Miami Beach is a finger of land separating Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, connected by five causeways to the mainland. At its southern tip is South Beach, known as the Art Deco District, or SoBe.  This 10-block stretch of Ocean Drive, which fronts South Beach, is one of the most celebrated ocean fronts in America.

The Art Deco District Welcome Center is located there, along with an eclectic mix of chic restaurants, boutiques, delicatessens, produce markets, outdoor cafes and nightclubs. The palm shaded beach side of Ocean Drive in Miami Beach attracts families to its wide, sandy beach and children’s play area. Volleyball, in-line skating on the winding sidewalk, swimming, sunning and water sports are favorite pastimes. Surfside, Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles make up the northern part of “The Beach.”

The heart of Miami Beach and the Art Deco District, Lincoln Road, is an open-air mall of 175 galleries, shops and restaurants along an eight-block pedestrian promenade with shade trees down the middle. At one time, Lincoln Road was a posh shopping strip equal to Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles. The street was closed to traffic, and in the 1960s, it began to decline.

In step with the South Beach renaissance, Lincoln Road has been transformed into a row of successful art galleries, lively performing-arts showcases and trendy cafes. Visitors can stroll through numerous galleries or admire the Lincoln Theater, home of the New World Symphony. There is also a delightful Sunday flea market and farmers market.

Some of the more popular attractions in the greater Miami area are Viscaya Museum and Gardens, Little Havana, Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium, and the Miami Metro Zoo. Biscayne Boulevard is a prime spot for shopping. It features the Bayside Marketplace- a shopping experience in the Tropical style. Shopping is also excellent at the Cocowalk shopping and entertainment complex.

The Greater Miami area has over thirty golf courses. Other recreational opportunities include wind surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and deep-sea fishing. Perfect weather and flat terrain make Miami Beach popular with bicyclists.

The best time to visit is winter, but in the off-season (after Easter and before October) there is still plenty to do and rates are more reasonable. For sun, sand and tropical beauty, Miami Beach is the place to be.   

Population: 87,933
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Language: English

Average Temperatures:

Miami Beach is a vibrant, energetic city, alive with a Latin beat any day of the year, particularly when the sun sets.  Winter tends to be the busiest time of year when people from the north come to experience the beautiful beaches with swaying palm trees and warm ocean breezes.  However, at any time of year, the city is alive with tourists from throughout the world.  When summer arrives there is an influx of visitors from both South America as well as Europe, making this truly an international destination.  Spring and fall tend to be less crowded and are wonderful for enjoying all the city has to offer with a few less people.

National Holidays:
New Year’s Day, January 1, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January, President’ Day, the third Monday in February, Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, Independence Day, July 4, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, New Year’s Eve, December 31

How to get there:

By Car:
Miami Beach is easily accessible via Interstate 95 from the north (Fort Lauderdale), Interstate 75 from the west (Fort Myers), the Florida Turnpike from the northwest (Orlando), and U.S. Highway 1 from the south (Key West).  Signs are clearly posted.

By Air:

Miami International Airport
4200 NW 21^st Street, Miami, FL 33142, located 15 minutes west of the city, 305-876-7000.
The airport is served my many of the worldwide airlines as well as certain regional Carriers.

Ground Transportation:

Car Rental:
All of the major car rental companies are located at or near the airport.

January

FedEx Orange Bowl Classic
Held in early-January ,Pro Player Stadium, 305-371-4600.
Annual college bowl game featuring an entire weekend of fun and excitement culminating in a classic holiday bowl game.

Indian Arts Festival
Held in early-January, 305-223-8380.
This Miccosukee Indian festival features arts and crafts plus traditional foods.

Art Deco Weekend
Held in mid-January, Hosted along Ocean Drive in South Beach, 305-672-2014.
A street festival featuring Art Deco displays and tours of the historic district.

Taste of the Grove
Held in mid-January ,Hosted in Coconut Grove, 305-284-3603.
Each January, area restaurants put on this popular festival w/ a variety of concerts, children's activities and games.  Contests and demonstrations by area chefs ensure that everyone is entertained & enlightened.

February

Coconut Grove Art Festival
Held in mid-February, 305-447-0401. Showcases artists from all over the country.

Miami International Boat Show and Sailboat Show
Held in mid-February. Find the watercraft of your dreams at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Miami Film Festival
Hosted each year at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 305-377-3456.
The Film Society of Miami shows independent foreign and American films.

Home Design and Remodeling Show
Held in early February, Located in the Coconut Grove Convention Center.
One of Florida's largest collections of the finest in home furniture, accessories, decorating, remodeling, interior design, architecture and many home improvement services.

Doral Open
Doral Golf Resort, 305-477-4653.
Many say this is the most exciting and fun outing on the PGA Tour. The Doral Ryder Open started in 1962 and continues to draw crowds.

March

Miami Grand Prix
Held in early-March.
Hosted at the Homestead Motorsports Complex, approximately one hour from Miami World famous car race.

Carnival Miami Festival
Held in early March, 305-644-8888.
A week of Latin celebrations with food, music, dance, parades and fireworks.

Calle Ocho Open House
Held in early March.
Culmination of the festival with a big street party on SW 8th Street, in the heart of the Cuban district.

Ericsson Open
Hosted at Crandon Park, Key Biscayne. A top flight tennis championship with all the top names on the professional tour.  It's a well-organized event and a favorite among tennis fans.

April

South Beach Film Festival
Held in early-April. Hosted at the Colony Theatre, Eclectic films from around the world are presented each year.

Italian Renaissance Festival
Held at Vizcaya, 305-579-2708.
Relive the Renaissance period at the beautiful Vizcaya.

May

Great Sunrise Balloon Race
Held the second weekend in May, Hosted at the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport,
305-596-9040. A delightful assortment of hot-air balloons graces the sky each year.

Arabian Nights Festival
Held in early May, Hosted in Opa Locka,b305-688-4611.
A unique festival hosted each year in the Opa-Locka community.

Coconut Grove Bed Race
Held in mid-May, Runs from Peacock Park through the streets of Coconut Grove. A hilarious and quite silly race that is a wonderful fund raiser for charities.

Miami International Home & Garden Show
Held in late May, Located in Miami Beach Convention Center, 305-666-5944

June

Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival
Held in early June, 305-372-9966, Celebration of Bahamian heritage in Coconut Grove.

South Florida Boat Show
Held in mid June. Find the perfect watercraft at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

July

America's Birthday Bash
Held on July 4, Hosted at Bayfront Park. Concert and fireworks display celebrating American independence.

International Mango Festival
Held in early July, Presented by Fairchild Tropical Gardens. 305-667-1651

Everglades Music and Crafts Festival
Held in late July, 305-223-8380. Native American bands perform, plus crafts and food.

August

Annual Miami Reggae Festival
Held in early August, Hosted at Bayfront Park. Top reggae bands come from all over for this annual festival.

September

Miami Home Design & Remodeling Show
Held Labor Day weekend, Hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center. A plethora of products for the home; furniture, accessories, home improvement products, landscaping and services.

Festival Miami
Held in mid September, Hosted at the University of Miami School of Music, 305-284-4940.
An annual series of concerts.

October
West Indian American Day Carnival Extravaganza
Held in early October,305-435-4845. A Caribbean Mardi Gras.

Caribbean Carnival
Held in early October, 305-653-1877.
Street Festival complete with costumes, steel bands and parades celebrating the Caribbean. Presented by the Consulate of Trinidad and Tobago.

Hispanic Heritage Festival
Hosted in different locations throughout Miami-Dade County, 305-541-5023.
This celebration that lasts the whole month commemorates the discovery of the Americas and the role Hispanics have played in the development of the U.S.

Columbus Day Regatta
Held Columbus day weekend, 305-573-9592.
Hundreds of sailboats from over 15 classes sail from the north end of Biscayne Bay to the southern end and back the following day.

November

Ramble-A Garden Festival
Held in early November, Hosted at Fairchild Tropical Garden, 305-667-1651.
Annual gardening festival with plants, garden accessories and activities for the whole family.

South Florida Auto Show
Held in early November, Hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The latest car models on display for auto enthusiasts at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

South Miami Art Festiva
Held in early November, Hosted along Sunset Drive in South Miami, 305-661-1621.

Jiffy Lube Miami
Held in mid November, Hosted at the Homestead Motorsports Complex, approximately one hour from Miami. The season-ending NASCAR race.

November Home Show
Held in mid November, Located in Miami, 305-666-5944.

Harvest Festival
Held in late November, Hosted at the Fair Expo Center. Craft booths, historical re-enactments, musical entertainment, antique automobiles and more.

Puerto Rican Festival
Held in late November, Hosted at Bayfront Park, Celebrates Puerto Rican cultural heritage.


Annual Winter National Thanksgiving Day Parade
Held on Thanksgiving Day. Traveling down 125th Street from NE 6th Avenue to NE 12th Avenue 305-893-6511.Participants include walkers, riders, bikers, clowns, beauty queens, bands & floats.

December

Indoor Flea Market
Held in mid December, Hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Claiming to be the world's largest, this event features over 1,000 booths filled with merchandise at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

King Mango Strut
Held in late December, Hosted in Coconut Grove. A light-hearted parody of the Orange Bowl parade down the streets of Coconut Grove.

The Nutcracker
Held in late December. Hosted at the Jackie Gleason Theater and other South Florida venues. Performed annually by the Miami City Ballet

Junior Orange Bowl Festival
305-662-1210. The children's version of the Orange Bowl celebrations. It features arts and crafts shows and sports competitions.

Santa's Enchanted Forest
Held most of December through early January. Held at Tropical Park. Tropical Park becomes a brightly-lit winter wonderland each season.

Orange Bowl Parade
Held on December 31, Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami each year.
A Miami tradition since 1939, this themed parade marches down Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami.

Big Orange New Year's Eve Celebration
Held on December 31, Hosted at Bayfront Park. Just like the Times Square Ball Drop, but using a really big orange and with much warmer weather.

Arts and Entertainment

Miami City Ballet
Ophelia & Juan Js Roca Center, 2200 Liberty Avenue , Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-929-7010. The Miami City Ballet has been recognized as among the largest ballet companies in the United States.

Miami Symphony
10300 S.W. 72nd Street, Miami, FL 33173, 305-275-4363.
Founded in 1989, The Miami Symphony Orchestra is Dade County's flagship orchestra. Under the leadership of renowned conductors, the orchestra has come to represent the excitement and cultural vitality of the Miami community.

Florida Opera
Arturo di Filippi Educational Center, 1200 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145, 800-741-1010, Hours: Monday through Friday 10am-4pm, Summer hours often exclude Fridays.
Ensemble consists of the Young Artist Studio and Resident Artists.

Jackie Gleason Theatre
1700 Washington Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 ,Located adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Venue for the Miami Ballet, Broadway Series as well as national recognized performers.

Sports

Florida Marlins
Professional Baseball, Games played at Pro Player Stadium, 2267 Dan Marino Blvd. Miami, Florida 33056, 305-623-6100. Call for ticket information. Season runs from April – October

Miami Heat
Professional Basketball, Games played at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132, 786-777-1000, Call for ticket information. Season runs October – April.

Florida Panthers
Professional Hockey, Games played at the Office Depot Center, located in Sunrise, FL, approximately 45 minutes from Miami.Office Depot Center, One Panther Parkway,Sunrise, FL 33323, 954-835-PUCK. Season runs October – April

Wolfsonian-FIU Museum
1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. FL 33139, 305-531-1001, Hours: October-May: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 11 am-6 pm, Thursday to 9 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. Summer hours: Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-6 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. Closed Wednesday and the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, and July Fourth. Admission Charged.
The Wolfsonian-FIU is a museum located in the heart of historic Miami Beach, within easy walking distance of the world-famous Art Deco hotels. The building has been restored and now belongs to the Florida international University. Its fascinating collection of objects from the modern era (1885-1945) includes nearly 70,000 cultural artifacts, but only a segment of those treasures is on display at a given time. Exhibits range from furniture to the evolution of industrial design to World War II print propaganda.

Bass Museum of Art

2121 Park Ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

305-673-7530

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 1 am–5pm; closed Mondays and holidays.

Admission Charged

A permanent collection of Renaissance masterworks makes up one section of this museum. In another, featured exhibitions showcase the best in historical and contemporary art.

Holocaust Memorial

1933 Meridian Ave.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

305-538-1663

Hours: Open daily 9am-9pm

Admission Free

The centerpiece of the Holocaust Memorial, Kenneth Treister’s “Sculpture of Love and Anguish” depicts victims of the concentration camps crawling up a 40-foot-tall outstretched hand marked with an Auschwitz number tattoo, stretching up to the sky. The story of the Holocaust is imprinted in marble slabs along the reflecting pool and inside the memorial are photographs and the names of concentration camps and their victims.

Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant

11 Washington Avenue

Miami Beach, FL 33139

305-673-0365

Hours: Beginning Oct. 19, Tues - Sat 11:30am-2pm; Mon – Thurs 5-10pm; Fri and Sat 5-11pm, Sun 4-10pm

Reservations are not accepted

For close to 100 years, no visit to Miami has been complete without stopping in at Joe's Stone Crab. From the beginning, it has always been the love of food, family, and friends that has brought in customers and kept them coming.

Art Deco Historic District

1001 Ocean Dr

Miami Beach, FL 33139

305-531-3484
An area of Miami Beach noted for its concentration of over 800 historic Art Deco structures built during the 1920s and 1930s, all located within one square mile. The district features white and pastel colored stucco buildings that have been restored to their former splendor. It will only seem like a million people are on the streets of the Art Deco District, the super-trendy section of South Beach between Sixth and 23rd streets. The district is roughly bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Alton Road on the west, 6th Street to the south, and Dade Boulevard (along the Collins Canal) to the north. Walking tours of the district are available.

Sanford L. Ziff Jewish Museum
301 Washington Ave. , Miami Beach, Florida 33139,305-672-5044. Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mondays and Jewish holidays. Admission Free for members, Admission Charged for non-members. The museum houses a collections and research center which reflects Florida Jewish history since 1763; and communicates Jewish history, values and issues to Jews and non-Jews alike.

Amsterdam Palace (Versace Mansion)
Located at the northwest corner of Ocean Drive and 11th Street ,Miami Beach, FL 33160.
If you can get past the fact that the late designer, Gianni Versace was killed on the steps of this palatial estate, you should definitely observe the intricate Italian architecture that makes this house stand out from its streamlined deco neighbors. Built in the 1930s as a replica of Christopher Columbus's son's palace in Santo Domingo, the house was originally called Casa Casuarina, but was rechristened the Amsterdam Palace in 1935 when George Amsterdam purchased it.

Shopping

Lincoln Road
Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, 305-531-3442.
A pedestrian walkway with entertainment, shopping and shows, Lincoln Road is a favorite part of South Beach for locals and visitors alike. Second only to Ocean Drive in popularity, Lincoln Road is not as wild as its counterpart by the water and you’ll find a wide range of restaurants and shops.

Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139.
When Miami Beach was first developing; Collins Avenue was carved out parallel
to the beach. The road meandered north from the southern point through land cleared for oceanfront estates with fine mansions. Today Collins Avenue, also known as State Road A1A is the main artery of Miami Beach stretching almost to the Broward County line. A journey along its dozen miles crosses numbered streets from 1st to 192^nd. Shopping becomes the focus at the intersection of Collins Avenue and 8th Street. This is the center of the South Beach designer district, actually two still-evolving retail districts of designer boutiques and interesting, locally-owned shops.

Beaches

Haulover Beach Park
10800 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, Florida 33154, 305-944-3040. Hours: Daily dawn to dusk. Admission Charged. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean; this scenic park boasts white sandy beaches, open ocean surf and sweeping dunes. Sand on the eroded beach hasn't been replaced, and the narrow strand is perfect for beachgoers who don't relish a trek across hot sand to get to the water. You can fire up the barbecue grills; get in on a pickup volleyball game, rent kayaks, or bike on one of the trails.

Miami Beach — Central
Collins Avenue from 21st Street to 46th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-673-7714.
Fee Charged for parking.
Raised boardwalk over the dunes popular for strolling and jogging. Proximity to sidewalk cafes along Collins Ave. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals.

Miami Beach — North
Collins Avenue from 46th Street to 78th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-673-7714. Fee Charged for parking. Community center and old-fashioned bandshell in adjoining park at north end. Features a palm-shaded grassy area with proximity to sidewalk cafes and fast-food restaurants. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals, shower facilities.

Miami Beach/South Beach
Gay and lesbian beaches on: 5th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 12th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Collins Avenue and 21st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-673-7714. Fee Charged for parking.
Brightly painted, whimsical lifeguard stands. A great place for people-watching while walking, jogging or skating along the concrete promenade bordering the beach

North Shore Open Space
Collins Avenue from 78th to 87th Terrace, Miami Beach, FL 33154, 305-993-2032. Fee Charged for parking.
Lushly landscaped green park with a boardwalk on the sand. Features picnic tables, restrooms, shower facilities and parking. Located in North Beach, a quieter section of Miami Beach ideal for families.

Oleta State Recreation Area
3400 NE 163rd St. North Miami Beach, FL 33160, 305-919-1846. Fee Charged for parking
Sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in a shady park offering many recreational activities. Popular spot for with boating and kayaking along nearby Snake River.

South Pointe Park
Ocean Drive at 5th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-673-7714.Fee Charged for parking
Entrance through the park at 1 Washington Ave. Beach located at the southern tip of South Beach. Great place to watch cruise ships sailing out to sea.

Nearby Attractions

Miami Metrozoo
1 Zoo Boulevard, 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 (26 miles SW of Miami Beach)
305- 251-0400. Hours: Open daily, Park Hours are 9:30am - 5:30pm, Admission Charged.

The Miami Metrozoo has been a world leader in the "cageless zoo" concept. Children are sure to have a wonderful time in this 300-acre environment, which is surprisingly close to Miami's urban centers. Climate is a favorable factor: Metrozoo is the only zoo in the continental United States that has a subtropical climate.

Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 (11 miles south of Miami Beach). 305-361-5705. Hours: Open daily 9:30am – 6pm.Admission Charged.
Come out to Miami Seaquarium for a wonderful day of family fun. There are exciting shows, great exhibits and enjoyable, educational presentations in a beautifully landscaped park overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Parrot Jungle
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132 (7 miles east of Miami Beach). 305-2-JUNGLE. Hours: Open 10am – 6pm daily, Admission Charged.
See Parrots and more. Parrot Jungle Island offers memorable opportunities to feed the birds, fish and flamingos, interact with trainers and animals as they stroll the park, and take pictures with some of the most exotic and rare animals in the world.