Miami-Port Miami

Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Little Havana

Each of the three areas in Miami is so unique and interesting that one could write a book about them. These areas are worth exploring, provided you have the time, money, and desire. When I lived in Miami, I frequently visited these areas. I fondly remember riding my motorcycle as a twenty-something, meeting with friends, going to Key Biscayne, or hanging out at the beach.

Going South on U.S. One

As you leave Miami Beach and move toward South Miami on U.S. One, you will pass points of interest. One of these interests is Vizcaya, built by the folks who brought you the John Deer tractor. James Deering built Vizcaya between 1914 and 1922. It was his winter residence.

 When visiting, make sure to see the museum on the property. It will transport you to the Gilded Age. 

It is said that the telephone system installed in the mansion was the first system installed in Miami-Dade County. This is dating itself, considering many of us no longer have hardline phones in our homes.

 The Planetarium is just around the corner and can be combined with a visit to Key Biscayne.

 Key Biscayne is a beach community worth a visit. Driving along the causeway, you will see people on kite surfers and windsurfers.

 It costs four dollars to go to the Key by car or two dollars to walk or bike in.

Coconut Grove

Affectionately called “The Grove,” it is a posh area of Miami with a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay. Stop by the public park and set a blanket under the sea grape trees. Play a round of frisbee golf while there.

Coconut Grove could be a movie set. This small community has become gentrified over the years. Once a sleepy hippy community, it is now home to the rich and famous.

The Beamer Mercedes crowd visits exquisite shops and restaurants.

 I remember going to Monty Trainers and having adult beverages with my friends. My research shows it is still there, affectionately called Monty’s, and boasts a raw bar.

Oysters anyone?

Coral Gables

I have lots of memories of Coral Gables. My Family owned a Jahn’s in Coral Gables. Jahn’s is an N.Y.-style old thyme ice cream parlor, and Deli was on Miracle Mile, just across from the Miracle Theater.

Who Does Not Love Ice Cream?

 I worked at the ice cream fountain, making all kinds of sundaes and milkshakes.

 Sadly, after working there, I could not even look at ice cream for years. I went home sticky every night.

The most famous ice cream sundae we served was called the kitchen sink. It was an enormous silver punch bowl filled with ice cream, toppings covered with whipped cream and cherries. The monster treat was for birthday parties and delivered to your table with sparklers.

If you’re looking for a unique ice cream experience like that. Go to Dania Beach, Florida, in Broward County. It is near Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale.

Check out Jaxson’s on U.S. 1. I’ll discuss this iconic spot in another post.

More About Coral Gables

George Merrick developed Coral Gables. Merrick was the real estate developer responsible for the Gables.

In the 1920s, it was one of the first planned communities built in the United States. This Pennsylvania native was a visionary.

 The community looks very Spanish European, with stucco walls and barrel tile roofs. To this day, there are strict rules about what color you can paint your house. In addition, there are restrictions on parking pickup trucks in front of your home.

 Coral Gables, like the Grove, caters to the Beamer Mercedes crowd. The streets are named for Spanish cities and sites.

 My wife once worked in the Coral Gables business district. The building is located on Alhambra Circle.

 One of my favorite bakeries was on Andalusia Ave. It was called the Andalusia Bakery, but it has been renamed.

Little Havana

Miami would not be Miami without Little Havana and the Cuban population. The 1960s found large numbers of displaced people arriving daily on U.S. shores. Refugees traveled in innertubes, rickety homemade boats, or on any floating object, crossing the dangerous shark-infested Florida Straits.

 It is only ninety miles between the Florida shoreline and Cuba.

Mass Migration in the Sixty’s

During the mass migration from Cuba, known as “The Castro Revolution,” many people left the country due to communist and socialist ideals. My wife’s Family was among those who fled, leaving behind their homeland with only the clothes on their backs. 

At that time, you could only leave the country with one clothing item, such as a hat, shirt, pants, shoes, or jacket. My wife’s uncle did not own a hat but bought one so he could wear it while leaving the country. Despite being wealthy business owners, most people who left Cuba during this time were forced to abandon everything and start anew.

My Wife Born in Cuba

 My wife was born in Santiago, Cuba. She was born there because her mother had a rare kidney condition that caused problems during her mother’s pregnancy.

 At the time, Cuba had advanced technology that helped my wife’s mother complete her pregnancy. 

This was in 1955, before Castro. After a few months in Santiago, my wife was brought to Kingson, Jamaica. 

This was where most of my wife’s Family lived. The Cuban part of her Family was through marriage. 

Her Family is primarily Lebanese Jamaican. 

Jamaica is a melting pot. Their motto is “Out of MANY One Nation.” 

The Cuban part of her Family moved to Jamaica when the Castro regime took over.

Santiago, Cuba, was famous for producing Rum.

 Bacardi’s Rum moved its operation to Puerto Rico after the communist takeover.

The Sixty’s Changed Miami

Since the 1960s, waves of migration have occurred from Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and Central and South America.

 Miami is a gateway to the Caribbean. 

At the same time, New York City is a gateway to Europe.

 Each group settled in various parts of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. One of the more recent mass migrations from Cuba was the Mariel Boatlift in 1980.

 This was when Castro opened his Prisons and Jails, sending their occupants to the United States. Most of that migratory group stayed mainly in Miami.

Miami Melting Pot

Miami is a melting pot of Caribbean peoples. 

The Cubans are a dynamic, resourceful people. They made their mark in Miami, starting new lives and pursuing the “American Dream.” Cubans are the most dominant group settling in Miami. Little Havana is a bustling part of Miami located on northwest 8 St. The street is lined with restaurants and shops.

Restaurant Recommendation

Every trip to Little Havana would be complete with a visit to Versailles Gardens Cuban Restaurant. 

This place is fantastic. It has an energy of its own.

 The aroma of coffee and Cuban food is like a magnet that will pull you in. If I close my eyes, I can smell that distinctive smell.

 That aroma tells you that you are about to eat something amazingly delicious. No one makes pork like the Cubans do. The magic is in the Mojo sauce; the “J” has an “H” sound. The word Mojo sounds like a mo hoe. It is a mixture of sour orange juice, garlic, and seasonings.

Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical is a franchised Cuban restaurant chain that has been around for decades. It capitalized on the magic of Mojo Chicken served with Black beans, white rice, and plantains.

 My Family grew up with this franchise. The fast Cuban food is reasonable and delicious. Over the years, it has become very sophisticated, dividing it into many other types of mojo-flavored delights. These franchises are all over South and Central Florida. Additionally, there are franchises in Tampa and Jacksonville.

South Miami-Dade County points of interest

Visit Monkey Jungle and Coral Castle

Just beyond South Miami Dade County is Monroe County, which is the Florida Keys. While in Key Largo, visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Bring your snorkel and diving fins or rent some gear from the park.

This little side trip To Pennekamp Park will be discussed for a long time. You will love it! 

After you pay the $4.50 entry fee into the park, there will be rental options:

1. Canoe and kayak for one.
2. Take your ecotour.
3. Pay for a snorkeling tour or venture out on your own.

Glass Bottom boat tour for those who do not want to enter the water. For certified divers, arrange a dive with rented gear.                

No matter what you decide to do, enjoy the natural beauty of Florida.

My Brother lives in the Keys, and I often visit him. It never gets old. 

Like the Florida Everglades, the Florida Keys are unique and should be visited.

I hope you have a better understanding of Miami and its residents. There is great joy in sharing your experiences with others. I wish you calm seas and a spirit of wonder as you wander. All the best! Cruising, Steve.