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The Travel Channel
ranked South Beach's broad sand beaches and gorgeous
turquoise waters as one of the top ten beaches
in the world, and the Surfrider Foundation
voted it the premier urban beach in the US.
Public beaches define the 10-mile strand along
the Atlantic Ocean, enlivened by colorful, funky
lifeguard stations. Collins Avenue, Miami Beach's
main artery, carves out a scenic route parallel
to the beach, and a raised boardwalk between 21st
and 41st street invites strolling along the sea.
But there's more than powdery white sand to this
land of exuberant architecture, pulsating nightlife
and international flavor in a scene that is as
cool as the sun is hot.
Occupying less than two square miles on the southern
tip of Miami Beach,
South Beach's subtropical sandbar has an identity
of its own.
South Beach has been called the American Riviera
and an Art Deco Playground.
This magnetic city is alive every minute of every
day and night, and has earned a reputation as
an ultra-chic, 24/7, people-watching street party.
With its beautiful beaches and whimsical architecture,
the area has also become a favored location for
films, music and television shows and a backdrop
for a myriad of fashion shoots.
In fact, the renaissance of South Beach was a
significant factor in Greater
Miami and Beaches' growth as a nationally
recognized center for film, television and print production, and Latin music.
Today's hottest musical artists film their videos
in South
Florida and then stay for the reminder of
the week - turning local parties into a people-watching
nirvana.
The South
Florida beach scene offers a glimpse into
the lifestyle of some of the world's most outrageous
and beautiful people.
Perhaps it's a case of art imitating life, because
just like in the music videos, sexy women can
regularly be seen traipsing around in their bikinis
showing off their sun-kissed bodies, while good-looking,
athletic men work it out along Ocean Drive.
Miami Beach has emerged as a real
estate hot spot, attracting world-renowned property
developers and thousands of investors, residents
and long-term visitors to its sunny shores each
year.
Miami Beach is a city of architectural
wonder ranging from early coral structures that
seem to rise from the sea, to Mediterranean Revival castles
that evoke old world grace & flair, Art Deco buildings that looked
towards the future for inspiration, and Miami Modern architecture with
its free form shapes both contribute to the come-as-you-are
architectural style of Miami Beach.
The Art Deco Historic District encompasses
the largest concentration of 1920's and 1930's
architecture in the world. It is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places,
and is internationally recognized as one of South
Florida's unique attractions.
Indeed, Miami Beach's Art Deco District is the first
and largest district of Art Deco architecture in the world.
A visit to South Beach redefines how you look
at buildings - sweeping curves, soaring finials
and glass brick expanses of the Art Deco architectural style create
a wonderful time warp.
Stand in Lummus Park (a green expanse bordering
the beach), and note how the pastel pinks, bright
aquas and canary yellows of Ocean Drive hotels
fight for space in the sky.
In South Beach, outdoor cafes are ideal for not
only people watching, but also "building watching". |
