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Miami Lay of the Land Art Deco & Beyond Back in the Day Up and Coming Ethnic Enclaves Southern Hospitality Northern Exposure |
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 Located at the southern end of Miami Beach, South Beach's Art Deco District, a whimsical collection of more than 800 architecturally protected buildings from the 1930s and 1940s has been anointed the American Riviera in a nod to the unmistakable air of casual chic that permeates the district. The transformation of South Beach from a downtrodden slum into a pastel wonderland of painstakingly renovated architectural treasures has brought global fame for the historically protected Art Deco District and its glorious beaches and fabled nightlife. An international symbol for Miami, this popular visitor destination is home to a wondrous mix of luxury resorts, chic, boutique hotels, inexpensive hostels and moderately priced national chain hotels. Ocean Drive is known worldwide for its see-and-be-seen cafes, bikini-clad in-line skaters and beaches packed with beautiful young sun seekers, while trendy Lincoln Road has emerged as a lively magnet for culture, entertainment, retail business and community activity, crowned by the new Ritz-Carlton South Beach, the latest luxury boutique hotel. Restaurants and chic boutiques line the ocean to bay promenade, which also is home to the Lincoln and Colony Theaters and Art Center South Florida, a 60,000 square foot campus of artists studios and exhibition spaces. Residents of this eccentric, urban neighborhood are as varied as its visitors -- all ingredients in a spicy, multi-cultural stew. A visit to the neighborhood's retro-modern supermarket or a stroll on charming Espanola Way quickly reveals its diversity -- Hasidic Jews and Cuban immigrants, a strong gay and lesbian community, European businessman and ex-New Yorkers all are part of the fabric of daily life. The rest of Miami Beach continues to thrive, reaping the benefits of its proximity to the Art Deco District's plentiful entertainment and dining offerings. A resort destination that doubles as a suburban paradise, Miami Beach boasts great schools and amenities, catering to the large number of families that have relocated to the increasingly younger city over the past decade. Hotels that put Miami Beach on the map during the swinging 60s, including the Eden Roc and Fontainebleau Hilton are still going strong, while neighborhoods like funky Surfside and a revitalized North Beach draw many with unpretentious charms, great local restaurants and easy beach access. North Beach's Ocean Terrace -- a five-block stretch just south of expansive North Shore Park, is fast becoming a smaller version of South Beach with its inviting oceanfront cafes. Hotels, restaurants, quaint shops, and an uninterrupted concentration of MIMo (Miami Modern) 50s and 60s era apartment buildings give the entire neighborhood a unique character, as does a recent influx of Argentine immigrants who have added character and flavor to the neighborhood with numerous shops and eateries. Bal Harbour and the Bay Harbour Islands are quiet upscale residential communities notable for the Bal Harbour Shops, continually ranked one of the top shopping destinations in the world for its concentration of designer boutiques including Gucci, Fendi, Tiffany's, Roberto Cavalli and countless others. Sunny Isles Beach, a favorite among French-Canadian and European tourists drawn to the laid-back casual vibe, seagrape studded-beaches and affordable motel-style accommodations, is going more upscale with new luxurious accommodation and condos part of the mix -- including Ocean Pointe, Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort, and the new Homewood Suites. |
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