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National Park & Nature

The Barnacle Historic State Park

📍 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133, USA
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
USA, Miami
Category
National Park & Nature
Duration
1-2 hours (grounds walk and house tour)
Address
3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133, USA
Coordinates
25.5000, -80.4000

Introduction

The Barnacle Historic State Park sits on the shore of Biscayne Bay in Miami's Coconut Grove, home to the oldest above-ground structure in Miami, a 5-acre site managed by Florida State Parks. The heart of the park is the 1882 Barnacle house built by yacht designer Commodore Ralph Munroe for his family, the oldest surviving above-ground residence in Miami. The two-story wooden house is built of local pine and coral rock with wide verandas, louvered shutters, and a lookout tower, exemplifying 19th-century Coconut Grove tropical coastal architecture. Munroe was an early Coconut Grove settler and pioneer yacht designer whose shallow-draft Egret boats dominated Florida bay racing for years. Today the Barnacle house and surrounding original hardwood hammock and rocky shore are open to the public for tours of restored furnishings, nature walks, and concerts, a rare blend of history and nature amid the bustle of Miami.

✨ Highlights

1
Oldest Miami Building
The 1882 Barnacle house is the oldest above-ground residence in Miami, a living piece of city history.
2
Commodore Munroe
Home of yacht design pioneer Ralph Munroe whose Egret shallow-draft boats dominated Florida bay racing.
3
Tropical Coastal Style
Wide verandas, louvered shutters, and a lookout tower in local pine and coral rock.
4
Hardwood Hammock
Original hardwood hammock and rocky shore preserve rare coastal forest ecology in the city.
5
Concerts
Acoustic concerts on the porch with the bay and moonlight make a romantic setting.
6
Coconut Grove Core
At the heart of early Coconut Grove, the starting point for pre-tourism Miami history.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time：November to April dry season; weekends have tours
→Transport：3485 Main Hwy in Coconut Grove, walkable or by car
→Duration：About 1 to 1.5 hours
→Parking：Limited lot; paid street parking nearby
→Transportation：At 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 33133. From downtown drive south to Main Hwy; Metrorail Coconut Grove Station is a short walk; use metered or public garage parking, no on-site lot.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday9 am-5 pm
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday9 am-5 pm
Friday9 am-5 pm
Saturday9 am-5 pm
Sunday9 am-5 pm

Per floridastateparks.org, The Barnacle grounds are open Thursday to Monday 9 am-5 pm, closed every Tuesday and Wednesday, plus Christmas Day and New Year's Day. House interior is by guided tour only at 10, 11:30, 1 and 2:30. Walk-in or bike admission US$2 (age 6+), under 5 free; house tour US$3 (13+) or US$1 (6-12). No vehicle entry. Checked 5 Nov 2026.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultWalk-in or bicycle admission US$2 per person (age 6 and over); no vehicle entry
Free AdmissionFree for children age 5 and under

Historic House guided tour extra: US$3 (age 13+), US$1 (age 6-12), free under 5; tour times 10, 11:30, 1 and 2:30. From floridastateparks.org, checked 5 Nov 2026, in US dollars.

💡 Tips

• Fri-Sun guided tours tell the Munroe family and architecture story; richer than self-guided visits.
• Check the website for acoustic concerts; bring a blanket and picnic for porch moonlight shows.
• Link with the Grove marina, Perez Art Museum, and restaurants for a Miami artsy half-day.
• Hardwood hammock and shore have mosquitoes, especially in wet season; use repellent and long sleeves.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of The Barnacle Historic State Park?

Monday: 9 am-5 pm; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 9 am-5 pm; Friday: 9 am-5 pm; Saturday: 9 am-5 pm; Sunday: 9 am-5 pm; Per floridastateparks.org, The Barnacle grounds are open Thursday to Monday 9 am-5 pm, closed every Tuesday and Wednesday, plus Christmas Day and New Year's Day. House interior is by guided tour only at 10, 11:30, 1 and 2:30. Walk-in or bike admission US$2 (age 6+), under 5 free; house tour US$3 (13+) or US$1 (6-12). No vehicle entry. Checked 5 Nov 2026.

How much is the admission for The Barnacle Historic State Park?

Adult: Walk-in or bicycle admission US$2 per person (age 6 and over); no vehicle entry; Free Admission: Free for children age 5 and under; Historic House guided tour extra: US$3 (age 13+), US$1 (age 6-12), free under 5; tour times 10, 11:30, 1 and 2:30. From floridastateparks.org, checked 5 Nov 2026, in US dollars.

Any practical tips for visiting The Barnacle Historic State Park?

Fri-Sun guided tours tell the Munroe family and architecture story; richer than self-guided visits. Check the website for acoustic concerts; bring a blanket and picnic for porch moonlight shows.

How long should I spend at The Barnacle Historic State Park?

A typical visit takes 1-2 hours (grounds walk and house tour).

Hours and closure from the official Florida State Parks page floridastateparks.org (grounds Thu-Mon 9 am-5 pm, closed Tue, Wed, Christmas and New Year; house by tour only), checked 5 Nov 2026, in US dollars. Walk-in or bike admission US$2 per person (age 6+), under 5 free; house tour US$3 (13+) or US$1 (6-12). No vehicle entry. Note: region tag 703 (Hilo, Hawaii) conflicts with the real Miami location; verified by name from the official source, currency US$.