CONFERENCE VENUE

Visual Discovery 2024 takes place at the University of Miami Newman Alumni Center, located on SW edge of the University of Miami campus (red marker, bottom-left corner on Google map below). The Newman is approximately one-half mile from the Miami Metrorail “University Station.”

Robert and Judi Prokop Newman ALUMNI CENTER
6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146

The main event is in Multi-Purpose Rooms A, B, and C. Parking is available in multiple lots directly behind the building, using the Pay by Phone app.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Miami Metrorail is available at Miami International Airport (take it south to University Station). The elevated trains run the southern border of the UM campus along Ponce de Leon Boulevard and US-1 every 10 minutes or so between 5:00AM and midnight. Metrorail costs $2.25 per trip (valid for 3 hours after activated). “Easy” cards may be purchased from a vending machine at the station or go touchless with the GO Miami-Dade Transit app. Cash is not accepted.

 

HOTELS
by Neighborhood, then farthest to closest

PLEASE NOTE: Hotel rates were approximations through Expedia for comparison purposes only/not to be relied upon as still available.

miles / km	COCONUT GROVE (MIAMI)	Per Night	Public Transportation
“Coconut Grove” (a neighborhood name within the City of Miami) is known for its view of Biscayne Bay, with multiple parks, many restaurants with open-air seating, and bustling night life. It has a historic/artsy/tropical vibe with many boutiques and is very walkable. From the heart of ‘the Grove’ it is a 1 mile (1.6 km) walk to the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station. The route is marked on the map below. Take the Metrorail 2 stops south to University Station. Then it’s a half mile by foot to the Newman Alumni Center.
3.9 / 6.3	Courtyard Marriott, Coconut Grove (more centrally located) 2649 S Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33133	$ 214	4 blocks from central Coconut Grove. Near Fresh Market. 1 mile walk to Metrorail Station.
3.8 / 6.1	Hampton Inn by Hilton, Coconut Grove (closest to Metrorail) 2800 SW 28th Terrace, Miami 33133	$ 175	1 block from the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station. Approx. 1 mile walk to central Coconut Grove district
	CORAL GABLES		Map of TROLLEY STOPS
The University of Miami is located in the City of Coral Gables. Famous for its many restaurants (over 40 in a 4-block radius downtown alone) and upscale shopping, the City offers FREE transportation, such as the Freebee (ride request via app), Trolley (ride from marked stops Mon-Sat. 6:30AM-10PM/use Trolley Tracker), and a City of Miami Coral Way Trolley that can take you downtown MIAMI weekdays + Saturdays 6:30AM-11PM, Sunday 8AM-8PM (route map | tracker).
4.4 / 7.1	ChateauBleau Hotel 1111 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables 33146	$ 179	Cross Ponce de Leon Blvd. to catch free Trolley at Antilla Avenue going south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
4.0 / 6.4	Courtyard Marriott 2051 S Le Jeune Road, Coral Gables 33134	$ 213	Walk 2 blocks east on Alcazar Avenue to Ponce de Leon Blvd. to catch free Trolley going south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
3.9 / 6.3	Ponce de Leon Hotel 1721 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables 3314	$ 109	Cross Ponce de Leon Blvd. to catch free Trolley at Madeira Avenue going south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
3.8 / 6.1	Extended Stay America 3640 SW 22nd St (Coral Way), Miami 33145	$ 180	Walk west on Coral Way, crossing Douglas Road,  then 2 blocks to Ponce de Leon Blvd. Turn left on Ponce and look for the trolley stop just before Andalusia Avenue. Take the free Trolly south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
3.7 / 6.0	Hotel St. Michel 162 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables 33134	$ 196-209	Cross Ponce de Leon Blvd. to catch the free Trolley between Alcazar Avenue and Alhambra Circle and go south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
3.5 / 5.6	Aloft, Coral Gables 2524 S Le Jeune Road, Coral Gables 33134	$ 180	Cross Le Jeune Road headed east and walk east 2 blocks on Andalusia Avenue to Ponce de Leon Blvd. Turn right and look for the trolley stop just before Valencia Avenue. Take the free trolley south to Douglas Station. Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
2.5 / 4.0	Four Points by Sheraton 3861 SW 40th St (Bird Rd), Coral Gables 33146	$ 155	Walk 1 block west to cross Ponce de Leon Blvd. and look for free Trolley stop just before Altara Avenue. Take the Trolley to Douglas Station. [Or, walk east and 3 blocks south (.3 miles) to Douglas Station.] Take Metrorail 1 stop south to University Station. Walk .5 mile to Newman Alumni Center.
1.5 / 4.0	Gables Inn (not on Expedia) 730 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables 33146	$ 79	Walk south along US-1 or cross over US-1 to the parallel Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Go south 1.27 miles along the campus’ south border to Newman Alumni Center.
0.4 / 0.6	Thesis Hotel Miami (across US1 from UM) 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables 33146	$ 237	Walking Distance—Walk south and cross US1 at the light at South Alhambra Circle. Turn left at Ponce de Leon Blvd. and walk .38 miles to the Newman Alumni Center.
	SOUTH MIAMI
South Miami is the closest ‘downtown’ area to the University of Miami campus. There are a big variety of restaurants and creative boutiques. Publix Supermarket and Whole Foods are in walking distance from the Newman Alumni Center. “Sunset Place” has an AMC 24 Theatre Complex. The South Miami Metrorail station is on the UM side of US-1.
0.8 / 1.3	Rodeway Inn 5959 SW 71st Street, South Miami 33143	$ 78	Walking Distance—Exit the hotel and turn left onto SW 71st Street, walk to SW 59th Place and turn left. Turn right onto SW 70th Street, then left onto Commerce Lane. Commerce Lane will merge into SW 68th Street near Popeye’s Chicken. Cross SW 57th Avenue (Red Road) and walk along Ponce de Leon Blvd. to San Amaro Drive. Turn left. The Newman is one block north on the left.
0.8 / 1.3	Sunset Inn, South Miami 5850 Sunset Drive, South Miami 33143	$ 125	Walking Distance—Exit the hotel and turn right onto SW 72nd Street (Sunset Drive). Walk to SW 57th Avenue (Red Road) and turn left (north).  Walk north on Red Road to cross US-1 to Levante Avenue, turn right. The Newman will be on your left when the road ends at the Baseball Stadium.
	DADELAND (KENDALL)
The Kendall (city name) area is home to the super-popular Dadeland Mall.  The Dadeland area is served by two Metrorail Stations: Dadeland North and Dadeland South. There are many restaurants in and around the mall, as well as 2 other nearby (smaller) malls. TRIVIA: The outer part of the mall, particularly the original main entrance, was featured in the 1985 Chuck Norris film Invasion U.S.A. The inside and outside of the mall was featured in the 1990 Alec Baldwin film Miami Blues.
3.0 / 4.8	AC Hotel by Marriott, Dadeland 7695 N Kendall Dr, Miami 33156 (Dadeland Mall)	$ 232	Walk 2 blocks to Dadeland South Metrorail Station, then take it 3 stops north to University Station
3.5 / 5.6	Courtyard Marriott, Miami Dadeland 9075 S Dadeland Blvd., Miami 33156	$ 186	Walk 1 block to Dadeland South Metrorail Station, then take it 3 stops north to University Station
2.9 / 4.7	Hampton Inn, Miami Dadeland 8200 SW 70th Avenue, Miami 33143	$ 165	Walk 3 blocks to Dadeland North Metrorail Station, then take it 2 stops north to University Station
3.1 / 4.9	Aloft, Miami Dadeland 7600 N Kendall Drive, Miami 33156	$ 144	Walk 1 mile or take complimentary hotel shuttle (3 mile radius) to Metrorail Dadeland South Station, then take it 3 stops north to University Station

 

FREE TRANSPORTATION

The City of Coral Gables offers hop-on/hop-off free rides around downtown on the Freebee (pictured below | download the app).

The City also offers free Trolley service (one around downtown Coral Gables and one called the “Downtown Express”). The Downtown Express will take you to the Douglas Road Metrorail station (which travels south to UM, or north to downtown Miami and beyond), to the University of Miami campus (stopping at the University Metrorail Staion) (Trolley stops map). The Trolley has easily identifiable signs marking route stops (pictured below the Freebee).

There is also a free trolley to Downtown Miami (listed here as the Coral Way Route) from the corner of Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Boulevard (trolley stops map / .25 mi from Aloft to trolley).