How to Visit South Beach, Florida

Once a quiet, Miami Beach retirement community on the Atlantic Ocean along South Collins Avenue, "SoBe" has zoomed into a prominent tourist destination with luxury art deco hotels, gourmet dining, upscale shopping districts, pristine beaches and azure waters decorated with colorful, artsy lifeguard stations. Visitors will enjoy exploring Ocean Drive or relaxing on the beach to soak up the sun. After sunset, the town turns into one grand night club with hot spot after hot spot with music and dancing into the wee hours.

Things You'll Need

• Map and visitor guides

Instructions

1. Stop at the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau on Brickell Avenue or the Chamber of Commerce on Meridian Avenue and pick up maps and visitor, parking and tour information.

2. Take a 1 1/2-hour guided walking tour of the Art Deco District, scheduled through the Miami Design Preservation League Welcome Center on Ocean Drive. There's lots of history that goes back to the 1920s. Visit the lobbies of some of the renovated hotels from that era. South Beach was also a military base during World War II. The tour guides will clue you in on the movie industry's impact here as well.

3. Visit a few of the city's great landmarks such as the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts, the Bass Museum and the Colony Theater.

4. Take a walk along Lummus Park on Ocean Drive with its beautiful beaches, palm trees and walkways. When you get hungry, find an outdoor table, if it's a pleasant day, at one of the many sidewalk restaurants.

5. Go shopping along Lincoln Road Mall with outdoor dining, eclectic shops and colorful scenery. Explore Espanola Way, just south of Lincoln Road Mall with its Spanish architecture, restaurants, bakeries, tapas bars and stores.

6. Visit during one of the city's seasonal events such as the Wine on Harvest Moon Festival, International Ballet Festival of Miami, the Film Festival, Art in the Park and Fashion Week Miami Beach. Visitors will find plenty to do and see, but the main attraction is the beach. For artists, it's a paradise for subject matter, especially with the art deco theme and the Spanish influence, since many residents are from Cuba and South America.

Tips & Warnings

• South Beach is not really family-oriented; it is more for adults.

• This is a popular destination for European visitors.

• For safety reasons, be aware of your surroundings.

Resources

• South Beach Visitor Information
• Miami Preservation League