Cauley Square: A Visitor's Guide From Aria Park

"Cauley Square is a historic village of old wooden buildings, gardens, small shops and tea rooms in the Goulds area of Miami-Dade County, north of Homestead. The village is at 22400 Old Dixie Highway, by U.S. 1. It was built in 1903, and Miami-Dade County named it a historic site in 1994. Its own website calls it ""a glimpse of Old South Florida at its best."" If you are looking at Aria Park in Homestead, it is a fun place to spend a weekend afternoon. This guide explains the history, what you will find there and how to plan a visit.

Entrance path at Cauley Square historic village near Homestead, Florida.png

What Cauley Square is

Cauley Square is a village of small buildings set around garden spaces. Its website says it has six gardens, a tea room, an art gallery, a salt cave and spa, a bar called The Village Chalet and vendors who sell repurposed vintage finds and antique home decor.

Think of it as a walking stop. You park, stroll the paths, look in the shops and sit down for tea or coffee. It is more about a slow afternoon than a big list of things to do.

A short history

The story begins with the railroad. According to published histories of the village, the Florida East Coast Railway reached Goulds in 1903. A man named William H. Cauley owned 10 acres there. He built the village that year to help grow the town. The buildings housed railway workers, and Cauley also used the village as a shipping point for his tomatoes.

The village was abandoned in 1926 after the Great Miami Hurricane. It sat empty for more than twenty years. In 1949, a woman named Mary Anne Ballard bought it and restored it. Hurricane Andrew badly damaged it in 1992, and it was repaired. Miami-Dade County declared it a historic site in 1994.

So this is a place that has been through storms and kept going. That fits South Florida.

Old wooden building at Cauley Square historic village in Miami-Dade County.png

What to see and do

Walk the gardens. The village is built around garden spaces. The website says there are six.

Browse the shops. The village site mentions vendors with vintage finds and antique home decor. The Miami and the Beaches tourism guide also lists a children's art gallery and several small boutiques and wellness shops. Shops change over time, so look at the village website before you go.

Take a class or see art. The village's website mentions an art gallery with painting classes.

Visit the salt cave. The website lists a salt cave or spa.

Attend an event. Cauley Square hosts private events, from small dinners in the gardens to large receptions. If you are only visiting, you can skip this.

Where to eat

Cauley Square has three eating spots that visitors talk about most. The details below come from the village's own site and the Greater Miami tourism guide. Restaurants change owners, menus and hours over time, so call or check before you rely on any of them.

The Tea Room. The village calls it a Victorian-themed place for afternoon tea. The tourism guide says it has six rooms with different décor, and it offers soups, salads and tea service.
The Latin Corner. This is a garden gazebo for a casual bite. The guide lists Cuban coffee, empanadas and arepas.
The Village Chalet. It is set in a cottage with a covered wraparound patio. The guide says it has pasta, steaks and Latin-inspired food, and live music on some weekends.

Where it is and how to get there

Cauley Square sits on Old Dixie Highway, by U.S. 1, in Goulds. That is north of Homestead. The tourism guide lists the address as 22400 Old Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami, FL 33170.

Two named roads help you get there from Homestead. U.S. 1 (South Dixie Highway) runs north through the area. Florida's Turnpike also runs north from the south end of the county. We do not give drive times, because traffic changes them every day. Test the trip at the hour you would really go.

For a full guide to the roads and the new rapid bus line from Homestead, read Homestead to Miami: The Roads and Transit From Aria Park.

Three ways to spend an afternoon

You can shape the visit to fit who you bring.

An easy stroll with friends. Walk the gardens, look in the shops and end with tea at The Tea Room.
A family outing. Walk the paths, stop for a casual bite at The Latin Corner and check whether the children's art gallery has a class that day.
A hobby day for people who like old things. Spend your time with the antique and vintage vendors, then photograph the old buildings.

Each of these takes only an afternoon. None needs a plan more detailed than ""go and see.""

Tips for a good visit

Check the village site first. Look at the Cauley Square website for current hours, shops and events.
Read the tourism guide too. The Miami and the Beaches page has descriptions of the shops and food.
Go with time to spare. The paths are meant for walking slowly.
Wear comfortable shoes. It is a walking visit, mostly outdoors.
Bring a camera. The old buildings and gardens make good photos.
Call ahead for a table. If you want tea, ask about reservations.

Garden seating area at Cauley Square historic village, Florida.png

How this fits a home search

Some places on a home search are about the house. Others are about the weekend. A buyer who knows they will want a place to take family or guests may like having an old village close to home.

Plan a full day if you can. See Aria Park in the morning. Then take a drive north to the village, and stop in downtown Homestead on the way back. Our downtown Homestead guide tells you what is there. If you want to spend time outside, read our guide to parks in Homestead.

To see the homes themselves, read our guide to Aria Park floor plans. You can also visit the Aria Park community page.

Common Questions

What is Cauley Square?

Cauley Square is a historic village of old buildings, gardens, shops and tea rooms in Goulds, in Miami-Dade County. It was built in 1903 and named a county historic site in 1994. Its website calls it a glimpse of Old South Florida.

Where is Cauley Square?

It is at 22400 Old Dixie Highway, by U.S. 1, in the Goulds area of Miami-Dade County. That is north of Homestead. We do not give drive times, since traffic changes them. Test the trip at the hour you would go.

Is Cauley Square in Homestead?

No. It is north of Homestead in Goulds, which has a Miami address. Many people from Homestead visit it for an afternoon. Aria Park is in Homestead, on Palm Drive.

What can you do at Cauley Square?

You can walk the gardens, browse small shops, see an art gallery and have tea or a snack. The village site lists a tea room, a salt cave and a bar. Shops change, so check the village website for what is open.

Can you eat at Cauley Square?

Yes. The village has The Tea Room, The Latin Corner and The Village Chalet, according to its site and the tourism guide. Restaurants change owners and hours, so call ahead to confirm before you go.

Is Cauley Square worth a visit for someone moving to Homestead?

If you like old buildings, gardens and slow afternoons, yes. It gives you a taste of the area's history. It is a short outing, so many people pair it with a visit to downtown Homestead or a park.

Want to pair a day at Aria Park with a day in the area? Call 561-704-0091 or Pair Aria Park With a Cauley Square Day — Schedule a Visit. We will plan a short tour with you.