Like to take an outing along Biscayne Bay in Miami with a little bit of culture and a lot of great food? A visit to Miami's iconic city hall followed by a stop at Scotty's Landing may be just what you're looking for.
The city hall for Miami, Florida sits in a former Pan American Airways facility. Opened in 1931, the gorgeous Art Deco building was once the largest and most modern seaplane terminal in the world.
The interior of the building has been completely restored to its original grandeur. The ceilings consist of panels depicting the signs of the Zodiac painted in a sleek modern style. Be sure to notice the beams: they are decorated with stylized "wings" and bands in the Pan American colors. Then check out the murals near the ceiling that depict the history of flight, from Leonardo Da Vinci's designs to the modern Clipper planes flown by Pan American.
Located at 3381 Pan American Drive in the Coconut Grove section of Miami, the building has served as Miami's City Hall since 1954. So why does Miami's city hall sit out on a bay in Coconut Grove rather than downtown with all of the other government buildings? Well, it has something to do with occupation.
Bahamian and English settlers to this area established the village of Coconut Grove in 1873. The bay side community became a winter mecca for millionaires and yachtsmen. Coconut Grove's poorer neighbor to the north, Miami, eyed the Grove's opulence with envy. But Coconut Grove fell into financial troubles when the wealthy abandoned the Grove for the new playground of Miami Beach. In 1925, the City of Miami bailed out the village of Coconut Grove in exchange for its annexation to the city.
For the next 28 years, Grovites fought with protests and ballots to get back their independence. Then, in 1953, the City of Miami moved its city hall right into Coconut Grove. From here, it has been keeping an occupier's eye on restless Grove residents ever since.
But don't be put off by the security guard at the entrance to Miami City Hall. This is a public building and well worth visiting inside.
Miami City Hall/Pan Am Sea Plane Terminal, 3381 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida 33133
After your walk through history in the former Pan Am Building, you may be ready for a bite to eat. Stroll next door, along a short path that follows the bay and goes through working boat yards, to Scotty's Landing.
Scotty's Landing, 3381 Pan American Drive, Miami, Florida 33133
Scotty's right in the middle of Dinner Key marina, the largest marina in Florida. The property was part of the Pan Am sea plane base in the 1930's. The large boat storage structures next to Scotty's were once airplane hangars.
Scotty's is the locals' (including some of the politicians from that building next door) secret "go to place" for seafood by the seaside. Most tourists don't even know the eatery is here. At Scotty's, the view is awesome, the atmosphere is loud and the people friendly. The vibe is pure "Grove Zone".
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