First, we walked the short distance to the shopping area of Coconut Grove Village. Quiet little tree lined streets.
But, those quaint streets held a shopping "village" and rows of restaurants. Selfie, made at the "Mondays 1/2 price taco special" restaurant!
The Barnacle is actually the oldest house still standing on the original site in Dade County. It was built in 1891 by Mr. Monroe, one of Coconut Grove's most prominent pioneers. The home and associated 40 acres were donated to the county by Mr. Monroe's descendants in 1973.
Coconut Grove is full of artwork, mostly statues. We liked this one in an elementary school yard.
The Miami area has a wonderful public transit system. While we walked to Coconut Grove, we were able to take the $0.25 bus to a main hub, and from there, take the free trolley to Coral Gables.
Lots more shops and quaint, there, too! Coral Gables skyline boasts it's tallest building, the Alhambra Towers Office Building (click for the link to the web story).
Atop the high-rise Alhambra Towers office building, the female figure carrying a shaft of wheat, a helmet and a Christian cross is a replica of the bronze weathervane that has dominated the sky of Seville for more than four centuries. Still today, the Giraldillo, or Spinner, crowns the Giralda, the bell tower of the Gothic Cathedral of Sevilla. (that's a hard picture to get - it's a looong ways up!)
The court house fits the town.
Tuesday, we were adventurous. Took the $0.25 bus to a hub, bought a 24 hour "all transportations" pass for $5.95, took the metro into downtown Miami, and then rode the Metro Mover, an inner-loop transit system that actually gave us a good overview of the downtown Miami areas and all of the construction. New construction and renovation everywhere!
Beside the metro station is the History Miami Museum. Interesting background on Miami itself, plus current collections about Cassius Clay in the 1960's and also street art. On display is the Fresnel lens from the top of the Carysfort Reef Lighthouse.
Back from our round trip ride, we caught another bus that took us to the ever famous South Beach.
These streets, with their masses of expensive shops, are not quiet and quaint... they are busy city streets.
Want to get around in South Beach? Take your chances and rent a bike from an automated bike rental kiosk.
Actually, this was the only bike of about a dozen that was unrented. Rates started at $4 for 1 hour to $24 for 24 hours.
Of course, the other side of the busy shopping street has the beach. Famous South Beach. Enter under the palms and perfect blue sky.
Admire the beautiful water and sand.
The beach seems endless.
But you never forget you are really in a big city.
Luke did discover that the Miami beaches are "topless friendly". No, he didn't take any pictures!
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