Situated in the heart of a residential neighborhood near the historic Biltmore Hotel [1] is the Venetian Pool (2701 DeSoto Blvd., 305/460-5306, 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. summer, reduced hours mid-Aug.–late May, $10 adults, $6.75 children, children under 3 not admitted).
Carved out of an abandoned limestone quarry in the 1920s, the pool is fed by a freshwater aquifer that pumps more than 820,000 gallons of spring water into it every day; at night, the pool is drained in an environmentally friendly manner, allowing it to be refilled with clean water daily.
The pool itself is a beautiful thing, but the ornate observation towers and lush tropical foliage of the surrounding grounds make for a sublimely transporting experience for nonswimmers.
Make sure to check out the beautiful De Soto Fountain, just on the other side of the main parking lot of the Venetian Pool.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/florida/miami/accommodations/coconut-grove-and-coral-gables