Things to do in South Beach Miami: The Best Tourist Attractions and Nightlife

Palm trees, sun, breeze, and relaxation, are a mix of tempting features that we love so much. If we add to this beach life and a thousand ways to have fun at all hours, just a stone’s throw from a famous metropolis, we’re already packing our suitcases.

Our destination is in the southeast of Florida in Miami-Dade County. A long and narrow island connected by bridges to the mainland in front of Miami, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is home to Miami Beach; South Beach is the part that includes the blocks south of 23rd Street.

A little history of South Beach

This is our end point, a trendy neighborhood also known as SoBe, with a population of about 40,000. What is now South Beach was once a coconut growing area in the 1870s. In 1886, Charles Lum built the first house there, then in 1912 the Lum brothers’ company, Lummus Brothers, began building a city overlooking the sea with modest family housing.

The beach and the entire area owe much of their development to Collins Bridge erected in 1913, the first bridge that connected the island of Miami Beach to the mainland and to the metropolis of Miami. A few years later, in fact, the boom began, the population began to grow, as did business, and several millionaires also arrived. South Beach was the first area of the island to develop.

South Beach Climate

Florida has a sub-tropical climate and the hot and humid weather is felt for many months of the year, so it is important to protect yourself well with sunscreen. It is also essential to read the signs on the beach that give warnings to bathers. The period between June and November is the one in which there are sometimes hurricanes.

Let’s say that Florida seems equipped to overcome them without catastrophic damage, but the thing that concerns the whole Caribbean area, and other areas too, is the increasing intensity of the phenomena. Personally, we believe that March and April are good months to visit this state and South Beach. For further information please read 2 of our articles:

• Florida Climate: When to Go and What Temperatures to Expect
• Miami Climate and Temperatures: When to visit

Things to see in South Beach Miami

The Beach is very lively even after sunset, so nightlife lovers will find endless possibilities among nightclubs and bars. SoBe has been the backdrop for many television and movie scenes: Miami Vice, Scarface, and Bad Boys to name a few. Aside from the police scenes, you’ll feel safe here, but like anywhere in the world where it’s crowded, you’ll need to use your common sense.

On the coast, which extends for 10 miles and has been transformed over the years, you are spoiled for choice. You can lie back and relax enjoying the sun, the palm trees, and the breeze, you can shelter under a pop-up beach cabana (a self-assembling beach tent), under a parasol (not so frequent), you can exercise, play beach volleyball, you can walk, run along the beach, entertain the children, experience romantic moments and of course dive into the blue ocean.

This area is so popular because it is suitable for everyone: families, young people, retirees, and those who have chosen Florida to escape the harsh winters. It is always full of people, both locals and from all over the world. Along this shoreline, which has to be constantly supplemented due to sea erosion, colorful lifeguard stations stand out and there is no shortage of carefree swimmers as well as some surfers (in the southernmost area).

Art Deco District

After a tremendous hurricane in September 1926 that devastated the city causing chaos and more than 400 deaths, by early 1927 South Beach began to be reborn with the Art Deco District, and for about twenty years the buildings that were constructed echoed the new chic style that was predominant at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Artes Décoratifs in Paris.

The world’s largest concentration of these fine buildings is found along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. There are more than 800 of them, well maintained and manifesting the interpretation that was given in Miami to the architectural style introduced in France and developed in other parts of the world. The made in Florida version makes use of motifs such as flamingos, suns, nautical and geometric symbols. In fact, as often happens in the field of styles, there is a tendency to make modifications, to personalize them.

In the seventies, a successful campaign was undertaken to protect this artistic heritage and now the district is included in the register of historic places.

We would like to point out some buildings representative of various interpretations of this style: the Beacon Hotel (720 Ocean Dr.) with abstract decorations that are developed vertically, on the ground floor windows, and with a beautiful flamingo engraved in the glass door of the lobby; the Colony Hotel (736 Ocean Dr.) with its imposing sign, linear decorations in turquoise and blue on a white background, and the Marlin Hotel (1200 Collins Ave.) with its beautiful facade in beige and light blue pastel colors, finely decorated.

We would now like to take you with us to South Beach and start familiarizing you with some of the main streets.

Ocean Drive

Let’s start with Ocean Drive, “a showcase,” the most distinguished seaside street with palm trees and leafy trees, which runs for 1.2 miles here in SoBe, from 15th Street to South Pointe Drive. This is the entertainment area par excellence, which never stops, enlivened by the presence of day and night clubs, bodybuilders, model parades, exhibitionists who walk around in beach wear, eccentric characters, and cucadores who drive Ferraris or Lamborghinis at a snail’s pace so they can look around and be noticed in turn.

But there are also many ordinary people like us walking around SoBe and it is this variety of people that makes it particularly interesting. In the evening, the play of lights together with music, dancing, and drinks accentuate the atmosphere and create a suggestive mix.

But South Beach is not only a place of enjoyment, and a place of excess, it is a world for everyone where everyone finds their ideal space. On both sides, there is a wide sidewalk that on the land side is the access way to restaurants, clubs, bars, and hotels, while on the other side it “looks” out onto the beach and a beautiful sea that is turquoise close to the beach and then becomes bluer as the depth of the water increases.

Along this street, it is impossible not to notice the art deco style buildings facing the sea, well-preserved structures that house hotels, restaurants, stores, and clubs. Notice the pastel colors ranging from white to pink and from light blue to green. It all creates a bright atmosphere.

Then there is the sun, palm trees, blue sky, and the bright colors of the cafes: all inviting you to stroll slowly and enjoy a drink. Each place has its own method for enticing people to come in or sit at the tables outside; often they are smiling girls who do not go unnoticed, real “promoters” who also advertise special events and evenings with flyers and tickets.

Life here is vibrant and energetic and people want to have fun, each in their own way. In fact, it is not uncommon to see people coming out of the clubs at five in the morning as well as seeing early risers who go to the beach and enjoy the sunrise, jogging on the beach.

When the first workers wake up, the people of the night go to sleep, probably waiting for a different club and a new adventure to live. Hispanics, Eurasians, African-Americans and tourists from all over meet and have fun under the Sunshine State sun. Here the night is as buzzing with life as daytime and there is never a dull moment.

One of the most photographed places along Ocean Drive is Casa Casuarina , at number 1116, the home once owned by Gianni Versace, and now a hotel. Lummus Park (1130 Ocean Dr.) is a beautiful green area that flanks the street for most of its length; it is embellished with magnificent palm trees and has a paved walkway for pedestrians, bicycles and skateboarders, called the promenade, which separates the grassy part from the beach. Fans of Miami Vice will recognize that some scenes from the famous 1980s TV show were filmed here.

Open seven days a week, the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Dr.) is not only an information center for the Miami area, it also houses a museum that tells the culture and history of the Miami Beach community with the ever-present gift shop.

Collins Avenue

Another street that we highlight is Collins Avenue. It is very long, starts more to the north of SoBe and in that stretch the buildings (mainly hotels) run along the beach; then the artery enters the city and becomes a road parallel to Ocean Drive along where you can stroll, with art deco buildings that house hotels, restaurants, clubs, and stores, all embellished by beautiful palm trees. Strolling is pleasant here, and it has an active nightlife. But that’s not all.

For art lovers, the Bass Museum (2100 Collins Ave.) hosts international exhibitions of modern art, design and fashion. The museum was opened in 1964 thanks to John and Johanna Bass’s donation of their private collection. It is currently closed for renovations but is scheduled to reopen on October 8, 2017. During this time some exhibits have been located at the Miami Beach Regional Library 227 22nd Street.

Along the promenade, don’t miss 2 beautiful examples of Art Deco hotels, the Sagamore and the Delano; feel free to enter the lobbies to appreciate the architectural style and the many works of art on display (in the first of the 2).

Washington Avenue

Although less on everyone’s lips than Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, which runs parallel to the aforementioned streets, is still well-stocked with hotels, stores, restaurants, but above all nightclubs. That’s right, nightclubs line its entire length and traffic is often congested well into the morning. A real draw for those who love this type of attractions.

Of a different kind, at number 1701 we find Temple Emanu-El, the synagogue open since 1949 that can be visited on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. The white marble exterior makes the building very bright. South Pointe Park (1 Washington Ave.), on the other hand, is the southernmost area of SoBe and an active city park where it is pleasant to stroll along the walkways and enjoy the surrounding views.

It is a good vantage point and from the observation deck you can see the ocean, downtown Miami, cruise ships, yachts, Biscane Bay and Fisher Island. This park ends at the beach and is also a great place for fishing enthusiasts. The area is equipped to accommodate dogs, let children play and there is also a restaurant. Contemporary art sculptures can be found in the park. This is also a popular site for film crews and photo shoots.

Not surprisingly, during peak periods, the aforementioned streets are very busy.

Espanola Way

Next to Washington Avenue we come to the lovely pedestrian street Espanola Way, with European and Mediterranean style buildings. This small street full of greenery is the ideal place to stroll, linger pleasantly in the stores, relax in cafes and restaurants. It’s a different “flavor” than the Art Deco for which South Beach is better known, but it’s worth being here to enjoy Espanola Way and admire the pink stucco buildings with Spanish tiles.

Lincoln Road Mall

In addition to the aforementioned streets, we recommend not missing the pedestrian area of Lincoln Road (Lincoln Rd. & 16th St.), a very pleasant, cheerful and lively promenade between stores, restaurants and pubs that stretches for 10 blocks. It is defined as an area of excellence for shopping but it is also a pleasant place for a walk and somewhere you can find a place to have lunch or dinner. The Collins Avenue Fashion District, between 5th and 9th Street, offers a wide selection of fashionable collections and is a mecca for shoppers.

Holocaust Memorial and Memorial Wall

The Holocaust Memorial (1933-1945 Meridian Ave.) is clearly somewhere with a very different atmosphere. It commemorates the victims of the “Shoah” and is an important and impactful symbol, especially for those who experienced the horrors of war. In 1985, the work was commissioned from sculptor Kenneth Treister by a group of survivors of the 1984 Holocaust when more than 3,000 Sikhs were massacred in India after Indira Gandhi was herself assassinated. It took five years to make.

In this memorial area, on a plinth within a reflecting pool, the artist has erected a huge arm with its hand pointing skywards. Beneath it stands life-size sculptures of human figures that convey the sense of tragedy. In memory of all the victims, and especially for their families, the Memorial Wall was also created where the names of the victims were engraved on black granite in order to create a bond of eternal memory. The memorial is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until sunset and admission is free.

South Beach Events

We highlight a few events that take place in this part of Miami Beach throughout the year. In January, the Art Deco Weekend Festival takes place along Ocean Drive and consists of various activities, guided tours, film screenings, art exhibitions, live music, and classic car shows.

What started as the “Taste of South Beach” on Lincoln Road in the heart of Miami Beach has grown into a grand experience and now this annual event that takes place in February is called the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival. It is one of the beach events where many of the top star chefs, food, wine, and spirits producers and purveyors, as well as personalities in the culinary field, perform. The event is run by the Florida Int. University School of Hospitality and Tourism. Attendance at this (ticketed) event increases exponentially each year.

Miami Music week, on the other hand, is a week-long marathon of electronic dance music that takes place in Miami Beach and various Miami neighborhoods during the last week of March and is attended by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world.

Artists play in over 250 private venues throughout the area; we’re talking nightclubs, private sites, pools, and boats in places like Miami Beach, downtown Miami, Little Haiti, and Wynwood (the spectacular street art museum with huge murals and galleries). Music Week has continued to grow every year, becoming one of the most popular events in the world for lovers of that kind of music.

In April, the South Beach Triathlon takes place at Lummus Park (1130 Ocean Dr.), a classic race, of great appeal due to the context in which it takes place, consisting of tests in the disciplines of swimming, cycling, and running open to all, from beginners to super experts.

Since 1990, during the Memorial Day holiday in May, five days of Urban Beach Week have been held at various locations in South Beach, an event that has become known for its “super fashionable parties ” held in private facilities.

Food lovers will enjoy Miami Spice which takes place between the end of August and the beginning of September when some restaurants – both for lunch and dinner – offer three courses of fine food created by renowned chefs at reduced prices. An opportunity not to be missed!

Also on the culinary side of things, the South Beach Seafood Festival (800 Ocean Dr.) takes place in the third week of October when, for four blocks on SoBe Beach, there is a “marriage” between the open bar and the cuisine of fine restaurants that serve customers right on the sand. Check the website for available ticket types as they are updated every year. Among the various options, there is, however, the possibility of trying your hand at cooking with the chefs. It is definitely a very appreciable event and, for those interested, to be grabbed on the fly

Places to Eat in South Beach Miami

An important part of any trip is definitely getting to know and appreciate the cuisine, both local and ethnic, and since for us this aspect is anything but marginal, we have written an article with our advice on where to eat in Miami: you will find restaurants in South Beach and other neighborhoods, but below we will list some that have struck us, particularly in the South Beach area.

The Brazilian cuisine of the south welcomes us at the chain Fogo de Chao (836 1st St.) with its specialty of churrasco, where the meat is first marinated and then grilled. The waiters let you choose your favorite “cuts” of meat from a large skewer to bring to your table.

If you’re sick of eating meat, try the best seafood in town at Joe’s Stone Crab, a historic eatery at 11 Washington Avenue (SoFi area) that has been cooking up delicious Stone Crab and other seafood specialties in flavorful, generous portions since 1913. Most likely you will find a queue outside the restaurant, but it is worth the wait. The important thing is that you do not show up in shorts, as there is a dress code.

Modern American cuisine prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients can be enjoyed at The Restaurant at the Raleigh (1775 Collins Ave. – Raleigh hotel). Food is served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and mid-morning weekend brunch inside the restaurant, by the baroque-style pool, and in the terrace bar. Please note: Unfortunately, this restaurant has recently closed.

Asian cuisine is the specialty at Jaya at the Setai (2001 Collins Ave. – Setai hotel) with flavors of cardamom, cinnamon, curry, tamarind, ginger, and coconut milk. You can eat lunch, and dinner and have Sunday brunch inside the restaurant and in the courtyard. A fun fact about the meaning of the term Jaya: in Sanskrit, it means victory (a good name for a successful business) and it is also the name of the person who decorated the interior, Mr. Jaya Ibrahim.

If refined or ethnic food is not your thing, but you are looking for American cuisine of substance, you can opt for the Big Pink (157 Collins Ave), a place with an unmistakable pink façade and remarkable burgers (both in size and quality).

Nightlife in South Beach Miami

Nightlife is an important part of South Beach, so here are a few places for those looking for fun.

Mango’s Tropical Café (900 Ocean Dr.) is inspired by the Caribbean, with live performances by dancers, musicians, DJs, and stand-up comedians. Rhythms range from Latin flavors such as samba, salsa, cumbia, and bachata but there are also belly dancers and disco music. For those over 21, the lounge has food and alcoholic beverages.

If you’re looking for an unusual venue, head to Drinkhouse Fire & Ice Bar (1672 Collins Ave.). An icy paradise with a temperature of zero degrees opens up before your eyes. The bar is entirely made of ice and so are the furnishings, sculptures, and glasses. The bar offers its customers gloves and coats, but since they are limited in number, we recommended booking unless you want to bring something warm and heavy from home. In the same building is the Fire Lounge where cocktails are served during entertainment, all in a more colorful environment for those who want to diversify from the glacial atmosphere.

The Playwright (1265 Washington Ave.) is an Irish pub and restaurant offering live music, breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. It is the typical place where Americans come to watch baseball and football games or to play billiards always accompanied by a good beer.

Best Places to Stay in South Beach Miami

In addition to the advice about South Beach that you can find in this article, we suggest some other accommodation structures below for a more complete overview.

How to Get From Miami Airport to South Beach

To reach South Beach the fastest way is to land at the Miami Airport (2100 NW 42nd Ave.) which is about half an hour away.  You can take the Airport-Beach Express, a bus service operating seven days a week, connecting the airport to major points on the Beach. There are also many other airport transfer services, from shared shuttles to private vehicles, and you can find them all on this page:

All Miami airport-hotel transfers

How to Get Around the Neighborhood and Where to Park

Once at your destination, if you don’t have a car, you can use public transportation operated by Miami-Dade Transit. You can use the Metrobus Lines, a bus line that connects South Beach to downtown Miami. For local travel, you can rely on South Beach Local (SBL) which connects the major points of SoBe by bus. For a detailed overview please refer to our in-depth analysis on how to move around Miami.

And how a nice bike ride? At 746 5th Street, we find Miami Beach Bicycle Center, a store that rents, sells bicycles and accessories, and also provides assistance. Instead, if like us you have a rented car, there are parking possibilities in garages and parking lots. We can mention a few, at the corners of Washington Avenue and Commerce St, 1st Street and Washington Avenue, 13th Street and Collins Avenue, 21st and Collins Avenue, and at South Point Park.

During our visit one of the best parking lots in terms of location/price ratio turned out to be the Publix Super Market at Fifth & Alton (GPS address here); a short walk will bring you to the heart of South Beach! Alternatively, you can park in one of the garages of the shopping centers on Lincoln Road. In the linked article we have indicated the most cost-effective ones.

Things to do Near South Beach Miami

Enjoy the sun, the heat, the palm trees, the beaches, and the merriment. Whether it’s a day, a week, or even two, the Beach always has something to offer. Join SoBe to the north of Miami Beach and Miami itself, and take an excursion to the Keys islands, paradises with their fishing and diving spots until you reach the relaxed atmosphere of Key West, the most famous and largest island, so loved by the writer Ernest Hemingway. If you like nature, don’t miss the Everglades park with its swamps, mangroves, alligators, and birds. But don’t forget that Miami itself has much more to offer besides South Beach, check out our article on what to see in Miami!

Water, beach, sun and fun are the things that come to mind when thinking about a trip to Florida and South Beach fully embodies the spirit. Walk around, discover, have fun and feel the energetic, tropical-American vibe of this corner of the world.