Miami Beach and South Beach – Fun and Relaxation on the Spectacular Coast
South Beach in Miami Beach is one of the most beautiful and lively beaches in southern Florida. The southern neighborhood is a fun destination for party and club enthusiasts, especially in the entertainment areas of Ocean Drive. Just a bit north, the center of Miami Beach is the bustling pedestrian area of Lincoln Road, near which there are several interesting attractions and museums. Miami Beach combines leisure with intriguing sites, most notably the fascinating Holocaust Memorial, symbolizing the importance and centrality of the Jewish community in the city.
How long do you need for a trip to Miami Beach?
For a trip to Miami Beach, it's worth setting aside half a day. Miami Beach and the beaches of the barrier island are a popular vacation destination with many beachfront hotels.
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10 Must-See and Do Things in Miami Beach
- Lunch and entertainment on Lincoln Road
- Exploring the clubs on Ocean Drive
- The stunning beach of South Beach
- The Art Deco buildings on Ocean, Washington, and Collins Avenues
- The Hand Sculpture at the Holocaust Memorial
- The breathtaking design collection at the Wolfsonian Museum
- The art and craft collection at the Bass Museum
- An intimate outing on Española Way
- Dolphin watching (if you're lucky) at Haulover Beach
- Beach lounging and excellent dining at Mid Beach
What is Miami Beach?
Miami Beach is a major resort city right across from the official city of Miami's downtown. Miami Beach is home to about eighty thousand residents, stretching along the barrier island east of Miami. Between Miami and Miami Beach lie the lagoon waters of Biscayne Bay.
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- The city was founded in 1915 as a luxury residential area outside the mainland
- Like any barrier island in Florida, Miami Beach is at an increased risk for hurricane damage, and a strong hurricane in 1926 struck the city causing significant damage
- In the 1930s, the city began to develop again, with many Art Deco style houses being built
- Over the years, Miami Beach also experienced decline, and a few decades ago it suffered from neglect similar to Miami itself, as the wealthy moved north towards Palm Beach and the Gold Coast, while the metropolitan areas of Miami filled with a weaker population and many immigrants from Latin America and Cuba
- In the last twenty years, Miami Beach has undergone gentrification, with a strong population returning to live there, mainly in South Beach
- Today, the city is a fascinating mix of a Latin population, a vibrant LGBTQ community, and lots of senior Jewish residents. The city is full of entertainment spots, resort hotels, and all the Florida fun you could wish for.
- Significant parts of South Beach are part of the young people's entertainment world, and the atmosphere in this part of the city is very youthful. South Beach's shoreline is the daytime after-party of the island's party scene, bustling and packed with people.
- The further north you go, the quieter the beaches become, and the vibe is much more peaceful.
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Map of Miami Beach
Travel Itinerary in Miami Beach
The tour in Miami Beach is relatively straightforward and combines a drive and a walking tour. The city's main strip is Lincoln Way, a shopping pedestrian street full of entertainment spots and shops, where it's also worth stopping for lunch. Another highlight in the city is its long, sandy beach.
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- It's worth driving along the grand boulevards like Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue to admire the city's unique Art Deco buildings.
- In South Beach, there are attractions like the Jewish Museum and the Wolfsonian Museum
- In the Lincoln Way area, additional attractions include the Holocaust Memorial and the Bass Museum
- It's also recommended to drive north on the Hudson Island towards Hollywood and experience the beautiful beaches and resort areas in the northern part of the city
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South Beach SoBe
The southern beach, or South Beach, is the most famous area and the central entertainment and tourism hub of Miami Beach. In the past, the area was considered very dangerous but has become much safer since the 2000s. The dark days of South Beach still peek through here and there on the streets, so stay focused during your stroll.
In the western part, further from the sea, there are many shops and it is quite urban in nature. A strong Jewish presence is also felt here. The neighborhood was built in the early decades of the 20th century in Art Deco style, and to this day, it boasts hundreds of buildings featuring this unique decorative style. South Beach is also known as the Miami Art Deco District.
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South Beach starts from 23rd Street and goes down south to South Point Park. The beaches here are stunning, and on Ocean Drive, you'll find the famous bars and clubs of South Beach. You can learn about the unique architecture of South Beach at the Art Deco Welcome Center located at the intersection of 10th Street and Ocean Drive.
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Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is the most attractive street in South Beach and all of Miami Beach. It runs south from Española Way down to the tip of the island. Along this street that runs on the east side of the island, right next to the Atlantic Ocean beaches, you'll find many stunning examples of Miami Beach's Art Deco style.
Along the street, there are dozens of beach hotels, some belonging to major chains, some luxurious, and some not so much. This is also Miami's entertainment avenue, with dozens of clubs, restaurants, cafes, other entertainment spots, and more. Yet, it's a classic American sunshine avenue, loaded with cars and not too many pedestrians.
The two parallel avenues west of Ocean Drive are Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, featuring Art Deco buildings with hotels, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment venues. These avenues are less attractive and prestigious than Ocean Drive, but they still offer plenty to do.
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South Beach
With all due respect to the clubs of Ocean Drive, the most popular hangout spot in Miami Beach is South Beach. This fantastic sandy beach draws a large number of bathers and sunbathers almost every day of the year (there's great sun even in the winter). The northern part of South Beach is called the Peaceful Beach, and behind it lies the green section of Lummus Park. This beach is the daytime hangout spot for Miami Beach's fabulous LGBTQ+ community.
To the south lies South Pointe Beach, known for the island's edge currents, which make it rougher with waves that have turned it into a very popular spot for surfers.
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The Jewish Museum of Florida
The Jewish Museum of Florida is located at the intersection of 3rd Street and Washington Avenue. It operates in the building where Miami's first synagogue was established, welcoming the neighborhood's growing Jewish congregation since 1936. Since the 1930s, Florida has become a migration destination for New York City's Jewish population. This migration was the precursor to the famous retirement migration from the Northeast to the sunshine strip, mainly to South Florida. Jews whose grandparents fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe and Russia assimilated well over several generations in America and discovered that Florida's weather is simply much better than the cold of the Northeast.
The synagogue was converted into the Jewish Museum in 1995 and houses a collection of more than one hundred thousand items of Judaica, historical Jewish artifacts, ancient secular objects, and more.
Address: 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
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The Wolfsonian Museum-Florida International University
The much-loved Design Museum of South Beach is nestled on Washington Avenue at the intersection with 10th Street. The museum is intrinsically linked to the Art Deco District where it's located. The museum's collection boasts nearly 200,000 unique design items from late 19th and early 20th century art and design movements. It includes textiles, furniture, decorative arts, novelties, and more.
Address: Washington Ave. 1001, Miami Beach
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Everything to see and do in Miami Beach north of South Beach
Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road is a central pedestrian street right in the heart of Miami Beach. This long street stretches from east to west and is filled with a lot of restaurants, entertainment spots, department stores, shopping, and more. The street is bustling with people all day and night and is one of the main attractions of Miami Beach. Unlike Ocean Drive, which is a car-oriented Florida street, Lincoln Road has a European style with sun, people, restaurant tables along the street, a fun atmosphere, and loads of style.
At the heart of the street, you'll find the delightful attraction of the Museum of Illusions, a charming tourist spot where you can enjoy numerous selfie options with engaging backgrounds.
Española Way
The Española Way is another shopping and entertainment artery a bit south of Lincoln Road. The interesting part of the street is between Collins Avenue to the east and Drexel Avenue, spanning just two blocks where it is now a pedestrian mall. Although the area of interest is short, the street is packed with restaurants and entertainment spots like Lincoln Road, only it's narrower with a more intimate feel.
Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach
Adjacent to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, just north of Lincoln Road, stands one of Miami Beach's iconic landmarks. Despite the complex subject, the Holocaust Memorial is a significant tourist destination in the city, mainly due to the very impressive appearance of the monument statue.
The hand emerges from the ground in the center of a circular pool with water lilies, and on it climb and fall the figures of desperate people. A number is inscribed on the hand, symbolizing the tattoo of Auschwitz prisoners. The modern and dramatic atmosphere of the hand has become an icon, and many come especially to witness the impressive sculpture by Kenneth Treister that was placed there in 1990.
The Bass Museum
Miami Beach's longstanding art museum was opened in 1964 based on the art collection of John Bass and Joanna Redlich, two Jews who emigrated to Miami from Austria. It is located slightly north of Lincoln Road, heading towards Mid-Beach, near the large Miami Beach Convention Center.
The couple's collection includes paintings by the great masters along with quite a few unique design and art pieces, including textile designs. This blend of art and craft makes the museum very interesting, mainly due to its somewhat conservative but highly effective curatorial style. In the eighties, the museum expanded to include a gallery for rotating exhibitions.
Address: Collins Ave. 2100, Miami Beach
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Mid-Beach
From 63rd Street to 23rd Street, this is the ‘middle' beach or Mid-Beach. In this area, you'll find numerous hotels close to the sea, and further west in the island's denser parts, there are residential apartments and neighborhoods. 41st Street is the Jewish street, featuring kosher restaurants and supermarkets. In Mid-Beach, there's even a separate beach designated for the Orthodox community, with some days reserved for women and others for men. Of course, in the USA, this isn't by law but rather by custom.
North of Miami Beach
The North Beach – Bal Harbour
The northern part of Miami Beach is different from the southern part – South Beach and the central part of the city. It's a narrow area of beautiful beach, accompanied by charming resort hotels. Behind the shoreline are mostly residential areas.
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Haulover Beach
This is the park and beach separating Sunny Isles from the continuation of Miami Beach to the south. The area is devoid of residences, but it includes a park and a marina where you’ll find the city's nudist beach. The marina and nearby park host numerous events, often attracting dozens of food trucks. From the marina, you can also embark on night or day fishing adventures aboard one of the fishing ships.
Every late afternoon, you can also buy fish from the local fishermen. The prices are a bit high, but we're talking fresh sea fish, and you can haggle a bit too. Additionally, at the marina and the western promenade of the park, which essentially borders the channel between Miami and Miami Beach, you can see dolphins swimming almost all hours of the day, as well as big fish. Swimming is not allowed, but you can see the fish and dolphins, as well as large birds like pelicans, right from the paths along the marina.
Sunny Isles Beach
This is the northern section of Miami Beach, where you'll find huge skyscrapers right on the beach. It's the more upscale and quieter area of Miami Beach, located at the northern end of the elongated island heading toward Hollywood. This area doesn't have many hotels, but you can find Airbnb apartments. It's not characterized by bars, restaurants, and clubs; instead, it's more of a luxury residential area on the beach.
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The History of Miami Beach
- Miami Beach is the main city on the shallow island, known professionally as a barrier island or protective island, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
- The first bridge between Miami and this stretch of sand was the Collins Bridge near 15th Street, a street now called the Venetian Causeway. The bridge was constructed in 1912 by Miami Beach developer and real estate pioneer John S. Collins.
- Originally, the area was marshy and deserted, and various entrepreneurs attempted to grow different plantations on the sandy grounds. However, Miami Beach was established in 1915 after it was decided to dedicate the island to construction.
- Construction in the area halted due to the building boom slowdown in Miami in 1926 when a hurricane struck the city and later due to the economic crisis of 1929. However, unlike Miami in the early 1930s where there was significant development especially in South Beach, it brought the unique Art Deco style to the area. These are the buildings designated for preservation that we see today on Ocean Drive in South Beach.
- Construction halted again during World War II when many buildings in the city became soldier residences and training complexes for them, and the beaches turned into firing ranges. The soldiers fell in love with the place and spread its charms after the war regarding the quality of living and staying there. Thus, Miami Beach began to transform into a tourist destination.
- The building boom resumed in the 1960s when residents from the northern states in the USA started buying vacation homes in Miami Beach, alongside the massive Cuban immigration following the communist revolution there. The Cubans chose to stay ‘close' to Cuba or at least remain in an area with similar climate, and Miami became their capital in the USA.
Miami Beach is a year-round tourist destination known for being a city without industry or central public transport and train stations. It is entirely designed for people and their vehicles, and strolling its streets is generally peaceful and pleasant.
