Coral Gables by Convertible: History, Hidden Gems, Vizcaya & the Perfect Day Itinerary
- miamiconvertibles
- 30 minutes ago
- 4 min read
There’s Miami…
And then there’s Coral Gables.
The moment you drive into Coral Gables, everything slows down in the best way possible.
The streets get wider. The trees get taller. The houses start looking like Mediterranean villas instead of condos.
It feels less “spring break” and more “old-school glamour.”
Honestly? If South Beach is the party, Coral Gables is the champagne after-party.
And there is absolutely no better way to explore Coral Gables than with the top down in a Mustang, Jeep Wrangler, or Corvette from Miami Convertibles Car Rental.
Because this neighborhood isn’t about rushing.
It’s about cruising.
Why Coral Gables Is One of the Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in Miami
Before we plan the day, a little backstory.
Coral Gables was founded in the 1920s by George Merrick, who dreamed of creating a Mediterranean-style city inspired by Spain and Italy.
Instead of skyscrapers, he built:
Coral stone mansions
Elegant plazas
Tree-covered boulevards
Historic landmarks
Hidden gardens
That’s why driving through Coral Gables feels like you randomly teleported to Europe.
Every block looks cinematic.
Which makes it basically made for a convertible.
Top down. Slow cruise. Music low. Zero stress.
The Perfect Coral Gables Itinerary
Starting from Miami Convertibles Miami Beach – 9AM to Sunset
Here’s exactly how I’d plan the day for someone picking up a car from Miami Convertibles Car Rental in Miami Beach.
This route mixes Coral Gables history, food, scenic drives, and iconic stops like Vizcaya into one smooth, beautiful day.
9:00 AM – Pick Up Your Convertible in Miami Beach
Grab your keys. Drop the top immediately.
Cross the MacArthur Causeway with:
Biscayne Bay on one side
Miami skyline on the other
Morning breeze hitting just right
This drive alone is why people rent convertibles here.
Head toward Coral Gables (about 25–30 minutes).
By the time you arrive, you’ll already be in vacation mode.
9:45 AM – Coffee on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables
Start slow.
Miracle Mile is the heart of Coral Gables — walkable, charming, super relaxed.
Park and grab coffee at:
Pasión del Cielo
Threefold Café
Crema Gourmet
Outdoor seating is the move.
People watching + sunshine + cafecito = perfect Miami morning.
10:45 AM – Visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (Minutes from Coral Gables)
This is a must.
Even though Vizcaya technically sits just outside Coral Gables, it’s basically part of the same historic vibe — and you absolutely can’t skip it.
Built in 1916, Vizcaya looks like:
An Italian palace
Waterfront gardens
Stone staircases
Fountains and statues everywhere
It feels like a European estate dropped onto Biscayne Bay.
Walk the mansion, explore the gardens, take a hundred photos.
Pulling up to Vizcaya in a convertible?Straight-up movie scene energy.
Plan for about 1.5–2 hours here.
12:45 PM – Lunch Back in Coral Gables
Now this is where Coral Gables really shines.
The food scene is classy but not pretentious.
Top picks:
Hillstone
Hands down a favorite. Burgers, ribs, cocktails, great patio.
Caffe Abbracci
Old-school Italian. Feels like you’re dining with celebrities.
Zucca
Modern Italian, stylish, date-night vibes.
Talavera Cocina Mexicana
Fun, colorful, strong margaritas.
Grab lunch, relax, don’t rush. Coral Gables isn’t a “fast” neighborhood.
2:30 PM – The Biltmore Hotel
You can’t visit Coral Gables without seeing The Biltmore.
Built in 1926, this place looks like a Spanish castle.
It’s legendary:
Presidents stayed here
Celebrities partied here
And it still feels ridiculously glamorous
Walk the grounds, check out the tower, grab a drink inside.
Rolling up in a Mustang or Corvette feels exactly right here.
This place matches that luxury convertible vibe perfectly.
3:30 PM – Scenic Drive Down Old Cutler Road
If you only do one drive in Coral Gables, make it this one.
Old Cutler Road is pure magic:
Giant banyan trees forming tunnels
Shady winding streets
Almost no traffic
Million-dollar homes everywhere
This is where you just cruise.
No GPS. No rush.
Just driving for the sake of driving.
Honestly, this road alone justifies renting a convertible.
4:30 PM – Stroll & Shop in Coral Gables
Head back toward Miracle Mile or Giralda Plaza.
Walk around:
Boutiques
Bookstores
Ice cream shops
Art galleries
It’s super charming and way calmer than South Beach chaos.
Feels like a real neighborhood, not a tourist trap.
5:45 PM – Golden Hour Drive Back to Miami Beach
Top down again.
Sun starting to drop. Sky turning orange and pink.
Cruise back over the causeway with the water glowing on both sides.
This is that “wow… I love Miami” moment.
Windows down. Music up. Perfect ending.
Why Exploring Coral Gables with Miami Convertibles Car Rental Just Makes Sense
Sure, you could Uber around Coral Gables.
But you’d miss:
Cruising Old Cutler Road
Pulling up to Vizcaya and The Biltmore in style
Stopping anywhere you want
That warm Florida breeze the whole day
Coral Gables isn’t about getting somewhere fast.
It’s about the journey between each stop.
And that’s exactly what a convertible is built for.
If you’re already visiting Miami… you might as well experience it the right way.
Final Thoughts on Spending the Day in Coral Gables
If South Beach feels loud and crowded, Coral Gables feels elegant, historic, and relaxed.
It’s the side of Miami most visitors never see.
But once you do?
You’ll wonder why you didn’t go sooner.
Grab the keys, drop the top, and let Coral Gables surprise you.
Trust me — it’s one of the prettiest drives in the entire city.
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