Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool is one of the most unusual places to swim in Florida. It was created from a four-acre limestone quarry that had been abandoned in 1921, and it opened in 1924 as the Venetian Casino. The architect Phineas Paist and the artist Denman Fink shaped the design, and it has been enjoyed by swimmers since the 1920s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, and recent renovation work was supported in part by Florida's Division of Historical Resources.

The pool is fed by spring water from an underground aquifer and is refilled daily with more than 820,000 gallons of water. Two waterfalls and cave-like grottos make it popular with families, and there is enough space to swim, float or simply sit in the shade and admire the architecture.

The pool is closed on Monday (except Labor Day), open from Tuesday to Friday between 11am and 5.30pm, and open at weekends from 10am to 4.30pm. Children must be at least three years old and 38 inches tall to enter, and their age may be checked. Tickets can be booked online, and sales stop for the day once the pool reaches capacity, so on hot weekends it is worth arriving early or booking ahead. There are lower rates for Coral Gables residents.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Outside food is allowed, but coolers, alcohol and glass are not, and there is a café with a limited menu. Guests must shower before entering the water, and umbrellas, speakers and animals (other than service animals) are not allowed. The facility is wheelchair accessible, and lifejackets are available at the lifeguard tower. Allow two to three hours.

The Venetian Pool suits families with children over three, couples and anyone who wants a break from the sea. It is at 2701 De Soto Boulevard in Coral Gables, and you can combine a swim with a look at the Biltmore Hotel on Anastasia Avenue or breakfast at Tinta y Café on Ponce de León Boulevard. As a general tip, weekday visits outside school holidays are usually quieter than summer weekends.