Main Page - The Barnacle Historic State Park

View of the front of two-story historic house with red tile roof. Musician on patio of house playing a concert for a group of visitors on the lawn.

Manager's Message

Are you looking for a refuge from the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced 21st century life? Surprisingly, that refuge is in the heart of Miami’s Coconut Grove. The Barnacle Historic State Park offers an ever-changing view of beautiful Biscayne Bay and a steady gaze back through time into Old Florida. Commodore Ralph Munroe's home and boathouse are right out of the 19th century and one can well imagine him and his family making a home in the wilds of the South Florida frontier. As the Commodore was known to share this paradise he'd found, it is with that spirit that we plan our special events and programs.

Enjoy the park after hours each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. for Yoga by the Sea with Gabriela Goldbaum - relax as your spirit soaks in the peace and tranquility that the park offers as the sun sets and the city slows down. It's the mid-week place to be, breathe, and regroup.

Join us for Independence Day as we host our annual Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration. Again, this year, The Barnacle’s celebration serves as the kick-off to Coconut Grove’s Fourth of July festivities. Continue to watch our special events page for more details as well as the up-coming season’s events which begin in September.

Save The Barnacle's website as a favorite to keep our event schedule at your fingertips because there is something for everyone at The Barnacle and it happens often! Until then, bring your family and friends for a visit during regular park hours for a picnic on the grounds and a guided tour of The Barnacle and Boathouse. You'll love our view of "...the Real Florida" and the old Grove.

- Katrina Boler, Park Manager

Welcome to The Barnacle Historic State Park

This beautiful house with a whimsical name dates to a quieter time. The Barnacle, built in 1891, offers a glimpse of Old Florida during The Era of the Bay. Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, this was the home of Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of Coconut Grove´s most charming and influential pioneers. Munroe's principal passion was designing yachts. In his lifetime, he drew plans for 56 different boats. As a seaman, civic activist, naturalist, and photographer, Commodore Munroe was a man who cherished the natural world around him. A walk into the park passes through a tropical hardwood hammock. In the 1920s, it was representative of the original landscape within the city of Miami. Today, it is one of the last remnants of the once vast Miami Hammock. Enjoy sitting in the rocking chairs on the spacious porch used as a gathering place or on a bench under a tree for solitude.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about The Barnacle Historic State Park, please call 305-442-6866.

Hours of Operation

The Barnacle is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with tours at 10, 11:30 a.m.; 1 and 2:30 p.m. Friday through Monday and for groups by reservation Wednesday and Thursday. The park is closed on Tuesdays, New Year´s, Thanksgiving and Christmas days.