Relax In Style At Coral Gables’ Venetian Pool

Want to spend a day relaxing amidst tropical foliage and beautiful historic surroundings? Like to cool off from the South Florida heat? Want to swim in the largest freshwater pool in the United States, which also happens to be the ONLY pool on the National Register of Historic Places? Look no further than Coral Gables’ charming Venetian Pool, built in 1924.

I must admit that in all my years here I had never visited until this year. Yes, I have been to the Biltmore, which is basically around the corner. Yes, I have been to Coral Castle – not far away either. To tell you the truth, I really don’t know why I never stopped at the Venetian Pool. I am not a fan of public pools, maybe that explains it. You know, that overpowering smell of chlorine, crowding, screaming kids – not my thing.

Oh, I was so wrong in avoiding the Venetian Pool all these years. It really doesn’t feel like a public pool. The Venetian Pool is a little paradise. It is also a nice and cool 77 degrees all year round, so makes for a great summer cool-down when ocean water is much warmer.

I finally took the plunge. And what did I find? Well, I’d describe it as a cross between a cute museum with 1920’s buildings and old pictures, and a pool with fabulous Mediterranean architecture and landscaping.

History of the Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool opened in 1924 as the “Venetian Casino”. George Edgar Merrick, the major real estate developer in the Miami area back in the day, wanted to develop the Coral Gables area. He decided Coral Gables needed a pool. So he engaged architect Phineas Paist and artist Denman Fink to build a Mediterranean style pool and surroundings.

Interestingly, the limestone used to build the buildings at the Venetian Pool – and indeed some of the buildings in the neighborhood –  came from the quarry that was dug out to for the pool.

In its heyday the Venetian Casino was a place for the rich and the beautiful as well as celebrities like Johnny Weismueller (“me Tarzan, you Jane”), who used to appear to large crowds there. I remember that yodel, do you? If you need a refresher, check it out here.

The pool was not just for swimming in those days. It was regularly drained empty, and a band would then perform in the pool area.

I wondered whether these are original

The Venetian Pool has been restored a few times in its history, notably in 1989 and 2010. At one point there was an island with Venetian style gondolas docking. The island is still there (complete with bridge), the gondolas had to go. In its earlier days the pool also had a high diving platform that had been added over the waterfalls. This feature was later taken away also. The Venetian Pool was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, to date the only pool on the register.

Soooooo relaxing!

The details

You better get there early, especially in the summer. Why? Well, once the pool is at capacity (and capacity is less than 500 souls), they will not allow any more visitors inside. The ticket office will close and that’s it for the day regardless of people leaving. Just giving you the heads up. It was pretty quiet when we got there at 11am on a February Saturday, but it soon filled up (from around midday). So be warned.

The pool is fed by spring water and drained daily in season, which keeps it clean and fresh. The water is also drained back into the aquifer which means the fresh water is not wasted but rather “recycled” through natural ground filtration.

The Venetian Pool is located at 2701 de Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134 (telephone: 305-460-5306). There are two fairly small car parks, best to get there early. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted in the pool. At the time of writing, hours of operation are as follows:

HOURS OF OPERATION

February 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019

•  Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

April 2, 2019 – May 26, 2019
•  Tuesday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
•  Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

May 27, 2019 – August 18, 2019
•  Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
•  Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

August 19, 2019 – September 8, 2019
•  Monday – Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
•  Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The pool is closed on most public holidays (call to check).

Entrance fees at the time of writing:

Daily Admission Rates
February – May 2019
Adult (13 years & above): $15
Child (3-12 years): $10

Coral Gables Resident* Year-Round Rate:
Adult (13 years & above): $6
Child (3-12 years): $5

Have you been to the Venetian Pool throughout the years? Any stories to tell from earlier days? I’d love to hear them, please leave a comment below!