If any neighborhood in urban Miami could be termed a "village" it has to be Coconut Grove. On Biscayne Bay , south of Downtown and east of Coral Gables , the Grove has been a diverse community since its settlement in the late 19th century. Sailing yacht designer Ralph Munroe, originally from New York , and the Peacock brothers, from England , settled the area along with the families of Bahamian seamen who salvaged treasure from wrecked vessels offshore along the Great Florida Reef. Munroe's unusual 1891 home, called The Barnacle (305-448-9445) for its conical shape, is a wonderfully preserved slice of old Florida.

On the other end of the architectural spectrum, but built just a decade later, is Vizcaya (305-250-9133), the Italian Renaissance-style estate of millionaire industrialist James Deering. This opulent 70-room palace on Biscayne Bay is the jewel in the city's crown, with its art treasures, formal gardens and preserved natural setting.

But perhaps what comes to mind most often for Miamians when they think of the Grove is shopping, entertainment, good food, and fun. Locals come from all over to dine at the many restaurants, from sidewalk eateries to candlelit dining rooms – all featuring a culturally diverse selection of food. The Grove is also a favorite haunt for locals when it comes to its art galleries, interesting shops and clubs – all of which you will find at CocoWalk, a one-stop entertainment complex in the heart of the Grove. Visitors will also find a wide selection of street artists and entertainers at Cocowalk.

It's never more obvious that the Grove is among the happening spots in the city than during one of the many festivals. A few include, “A Taste of the Grove” (January), the “Coconut Grove Arts Festival” ( February 14-16, 2004 ), the “Italian Renaissance Festival” ( March 19-21, 2004 ) at Vizcaya, the “Goombay Festival” ( June 5-6, 2004 ), a celebration of Bahamian heritage, and the “King Mango Strut” (December 28), which is a spoof on Miami 's Orange Bowl extravaganza.

Many of these events take place outdoors in Coconut Grove's lovely Peacock Park (305-416-1300), but any day of the year is good for enjoying the views of the bay and the marinas from one of the area’s waterfront parks. Bicycling, roller-blading, jogging, picnicking, tennis and more are all here on the water. When you tire of walking the Grove’s tree-lined streets, hop in your car and admire the area’s architectural points of interest -- from old houses of coral rock and gracious homes with expansive grounds to cottages and historic churches.