South Beach

The basics

Head to Ocean Drive to see Lummus Park Beach, or stop by Lincoln Road to shop and wander the beach promenade between 5th and 15th Streets. Another main highlight is the set of pastel-hued structures on Collins Avenue in the Art Deco District, home to the largest concentration of art deco architecture in the world.

The top Miami city tours typically combine a stop in South Beach with a Biscayne Bay cruise around Star Island, an airboat ride in Everglades National Park, or visits to Little Havana, Wynwood, Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Coconut Grove. Some of your options include a walking tour, Segway tour, boat tour, food tour, or bus tour. The Miami Design Preservation League and other operators conduct architecture tours that stop at some of the most stunning architectural examples and the Art Deco Welcome Center.

Things to know before you go

• Sun protection is a must in this sunny locale.

• South Beach can be very crowded on weekends and holidays.

• Visitors can find public restrooms at the south end of Lummus Park.

How to get there

Across the MacArthur Causeway from downtown Miami, South Beach stretches north from South Pointe Park all the way to 23rd Street. From 15th to 23rd Street, the upper end includes the pedestrian thoroughfare of Lincoln Road, plus clusters of art deco buildings. Between 1st and 15th Streets is a quietly hip area that acts as a counterweight to the over-the-top carnival of South Beach.

When to get there

South Beach is always humming. Sun, sand, and art deco architecture by day, or neon and nightlife after dark—you choose which South Beach you want to see.

Indoor attractions in South Beach

If you want to get out of the sun and away from the crowds, step inside the provocative World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM), or visit the polar opposite Bass Museum of Art for a peek at 16th-century religious art. After dusk falls, take your pick among bars and clubs to see south Florida's nightlife come alive.

Ways to explore

There are so many different ways to explore South Beach. You can take walking tours or choose from among Segway tours, boat trips, bus tours, or food–themed adventures. The top Miami city tours often combine a stop in South Beach with a Biscayne Bay cruise around Star Island, an airboat ride in Everglades National Park, or visits to interesting areas such as Little Havana, Wynwood, Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, and Coconut Grove. Another main highlight of this area is the pastel-hued structures on Collins Avenue in the Art Deco District.

Accessibility

Many of the boardwalks are wide and flat, and wheelchair rental is available at South Pointe Park and 1001 Ocean Drive.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sun protection, camera, small bag

What to wear

Beachwear, hat, sunglasses, layers

Not allowed

Littering, glass, disruptive behavior

Amenities

Restaurants, bars, shops, restrooms

Address 

South Beach sits on the eastern barrier island of Miami Beach, just off the mainland, across the MacArthur Causeway. Access is easy via highway, rideshare, or bus from the airport and downtown Miami.

Driving

From Miami International Airport, drive east about 12 miles (19 kilometers) via FL-112 E and MacArthur Causeway. From there, you can continue towards Collins Avenue or Ocean Drive. As parking is limited, consider a rideshare.

Public transportation

The South Beach Trolley (Loops A/B) is the easiest way to get around. You can enjoy multiple stops along Collins Avenue, and there’s a Miami Beach Trolley app for easy navigation.

Best times to visit

Late morning or early afternoon offer warm sunshine and fewer crowds than the evenings, which can be busy with partygoers in South Beach.

Best days to visit

Weekdays (Tuesdays–Thursdays) are more relaxed than weekends, when the beach attracts lots of people, and the nightlife zones get busy, too.

Best months to visit

March–May and September–October provide comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists than the peak summer months.

Special events

The annual Art Deco Weekend (January) and the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February) are always fun times to visit, but expect big crowds.