MIAMI BEACH
Area: Florida
Country: United States of America


Location:
In the SE United States, in the SE corner of Florida, 230 mls S of Orlando, 150 mls NE of Key West, 20 mls S of Fort Lauderdale. Miami International airport is 6 mls from downtown Miami, 9 mls from the S end of Miami Beach, but double that from the Sunny Isles area; transfers take up to an hour, sometimes longer.

Telephone code from UK:
1 305

Website:
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com

Position:
Miami Beach is an offshore island (or "key") linked to the city of Miami by several causeways. Downtown Miami and the Port of Miami, where cruise ships dock, is 3 mls across the bay at the nearest point.

Description:
The Miami Beach seafront extends for some 9 mls, from Sunny Isles down to the Art Deco district (South Beach). The main seafront road (the A1A, called Collins Avenue) runs for the whole length and passes through several distinct areas. SUNNY ISLES is often referred to as "motel row". It extends for some 3 mls with dozens of low-rise, modestly priced motel-style properties, many built in the 1950s and 60s. Nearly all are on the beach side of the busy coast road and have direct access to it. Here the beach frequently has to be maintained with imported sand to combat the effects of erosion. Favoured by families and certainly more suitable for young children than the more built-up, urban districts farther S. Several small shopping plazas and restaurants can be found mostly on the inland side of the road which can be difficult to cross except at traffic lights. A car is not essential. BAL HARBOUR is a prime residential area, built to an integrated plan around the Intracoastal Waterway and the sea. Much of the local activity is centred on the Sheraton Bal Harbour hotel, across the coast road from the principal shopping mall in Miami Beach _ Bal Harbour Mall. SURFSIDE starts S of Bal Harbour and is quite pleasant at its N end. However, farther S, between 75th and 65th streets it becomes decidedly seedy and urban. Some shops and restaurants here (mainly of the fast-food variety) and a Greyhound bus station. Not a prime choice for families with young children, it can feel quite threatening after dark. MIAMI BEACH at its best is to be found between 59th and 41st streets _ a glamorous strip of beach front (nicknamed "Millionaires' Row") lined with expensive apartment towers and some of the area's most luxurious hotels. DOWNTOWN MIAMI BEACH lies between 25th and 16th streets and, like Surfside, feels more urban than holiday resort in atmosphere. It also has urban problems. Street crime and drugs are particularly prevalent so all visitors should exercise caution, especially after dark. It is unwise to wander alone in the more run-down neighbourhoods. The Convention Center, the Bass Museum of Art (a collection well worth a visit) and the Theatre of Performing Arts are all here. The main shopping is along the pedestrianised Lincoln Road Mall. Probably best suited to singles and couples, rather than families with young children. SOUTH BEACH (ART DECO DISTRICT) has become a posers' paradise often used by film crews and fashion shoots. The square mile is designated a National Historic District. Many of the 1930s and 40s buildings, painted in a variety of pastel shades, have been restored to their former glory and are now small hotels. Lots of boutiques and fashionable shops; the wide selection of restaurants, pavement cafes, bars and nightclubs make this one of Miami's most popular areas for nightlife. Places stay open until the early hours so hotels here are fairly noisy. Most face the public beach across Ocean Drive where sunbeds and water sports are available. Not all is glamour, though: tumbledown buildings and shabby streets are best avoided. The area is favoured by younger singles and couples rather than families. Walking tours operate on Saturdays.

Suitability:
Ranges from the young and fashionable right up to retired couples seeking sun. See individual resort area descriptions.

Accommodation:
The big luxurious hotels are in Miami Beach itself. A variety of small hotels are available in the Art Deco district; the most expensive lodging is directly on Ocean Drive. Many motels in Sunny Isles.

Shopping:
An abundance of everything from designer boutiques to grocery stores. The most elegant in are Bal Harbour.

Beach:
Extensive stretches of fine sand forming one virtually continuous beach. A major posers' paradise heavily populated with "beautiful people". A wide choice of water sports. Most major hotels line its length. Virtually all charge for sunbeds, windbreaks and cabanas on the beach. Wooden boardwalk promenades are a common sight and help to protect the vegetation and prevent erosion. Strolling along these is a popular early evening pastime.

Entertainments:
Daytime: several 18-hole golf courses. Tennis. Spectator sports including American football (Sept_Dec), jai alai and greyhound racing. Water sports. Several marinas have boat charter and deep-sea fishing trips. Scuba diving trips. Several piers for anglers. Nightlife: an abundance of varied restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs and casinos along much of the seafront. Discos and nightclubs abound in the Art Deco district. Several performing arts venues near the Lincoln Road Mall. All along the South Beach seafront in the early evening crowds of people on foot, on roller blades or in cars take the opportunity to pose and show off their suntans.

Eating:
Fast-food restaurants in Surfside, ethnic restaurants in Sunny Isles and no shortage of choice elsewhere. Many fashionable cafes in the Art Deco district.

Public-transport:
Public bus routes along the beach front. Taxis can be pre-booked or hailed on the street. A good way to see the area is on the Old Town Trolley: hour-long tours of the Miami Beach area and 90-minute tours of downtown Miami; starts from the Bayside shopping complex just over the causeway from S Miami Beach; get on and off as you please at stops en route.

Local-excursions:
Half day: Vizcaya _ Italian Renaissance-style house crammed with art and antiques. Parrot Jungle. Bayside Marketplace shopping. Seaquarium at Key Biscayne. Art Deco District. Helicopter rides. Cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway for sightseeing, cocktails or dinner. Full day: Greater Miami tour including Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, downtown and the beaches. Everglades, taking in a Native American village, alligator wrestling show and ride on an air-boat. Key West and the Florida Keys. Orlando with Disney World or Universal Studios (2- or 3-day tours also available). Bahamas cruise with casino on board ship; or by air (several-night packages also available).