hope this historic neighborhood won
Trees grow in Coconut Grove.      Joey Hadden/Insider

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

BI Home Icon

Next Story

A complete timeline of the controversy surrounding Chip and Joanna Gaines' Ma…

Popular Right Now

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Advertisement