Coconut Grove Commerce & Culture
Coconut Grove has a longer history than most cities in Florida, and that’s reflected in a strong sense of community and also in some genuinely historic architecture. The feel is more island-like than some other cities, and the annual Goombay Festival celebrates the Grove’s close connection to the Bahamas with a carnival that features Bahamian food and music. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is among the best in an arts-festival-rich area, and food and wine festivals seem to happen constantly, with the biggest in April of each year. Those shady streets — and the walking and biking paths along them — are full of charming boutiques and shops, many with thoughtfully curated collections of fashion and furnishings. Most, however, don’t bother with the too-hip aesthetic you’ll find in other parts of Miami. The Grove may be a part of the city, but it still feels like a perfect little island community.