Best things to do in Miami Beach

Stretching for eight blocks, pedestrian-friendly Lincoln Road is the city's tourist center, packed with popular shops, bars, and restaurants. Always closed to motorized traffic, the strip provides you with a chance to explore a long stretch of trendy eateries and upscale stores on foot or by bicycle. Originally a mangrove forest, the area became the city's social center soon after 1912, when wealthy entrepreneur Carl Fisher cleared and developed it. Today, the pedestrianized area features state-of-the-art movie theaters, art galleries, and over 200 designer boutiques. Street performers entertain a constant stream of tourists exploring the swanky neighborhood. The beach is at the end of the strip, so don't forget your bathing suit.

A major road and a popular tourist attraction, Ocean Drive features the often-photographed mansion of fashion designer Gianni Versace. After years of neglect, the drive came back on the scene in the 1980s, when several world-class restaurants and hotels helped dispel the neighborhood's long-standing reputation for petty street crime. Today, this street cuts through an area renowned for its pastel sunrises, trendy nightclubs, and about 800 preserved Art Deco buildings. To enjoy a sunrise breakfast in bed, be sure to ask for a high floor facing east when you make your hotel reservations.

Discover the colorful history of the city's distinct architecture with a walk through Art Deco Historic District, boasting nearly 1,000 historical buildings. Bounded by the Atlantic on its eastern side, the district houses vibrantly colored buildings built during an era when the city advertised itself as a "tropical playground." Laid out rapidly in the 1920s and the 1930s, the area developed almost exclusively in the Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Modern styles of architecture. For a self-guided tour of the district's renowned hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, galleries, and shops, rent a bicycle at any one of nearly 100 bike rental stations scattered around the city.

Soak up the sun at Miami Beach & Boardwalk, which stretches for nearly 40 blocks along the Atlantic Ocean. On the boardwalk, you can stroll along the white sand shoreline with access to malls, bars, restaurants, and shops. Experience the luxury of South Beach or rent a bicycle to travel farther faster. The local seafood restaurants here offer up regional specialties in an upscale, beachfront setting.

Nicknamed "Millionaire's Row," Collins Avenue runs adjacent to Miami Beach and is home to a number of high-end shops and businesses. Take a stroll down this palm tree-lined boulevard and window-shop at the many designer stores. The avenue is home to a number of famous Art Deco hotels from the 1950s and '60s, such as the Eden Roc and Fontainebleau. Stop in for a drink and enjoy people-watching; you might even spot a few celebrities.

Situated within the city's famed Art Deco district, Lummus Park Beach provides a tropical setting for bikers, walkers, runners, inline skaters, and more. You can spike a volleyball over the net and into the white sands or use the path adjacent to the beach. Enjoy the warm water and cool off under the umbrellas or on the lounge chairs available for rent. Be sure to stop by the Art Deco visitor center in the middle of the park. Convenient parking can be difficult to find, and there are no restrooms or showers available on the beach. You'll find restaurants located near the park.

Learn about the history and development of art in the shaping of opinion, perception, and thought at The Wolfsonian - Florida International University. Associated with the Smithsonian institutions, the museum houses nearly 180,000 pieces from countries around the world. Follow the rise of modern art from the late 19th century to the end of World War II as you wander its multitude of exhibits and displays, featuring works ranging from modernist furniture and ceramic decorations to more traditional paintings and murals. Stop by the facility's section on propaganda to view its extensive agglomeration of posters and artwork from both the West and the formerly-Communist world. Swing by the gift shop afterward to pick up a souvenir or book about the period covered by the museum.

An urban park where residents and visitors mix, South Pointe Park runs along the beach. The park provides outdoor showers for swimmers and grassy lawns for those who prefer greenery to sand. You'll discover picnic pavilions and a dog park, as well as a restaurant within walking distance of the beach. The open space often hosts events and festivals.

Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach commemorates those who perished in the Nazi atrocities. The memorial was formally established in 1985, and took its present shape in 1990. It’s a moving site where you can learn about the history of the Holocaust, see the names of victims on the Memorial Wall, and admire Kenneth Treister's symbolic statue of a hand reaching for the sky. Visitors are asked to show respect by acting and dressing for a quiet place of contemplation. Make a telephone reservation if you require additional amenities, such as a wheelchair.