The Top Things to Do in Coconut Grove, Miami

Located on the 8th floor of the Hotel Arya Coconut Grove, this fabulous restaurant delivers a twinkling view of Biscayne Bay. The hearty menu – with generous portions to match – includes New York sirloin steak and pasta dishes. It also offers a happy hour menu featuring spicy popcorn shrimp, fried chicken dumplings, chili dip and tortilla chips. Pair it with a cocktail, and you’ve got the perfect set-up to relax for a whole evening.

Key West meets tiki bar at Monty’s, where the seating sprawls beneath thatched shelters, across from the marina’s gleaming yachts. Its legendary Happy Hour – 4pm to 7pm during the week – includes $6 mojitos, frozen drinks and a “Pain Remover” rum punch. The three-hour window is also when its so-called raw bar boat opens, offering oysters and shrimps for $1 a pop. Weekends bring live bands playing Caribbean music and classic hits into the night.

Yes, that’s right, free. Yoga can be pricey, especially in Miami, where boutique fitness classes have taken the city by storm. These free, hour-long classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm on the grass. Come out and soak up the beautiful Miami weather – especially in the fall and winter months, when it’s a little cooler – and practice your downward dog. All you need to bring is a mat, some water and good vibes.

Barely-there waves, consistent wind and water that’s never deeper than 13ft – the Bay of Key Biscayne is an excellent place try your hand at sailing. It’s quick to learn the ropes on an easy-to-maneuver 13ft Hobie Wave Catamaran, so you’ll be cruising around solo in no time. Experienced sailors can head further away from shore – look out for the incredible creatures of the South Florida seas, such as pelicans, bottlenose dolphins and eagle rays.

For those times when a chill-out day is in order, you can’t beat Cinépolis. The movie theater doesn’t just offer fresh buttery popcorn and ice-cold soda, but an entire bar and lounge area. On the menu is comfort food such as spicy chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, nachos, chicken fingers and jerk chicken sandwich. Pair this with a beer and comfy leather seats, and you’ve got an awesome pre-movie-going experience.

The CocoWalk shopping mall has a host of great brands, such as Edite Mode, Victoria’s Secret, GAP, Maui Nix and Tervis. When you’re all shopped out, regain your energy at one of the restaurants, such as pasta at the Cheesecake Factory, a burger at Duffy’s Sports Grill or Mexican food at El Burrito. The mall also makes a great to cool down from the hot weather, especially if you grab yourself a Starbucks iced coffee.

Mouthwatering brunch favorites grace the menu at Lulu in the Grove: choose between the likes of red velvet waffles, huevos rancheros, eggs benedict, Kobe beef sliders and crunchy green tomatoes. This popular spot also mixes a range of brunch-suitable cocktails, such as bloody marys and mimosas made with blood orange or guava. Ask for a table outside if the weather permits, and relax in the shade of the giant umbrellas.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxed neighborhood dive as a change from the South Beach bustle, Barracuda Taphouse & Grill has your back. This small, dimly lit bar offers a huge menu full of craft beers. It also has pool tables for groups to battle it out over some good conversation and a cold brew. The bar menu features mahi-mahi sandwiches, Cuda burgers, chicken wings smothered in spicy BBQ sauce and loaded French fries.

Nine-acre Peacock Park is one of the Miami’s prettiest recreational grounds. It’s not just designed for relaxing in the dappled shade as peacocks strut around you – there’s a sports court, a skate park and playgrounds, too. When it rains, there’s also an indoor space with ping-pong and foosball tables. Stretching all the way to the waterfront, you could plan your day to include both the park and a marina activity, such as paddleboarding or fishing.

Enter the ‘secret garden’ on Hotel Arya’s stylish terrace, decked out with festoon lights, lanterns and shady trees. This hideaway is a super romantic spot, especially underneath starry night skies. The menu features European-style snacks and meals, such as prosciutto and brie cheese sandwiches, pear and blue cheese salad and tonnarelli pasta with lobster. Great with a glass of cold white vino – or for something non-alcoholic, you can’t beat the homemade lemonade.

The fantasy, Renaissance-style villa Vizcaya has become something of an LGBTQ icon, having been built as the winter home of businessman and flamboyant socialite James Deering (1859-192). Now a National Historic Landmark, you can explore the 34 rooms and its 10 acres of formal gardens. Special events at the house include socials with cocktails and canapes, luncheons and the monthly Gardens by Moonlight event, where you sip wine at dusk as musicians play throughout the grounds.