Miami South Beach Walking Tour (Self Guided), Miami
Visiting Miami you are very likely, at some point, to glide into South Beach (or SoBe). This southernmost neighborhood of the city is one of America’s signature resort districts, celebrated for broad, camera-ready sands, sidewalk cafés that turn people-watching into a sport, designer storefronts that wink at your wallet, and nightlife that has long attracted celebrities and a youthful crowd.
Back in the early 1900s, this barrier island shifted from mangroves to makeover. In 1913, John S. Collins finished the Collins Bridge, linking the island to the mainland and inviting boosters like Carl Fisher and the Lummus brothers to sell the dream—parks, seaside hotels, and glamour... Miami Beach incorporated in 1915, following which the 1920s real-estate boom populated Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue with Mediterranean Revival resorts (many rebuilt after the destructive 1926 hurricane). A compact and charming enclave, Española Way—planned in 1925 as “The Historic Spanish Village”—introduced a village-scale street lined with restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops.
In the 1930s, architects Henry Hohauser and Lawrence Murray Dixon painted the town in pastel Art Deco and Streamline Moderne—the look that still says “South Beach” on every postcard. World War II brought in military trainees, and the following decades layered in retirees and immigrants, adding languages, faiths, and small businesses that diversified local life. By the 1960s and 70s, the district's shine had dulled—until preservationist Barbara Baer Capitman established the Miami Design Preservation League. In 1979, the Art Deco District earned National Register status, the first 20th-century historic district to do so. Then the 1980s and 90s delivered a renaissance with fashion shoots, music videos, “Miami Vice” TV series, and a wave of boutique hotel revivals and sidewalk dining—all contributing to the widespread use of the nickname “SoBe.”
Cuban, Haitian, Caribbean, and Latin American influences helped shape the local food and music scene. Ocean Drive—fronting the beach with cafés and Deco façades—became the emblem of the neighborhood, while Collins Avenue paralleled that energy with historic hotels and nightlife. Lincoln Road evolved into the premier open-air pedestrian shopping street, whereas Lummus Park offered beachfront recreation beneath an Art Deco skyline. And for a bite of legend, Joe’s Stone Crab—serving for over a century—still plates Florida stone crab and Key lime pie like a mic drop.
Today, South Beach balances protected architecture and perpetual reinvention, inviting visitors to explore its streets, parks, and eateries. Lace all this into a self-guided walk—and you’ve got yourself a living showcase of Miami style, history, and culture walking beside you...
Back in the early 1900s, this barrier island shifted from mangroves to makeover. In 1913, John S. Collins finished the Collins Bridge, linking the island to the mainland and inviting boosters like Carl Fisher and the Lummus brothers to sell the dream—parks, seaside hotels, and glamour... Miami Beach incorporated in 1915, following which the 1920s real-estate boom populated Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue with Mediterranean Revival resorts (many rebuilt after the destructive 1926 hurricane). A compact and charming enclave, Española Way—planned in 1925 as “The Historic Spanish Village”—introduced a village-scale street lined with restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops.
In the 1930s, architects Henry Hohauser and Lawrence Murray Dixon painted the town in pastel Art Deco and Streamline Moderne—the look that still says “South Beach” on every postcard. World War II brought in military trainees, and the following decades layered in retirees and immigrants, adding languages, faiths, and small businesses that diversified local life. By the 1960s and 70s, the district's shine had dulled—until preservationist Barbara Baer Capitman established the Miami Design Preservation League. In 1979, the Art Deco District earned National Register status, the first 20th-century historic district to do so. Then the 1980s and 90s delivered a renaissance with fashion shoots, music videos, “Miami Vice” TV series, and a wave of boutique hotel revivals and sidewalk dining—all contributing to the widespread use of the nickname “SoBe.”
Cuban, Haitian, Caribbean, and Latin American influences helped shape the local food and music scene. Ocean Drive—fronting the beach with cafés and Deco façades—became the emblem of the neighborhood, while Collins Avenue paralleled that energy with historic hotels and nightlife. Lincoln Road evolved into the premier open-air pedestrian shopping street, whereas Lummus Park offered beachfront recreation beneath an Art Deco skyline. And for a bite of legend, Joe’s Stone Crab—serving for over a century—still plates Florida stone crab and Key lime pie like a mic drop.
Today, South Beach balances protected architecture and perpetual reinvention, inviting visitors to explore its streets, parks, and eateries. Lace all this into a self-guided walk—and you’ve got yourself a living showcase of Miami style, history, and culture walking beside you...
How it works: Download the app "911±¬ÁĎÍř: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Miami South Beach Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: Miami South Beach Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Miami (See other walking tours in Miami)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: USA » Miami (See other walking tours in Miami)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Lincoln Road
- Espanola Way
- World Erotic Art Museum
- Lummus Park Beach
- Art Deco Gift Shop
- Ocean Drive
- Collins Avenue
- Joe’s Stone Crab
1) Lincoln Road (must see)
Lincoln Road—the popular name for Lincoln Road Mall—is a pedestrian walk in Miami, running from Washington Avenue to Alton Road.
This thoroughfare was dreamed up by real estate magnate, Carl Fisher, as Miami’s answer to New York’s Fifth Avenue. Back in the 1920s and ’30s, it dressed the part, being the most fashionable shopping street in the South: glamorous, buzzy, and very pleased with itself. After World War II, the area suffered neglect, but in 1960 architect Morris Lapidus—master of swoops, curves, and theatrical entrances—turned the street into one of America’s earliest outdoor pedestrian promenades. The comeback stuck, and in 2011 the Lincoln Road Mall was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the past glory of Lincoln Road has returned. Shop windows preen, cafés spill onto the walkway, and a chorus line of Art Deco and Mediterranean façades plays nicely with palms, planters, and water gardens. The local amenities include a multiplex cinema hall, a concert venue for the New World Symphony Orchestra, and 1111 Lincoln Road—the sculptural parking installation, designed by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, that looks like it could double as a runway show for cars...
Indeed, this sky-roofed catwalk is Miami’s ultimate stroll-and-snack zone: traffic-free in the heart, beach a short walk away, tours easy to book, and patio tables everywhere. Street musicians soundtrack the scene, your dog gets a water bowl while you dine, and you can easily pretend this is your neighborhood. Well, at least for a few hours, it is...
This thoroughfare was dreamed up by real estate magnate, Carl Fisher, as Miami’s answer to New York’s Fifth Avenue. Back in the 1920s and ’30s, it dressed the part, being the most fashionable shopping street in the South: glamorous, buzzy, and very pleased with itself. After World War II, the area suffered neglect, but in 1960 architect Morris Lapidus—master of swoops, curves, and theatrical entrances—turned the street into one of America’s earliest outdoor pedestrian promenades. The comeback stuck, and in 2011 the Lincoln Road Mall was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the past glory of Lincoln Road has returned. Shop windows preen, cafés spill onto the walkway, and a chorus line of Art Deco and Mediterranean façades plays nicely with palms, planters, and water gardens. The local amenities include a multiplex cinema hall, a concert venue for the New World Symphony Orchestra, and 1111 Lincoln Road—the sculptural parking installation, designed by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, that looks like it could double as a runway show for cars...
Indeed, this sky-roofed catwalk is Miami’s ultimate stroll-and-snack zone: traffic-free in the heart, beach a short walk away, tours easy to book, and patio tables everywhere. Street musicians soundtrack the scene, your dog gets a water bowl while you dine, and you can easily pretend this is your neighborhood. Well, at least for a few hours, it is...
2) Espanola Way
Española Way—the slim, sun-splashed pedestrian alley in Miami Beach—is stretching between 14th and 15th Streets, from Washington Avenue to the western edge of Drexel. Born during the 1920s land boom, it was conceived by developers N. B. T. Roney and William Whitman who hired architect Robert A. Taylor to stage a theatrical “Historic Spanish Village.” Dressed in full Mediterranean Revival “costume” (featuring pastel stucco façades, clay-tile roofs, wrought-iron balconies, and intimate courtyards sized for gossip), it deliberately evoked Spanish and French seaside towns, creating a curated Old World ambiance for strolling, dining, and people-watching.
When it opened (around 1925), the street quickly gained a reputation as a bohemian enclave. Antique shops, tea rooms, salons, little hotels, and arcaded passages turned it into a fashionable promenade with just enough glamour to make national headlines. Eventually, the tastes shifted, and from the 1930s through the 1950s, Española Way’s sheen diminished, acquiring a raffish reputation associated with gambling (at the Clay Hotel) and brushes with underworld figures.
Preservation activism in the late 20th century, notably led by Barbara Capitman, reversed the decline. In 1986, the city stamped Española Way as a historic district, protecting its Mediterranean character and enabling careful rehabilitation of façades and courtyards. Fast-forward a few decades: stone pavers, cohesive lighting, and thoughtful streetscaping arrived, and in May 2017, a $2.5-million makeover formalized the alley as a pedestrian area.
Today, the street does exactly what its founders imagined, working like a human-scaled stage set for mingling, dining, and delightful eavesdropping under palm fronds and string lights. Long-running favorites—like the A La Folie café that has been dishing out homey French dishes (such as tartiflette made with Reblochon cheese) since the early 2000s—keep the vibe grounded. Beyond eating and drinking, the programming keeps things lively with Saturday morning yoga, Thursday night salsa classes, and Friday flamenco outdoor shows.
Step through and you’re moving through a curated slice of the Old World fantasy that learned a few new dance steps—heritage intact, energy fully contemporary...
When it opened (around 1925), the street quickly gained a reputation as a bohemian enclave. Antique shops, tea rooms, salons, little hotels, and arcaded passages turned it into a fashionable promenade with just enough glamour to make national headlines. Eventually, the tastes shifted, and from the 1930s through the 1950s, Española Way’s sheen diminished, acquiring a raffish reputation associated with gambling (at the Clay Hotel) and brushes with underworld figures.
Preservation activism in the late 20th century, notably led by Barbara Capitman, reversed the decline. In 1986, the city stamped Española Way as a historic district, protecting its Mediterranean character and enabling careful rehabilitation of façades and courtyards. Fast-forward a few decades: stone pavers, cohesive lighting, and thoughtful streetscaping arrived, and in May 2017, a $2.5-million makeover formalized the alley as a pedestrian area.
Today, the street does exactly what its founders imagined, working like a human-scaled stage set for mingling, dining, and delightful eavesdropping under palm fronds and string lights. Long-running favorites—like the A La Folie café that has been dishing out homey French dishes (such as tartiflette made with Reblochon cheese) since the early 2000s—keep the vibe grounded. Beyond eating and drinking, the programming keeps things lively with Saturday morning yoga, Thursday night salsa classes, and Friday flamenco outdoor shows.
Step through and you’re moving through a curated slice of the Old World fantasy that learned a few new dance steps—heritage intact, energy fully contemporary...
3) World Erotic Art Museum
Let’s be honest: the words “erotic” and “museum” don’t often rub shoulders (in lexical terms). But this is Miami Beach, where improbable pairings put on their sunglasses and thrive... One such instance is the World Erotic Art Museum (or WEAM for those on the shy side).
Opened in 2005, this fornication fortress explores the global history of human sexuality, with a timeline running from roughly 300 BC straight to the immediate present. Amid an array of more than 4,000 displayed items you will find classical art, ancient artifacts, and a trove of sex toys, from a Kama Sutra-carved bed to a dominatrix Barbie doll that absolutely means business...
The galleries—over 20 rooms, spanning 12,000 square feet—stack sex-related paintings, tapestries, jewelry, and sculpture from pretty much every corner of the world. Much of it is one-of-a-kind; some of it is frankly…anatomically enthusiastic. (Yes, there’s an antique phallus collection. And yes, it's quite illustrative in terms of showcasing every imaginable shape and size.) But it’s not just giggles and raised eyebrows. This quirky museum offers tonnes of information about ancient sexual practices, explaining how different cultures pictured intimacy, ritual, pleasure, and power—turning a blushing subject into a smart, surprisingly tender art history lesson.
Indeed, if “dinner’s at eight” and you have plenty of time for an unforgettable detour to this cornucopia of coitus, why not stop by? Bring a friend, a curious mind, and a healthy sense of humor. You’ll learn things, you’ll laugh, and you’ll leave with cocktail-party facts that no one else sees coming. America’s largest collection of erotic art sits right here in South Beach—equal parts thrilling, sensual, and educational. Consider your cultural horizons officially expanded...
Opened in 2005, this fornication fortress explores the global history of human sexuality, with a timeline running from roughly 300 BC straight to the immediate present. Amid an array of more than 4,000 displayed items you will find classical art, ancient artifacts, and a trove of sex toys, from a Kama Sutra-carved bed to a dominatrix Barbie doll that absolutely means business...
The galleries—over 20 rooms, spanning 12,000 square feet—stack sex-related paintings, tapestries, jewelry, and sculpture from pretty much every corner of the world. Much of it is one-of-a-kind; some of it is frankly…anatomically enthusiastic. (Yes, there’s an antique phallus collection. And yes, it's quite illustrative in terms of showcasing every imaginable shape and size.) But it’s not just giggles and raised eyebrows. This quirky museum offers tonnes of information about ancient sexual practices, explaining how different cultures pictured intimacy, ritual, pleasure, and power—turning a blushing subject into a smart, surprisingly tender art history lesson.
Indeed, if “dinner’s at eight” and you have plenty of time for an unforgettable detour to this cornucopia of coitus, why not stop by? Bring a friend, a curious mind, and a healthy sense of humor. You’ll learn things, you’ll laugh, and you’ll leave with cocktail-party facts that no one else sees coming. America’s largest collection of erotic art sits right here in South Beach—equal parts thrilling, sensual, and educational. Consider your cultural horizons officially expanded...
4) Lummus Park Beach (must see)
Slide your gaze between the Atlantic and Ocean Drive and you’ll land on Lummus Park—the sandy front yard of the Art Deco Historic District and the mother of all beaches in Miami-Dade. Reveling in all its full pastel swagger, over the years, this shoreline has appeared in more TV shows and films than most actors, and it surely does know its angles: lifeguard towers, swaying palms, and that endless blue doing what it does best...
Most of the buildings around the beachfront predate 1926, wearing a mix of Mediterranean Revival and pragmatic frame-and-masonry styles—shaped by subtropical heat as much as by Southern European architecture. Adding a note of contrast to all that Deco rhythm are a few curveballs such as the old Scottish Rite Temple and the Trinity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
And history doesn’t stop at the curb here, either. A good number of structures within the area date back to the pioneer era. Two landmarks, in particular, were moved here to prevent their demolition, namely: Fort Dallas, a rare example of a native limestone architecture with military roots; and the William Wagner House, the county’s oldest braced frame-and-masonry pioneer residence. The latter was built between 1855 and 1858 by one of Miami’s early civic founders, who also established the first church in Miami Dade County.
Established in 1909 as one of the city’s first recreational spaces, Lummus Park still keeps it practical—with restrooms, a paved promenade for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, a mini playground for those under five, plus beach volleyball and basketball courts for those who can’t sit still. But its main amenity, undoubtedly, is the beach itself with clear turquoise water, tall palms, Brazilian bikinis, fluorescent tans, and the kind of people-watching that could qualify as a sport. And once you've soaked up all the salt and sun you can fit into one day, you may wish to explore the abundance of shopping, restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafes lining Ocean Drive (just a short flip-flop shuffle away). For a steady pulse of pride and party, the famed 12th Street gay beach keeps the heartbeat strong.
Ultimately, this place offers an all-encompassing South Beach experience—a combination of retro skyline, palm tree-lined streets, and cerulean water creating that postcard-perfect shot waiting to happen—no filter needed. Always crowded, it is just as ideal for people watching as it is for sitting and listening to the ocean-breeze soundtrack...
Most of the buildings around the beachfront predate 1926, wearing a mix of Mediterranean Revival and pragmatic frame-and-masonry styles—shaped by subtropical heat as much as by Southern European architecture. Adding a note of contrast to all that Deco rhythm are a few curveballs such as the old Scottish Rite Temple and the Trinity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
And history doesn’t stop at the curb here, either. A good number of structures within the area date back to the pioneer era. Two landmarks, in particular, were moved here to prevent their demolition, namely: Fort Dallas, a rare example of a native limestone architecture with military roots; and the William Wagner House, the county’s oldest braced frame-and-masonry pioneer residence. The latter was built between 1855 and 1858 by one of Miami’s early civic founders, who also established the first church in Miami Dade County.
Established in 1909 as one of the city’s first recreational spaces, Lummus Park still keeps it practical—with restrooms, a paved promenade for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, a mini playground for those under five, plus beach volleyball and basketball courts for those who can’t sit still. But its main amenity, undoubtedly, is the beach itself with clear turquoise water, tall palms, Brazilian bikinis, fluorescent tans, and the kind of people-watching that could qualify as a sport. And once you've soaked up all the salt and sun you can fit into one day, you may wish to explore the abundance of shopping, restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafes lining Ocean Drive (just a short flip-flop shuffle away). For a steady pulse of pride and party, the famed 12th Street gay beach keeps the heartbeat strong.
Ultimately, this place offers an all-encompassing South Beach experience—a combination of retro skyline, palm tree-lined streets, and cerulean water creating that postcard-perfect shot waiting to happen—no filter needed. Always crowded, it is just as ideal for people watching as it is for sitting and listening to the ocean-breeze soundtrack...
5) Art Deco Gift Shop
It'd be fair to say that Art Deco and Miami Beach are as inseparable as Miamians and their café con leche. Strolling through the historical Art Deco district, you can't help noticing the exquisitely flirting skyline—painted in various hues of peach, periwinkle, purple, and turquoise, and trimmed with intricate zigzags, portholes, and sunrise motifs...
Defining the character of Miami Beach, this extravagant style of architecture inspires a sense of decadent leisure. And if that mood needs to travel home with you (or to someone who deserves a slice of SoBe serenity), Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive are lined with shops selling splashy Deco posters ready to glam up a wall faster than you can say “neon.”
For a one-stop hit of history and goodies, aim for the Official Art Deco Welcome Center & Gift Shop on Ocean Drive—run by the world’s oldest Art Deco Society. It’s a pocket museum meeting treasure chest, replete with vintage-style finds from the 1920s and ’30s, plus practical treats like cold water (in case you feel super-heated by the Miami sun). Expect original posters, tees, books, cards, bakelite jewelry (that early, oh-so-glossy plastic), barware, coasters, memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind art and vintage pieces—the sort of haul that says “I understand geometry and leisure in equal measure.”
Helpful, genuinely friendly staff make the browsing feel like a backstage tour. And here’s the sweet kicker: half of what you spend here supports preservation in the Art Deco District. So, yeah, that chrome cocktail shaker you bought can double as a donation.
Business hours are simple: daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. So, swing by, soak up the color, and leave with something that keeps Miami’s glow humming long after the sun sets...
Defining the character of Miami Beach, this extravagant style of architecture inspires a sense of decadent leisure. And if that mood needs to travel home with you (or to someone who deserves a slice of SoBe serenity), Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive are lined with shops selling splashy Deco posters ready to glam up a wall faster than you can say “neon.”
For a one-stop hit of history and goodies, aim for the Official Art Deco Welcome Center & Gift Shop on Ocean Drive—run by the world’s oldest Art Deco Society. It’s a pocket museum meeting treasure chest, replete with vintage-style finds from the 1920s and ’30s, plus practical treats like cold water (in case you feel super-heated by the Miami sun). Expect original posters, tees, books, cards, bakelite jewelry (that early, oh-so-glossy plastic), barware, coasters, memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind art and vintage pieces—the sort of haul that says “I understand geometry and leisure in equal measure.”
Helpful, genuinely friendly staff make the browsing feel like a backstage tour. And here’s the sweet kicker: half of what you spend here supports preservation in the Art Deco District. So, yeah, that chrome cocktail shaker you bought can double as a donation.
Business hours are simple: daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. So, swing by, soak up the color, and leave with something that keeps Miami’s glow humming long after the sun sets...
6) Ocean Drive (must see)
If there's any street synonymous with South Beach—central to the story of Miami's evolution as an arts, fashion, cultural, celebrity, and entertainment hub—it 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—sleek 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?—Bold choice). Still, Ocean Drive isn’t only about pricey sips; it’s 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 cafés and under-the-radar bites that don’t require a finance degree.
Aside from a mix of Art Deco hotels, sidewalk eateries, galleries, and nightclubs, there are more than 30 designer boutiques—including Guess, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole—all of which make Ocean Drive a linchpin in setting up the city’s fashion trends. With clothing temptations at practically every corner—from Zara and Free People to H&M and those Uggs (appealing to the youthful crowd so anxious to stay ahead of the curve)—this street is rightfully regarded as the “Capital of Cool.”
Ultimately, Ocean Drive narrates Miami’s 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’t compete here; they trade winks. By the time the lights come on, you’re not just visiting South Beach—you’re in the establishing shot...
And yes, many local establishments are disgracefully expensive (how about a $65 margarita?—Bold choice). Still, Ocean Drive isn’t only about pricey sips; it’s 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 cafés and under-the-radar bites that don’t require a finance degree.
Aside from a mix of Art Deco hotels, sidewalk eateries, galleries, and nightclubs, there are more than 30 designer boutiques—including Guess, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole—all of which make Ocean Drive a linchpin in setting up the city’s fashion trends. With clothing temptations at practically every corner—from Zara and Free People to H&M and those Uggs (appealing to the youthful crowd so anxious to stay ahead of the curve)—this street is rightfully regarded as the “Capital of Cool.”
Ultimately, Ocean Drive narrates Miami’s 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’t compete here; they trade winks. By the time the lights come on, you’re not just visiting South Beach—you’re in the establishing shot...
7) Collins Avenue (must see)
Lined with palm trees and styled like a “millionaires' thoroughfare,” Collins Avenue is a major artery of Miami Beach, running parallel to the beachfront (just one block inland from Ocean Drive). It was named after John S. Collins, the grove-to-grand-idea guy, who—with a financial help of showman-developer Carl Fisher—built the first bridge over Biscayne Bay, connecting Miami Beach to the mainland. In essence, this avenue owns existence to the two men who looked at mangroves and saw a marquee...
The avenue houses a unique variety of retailers and luxury resorts, however, its true headliners are hotels—icons with serious résumé energy. Among these are The Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, the Eden Roc (renowned for its cool composure), and the Fontainebleau (with its “look-at-me” swagger). The latter was designed by Morris Lapidus in the curvy, flamboyant Neo-baroque fashion that defined the 1950s "Miami Beach" resort style. It also provided setting for some of the scenes from the Hollywood blockbuster “The Bodyguard,” starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
Further up north, the tempo shifts to velvet ropes, laser lights, and that mysterious alchemy... There, names change, DJs rotate, and legends linger. This is a nightlife territory with a number of clubs like Rokbar (established 1905) and Mynt (established 1921)—where memory is long and attention span is short...
By daylight, the avenue is all retail cardio. If you're a shopping addict, Collins may keep you going for hours, especially early in the morning, when you can leisurely call the line of designer temples and high-street staples sharing the mic with beachwear dens and beauty stops. The stretch between 5th and 9th Street is occupied by the likes of Barney’s New York, Armani Exchange and the new location of the Kardashian-owned Dash Boutique. Many shops live inside restored Art Deco shells, so you’re browsing under scalloped stucco and porthole windows—shopping bag in one hand, history in the other...
And nobody minds the crawling traffic here either. At the maximum speed of 25 miles an hour, you can see without effort all the posers in fancy cars (chrome, sunglasses, and small dogs with large attitudes).
So, ultimately, whether you're window-shopping or strolling, or just chilling on the sidewalk with a coffee or beer, this avenue does what great avenues do: it carries you forward—into a story that’s still being styled in real time...
The avenue houses a unique variety of retailers and luxury resorts, however, its true headliners are hotels—icons with serious résumé energy. Among these are The Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, the Eden Roc (renowned for its cool composure), and the Fontainebleau (with its “look-at-me” swagger). The latter was designed by Morris Lapidus in the curvy, flamboyant Neo-baroque fashion that defined the 1950s "Miami Beach" resort style. It also provided setting for some of the scenes from the Hollywood blockbuster “The Bodyguard,” starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
Further up north, the tempo shifts to velvet ropes, laser lights, and that mysterious alchemy... There, names change, DJs rotate, and legends linger. This is a nightlife territory with a number of clubs like Rokbar (established 1905) and Mynt (established 1921)—where memory is long and attention span is short...
By daylight, the avenue is all retail cardio. If you're a shopping addict, Collins may keep you going for hours, especially early in the morning, when you can leisurely call the line of designer temples and high-street staples sharing the mic with beachwear dens and beauty stops. The stretch between 5th and 9th Street is occupied by the likes of Barney’s New York, Armani Exchange and the new location of the Kardashian-owned Dash Boutique. Many shops live inside restored Art Deco shells, so you’re browsing under scalloped stucco and porthole windows—shopping bag in one hand, history in the other...
And nobody minds the crawling traffic here either. At the maximum speed of 25 miles an hour, you can see without effort all the posers in fancy cars (chrome, sunglasses, and small dogs with large attitudes).
So, ultimately, whether you're window-shopping or strolling, or just chilling on the sidewalk with a coffee or beer, this avenue does what great avenues do: it carries you forward—into a story that’s still being styled in real time...
8) Joe’s Stone Crab
Steeped in tradition and reputed as South Florida’s most famous dining habit in the making, the legendary Joe’s Stone Crab has been around since 1913. Back in the day, before Miami Beach was even a city (with all the neon and tabloids), it started as a small lunch counter with seven or eight tables set up on the front porch of the house facing the beach.
At first, Joe’s served the local standards: snapper, pompano, mackerel, and a few meat plates. Then, in 1921, someone finally wondered the obvious: is it OK to eat those crabs scuttling all over the bay? It turned out yes—and gloriously so! When they dished them out chilled and cracked with hash brown potatoes, coleslaw, and a dollop of mayonnaise, they were an instant success.
From that point, Joe’s firmly established itself on Miami’s culinary map. Their seasonal stone crabs show up with that “secret” garlic sauce (no, they won’t tell you the recipe), and a crew that treats service like a craft. Many of the staff have been here for decades, which means the welcome feels practiced yet personal—like being recognized on the second visit, even if it’s only your first...
In fact, anyone who is well known and ever set foot in Miami Beach, regardless of where they come from, consider it a must stopping in at Joe's. Fame follows and the list of guests here (several of whom eventually became lifelong friends) forms a veritable Who's Who of the 20th century. Among them are the likes of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and J. Edgar Hoover. Al Capone, too, under the alias of Al Brown, used to come here regularly, whilst in town...
Today, Joe’s is still run by the 3rd and 4th generations, backed by its own fisheries, a full-time butcher, and a respect for premium ingredients. You may wait. You will likely salivate. And when the platter lands with that cold, sweet meat and the hush that falls over the table, you’ll understand why the line is part of the ritual... well worth your while.
At first, Joe’s served the local standards: snapper, pompano, mackerel, and a few meat plates. Then, in 1921, someone finally wondered the obvious: is it OK to eat those crabs scuttling all over the bay? It turned out yes—and gloriously so! When they dished them out chilled and cracked with hash brown potatoes, coleslaw, and a dollop of mayonnaise, they were an instant success.
From that point, Joe’s firmly established itself on Miami’s culinary map. Their seasonal stone crabs show up with that “secret” garlic sauce (no, they won’t tell you the recipe), and a crew that treats service like a craft. Many of the staff have been here for decades, which means the welcome feels practiced yet personal—like being recognized on the second visit, even if it’s only your first...
In fact, anyone who is well known and ever set foot in Miami Beach, regardless of where they come from, consider it a must stopping in at Joe's. Fame follows and the list of guests here (several of whom eventually became lifelong friends) forms a veritable Who's Who of the 20th century. Among them are the likes of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and J. Edgar Hoover. Al Capone, too, under the alias of Al Brown, used to come here regularly, whilst in town...
Today, Joe’s is still run by the 3rd and 4th generations, backed by its own fisheries, a full-time butcher, and a respect for premium ingredients. You may wait. You will likely salivate. And when the platter lands with that cold, sweet meat and the hush that falls over the table, you’ll understand why the line is part of the ritual... well worth your while.
Walking Tours in Miami, Florida
Create Your Own Walk in Miami
Creating your own self-guided walk in Miami is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Miami Downtown Walking Tour
Miami—often called “The Magic City,” “The 305,” or “Gateway to the Americas”—has 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 “big water,” 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
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Miami's Art Deco Architecture Tour
The South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida has long been associated with Art Deco architecture, distinguished for its eye-catching bright pastels. Pops of color combined with the style’s notable geometric lines, sleek curves, chrome accents, window “eyebrows” and fountains abound in the area, but even more so in the historic Miami Beach Architectural District.
More popularly... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
More popularly... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Little Havana Food Tour
Little Havana, the beating heart of Miami’s Cuban-American community, grew out of exile and resilience. After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, thousands of refugees settled in this area west of downtown, transforming a quiet, working-class neighborhood into a thriving cultural enclave. Calle Ocho (or Eighth Street) became its soul — a place where exiles could speak Spanish, sip coffee, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Miami Things to Buy
One of America's most iconic destinations, Miami, Florida is a magnet for tourists, both inland and foreign, who come here each year in their millions. Each one of them is determined to pick up something memorable to revive the experience time and time again, that is well worth it. If...
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