Miami Beach travel guide
Miami Beach Tourism | Miami Beach Guide
You're Going to Love Miami Beach
Miami Beach has a stunning location on the barrier island east of Miami and is home to lots of popular beach resorts. The city is also famous for its culture and arts centers, as well as its incredible nightlife.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Miami Beach
1. Beaches, Naturally
Miami Beach has been one of the top beach resorts in the USA for nearly 100 years. South Beach is a particular favorite, with beautiful sands, warm, calm water, and good facilities.
2. Unstoppable Nightlife
Miami Beach's legendary nightlife makes it one of the most popular Spring Break destinations and its Latin American population adds a distinctive flair to the music.
3. The Culture
South Beach, especially, is known for the quality of its art galleries and museums, such as ArtCenter and the Bass.
4. A Modern Cityscape
Go to the Art Deco Historic District around Ocean Drive to enjoy the largest area of modern Art Deco buildings in the world.
5. Ocean Life
Surrounded by the ocean, Miami Beach is a great place to enjoy water sports, or swim and fish in the clear ocean.
What to do in Miami Beach
1. South Beach: SoBe It
This spectacular stretch of sand is full of life, with folks of all ages frequenting the waters in the day, and hitting the clubs and bars at night. The area has it all, and South Pointe Park even offers a respite from the sand as a green oasis beside the ocean. The vibrant people bring the fun to this neighborhood, where your bathing suit is the dress code, and the traffic is comprised of rollerbladers and skateboarders cruising down Ocean Drive. So be there or be square!
2. Lincoln Road Mall: Treat Yourself
Just a few blocks from the beach, this shopping center found on Lincoln Road has just about everything you could ever need. The all-American mall experience takes on a distinctly Floridian flavor along this entirely pedestrian-only promenade. Enjoy the tropical air of the open-air mall as you window shop beneath palm trees, or maybe even indulge in a purchase or two. Cafés and bars also spill onto the walkway, beckoning visitors to stop for a snack in the sun. Don't miss the galleries here either.
3. Miami Beach Architectural District: Retro Rainbow
Miami Beach's downtown district is full of unique architecture that won't fail to catch your eye. Ocean Drive and the surrounding streets of the Art Deco District are lined with vintage houses and hotels. They glimmer intriguingly in the daylight and light up the night sky in a kaleidoscope of neon. The contemporary fanfare that bustles beneath the facades of these buildings casts an unforgettable atmosphere over the whole neighborhood.
4. Miami City Ballet: Artistic Expression
An international ensemble of world-class dancers perform year-round in Miami Beach, and catching a show is sure to be unforgettable. Their theater hosts a program that encompasses diverse choreography - from traditional pieces like the Nutcracker from George Balanchine to boundary-pushing masterpieces by Twyla Tharp. The history of dance unfolds on this stage, celebrated in all its forms. Nearby, check out the Bass Museum of Art, the local center for contemporary art.
5. Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation: Never Forget
The work of a committee of dedicated Holocaust Survivors, this statue stands in downtown Miami Beach as a powerful memorial to those who were murdered between 1933 and 1945. A great hand stretches skyward, stark against the blue sky. It is surrounded by figures of tormented human beings - helping and holding one another in their suffering. This sight is intense and moving, as it confronts visitors with the reality of what happened in the recent past.
1. South Beach: SoBe It
This spectacular stretch of sand is full of life, with folks of all ages frequenting the waters in the day, and hitting the clubs and bars at night. The area has it all, and South Pointe Park even offers a respite from the sand as a green oasis beside the ocean. The vibrant people bring the fun to this neighborhood, where your bathing suit is the dress code, and the traffic is comprised of rollerbladers and skateboarders cruising down Ocean Drive. So be there or be square!
2. Lincoln Road Mall: Treat Yourself
Just a few blocks from the beach, this shopping center found on Lincoln Road has just about everything you could ever need. The all-American mall experience takes on a distinctly Floridian flavor along this entirely pedestrian-only promenade. Enjoy the tropical air of the open-air mall as you window shop beneath palm trees, or maybe even indulge in a purchase or two. Cafés and bars also spill onto the walkway, beckoning visitors to stop for a snack in the sun. Don't miss the galleries here either.
3. Miami Beach Architectural District: Retro Rainbow
Miami Beach's downtown district is full of unique architecture that won't fail to catch your eye. Ocean Drive and the surrounding streets of the Art Deco District are lined with vintage houses and hotels. They glimmer intriguingly in the daylight and light up the night sky in a kaleidoscope of neon. The contemporary fanfare that bustles beneath the facades of these buildings casts an unforgettable atmosphere over the whole neighborhood.
4. Miami City Ballet: Artistic Expression
An international ensemble of world-class dancers perform year-round in Miami Beach, and catching a show is sure to be unforgettable. Their theater hosts a program that encompasses diverse choreography - from traditional pieces like the Nutcracker from George Balanchine to boundary-pushing masterpieces by Twyla Tharp. The history of dance unfolds on this stage, celebrated in all its forms. Nearby, check out the Bass Museum of Art, the local center for contemporary art.
5. Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation: Never Forget
The work of a committee of dedicated Holocaust Survivors, this statue stands in downtown Miami Beach as a powerful memorial to those who were murdered between 1933 and 1945. A great hand stretches skyward, stark against the blue sky. It is surrounded by figures of tormented human beings - helping and holding one another in their suffering. This sight is intense and moving, as it confronts visitors with the reality of what happened in the recent past.
1. South Beach: SoBe It
This spectacular stretch of sand is full of life, with folks of all ages frequenting the waters in the day, and hitting the clubs and bars at night. The area has it all, and South Pointe Park even offers a respite from the sand as a green oasis beside the ocean. The vibrant people bring the fun to this neighborhood, where your bathing suit is the dress code, and the traffic is comprised of rollerbladers and skateboarders cruising down Ocean Drive. So be there or be square!
2. Lincoln Road Mall: Treat Yourself
Just a few blocks from the beach, this shopping center found on Lincoln Road has just about everything you could ever need. The all-American mall experience takes on a distinctly Floridian flavor along this entirely pedestrian-only promenade. Enjoy the tropical air of the open-air mall as you window shop beneath palm trees, or maybe even indulge in a purchase or two. Cafés and bars also spill onto the walkway, beckoning visitors to stop for a snack in the sun. Don't miss the galleries here either.
3. Miami Beach Architectural District: Retro Rainbow
Miami Beach's downtown district is full of unique architecture that won't fail to catch your eye. Ocean Drive and the surrounding streets of the Art Deco District are lined with vintage houses and hotels. They glimmer intriguingly in the daylight and light up the night sky in a kaleidoscope of neon. The contemporary fanfare that bustles beneath the facades of these buildings casts an unforgettable atmosphere over the whole neighborhood.
4. Miami City Ballet: Artistic Expression
An international ensemble of world-class dancers perform year-round in Miami Beach, and catching a show is sure to be unforgettable. Their theater hosts a program that encompasses diverse choreography - from traditional pieces like the Nutcracker from George Balanchine to boundary-pushing masterpieces by Twyla Tharp. The history of dance unfolds on this stage, celebrated in all its forms. Nearby, check out the Bass Museum of Art, the local center for contemporary art.
5. Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation: Never Forget
The work of a committee of dedicated Holocaust Survivors, this statue stands in downtown Miami Beach as a powerful memorial to those who were murdered between 1933 and 1945. A great hand stretches skyward, stark against the blue sky. It is surrounded by figures of tormented human beings - helping and holding one another in their suffering. This sight is intense and moving, as it confronts visitors with the reality of what happened in the recent past.
Where to Eat in Miami Beach
The 11th Street Diner on Washington Avenue is a good budget choice, with dishes from $8 and a great all-day breakfast. A Fish Called Avalon on Ocean Drive offers superb seafood, with mains up to $45.
When to visit Miami Beach
Miami Beach has subtropical climate, with warm, dry winters and hot, humid summers. It is an ideal, year-round destination.
How to Get to Miami Beach
Plane
Miami Beach's nearest airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), which has a huge number of domestic and international connections. The Miami Beach Airport Flyer bus will take you to Miami Beach for $2.65, while a taxi is around $32.
Train
The nearest train station is at Miami, which has Amtrak passenger services to major US cities. The fare from New York City is from $122.
Car
The city is connected to Miami via Highway 195 and then via US-1 to the major US highway network.
Bus
Greyhound has extensive passenger services to Miami, where you can connect with local public transport to Miami Beach. Fares from New York City to Miami start at $78.50.
Airlines serving Miami Beach
Where to stay in Miami Beach
South Beach - this area is famous for its Art Deco Historic District and also has some of the best beaches, bars, and clubs in the city.
Popular Neighborhoods in Miami Beach
Mid-Beach - Mid-Beach is a quieter area, less frequented by the party animals. The walk along the Miami Beach Boardwalk is stunning and great for people watching.
North Beach - North Beach continues on from Mid-Beach and is particularly favored by families. Haulover Beach Park is one of only a few surfing beaches in the area.
Where to stay in popular areas of Miami Beach
Most booked hotels in Miami Beach
How to Get Around Miami Beach
Public Transportation
Miami Beach has good bus transportation, with frequent services. Particularly useful is the South Beach Local loop, which costs only $0.25.
Taxi
Taxis are everywhere in South Beach and a convenient way of getting around. The starting fare is $2.95 and then around $4 per mile.
Car
Renting a car is perhaps the easiest way to see Miami Beach. Car rental is widely available from Sixt and Enterprise and will cost anywhere from $20 a day.
The Cost of Living in Miami Beach
Shopping Streets
Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue make up the designer district, while Española Way is a good pedestrian mall with a great Sunday market selling everything from flowers to souvenirs.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Miami Beach will cost around $1 and a dozen eggs is priced at $2.96.