Ocean Drive, Miami (must see)
If there's any street synonymous with South Beach鈥攃entral to the story of Miami's evolution as an arts, fashion, cultural, celebrity, and entertainment hub鈥攊t is Ocean Drive. Indeed, this iconic place is South Beach turned up to eleven! With more than 900 Art Deco and 1930s-through-50s-style buildings in one stretch (including some architectural marvels like the Colony Hotel built in 1939), it glows like a marquee for the whole district. A slow walk here is the Miami rite of passage鈥攕leek lines, porthole windows, terrazzo underfoot, and that pastel skyline doing its best to steal your camera roll.
And yes, many local establishments are disgracefully expensive (how about a $65 margarita?鈥擝old choice). Still, Ocean Drive isn鈥檛 only about pricey sips; it鈥檚 a prime territory for world-class people-watching, sunset photos, and soaking up nightlife you can hear before you see. And if you scout a block or two, you can still find some affordable caf茅s and under-the-radar bites that don鈥檛 require a finance degree.
Aside from a mix of Art Deco hotels, sidewalk eateries, galleries, and nightclubs, there are more than 30 designer boutiques鈥攊ncluding Guess, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole鈥攁ll of which make Ocean Drive a linchpin in setting up the city鈥檚 fashion trends. With clothing temptations at practically every corner鈥攆rom Zara and Free People to H&M and those Uggs (appealing to the youthful crowd so anxious to stay ahead of the curve)鈥攖his street is rightfully regarded as the 鈥淐apital of Cool.鈥�
Ultimately, Ocean Drive narrates Miami鈥檚 glow-up on a single palm-lined stage. Walk it and you slip into a time capsule where chrome trim and vintage neon meet DJs and alfresco espresso. Past and present don鈥檛 compete here; they trade winks. By the time the lights come on, you鈥檙e not just visiting South Beach鈥攜ou鈥檙e in the establishing shot...
And yes, many local establishments are disgracefully expensive (how about a $65 margarita?鈥擝old choice). Still, Ocean Drive isn鈥檛 only about pricey sips; it鈥檚 a prime territory for world-class people-watching, sunset photos, and soaking up nightlife you can hear before you see. And if you scout a block or two, you can still find some affordable caf茅s and under-the-radar bites that don鈥檛 require a finance degree.
Aside from a mix of Art Deco hotels, sidewalk eateries, galleries, and nightclubs, there are more than 30 designer boutiques鈥攊ncluding Guess, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole鈥攁ll of which make Ocean Drive a linchpin in setting up the city鈥檚 fashion trends. With clothing temptations at practically every corner鈥攆rom Zara and Free People to H&M and those Uggs (appealing to the youthful crowd so anxious to stay ahead of the curve)鈥攖his street is rightfully regarded as the 鈥淐apital of Cool.鈥�
Ultimately, Ocean Drive narrates Miami鈥檚 glow-up on a single palm-lined stage. Walk it and you slip into a time capsule where chrome trim and vintage neon meet DJs and alfresco espresso. Past and present don鈥檛 compete here; they trade winks. By the time the lights come on, you鈥檙e not just visiting South Beach鈥攜ou鈥檙e in the establishing shot...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Miami. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Ocean Drive on Map
Sight Name: Ocean Drive
Sight Location: Miami, USA (See walking tours in Miami)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Miami, USA (See walking tours in Miami)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Miami, Florida
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
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Miami鈥攐ften called 鈥淭he Magic City,鈥� 鈥淭he 305,鈥� or 鈥淕ateway to the Americas鈥濃�攈as a name with a story. It comes from the Miami River, which itself took its name from the Mayaimi, a Native American tribe once settled around the historic Lake Okeechobee long before the skyline glowed neon. The word Mayaimi means 鈥渂ig water,鈥� fitting for a place where life has always revolved... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
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