The Venetian Pool is a very unique experience in the heart of Coral Gables in Miami.
I have been wanting to come here for a while with my son; however, they are really strict with their no-kids-under-3 policy. Once my son turned 3, I finally got to go – yay! And when I say, they’re strict about it – they really are. The second we entered before we even got to the cashier, they asked me how old he is, he had to stand against a wall proving that he is 38″ tall, and I had to show proof of ID. Once we got through that, the fun began! I was a little bit skeptical coming here because I normally avoid places with a lot of people because … people! But I was pleasantly surprised by how big the pool is. This means, it did not seem crowded at all and there was tons of space inside the pool. The pool is made out of a coral rock quarry and has been a landmark of the Gables since 1923. Every day they fill and drain 820,000 gallons of fresh spring water from an underground aquifer. The amount of chlorine they put inside the pool is less than in our drinking water. Hence, you always have very fresh water in that pool. As a consequence, the water is on the chillier side. I found it very refreshing tho on a hot Miami summer day and not uncomfortable at all!
Now back to the beauty of the pool: you feel like you’re going back in time to some old-school Caribbean pool. There are waterfalls, different types of gorgeous palm trees, cave-like grottos, loggias, and more. There is also a shallower area for kids. The facility has a beach-like area but the chairs sell out quickly. There is also a fast-food café that sells burgers, chicken tenders, and more. Parking is free but there is limited availability. The admission fee is $20 for adults and $15 for kids; however, Coral Gables residents get a discount and only pay $6.25 per adult and $5.25 per kid. The hours change depending on the season so check their website before going.
For more information, go to the City of Coral Gables’ website.