Miami’s Beaches are lined with colorful enclosures where trained lifeguards keep watch on the safety of the scene. Smart swimmers always remain under the watchful eye of the lifeguards to be certain they can get help whenever necessary. While it is easy to believe nothing can go wrong by the sea, area waters may have unseen dangers like stinging jellyfish or a strong current. Every lifeguard stand has a system of warning flags to help communicate the current conditions from strong winds and tides to dangerous marine life. When planning a day at the beach, consult a local website (http://beach.fiu.edu/) to determine marine conditions during your visit. Even if you do not see a flag, never assume conditions are entirely safe.

While the entire coast remains accessible to the public, there are also designated public parks along the shore with picnic areas, barbeque facilities and restrooms. At the edge of the sand you will find open air showers and water fountains for a quick rinse before heading off the beach. South Beach waterfront parks include South Pointe Park, Lummus Park and Collins Park, Mid-Beach parks include Indian Beach Park and 53rd Street Park and North Beach has North Shore Open Space Park which includes a wooded area, a dog park and popular picnic facilities. The largest public beach park is Haulover Park near Sunny Isles Beach that is covered in greater depth below.

1 Ocean Drive – 2300 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
South Beach is the southernmost point of the island of Miami Beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. Beaches along this stretch of the city are all open to the public and are accessible from the street or via a paved beachfront walkway that runs along the edge of the sand all the way up the coast. Public parking is readily available at meters along the street and at enclosed parking garages at 7, 13, and 16 Streets and at an open parking lot facing 21 Street beach. All areas of the city require paid parking to avoid getting a ticket or a tow. Licensed vendors along the shore rent lounge chairs and umbrellas and many beachfront shops sell inexpensive mats, towels, folding chairs and coolers to create your own oasis. The city is lined with bike rental kiosks that make it easy to explore the paved Beachwalk and Baywalk on wheels.

Twelfth Street Beach in South Beach is often referred to as the “Gay beach” and is right across the street from the Palace Bar where you’ll see flamboyant drag shows on Sunday afternoons.

2300 – 8600 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Moving up the coast of Miami Beach, many visitors are dazzled by the number of lavish beachfront resorts. While it may be challenging to see the shoreline from the street, there are ample public parking lots all along Collins Avenue (A1A) where guests may safely park and access any beach via an elevated beachside boardwalk. Most hotels have beach attendants who set up lounge chairs and umbrellas for guests and are available for food and drink service throughout the day. In most cases the general public can pay to enjoy a hotel beach chair but it is best to inquire about access and cost. Nearly every hotel has a poolside bar and grill that is open to the public. The City of Miami Beach patrols and cleans the seaside every day and also maintains beachfront concessions and playgrounds along the shore. It is legal to walk around all of Miami Beach whether a hotel attendant services the area or not. A paved beachwalk runs from 63 to 79 Street beaches that is open to bikes, skates and well-behaved dogs.

10300 – 15700 Collins Avenue, North Miami Beach
One of Miami Beach’s best public beachfront destinations is Haulover Park which spans 99-acres from the City of Bal Harbour up to Sunny Isles Beach. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the waterfront recreation area has six tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, a public marina for chartering boats and deep sea fishing plus ample room to picnic, fly a kite or simply relax. The southern part of the beachfront is popular with local families and travelers and the northern stretch of sand is clearly marked by the South Florida Free Beaches organization that maintains a legally designated clothing optional beach. The beach is clean, safe and monitored by lifeguards who ensure public safety and also by members of the naturist organization who maintain a code of conduct that is “pro nude and anti lewd.”

6747 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne
Ideal for visitors to Downtown Miami and the Port of Miami, Key Biscayne is a 5-mile barrier island that connects to the city via a toll road called the Rickenbacker Causeway. Frequented by sun worshippers visiting Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the windsurfer’s favorite Hobie Beach, this area of Miami is known for shallow waters and calm seas which makes it ideal for children and inexperienced swimmers. Bill Baggs Park offers bike rental, nature trails, fishing, swimming and a historic lighthouse to explore. Crandon Park has public beaches, a skate park, a playground, a golf course and a world-famous tennis center that hosts the annual Sony Ericsson Tournament in March though the facilities are open to the public the rest of the year.

In the early ’90s, South Beach’s posh lifestyle and infamous nightlife put it on the map as the destination for late-night soirees drawing in scenesters and fashionistas from all around the globe. While the South Beach party scene cranks even higher, today the area is also transforming into a daytime vacation paradise. The forever-summer climate, beach and endless outdoor activities make daytime just as entertaining as the hours after the sun goes down.

As you count the hours until your favorite club opens its doors, here are a few activities to help you make the most of your time in the sun. You can start with numerous Miami tours here, and if you’re pressed for time, such as during a cruise layover, try our “Six Hours in South Beach” guide to Miami day trips. There are several Everglades tours you may find interesting, and for the truly adventurous, try our Miami to Key West and the Florida Keys trip guide.

Experience the thrill of lifetime with Relentless Water Sports’ jetpack adventure, the chance to take flight over the waters of South Beach using a high powered stream of compressed air.

Turbocharge your vacation with a lightweight JETLEV jet pack that carries you safely into the air until you’re ready to splashdown and do it again! We provide an audio guided helmet so you can hear our certified instrutor’s safety information and we’ll film you in action so you can share your flight with friends back home. Jetpack rentals are available seven days a week and include up to a 2 hour boat tour. For more information, visit http://www.relentlesswatersports.com/

The wind in your hair, the sun on your shoulders and the freedom to come and go as you please—there’s no better way to see the Beach. South Florida has a lot to offer those who want to see the city during daylight hours, but traveling via car can definitely put a damper in your sightseeing. Traffic and limited parking make car travel less than ideal. If you’re craving a taste of Miami Beach’s sites, hop on a scooter and go. Scooters offer the ease of bicycle traveling with the speed of a motorized vehicle.

Rental shops like Beach Scooter make motoring around Miami as smooth as a day at the beach. With three locations, there are always plenty of scooters to rent and a wide variety to choose from. Brands like Malaguti, TBG, Kymco and Kasea fill the 5,000-foot showroom at Beach Scooter. Zip around on a one-seater ($45 for four hours) or grab a friend and rent a two-seater ($50 for four hours) for your tour.

Beach Scooter is located in Miami Beach at 1435 Collins Ave. and 1341 Washington Ave. and in Coconut Grove at 3180 Commodore Plaza. It’s also online at beachscooter.com.

Scooters can also be rented at the following locations:

Deco Scooter Rentals
215 Sixth St.
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 538.-0202

If your South Florida daytime to do list involves swimming alongside dolphin, spying manatee in the wild and racing against your best friend in a Yamaha Wave Runner, then a Jet-Ski rental is in order. And if you are going to ride the waves, why not enjoy Miami’s sites along the way? Be the captain of your own ship as you see Miami through its waterways. Rental companies like Jet-Ski Tours of Miami Inc. offer a six-island tour with highlights such as a trip through the Port of Miami. Here, riders can bid farewell to the cruise ships. Next, ride through the posh Star Island, South Florida’s celebrity retreat. On your wet and wild journey, visit the monument at Sir Flagler Island and take a spin around Bayside’s Hard Rock Cafe Jet-Ski Tours Miami offers a three-hour tour for two at $195 with picnic lunch and guide included.

Jet-Ski Tours Miami is located online at jetskitoursofmiami.com. For more information, call (305) 345-5770.

Jet-Skis can also be rented at the following locations:

Hurricane Beach Rentals
8701 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL
(786) 255-3410

Boucher Brothers Water Sports
4441 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 535-8177

If the luxurious lifestyles of the celebrities and musicians on MTV’s Cribs peaks your interest, then Island Queen Cruises and Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters is the type of daytime fun you won’t want to miss. Island Queen Cruises offers boat tours of Star and Hibiscus Island, where Miami’s celebrities live in play in beautiful mansions built alongside the water’s edge. Boat captains share tabloid-worthy secrets about local celeb residents like Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias. Docked at Bayside Marketplace, the 140-passenger double-decker boat uses its 90-minute narrated tour to educated riders about Millionaire’s Row, Fisher Island, Star and Hibiscus Island and Venetian Island. The tour starts at 11 a.m. with the last cruise setting sail at 7 p.m.

Island Queen Cruises and Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters can be reached at (305) 379-5119 and is located online at islandqueencruises.com.

Like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Miami offers those who want to test their luck the chance to do so on its numerous gaming cruises. With close proximity to International Waterways, the roll of the die is just minutes away. One of Miami’s most popular cruises, Casino Princesa, offers slot machines, black jack, craps, poker and roulette aboard its state-of-the-art mega yacht. The Princesa sets sail for its four-and-a-half-hour cruises twice every day. And if you happen to spend all of your cash in the first hour, don’t fret; the ship also boasts a buffet, as well as dancing. Take a tour of the boat’s four decks and watch the sunset, or sneak a glimpse of Star Island as you head out to sea. The Thursday Jackpot draws a crowd, so be sure to get your spot at the slots early.

The Casino Princesa can be reached by phone at (305) 379.5825 or online at casinoprincesa.com.

Casino cruises are also available on the following ships:

Atlantic Casino
400 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-2111

San Tropez
Port Everglades, Pier 22
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(866) 244-4885

Despite what you may think, Miami’s famous Duck Tour doesn’t actually have any ducks involved. Instead of spotting wild animals in their natural habitat, you’ll actually get to see Miami in a cruiser built for both land and sea. The 90-minute narrated adventure begins on Ocean Drive and 10th Street, as the “duck mobile” makes its way to famous sites like Ocean Drive and the historical Art Deco District. Then, before you know it, the amphibious vehicle dives to the waters of Biscayne Bay. Floating down the waterway, you’ll see the celebrity hotspots on Millionaires Row and experience Miami’s famous islands. The Duck Tour offers a rich history of Miami in a creative way—a tour unlike any other in South Florida. Tours are $24 for each adult. The Duck Tour also leaves daily from Bayside Marketplace.

Duck Tours South Beach
1661 James Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-673-2217
www.ducktourssouthbeach.com

It may look like something straight out of the Jetsons, but the Segway HT is actually the first and only electric transporter that mimics human balance. Used by celebrities and even the president, the Segway is quickly becoming the most popular form of leisurely travel. Topping off at 12 and a half miles and hour, the Segway lets riders take to the sidewalks with ease, and its definitely more eye catching and fun then walking. If you are looking to zip about South Beach and want to be as much of an attraction as the Historic Art Deco District, Electric Rentals offers a tour of South Beach Segway style. Each tour lasts about an hour and includes a short training course of how to operate your human transporter.

Electric Rentals is located at 223 11th Street. For more information, call (305) 532-6700.

Miami’s El Loro Pirate Ship offers the same glamorous sightseeing tours of Biscayne Bay as many other cruise ships only with the novelty of an old-fashioned pirate ship. Onboard the classic-looking ship, mates dress in full pirate gear as they pillage through Biscayne Bay and the Venetian Islands, narrating the history of the South Florida destinations. From the full sails to the black cross-bones flag, the trip is truly original, not to mention whimsically different from other tours. Docked at Bayside Marketplace, El Loro sails four times a day and starts its tours at 12:30 p.m.

If it’s a pirate’s life you’re interested in experiencing in Miami’s sizzling sun, call (305) 860-8854 for more information.

For those more adventurous Miami Beach visitors who would like to try parasailing over the Atlantic or Biscayne Bay, there are three options to choose from — Pinky’s Parasail, Boucher Brothers and Parasail Miami Beach.

With Boucher Brothers and Parasail Miami Beach a shuttle boat takes you right from the beach to one of their new 28-foot, 230-horsepower crafts designed specifically for Parasailing. The Captain will explain all the necessary safety procedures and once you feel comfortable, you gently ascend as high as 800 feet above the water, then descend directly to the rear Parasailing platform, all while cradled in a sitting harness that holds you securely. You can even ride with a partner.

• Rates are $85 for a single rider ($150 for double riders)
• Riders must be 5 years of age or older (riders under 8 years must ride with an adult)
• Riders must weigh a minimum of 120 lb. and a maximum of 400 lb. (single or double)
• Availability daily providing weather conditions are appropriate

For more Parasailing information or reservations call Captain Dan at (305) 266-4144.

Pinky’s Parasail is located in Miami Beach Marina 300 Alton Rd. Please call (305) PARASAIL for more info or visit www.pinkysparasail.com.

“SoFi” – the enclave South of Fifth Street – was once considered a bit of a dead zone for tourists, but these days it’s a vibrant destination in it’s own right. Some locals who have discovered SoFi actually gave up their landlocked houses to purchase condos in the clouds along Government Cut, and there are multi-million dollar high rises all along the southern shore of Miami Beach that are first- and second-homes for wealthy business people and more than a few big-name celebrities.

If you are unfamiliar with the area and want to explore the southernmost part of the city, book a room at the Hilton Bentley Miami/South Beach on the Ocean, the less expensive Ocean Drive boutique hotel called Century or the hip, British-inspired hideout Lord Balfour Hotel. Some folks prefer to splurge on their hotel room, others keep their cash on hand for gourmet dining or a grand shopping spree. The southern tip of South Beach makes both options possible.

Once you have picked a room, head out for a great big breakfast at Big Pink, a high energy, family-style restaurant with portions large enough to share and prices that will not break the bank. Opened early and also quite late, Big Pink is a popular option for locals and visitors who follow the crowds to this busy corner. Just down the street, Starbucks is brewing in the ground floor of the Marriott Stanton South Beach on Ocean Drive. If you’d rather grab a joe and go – this is the place to start your day.

If you’ve come to South Beach to explore the club scene, why not start early with brunch at Nikki Beach Club. The only draw back to the sumptuous spread the chefs prepare is the sight of all the toned and tan bodies making their way to the canopied sun beds out back. How can you ask for another breakfast pastry when the perky girls at the next table weigh next to nothing? Be brave – have seconds!

After a day at the beach or a stroll through South Pointe Park, you’re certain to need an afternoon pick me up. A great spot for happy hour is the tiki hut bar at the Miami Beach Marina called Monty’s Sunset. Because this popular spot is located on the west side of town, you’re sure to meet plenty of boaters who’ve spent the day working up a mighty thirst. If you’re tempted to join them on the water, Club Nautico will rent you a speedboat right in front of the bar. Relax and enjoy drink specials and peel-and-eat shrimp while a band plays under the thatched-roof stage. You might be tempted to stay for dinner, but there are more stops on this SoFi bar crawl so point your flip-flops due east and head for the shore.

Smith & Wollensky is a popular steakhouse chain with a great location at the edge of the island behind South Pointe Park. There are a few choice tables out back facing Government Cut and the spectacular cruise ships steaming out to sea. This is where you want to be for a late lunch or an early afternoon cocktail. Juicy burgers and a belly-busting club sandwich are the hidden treasures on the lunch menu so don’t be afraid to ask. Steaks are a very popular option in SoFi and the best of them are available nearby at Prime 112 or RED, the Steakhouse. Make S&W an afternoon stop or happy hour at the breezy beach house restaurant at the Sense South Beach Hotel called The Local House for 2-4-1 drinks or bottomless mimosas.

If you want to try something a bit more exotic, Tap Tap Restaurant is like a trip to a tropical Caribbean Island right on South Beach. The walls are brightly painted, the cuisine features fresh seafood prepared with a tropical flair and on weekends there’s live music to complete the journey. No other restaurant in town makes you feel like you’re on vacation quite like Tap Tap. After your dinner, explore some of the quiet lounges South of Fifth Street to party with the locals.

Your first stop for a quiet cocktail should always be Ted’s Hideaway, a decidedly “regular guy” bar that seems to attract a who’s-who of South Beach hipsters. A great spot to watch sports by day or shoot a quick game of pool on your way back from the beach, Ted’s is an attitude-free Cheers-type bar where everyone might just know your name before you leave… Around the corner, a little bar called Room has a loyal and devoted following. Dark, mellow and definitely “chill,” Room is the place you’ll brag about discovering weeks after you get back home. To watch your favorite team, a cult movie or sip specialty bourbon in South Beach style, stop into Radio Bar on First Street.

If we’ve convinced you to explore the SoFi district, there are a few coming attractions to sweeten the deal. Siena Tavern, the Italian restaurant that makes visiting Chicago so much fun, is opening an outpost in SoFi soon. Likewise check out Texas De Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse which serves all the meat you care to eat just above Monty’s Sunset at the Miami Beach Marina. And finally, the best incentive of all – Joe’s Stone Crabs serves great local seafood October through April (and some nights in the summertime too). If you can’t endure the endless wait at the bar to have dinner, enjoy lunch like a local and enjoy the chowder, the claws and the key lime pie with all of the trimmings and none of the hassle.

SoFi is So Good!

South Florida is a melting pot of world cultures and one of our most valuable assets is delicious authentic cuisine. Miami Culinary Tours organizes daily trips to local restaurants where guests get to meet the chefs, taste the food and explore the local areas of interest along the way. Start with a morning stroll through the Art Deco District for a breakfast tour or join the South Beach food tour for lunch or dinner. Adult travelers can do a SoBe cocktail crawl or see the sights in the Wynwood Arts District or Historic Little Havana where the flavors of Latin America are revealed at five different restaurants. Miami Culinary Tours, 1000 Fifth Street, Miami Beach, 786.942.8856

If you’re traveling with kids and have a few hours to enjoy in Miami, why not take everyone on a tropical adventure at Jungle Island? Just 10 minutes away from the port or the plane, Jungle Island is an outdoor theme park filled with wild animals you can watch, pet and even feed. Open 365 days a year, this 18 acre garden is filled with winding walkways lined with exotic plants and trees that form a natural canopy. Kids of all ages can safely explore the habitats of colorful birds, friendly primates and slithery reptiles. Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, 305.400.7000

South Beach’s historic Art Deco District invites cruise passengers to discover the rich and vibrant designs that make our city one of the most photogenic locations on earth. Stop in to the Welcome Center at the very heart of Ocean Drive and let the friendly staff set you up with a walking tour of the area or simply send you to the perfect spot for lunch. A 90-minute guided tour sets off every day at 10:30am and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm. If you can’t get to South Beach in the morning, there are self-guided audio tours available in 4 different languages so you can set your own pace. Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, South Beach, 305.672.2014

Miami Beach offers miles of golden surf along the Atlantic coastline which is just minutes away from the air and seaports. If you want to work on a golden tan or simply relax and unwind for half a day, the public beaches along Ocean Drive offer free showers and changing areas where all you need is a well-stocked beach bag. Unroll at towel or find quick access to rent a beach chair, an umbrella or even a jet ski! For a more pampering experience by the sea, check into a cabana at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel overlooking the swimming pool and beach. Sip signature cocktails on a padded lounger, enjoy the balmy breezes in the shade of a giant umbrella and have a refreshing snack at the Social Club Lounge. Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Avenue, South Beach, 305.604.1800

Bayside Marketplace is an indoor/outdoor mall at the entrance to the Port of Miami where travelers can shop for last minute gifts, stop in for lunch or dinner or choose from a variety of tour buses and watercraft that navigate Miami’s Biscayne Bay. Open 7 days a week until late night, Bayside is home to the Hop On Hop Off Tour Bus that circles the city and lets you decide where you want to explore. Wander the Miami Marina and choose from a variety of small boats that cruise the city’s tropical waterways where you’ll see our dazzling skylines, celebrity mansions and playful wildlife. Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, 305.577.3344

If you need a little time to relax and unwind before or after your cruise, look no further than the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Miami where a day pass to the tropical poolside sanctuary is an easy fix for the harried traveler. Located on the seventh floor of one of Miami’s most elegant hotels, the $25 pool pass includes plush towels, frozen fruit, the latest magazines and access to the swimming pool, the Jacuzzi and a wading pool for the kids. Private cabanas are also available for rent and include a cocktail for each adult guest plus mineral water and a platter of fresh fruit. Four Seasons Hotel, 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, 305.358.3535

Guys on the go need a place to relax where the beer flows freely and dozens of TVs show all their favorite sports. Look no further than a lounge chair at the Clevelander Hotel on South Beach’s Ocean Drive where the action takes place out by the pool and inside the lively Game On Sports Bar. Overnight guests can book a Day at the Beach Package which includes a room, two souvenir beach towels, sunscreen and bottled water plus a frozen Miami Vice Cocktail as soon as you arrive. Daytrippers can simply find the perfect barstool in front of a flat panel TV and order up something frosty to while away the day watching football, soccer or whatever team floats your boat. Clevelander Hotel, 1020 Ocean Drive, South Beach, 305.531.3953

If you still need a few things for your vacation wardrobe or you’re on your way home and haven’t got presents for friends and family, a half day shopping adventure may be just what you need. Miami’s Dolphin Outlet Mall is moments away from the airport and offers shuttle bus service from the terminal and the Port of Miami area to help guests access over 240 value-oriented stores, restaurants and bars. Dad and the kids can spend the day at Dave & Busters playing video games or bowling at Strike Miami while Mom explores shops filled with clothes, accessories and shoes at deeply discounted prices seven days a week! Dolphin Mall, 11401 NW 12 Street, Miami, 305.365.7446

Miami’s Design District is a creative destination where you’ll discover cutting edge fashion, interior design and fine dining. Located 10 minutes away from Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami, this elegant enclave will impress and inspire fans of life’s finer things. Start with a welcoming cocktail, brunch or a quick cup of coffee at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink or Crumb on Parchment bakeshop and then window shop at top art galleries, elegant home furnishing showrooms and haute fashion and luxury boutiques. The District is home to Cartier, Gucci, Pucci and Dior plus Prada, Vuitton and Marni. In the evening you’ll discover swank cocktail spots plus The Stage, a live performance lounge featuring Miami’s top talents. Miami Design District, 3841 NE Second Avenue, Miami, 305.722.7100

The Florida Everglades are a massive national park where wild animals and tropical plants stretch as far as the eye can see. Hot and steamy in summertime, the Glades can be explored on foot, by boat and via guided tram tours that are fun for the entire family. The closest park entrance for Miami visitors is the Ernest Coe Visitor Center which is about an hour away from the air and sea ports and best accessed with a rental car. Open until 5pm 365 days a year, the center is not far from a series of popular walking trails. For families and guests with limited mobility, the Shark Valley Tram Tour is a guided two-hour ride through a 15 mile loop through the River of Grass where tropical birds and alligators are close enough to touch (but don’t do that). Bicycle rentals are also available.

Ernest Coe Visitor Center, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, 305.242.7700
Shark Valley Visitor Center, 36000 SW Eighth Street, Miami, 305.221.8455

Tip #1…Don’t bring a car at all unless you have to. Take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to Miami Beach. Once you’re here, everywhere you’ll want to go is either a five minute walk or a $0.25 ride on the South Beach Local, which circles South Beach continuously. South Beach parking map is here.

Tip #2…Miami Beach has installed brand new solar-powered parking meters in certain high-traffic areas of the city such as Ocean Drive. These machines operate with dollars or credit/debit cards instead of change. These photos will help you get acquainted with them.

Parking Cards can also be purchased at many locations around the city…

City Hall Parking Department
(one block north of Lincoln Road)

Publix Supermarkets

Chamber of Commerce on Washington Avenue

News Cafe on Ocean Drive

Wolfsonian Museum on Washington Avenue

and many other locations.

The Parking Department accepts cash and MasterCard/ Visa credit card payment for the parking cards. For the most current list of locations call (305) 673-7505.

The State of Florida has a system of warning flags that are posted on lifeguard towers to advise beach-goers of beach conditions and warn of impending dangerous situations.

Miami Beach Ocean Rescue
305-673-7714 (non-emergency)

• Red with a line crossing out a swimmer: Water Closed to Public, Agua Cerrada al Publico
• Red: High Hazard ? High Surf and/or Strong Currents , Peligro Alto, Resaca Alta y/o Corrientes Fuertes
• Yellow: Medium Hazard ? Moderate Surf and/or Currents , Peligro Medio Resaca Moderada y/o Corrientes Fuertes
• Green: Low Hazard ? Calm Conditions, Exercise Caution , Peligro Bajo, Condiciones Calmas, Tenga Cuidado
• Purple: Dangerous Marine Life , Vida Marina Peligrosa

A great addition to the South Beach spa scene is Bliss at the W South Beach where the remedy for whatever ails you is but a moment away. Registered guests find an array of Bliss products tucked away in their bathrooms so the healing can begin with the very first shower. For the rest of us there are Triple Oxygen Treatments, tension busting Blissage massages, soothing pedicures and skincare services designed to help remedy the damages of winter weather on hair and skin in a matter of minutes. If you would rather retreat to the privacy of your own bath and recharge on your own, all of the Bliss products are on sale at the spa desk.

Experience the luxury of a day at the South Beach Spa at the Ritz-Carlton where the European wellness and beauty products designed by La Maison de Beauté Carita help create a pampering escape. The spa has 14 treatment suites and two couples’ lounges where you and someone special can get tandem massages and spend some quality time relaxing together. A great option for a girl’s getaway, the beauty salon at the spa offers Bubbles & Blowouts, a champagne soaked night of hair styling, mani/pedis and bonding for you and your BFFs.

Tucked away in the penthouse level of the swank Delano Hotel, Club Essentia Wellness Retreat at the Delano is a 3,500 square foot oasis of relaxation including medically supervised preventative aging procedures like Viora laser treatments, Botox, dermal fillers and cellular therapy tailored to your personal needs. More than a traditional spa, Essentia augments the usual therapies like massage, body wraps and facials with state of the art medical procedures designed to improve your overall appearance.

Bringing the best of London to South Beach, the Elemis Spa at the Loews Miami Beach offers hotel guests and day spa visitors an 18,000 square foot retreat where they can work out, chill out and even meditate overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With 16 private treatment rooms, a calming lounge and an oceanfront terrace, the Elemis Spa offers hydrotherapy, hair and skin care treatments plus a full service beauty salon under one roof. Located in the St. Moritz Spa Tower, the Loews coordinates group spa outings, wedding day services and will craft a pampering spa weekend just for you.

For hedonists who believe that bigger is always better, the Lapis Spa at the Fontainebleau stands ready to make all of your pampering dreams come true. 48,000 square feet of fitness and facials and massages and blowouts are all surrounded by nine swimming pools and the Atlantic surf which you are welcome to enjoy as part of your salon or spa purchase. Turns out it is easy to feel like a celebrity or VIP at the Fontainebleau starting with early morning yoga classes and weekday discounts on many treatments if you book before 3pm. Highlights of the Lapis experience include the Water Ritual Journey of mineral whirlpools, energy showers, relaxing rain tunnels, and a co-ed soaking pool. Retreat into the steamy reaches of the Hammam for a eucalyptus detox and then recharge with a fresh fruit juice in the lounge. Day passes start at just $35.

One of the most popular trails in the River of Grass that is the Florida Everglades, Shark Valley is a 15 mile paved loop road that leads into the very heart of the swamp and allows tourists to get very close to some amazing Florida wildlife. A visitor’s center offers both tram tours and bicycle rentals for guests physically able to navigate the long, flat paved road. Approximately seven miles into the trail a 45 foot high observation tower gives a bird’s eye view of the alligators, tropical flora and fauna and the overall grandeur of the undeveloped heart of the state of Florida. Open air tram tours take approximately 2 hours and depart daily starting at 9am with the last tour available at 4pm.

Fans of tropical plants and butterflies flock to Coral Gables’ Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, an 83-acre collection of rare and exotic plants, flowering trees, unique palms and native wildlife. Originally established in 1938, the center is renowned for research, conservation and education throughout the world. Open every day except Christmas, the grounds are accessible via guided tram tours and self-guided nature walks through lush trails and greenhouses. Each December the garden partners with an artist who creates a unique site-specific installation amid the plants and flowers. Glass designer Dale Chihuly, Sculptor Fernando Botero and Claude & Francois-Xavier Lalanne are just a few of the notable participants in this popular program.

Experience the first undersea state park in the United States; John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is an exciting day trip for Miami vacationers. Guests can hike through mangroves and tropical hammocks, wade in tranquil waters or see to the bottom of the coral reef in specially designed glass-bottom boats. Strong swimmers (and certified SCUBA divers) can also get nose to nose with thousands of exotic fish through the park’s dedicated snorkeling program (www.pennekamppark.com) which includes inexpensive gear rental and four boat trips out to the coral reef each day starting at 9am. The park allows camping, saltwater fishing, swimming and picnicking in designated areas. Drive time from Miami to this exciting Keys adventure is approximately an hour and a half.

One of the best attractions for families visiting South Beach or the Port of Miami, Jungle Island is a tropical animal park strategically located on the causeway that connects Miami and Miami Beach.

Families visiting South Beach can hop on two free shuttles to Jungle Island picking up at area hotels starting at 9:30am every day (www.jungleisland.com).

Minutes away from the cruise ships and the sea, Jungle Island offers kids a chance to interact with snakes, penguins, kangaroos, tropical birds, baby jungle cats and even a lemur or two. Open every day of the year and popular for holiday celebrations like Easter, Halloween and Christmas, the park is a unique, Florida style zoo that encourages animal interaction, education and lots of fun!

One of the most popular area attractions, The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a free cultural destination offering adults and children access to native plants and flowers, a diverse array of palm trees and native birds plus many educational opportunities that promote green living. Serving as a backdrop for visual and performing arts, the garden is located just behind the Miami Beach Convention Center. Garden visitors can enjoy ancient cycads, bromeliads and flowering trees plus a Japanese style garden that naturally attracts dozens of butterflies. Saturday tours start at 2pm.

Home to more than 2000 wild animals living in cageless compounds, Zoo Miami spans over 740 acres in South Miami. Visitors may roam through 3 miles of outdoor walkways and view over 100 exhibits including 40 endangered species, 70 different types of birds, 15,000 honey bees and hundreds of exotic orchids. Divided into African, Asian and Australian areas, the zoo is a living classroom that offers educational programs for all ages. Children can handle smaller animals, adults can experience a private photo safari and groups can book an overnight stay camping amongst the wild things!

One of the most exciting discoveries for golfers planning a Miami Vacation is the Miami Beach Golf Club located moments away from the dazzling nightclub district of South Beach. Originally developed in 1923 as part of Carl Fisher’s bold residential enclave meant to tempt snowbirds away from the frigid northeast, the course is open to the public 365 days a year. This entire course was recently updated by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest who pulled out all the grass and most of the trees, drained the lakes replaced the irrigation system and newly sculpted the hills and bunkers. The result is a brand new playing surface and clubhouse that are state of the art.

If you find yourself on South Beach and need a quick practice round, visit Bayshore Municipal Golf Course Par 3. This 9 hole hidden treasure has been charming holiday golfers since 1940 when its 1300 yards of Bermuda grass first opened to the public. Designed by Bruce Devlin and greatly overshadowed by the nearby Miami Beach Golf Club, the Bayshore is a duffer’s paradise of quiet repose in the middle of the busy tourist playground that surrounds it.

This local’s favorite golf course is truly a hidden gem tucked away on an island that connects Miami to Miami Beach. Normandy Shores Golf Club was originally established in 1941 with a course designed by Arthur Hills. Planted with Supreme Seashore Paspalum, the club offers three sets of tees ranging from 5,900 to 6,800 yards. No matter your skill level, the fairways will challenge your mind and your swing with deftly leveled fairways, cleverly placed bunkers and water features at 12 of the 18 holes. Normandy Shores also offers a driving range and putting green plus the Jose Hernandez School of Golf available for private, group and playing lessons.

One of the highlights of the expansive public park that runs along the coast of Miami Beach from Bal Harbour to Sunny Isles, the Haulover Beach Golf & Tennis facilities make it possible for everyone to play in the balmy ocean breeze. This 9-hole bayside golf course stretches over 810 yards for a par of 27. Great for family outings or a quick vacation practice run, the public course has been operational since 1964. Haulover Park comprises over 99 acres of prime beachfront property that is maintained by the city for public use. The course is open from 7am-7pm on the western edge of the park facing the Intracoastal Waterway and the Bill Bird Marina. Six lighted tennis courts are available nearby.

Perhaps the ideal destination for a sporting Miami Vacation, the Turnberry Isle Golf Resort offers a full service country club atmosphere with golf, tennis, fine dining and easy access to Sunny Isles Beach. With two courses originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. the Soffer and Miller Courses were recently updated by Raymond Floyd to provide a challenging series of contours, doglegs and strategically placed water hazards. Guests interested in improving their game can book lessons with two resident pros at the resort; Hiro Suzuki PGA of America’s Teacher of the Year and Gary Knapp PGA honored teacher in both Florida and Nevada.

In South Florida, the courses that truly inspire legends can only be found at Doral Golf Resort. Choose from five different championship quality courses spanning over 48,000 yards of pristine turf or sign up to improve your game at the Jim McLean Golf School. The TPC Blue Monster was originally designed by Dick Wilson and features a notorious par-4 18th hole that is ranked by pros as one of the best in the world. The Great White is a par-72 course conceived by Greg Norman that gets it’s name from the crushed coquina shells utilized in the design. The Gold Course was recently redesigned by Raymond Floyd to give it a traditional Florida feel with narrow fairways, strategic bunkers and water surrounding 15 holes. The Red Course has 14 water holes that challenge a golfer to more strategic shot placement. The Jim McLean Signature Course has 3 particularly tough starting holes and the dreaded “Bermuda Triangle” at the 13th through 15th holes. Doral Golf Resort is the ideal golfer’s getaway.

Parents often worry about kids getting bored and fidgety on lengthy sightseeing tours so the 90-minute Miami Pirate Duck Tour helps take the worry out of getting to know Miami. Families board the open-air pirate coach just outside South Beach’s New World Symphony on Lincoln Road Mall and as soon as the tour begins, so does the fun. The coach travels throughout the streets of Miami Beach and then down a designated boat ramp where the vehicle transforms into a motor boat to provide an incredible view of the star’s homes, the most popular local landmarks and even the locations of some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Learn about local history, culture, wildlife and architecture while the kids get to travel on an impromptu pirate ship.

Forget the ordinary trip to the zoo and take your kids to Monkey Jungle where humans are caged and the monkeys run wild! For an unforgettable “Only in Miami ” experience, check out this wild animal park started in 1933 when Joseph DuMond released six monkeys into a South Florida hammock and established a large thriving troop of hundreds of monkeys that still live and play here. There are over 30 different species of primates at the park including gibbons, guenons and spider monkeys. Roam through enclosures that wind around a tropical rain forest setting where monkeys fill the trees and sometimes reach through the wire fence to take treats right out of your hand. Four scheduled feedings bring out wild monkeys to a central swimming pool starting at 10am.

No matter where you travel on Miami Beach, you’ll find clean safe places for kids to play such as South Pointe Park, Ocean Drive at 2nd or 13th Streets, Collins Avenue at 46th and 53rd Streets, 44th & Chase Avenue, and 51st and 64th Streets on Alton Road.

Rated tops in town for kids new to swimming, the interactive Flamingo Park Play Pool is right next door to the adult’s aquatic center but specifically designed for supervised toddlers. Water temperatures are maintained at 82 degrees all year long for little dippers who can safely wade in the zero to 15 inch deep play zone and climb aboard brightly colored water toys and slides. While parents must participate in any sort of child’s play near water, the pool deck makes family fun a breeze with five 20-foot umbrellas, a concession stand, vending machines, locker facilities and so much more!

South Beach may enjoy a reputation as an adult playground, but kids on holiday have discovered the Flamingo Park Tot Lot and declared it a best bet! Join in on the fun at a free standing rock wall, a bouncy spring pod and an upper body fitness center that’s scaled down just for kids. Climb aboard a historic 1950’s wooden train car and explore a myriad of colorful chutes, slides and ladders. The City of Miami Beach maintains this free facility for kids aged 5-12 years of age who can utilize the swings, the water fountain and nearby restrooms in the tennis center.

Just outside the grounds of Miami International Airport, parents have thrilled to discover Grapeland Water Park, an ideal way to spend the day after disembarking from a cruise at the Port of Miami in the morning and then heading back home. Clean, safe and well maintained, this colorful splash zone is fun for the entire family with life jackets on hand for smaller kids, certified lifeguards supervising all pool areas and separate play zones for older and younger guests. Shipwreck Island is a toddler’s dream with safe shallow waters, a giant water bucket that fills and spills and lots of room to play. Pirate’s Plunge is for older kids who can climb the stairs to the very top and slide down the chutes to splashdown into the pool below. Open weekends before Memorial Day and 7 days a week all summer long.

One of the benefits of planning a cruise at the Port of Miami is the ease of flying into Miami International Airport and adding on a little extra time in town at area hotels. Travel time from the airport to the ship is under 30 minutes by taxi and hotels close to the Port are available both in the City of Miami and by the sea on Miami Beach.

With so many online discounts on cruises, travelers often find they have plenty of money left in the budget to splurge on a Miami hotel. With airline travel frequently causing unexpected delays, it is a wise investment to plan at least an overnight in town before you board your cruise.

Properties closest to the Port of Miami in a city setting include luxury spots like the Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental, and the Viceroy. Mid-priced hotels in the heart of Downtown Miami are the Epic, the JW Marriott Marquis and the Conrad and more budget-friendly options include the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, the Hyatt Regency, the Holiday Inn Port of Miami and the Hotel Urbano on Biscayne Bay.

Just a few minutes away, Miami Beach hotels are an ideal location for cruisers who can find luxury by the sea at the Delano Hotel, the Setai Hotel and the Loews Miami Beach. The newly renovated James Royal Palm, the Surfcomber and the Sagamore Hotels are more moderately priced resorts not far from the Port and the Beacon, the Park Central and the Palms provide affordable luxury right on the Atlantic coast.

With cruises available for every budget and travel style, the Port of Miami has seven terminals designed to make accessing your ship as easy as possible. There are 13 different cruise brands with 27 ships currently passing through Miami which makes us the Cruise Capital of the World!

Drive-in guests can utilize on-site parking which is available at no charge for drivers with disabilities. Enjoy short or long format trips with Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Disney, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Terminals D & E are three stories tall for the mega-ships and Terminal J is a smaller boarding area for Oceania, Crystal, Azamara and Regent cruise lines.

Passengers need to arrive at least two hours prior to departure with all of their appropriate personal identification updated and ready to proceed through security checkpoints. Necessary documentation varies by cruise line and destination so be certain to contact your travel planner directly to be sure all of your paperwork is in order.

The St. Bernard de Clairvaux Monastery was built in Spain in the XII century and purchased by William Randolph Hearst in 1925. The structures were dismantled and shipped to the United States where they remained in a Brooklyn, NY warehouse until Hearst’s financial problems necessitated their sale. They were later donated to the parish of St. Bernard de Clairvaux. The monastery remains very popular for high-end wedding ceremonies. Open Mon.-Sat, 9am-5pm; Sunday 2pm-4pm (may close early on the weekends if there are special events). Adults $5; seniors (65+) and students with ID are $2.50; children under 12 are $2. 16711 West Dixie Highway / North Miami Beach, FL / (305) 945-1462

The Miami Design Preservation League offers walking tours (approx. 90 minutes) of Ocean Drive and beyond to introduce guests to the Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and MiMo styles found in South Beach. Tours depart the Art Deco Welcome Center Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am, and Thursdays at 6:30pm. $20/person: $15 for seniors 65+ and children under 15; free to members of Miami Design Preservation League. Private tours can also be arranged. Deco Underworld Tours: An overview of Prohibition, Gambling and Al Capone in Miami Beach. 1001 Ocean Drive / Miami Beach, FL / (305) 672-2014

One of South Florida’s most popular oddities is Coral Castle, a coral rock structure built entirely by hand by an eccentric Latvian man named Edward Leedskalnin during the last 28 years of his life. Inspiring many local legends, this “American Stonehenge” was said to be a lifelong tribute to his long lost childhood love. Throughout the 1940s, Leedskalnin lived in the castle and led tours through the grounds for 10 cents a guest. After he died, the property was officially transformed into a tourist attraction which continues to appeal to travelers who want to believe there are supernatural powers at work in the 1,100 tons of meticulously crafted rock. Thirty minute state of the art audio tour in English, Spanish, French or German. Open daily, 7am to 8pm. $9.75 adults; children 7-12, $5; 6 and under 7 are free; seniors 62+ $6.50. 28655 S. Dixie Highway / Homestead, FL / (305) 248-6345

This unique park includes Indian Burial grounds areas where 50,000 year old fossils have been discovered, historic buildings and the most famous winter estate of industrialist Charles Deering. Try a guided walking tour, canoe tour, or explore on your own. Open daily (except Christmas and Thanksgiving) 10am to 5pm (box office until 4pm). Adults, $7; children 14 and under, $5; ages 3 and under, free. Admission includes three guided tours and parking. 16701 SW Old Cutler Road / Miami, FL / (305) 235-1668

This tour is a 90 minute land-sea adventure conducted in an amphibious vehicle. The tour departs from South Beach/Miami Beach and hits the Art Deco District, downtown Miami, Biscayne Bay, Star Island, Millionaire’s Row and more. Lots of fun for the whole family. 1661 James Avenue / Miami Beach, FL 33139 / 305-673-2217 www.ducktourssouthbeach.com

From the moment visitors enter this unique Federal reservation, about an hour’s drive south of Miami, they are amazed at this fascinating 1,400,533-acre nature sanctuary. There’s a world of difference for tourists here in the country’s third-largest national park.

This sub-tropical wilderness is covered with broad expanses of sawgrass dotted with hammocks (isolated clusters of trees and associated vegetation), bald cypress, pinelands and dense mangroves. Some one thousand species of flowering plants grow undisturbed here. Branches of trees are adorned with orchids and ferns. Intricate waterways, many of which remain unexplored, lace their way throughout the region.

Accommodations are also available at Flamingo Lodge. Main entrance (Homestead) is open 24 hours, everyday. $ 10/car; $10 at Shark Valley entrance (Highway 4, also known as the Tamiami Trail), open 8:30am-5:30pm. 40001 State Road 9336 / Homestead, FL / (305) 242-7700

Airboat tours, eco-adventure tours, alligator and wildlife nature shows. Observe South Florida’s delicate ecological system with breath-taking airboat ride through nature’s wildlife. See alligators, crocodiles and other exotic wildlife in their natural habitat. Park also has jungle walking trails, observation platforms and exhibits, and a restaurant, souvenir-gift shop. Open everyday 9am-Spm. $20 adults; $10 children 5-11.

Admission to Everglades Safari Park also includes an Eco-Adventure Airboat ride, and Alligator Wildlife Nature show. Tours and excursions introduce visitors to Everglades flora and fauna, wildlife and natural surroundings. Canoe and kayak tours, snorkeling, tours to the Everglades and bird watching. 26700 Tamiami Trail (SW 8th St.) / Miami, FL / (305) 226-6923

Known to be the cultural center for the exile Cuban Community in Miami, Little Havana’s Calle Ocho is a Hispanic neighborhood named after the capital of Cuba. Home to a number of small ethnic storefront shops, Latin restaurants and cigar factories, the district comes to life on the last Friday of every month when Cultural Fridays (www.ViernesCulturales.org) bring out crowds of visitors who tour small art galleries, bodegas and dance halls starting at 7pm. At the center of the area, Domino Park is a gathering place for older gentlemen who join in competitive games, reminisce about the old country and argue over local politics. Musicians perform at the park and at the landmark Tower Theater.

Fairchild Tropical Garden is an 83 acre botanical garden containing one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of rare, tropical plants. The Garden also contains a display conservatory; a sunken garden and a rain forest display. A cafe and bookstore are also available. Open daily (except Christmas) 9:30am-4:30pm. Adults, $10; children 3-12, $5; children under 3, free; seniors $9. Admission includes narrated tram tours. Special events during the year. Disabled access available. 10901 Old Cutler Road / Coral Gables, FL / (305) 667-1651

Located next to Miami’s MetroZoo, the Railraod Museum’s exhibits include the Ferdinand Magellan, a private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt, and other historic trains. Open weekdays, 10am-4pm; weekends, 11am-4pm. Adults $5; children under 11, $3 (under 3, free). Train rides (Sat. & Sun. only), noon, I pm, 2pm, 3pm, $2 additional; cab train every 1/2 hour, $10 additional and you can ride with the conductor. Every second weekend, the coach train runs, $5 additional. 12450 SW 152nd Street / Miami, FL / (305) 253-0063

Jungle Island is now established in its new home on Miami’s Watson Island in a lush jungle setting of orchids, bromeliads and heliconias. There are more than 1200 animal types, from crocodiles and flamingos to orangutans and over 1,000 parrots. Watson Island on the MacArthur Causeway / Miami, FL

From Ft. Lauderdale’s Bahia Mar Yacht Basin the Jungle Queen sails at 7pm through the “Venice of America” area to a tropical island for an all-you can-eat dinner and variety show ($30.95). Daily sightseeing cruises at 10am and 2pm to Miami Beach’s “Millionaire’s Row” and the Jungle Queen island ($13.50). Miami Cruise, 9:15am-5pm: Day trips to Bayside Marketplace return at 5pm and includes the Millionaire’s Row cruise ($16.95) Reservations are required for all cruises. A1A, North of the 17th St. Causeway / Ft. Lauderdale, FL / (305) 947-6597

Colorful bromeliads, orchid, vine and heliconia collections. More than 80 varieties of tropical palms, trees and plants. Garden and walking tours available. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm. Free. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. 2000 Convention Center Drive / Miami Beach, FL / (305) 673-7256

Grace Della invites you to join her and her dedicated staff of foodies on a Miami Culinary Tour around South Beach or the Cuban restaurants at Calle Ocho in Downtown Miami. Depending upon your particular interests, small groups walk with a guide through the streets of South Florida to experience the tastes, sounds and fascinating aromas of the city’s best restaurants. Meet the chefs, see the sights and encounter a unique group of professional restaurateurs who work each day to bring their passions to the table.

Miami is the melting pot of Latin American cultures. South Beach attracts some of the biggest names in the culinary scene. Miami Culinary Tours bring those distinct elements together so diners can experience both 5 star gourmet cuisine and the “Mom & Pop” ethnic bites that comprise the full gamut of South Florida food. Walking from place to place, tour members consume a multi-course meal one restaurant at a time. Miami Beach, FL / (786) 942-8856 / www.miamiculinarytours.com

Miami MetroZoo contains more than 1,200 animals in a cage-less setting that approximates the animals’ natural habitats and provides visitors the feel of a safari. Large open air exhibits, a children’s zoo, tram rides, family cycles, a monorail and interactive exhibits make Miami Metrozoo, also named one of America’s Best Zoos and the number one Zoo for Pachyderms in 2008 by The Intrepid Traveler, a unique experience for visitors of all ages. General Zoo Admission is: $15.95 per Adult and $11.95 per Child (3-12), plus tax. Hours are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm. 2400 SW 152nd Street / Miami, FL 33177 / (305) 251-0400

The Miami Seaquarium is South Florida’s largest marine aquarium and is home to Lolita, the killer whale, dolphin superstar Flipper, and more than 10,000 creatures of the sea. Scores of Tiger, Bull, Nurse and Lemon Sharks cruise the shark channel. Grouper, Sawfish Moray Eels and Sea Turtles pack the tanks.

Open daily 9:30am to 6pm (including holidays), box office closes at 4:30pm. Shows continue throughout the day. Adults $24.95 + tax, children ages 3-9, $19.95 + tax, under age 3, free. The Miami Seaquarium’s WA.D.E. program allows guests to interact with dolphins and observe their training and care. 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway / Key Biscayne, FL / (305) 361-5705

The Miccosukee Indian Village is located 25 miles west of Miami on the Tamiami Trail (US 41), and presents visitors with an actual Miccosukee village where tribal craftsmen exhibit patchwork and basketry. Alligator wrestling, Airboat rides, along with shopping and dining are also available. Special events at the Village include an Indian Arts & Crafts festival and a music festival. Open daily gam-4:30pm. Adults are $5, children 6-12 are $3.50, children 5 and under are free. 25 miles West of Miami on Tamiami Trail / (305) 223-8380

Dating back to 1916, Villa Vizcaya was the winter residence of American millionaire James Deering who crafted a European style estate with formal gardens in the tropical reaches of South Florida to use as his winter home. The city of Miami had just 10,000 residents at the time but nearly 1,000 were employed to help build the Vizcaya project which once comprised over 180 acres of what is now the city of Coconut Grove. Damaged by two major hurricanes, the bayside estate fell into disrepair but was painstakingly restored and currently serves as a museum and national landmark. Open daily except Tuesdays, the museum remains a significant architectural wonder. Open daily (except Christmas day) 9:30am to 5pm (gardens close 5:30pm; ticket booth, 4:30pm). Adults, $12; children 612, $5; under 6, free. 3251 South Miami Avenue / Miami, FL / (305) 250-9133

What started out in the early 1920s as a meeting place for the wealthy—a destination for dining and dancing in the streets—has come full circle, and along the way, Espanola Way has seen the sun rise and set over vastly different iterations of Miami Beach than the one that exists today. From legendary tales of gangsters running gambling organizations on the street to the ’80s boom of the area as a popular backdrop for numerous films and TV shows like Miami Vice, the infamous stories of Espanola Way are as colorful as the area’s Art Deco architecture.

Conceived by N.B.T. Roney (of Roney Palace) and William Whitman (the father of Stanley, the owner of Bal Harbour Shops), The Historic Spanish Village, better known as Espanola Way, was modeled after artistic and romantic Mediterranean villages in Paris and Spain. While the area was originally intended for Miami Beach’s high society, the 1920s brought about rough conditions as gangsters like the infamous Al Capone used the Clay Hotel for gambling.

In the 1930s, the scene moved more toward its original vision, and Espanola Way became known for its rumba beat. But the happy-go-lucky vibe of the street faded over the decades, and the 1970s ushered in a very different era. Instead of street parties and all-night affairs, Espanola Way became a dilapidated disaster, as did much of its Art Deco surroundings.

But in the early 1980s, efforts of pioneers like Linda Polansky helped shape Miami Beach as we know it today, particularly Espanola Way. “Miami Beach was absolutely at the bottom. I met a lady named Barbara Capitman and she had this vision of restoring all of these dilapidated buildings. We freaked out about the possibility and the potential of renovating and restoring this area,” Polansky says.

During the process, Polansky bought the entire south side of Espanola Way, extending from Washington Avenue down to the end of Drexel Avenue. She set her sights on making the Clay Hotel the crown jewel of the area. As well, she transformed the hotel into a partial hostel. ‘metaphorically, “I feel that I came in and turned on the light. The place was in absolute darkness. Nobody really understood the beauty,” Polansky explains. “Everyone was painting their buildings beige or brown.”

Polansky’s radical idea to give the Clay Hotel a peach hue occurred at nearly the same time Mel Bourne happened to the area. As the production designer of the new show Miami Vice, Bourne showed an intense interest in Espanola Way. After scouting the area, Bourne returned with Michael Mann and Don Johnson. The team sat down with Polansky and told her about their idea. “They explained to me what Miami Vice was going to be. At the time I wanted to paint my building peach and since Bourne was the set designer, I asked if there were some peach colors he would like to recommend,” Polansky exclaims. “He gave me a book with 1,000 different colors of peach!” Soon afterward, the group quickly became friends and Espanola Way became the site of the first and last episodes of the show, as well as 10 episodes in between.

With the creatives behind Miami Vice showing such interest in the area, Espanola Way assumed an edge. The area had been discovered by Hollywood and would go on to appear in numerous films like Chains of Gold with John Travolta and The Birdcage. It would also serve as a background in product advertisements like Dunhill and music videos by Elton John and Miami Vice’s Johnson. “Those were exciting moments,” Polansky admits, “when other people were discovering the beauty we had already seen.”

Today those who pass by the strip discover the charm of Espanola Way time and time again. On any given Saturday or Sunday, a leisurely stroll down Espanola Way lends to the sights and sounds of a marketplace. Vendors selling flowers, handmade semi-precious stone jewelry, sunglasses and light-weight dresses hawk their wares on the street.

Bohemian outdoor cafes like A La Folie are abuzz with patrons indulging in crepes and chatting at sidewalk tables. The restaurant’s owner Olivier Corre, who opened the French cafe three and a half years ago, hails from Paris. He says he chose Espanola Way for its character and charm. “my place is more like a cafe than a restaurant, so people can go there and just sip coffee and read magazines. I’m also the only authentic French place and one of the most relaxing, also one of the most affordable,” Corre explains.

Authentic cuisine at restaurants like A La Folie adds to the sights, sounds and flavor of Espanola Way. Other eateries like the Italian Hosteria Romana, the Spanish flare of Tapas & Tintos and the authentic Mexican of Oh! Mexico add culture to the cuisine.

Art galleries like Espanola Way Art Center and Marcel Gallery expand on the subject of culture by bringing art to the street. After 19 years in the same location, Marcel Gallery has endured the many changes of Espanola Way. Artist Pierre Marcel came to Miami Beach in 1986 to paint murals for a cafe on Lincoln Road. After a successful stint in the renovation and faux finish business, Marcel transitioned into fine art. Since then, his gallery has existed solely on Espanola Way. Originally chosen for its character, color and charm, owner Howard Levine suggests the gallery is practically an historic landmark on the street because “every other retail venue, with the exception of the Clay Hotel, has passed through many incarnations, while the gallery has endured.”

Those numerous incarnations lead to a rich past, and each space carries its own unique history. The shaded cozy nook on Espanola Way where Synergy Yoga Center stands was once the art studio of well-known artist Kenny Scharf. Seven decades before it was his studio, the secluded spot was a private residence. ‘someone stopped by once wanting to see it. They had lived there in the 1930s and 1940s,” explains October Rose, one of the owners of Synergy. Since 1996, Synergy has been a house of meditation, offering a variety of yoga classes like ashtanga, vinyasa and power yoga. October Rose and the center’s founder, Gaia Budhai, confess the atmosphere of their location is what truly drew them in. “We love it, because it is the most charming street in Miami Beach, with its Mediterranean look and the fact that you can find anything here.”

Considering the many businesses on Espanola Way, each location embodies the bohemian culture of its surroundings. At Contesta Rock Hair, you can view a one-of-a-kind piece of art and get a rock-n-roll-inspired doo.

At Miami Beach Cinematheque and Gallery, guests can take in art films sponsored by the Miami Beach Film Society, which brings film festivals and independent features to the area. And while shoppers try on colorful, lightweight, free-flowing garments at Debbie Katz South Beach, they can find out just how the designer got started on Espanola Way. “Debbie Katz started making and selling her clothes in the outdoor market here six years ago,” co-owner Judith Ozer says. As time progressed and the popularity of Debbie Katz’s dresses grew, she decided to open her own space. “She chose Espanola Way as the place to open Debbie Katz because the clothes were born on Espanola Way in concept and production. They were originally manufactured upstairs on this street until the end if last year. It’s the most historical and charming street in Miami Beach, and it’s perfect for boutique-style outlets,” Ozer says.

Like many of the shops on Espanola Way, the area’s vibe is unique. “It’s just a very relaxed funky, fun-filled atmosphere,” Ozer states. “We get people from all walks of life and from all over the world.” This broad span of visitors is something Linda Polansky attributes to the architecture. “Architecture is highly important because it is the foundation on which everything else is built. You can try to build a great vibe in a brand new shopping center and maybe you will succeed in some areas, but some people like to experience the history in a way that they can really feel it happened,” Polansky says. “Espanola Way really embodies the history of Miami Beach. It was one of the first [group of] buildings built, and it’s been lovingly restored over 25 years.”

Remaining a draw for both tourist and locals is something Espanola Way’s preservationists put their heart and soul into. Says Ozer, “We must keep our historical places sacred or they will disappear. So much of Florida’s history has blown away in storms or been bulldozed. Whatever is special to our past should and must be preserved.” Polansky agrees. “I knew that when I bought the building it was the architecture that was important to save and develop,” she says.

And development is something the area will see a lot of. In addition to the recent $900,000 streetscape renovations Espanola Way underwent, there are plans to connect Espanola Way to Lincoln Road via Drexel Avenue by creating a 10-foot walkway for pedestrians. There are also plans to build a fountain in the Plaza de Espana. The fountain will come as a gift from the South of Spain, where Miami Beach has its sister city. These changes, as Ozer points out, are something the community is embracing. “There’s a lot being done to promote and bring more people here so they know how special this little alcove is in Miami Beach.”

At oceanfront hotels some guests gravitate to the padded lounge chairs circling the pool where drink service and even sunscreen wielding “tanning butlers” make a day in the sun a truly pampering experience, but just beyond the confines of the pool deck, an elevated boardwalk runs along the Atlantic shoreline from the Mid-Beach hotels south to 23rd Street where the decking shifts to a paved, ground level promenade. At this intersection, the rules change. The boardwalk down to 23rd Street allows no dogs and no bikes – just pedestrians. The promenade is open to bikes, skates and endless beachfront adventures.

Closer to Ocean Drive, the eastern sidewalk gives way to Lummus Park, a meandering green space that wends its way south from 15th Street beach and offers scenic views of the pastel hotels that comprise the Art Deco District. Popular with cyclists, rollerbladers and joggers, the wide pathway also provides a cool respite under the shade of seagrape trees and swaying palms. At the southern reaches of town, South Pointe Park stretches the Atlantic shore to the edge of Biscayne Bay creating an ideal destination for sunset strolls, a happy hour toast or a photographer’s ideal spot to shoot the massive cruise ships that glide by from the Port of Miami.

Travelers looking to take the perfect vacation photos can start their safari at 52 Street Beach where a large public parking lot gives way to a beachfront kid’s playground and the golden sands of Miami Beach. Walk south along the shore toward the Eden Roc Hotel (4525 Collins Avenue) where the Cabana Beach Club serves lunch, dinner and perfectly-tropical cocktails overlooking the boardwalk and the sea. Just next door, La Cote at the Fontainebleau Resort (4441 Collins Avenue) offers cocktails and light Mediterranean fare on an elevated dining terrace set just above the scene. Head south to 21 Street Beach and the Collins Park Promenade where the south end of the elevated boardwalk gives way to the beautifully landscaped Beach Walk.

Hotels in the Collins Park area such as the W South Beach and the newly renovated Shelborne South Beach provide a welcome respite for thirsty beachgoers who can snap pictures from the Rooftop Lounge at the 1 Hotel (2377 Collins Avenue), sip cocktails poolside at WET (2201 Collins Avenue), or hit happy hour at one of the many spots along Collins Avenue.

For more upscale sipping, the Pool & Beach Bar at the Setai (2001 Collins Avenue) serves complimentary tapas Fridays and Saturdays from 5-7pm when you order one of their specialty cocktails or Taittinger champagne. While the hotel itself is one of the most expensive in town, Sunset Hour guests enjoy complimentary valet parking while taking in the endless ocean views.

As you make your way down the Boardwalk, mornings along Ocean Drive are all about brunch and some of the more popular spots you’ll find are BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel (1440 Ocean Drive), the raucous drag brunch at the Palace (1200 Ocean Drive) and 24 hour people watching at the News Cafe (800 Ocean Drive).

For a mini-excursion around the Deco District, you can join an excellent guided walking tour at the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive) daily at 10:30am to see South Beach’s landmark historic properties in just 90 minutes.

An ideal way to take in the action before crowds of beachcombers fill the streets is Deco Bike, the short term cycle sharing program with over 100 solar-powered bike rental kiosks all over town. Simply slide in your credit card and pedal away snapping Art Deco photos, sipping drinks and cruising the scene. When you arrive at a destination, lock the bike back into a nearby kiosk and help keep the City of Miami Beach green.

Another healthy way to start the morning or celebrate the sunset along South Beach is Third Street Beach Yoga (300 Ocean Drive), a twice-daily oceanfront practice that is accessible to everyone 365 days a year. Bring a towel, some water and a little sunscreen to join with the regulars who roll through their downward dogs and sun salutations starting at 7am and once again at 6pm. Once a month at the full moon, the group gathers on Third Street at 6:30pm for a Full Moon Meditation which will take place April 6, May 6, June 4, July 3, August 2, August 31, September 30, October 29, November 28 and December 28, 2012. See for yourself what makes the Moon Over Miami so special.

The City of Miami Beach invested millions of dollars to create a family-friendly waterfront promenade at the southern tip of South Beach where travelers and residents gather to bike, skate and picnic by the sea. Home to the popular oceanfront hangout Nikki Beach Club (One Ocean Drive) at the east end and Monty’s at the Marina (300 Alton Road) on the western shore, this public park is an ideal spot for sunset photos and happy hour toasts.

With ample public parking just south of Joe’s Stone Crab (11 Washington Avenue), the takeaway counter at this South Beach landmark will pack up a delicious seafood picnic and a chilled bottle of wine to carry into the park for a romantic feast. The steakhouse Smith & Wollensky (One Washington Avenue) serves drinks and dinner at tables on the water’s edge and their popular alfresco bar provides the perfect vista for toasting bon voyage to Miami’s massive cruise ships as they pass by.

As the sun dips below the horizon, happy hour cocktails at the Miami Beach Marina and a hearty steak dinner at Texas de Brazil (300 Alton Road) are a glorious way to end a long day exploring the beaches, boardwalks and tiki bars that make for some unforgettable Miami Beach memories. To add to the excitement, free WiFi makes it possible to upload all of your vacation photos straight to FaceBook from the comfort of your poolside lounger overlooking Biscayne Bay so all of your friends chilling back home can share in the excitement of your sunny South Beach vacation. After all – it’s never too soon to let everyone know how much fun you’re having. Cheers!

Cabana Beach Club at the Eden Roc
4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

La Cote at the Fontainebleau
4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

WET at the W Hotel South Beach
2201 Collins Avenue, South Beach

Pool & Beach Bar at the Setai Hotel
2001 Collins Avenue, South Beach

BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, South Beach

Palace Food Bar Drag Brunch (Sundays)
1200 Ocean Drive, South Beach

News Cafe (24 hours)
800 Ocean Drive, South Beach

Nikki Beach Club
One Ocean Drive, South Beach

Smith & Wollensky
One Washington Avenue, South Beach

Joe’s Stone Crab & Takeaway
11 Washington Avenue, South Beach

Monty’s at the Miami Beach Marina
300 Alton Road, South Beach

Texas de Brazil at the Miami Beach Marina
300 Alton Road, South Beach

Miami Beach Bicycle Center (rentals)
601 Fifth Street, South Beach

Fritz’s Skate Bike & Surf (rentals)
1620 Washington Avenue, South Beach

Deco Bike Rental Kiosks (short term rentals)
723 Washington Avenue, South Beach
http://www.decobike.com/map-location.php

Art Deco Walking Tours
1001 Ocean Drive, South Beach
http://www.mdpl.org/tours/guided-walking-tours/

Beach Yoga
300 Ocean Drive, South Beach
http://3rdstreetbeachyoga.com

Beachfront Playground & Sun Gym
5200 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

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