South Beach: Miami’s Most Recognizable Neighborhood is a Treasure Trove of Art Deco Design and Beautiful Beaches.
When people think of Miami, most of them picture South Beach. The two have become so intertwined, that when LeBron James announced he was joining the Miami Heat – who play in downtown Miami – he famously said he was taking his talents to South Beach, which lies several miles and a body of water away. The neon, art deco, and palm trees you imagine as Miami are mostly visions of Miami Beach, which is a separate city from mainland Miami. It’s a must-visit on any trip to South Florida, and you’ll find plenty to eat, drink, and do in greater Miami’s most iconic area.
Traffic getting around South Beach can be exceptionally tough, especially during busy times. Take the city's circulating taxis whenever you can, they're air-conditioned and run continuous loops around the island.
South Beach lies only a few miles from downtown Miami and is reachable via three different causeways. The most direct is I-395, also known as the MacArthur Causeway. It will take you directly onto 5th Street in the heart of South Beach. The Venetian Causeway runs from just north of downtown Miami to about 17th Street in Miami Beach. It’s the shortest route, but also has bridges that go up at 15 and 45 after the hour and has several stoplights. The third option is I-195, also known as the Julia Tuttle Causeway. It will drop you on 41st Street in mid-Miami Beach, so you’ll need to exit onto Alton Road southbound to reach South Beach.
The beach is South Beach’s biggest draw, and while you can get your fix of soft sand and turquoise waters anywhere Lummus Park offers the most action. Here, volleyball courts and exercise equipment attract models and other fit locals, and on the weekends, you’ll find the biggest beach parties are in this area too. The park also frequently hosts festivals like LGBT Pride and Art Deco Weekend.
If you’d like something a little quieter, head south of Fifth Street to South Pointe Park. The beach just off the park is far less crowded than sections further north, and it ends at a rock jetty where you can walk out above the Atlantic Ocean. The park’s small hills offer an elevated viewpoint of Government Cut, the cruise ships leaving from PortMiami, and sunset behind the Miami skyline.
The former home of fashion designer Gianna Versace is one of only two private homes along Ocean Drive, an opulent Mediterranean Revival mansion on 11th Street. Most visitors opt to simply take a picture on the front steps. But if you’d like to wander the courtyard and have lunch by Versace’s former swimming pool, book a table at Gianni’s. The Italian restaurant is set up inside the mansion and gives you access to much of the grounds.
Miami Beach has the largest collection of art deco buildings in the world. To give yourself a little context of the historical significance they hold, take an art deco walking tour. The 90–120-minute tours leave from the Art Deco Welcome Center on 10th Street and Ocean Drive and take you inside and out of some of Miami Beach’s most iconic buildings. Beyond art deco, you’ll also learn about South Beach’s other two dominant architectural styles, Miami Modern (MiMo) and Mediterranean Revival.
The fast-paced streets of South Beach have a hidden respite across from the Miami Beach Convention Center. In just over 2 acres, this tranquil escape hosts native Florida plants like palms and cycads, but also has a Japanese garden and endemic wetland. You’ll find frequent yoga classes and meditation sessions here as well, alongside original sculptures and calming water features.
For a small section of a barrier island, South Beach packs a whopping cultural punch. Art lovers can enjoy the colorful sculptures in Collins Park before visiting the Bass Museum and its collection of modern art and traveling exhibitions. For more modern works, check out Artechouse on 7th Street and Collins Ave. It showcases rotating installations that combine art and technology in provocative, interactive experiences. A few blocks north, Florida International University’s Wolfsonian Museum looks at art, design, and propaganda from 1850-1950, and how it influenced culture both then and now.
Turn left turn off Washington Ave. just before 15th Street and you’ll think you stepped into an Italian piazza. This is Espanola Way, a Mediterranean-inspired street filled with sidewalk cafes and restaurants. You can wander from coffee shops to butcher shops, but don’t leave before popping into the Esme Hotel. The street’s latest edition has a rooftop bar, omakase counter, and tapas bar that makes its own spirits.
As the most popular tourist destination in Miami, South Beach is saturated with bars and restaurants. But if you’ve got a large group and want to sample a variety of local specialties, try the Time Out Market on 16th Street and Drexel Ave. It offers a fantastic selection of local eateries, ranging from vegan Chinese food to fried chicken and Peruvian ceviche. You’ll also find extensive options at the Alton Food Hall, which has special stalls for gluten-free and vegan diners, plus a low-key killer cocktail bar at Airmail.
You’ll find some of Miami’s best sushi at the unassuming Toni’s Sushi on Washington Ave., which many locals say can stand up to heavyweights like Nobu and Zuma. You can also head to Sunset Harbor, a small development on the north side of South Beach choc full of beloved local restaurants and bars. Think margaritas, pizza, Thai, and tapas, all a few feet from each other.
The largest collection of shops in South Beach will be along the pedestrian mall at Lincoln Road. Though the street’s tenants have shifted from small boutiques to stores like Forever 21 and H&M, you’ll also find shops from higher-end brands like Ted Baker and 7 for All Mankind. Collins Ave. also has a smattering of smaller stores, especially between 5th and 15th Streets. For essentials, you’ll find a Target and Publix at the 5th and Alton shopping center.
The bar at the South Beach hostel is the best place to start a night's adventure. You'll meet people from all over the world who are pretty much down for whatever. And if you are too, you may end the night with new friends in different countries.
The Pelican Hotel has over 30 individually themed suites and is the most interesting property in the neighborhood. Those looking to stay right on the beach should look at the Stanton Marriott, with oceanfront rooms and direct access to the sand. The 1 Hotel is a beautiful testament to sustainable luxury with a grand rooftop pool, though the Clevelander is perfect if you want to be in the center of the party. For budget travelers, the South Beach Hostel boasts a lively bar and reasonable rates.
Anyone visiting Miami should at least visit South Beach, since it’s the city’s most recognizable neighborhood and offers the strongest sense of place. Staying here is another matter, though, as its irresistible energy isn’t for everyone. If you came to Miami to tan all day and party all night, South Beach is absolutely where you need to be. If you want something a little quieter though, this probably isn’t the best choice as while it’s not the city that never sleeps, it usually doesn’t go to bed until after 5 am.
