By: Shayne Benowitz
When people think of Miami, one of the first images that springs to mind is South Beach. Just beyond its iconic, pastel-hued Art Deco buildings lining Ocean Drive lies the area’s legendary shoreline with aquamarine water and fine sand. Famed for its cachet among international celebrities, South Beach is where you’ll find beautiful people soaking up the sun and the scene. On Miami’s most-famous beach, brightly colored, Art Deco-inspired lifeguard stands cut a striking figure against the Atlantic Ocean. South Beach is set on a barrier island connected to mainland Miami by a series of causeways. The beachfront area, which runs from the southern tip of the island north to 26th Street, can be divided into three areas.
Friends playing in South Beach
South Pointe Park & Beach
Set at the southern tip of South Beach, South Pointe Park is a beautifully landscaped greenspace with panoramic views of Fisher Island, PortMiami and the impressive Miami skyline across the channel and Biscayne Bay. The park itself features paved walking trails, a playground and a splash park for the little ones. Be sure to take a stroll down the scenic South Pointe Pier to truly soak up the views. On the sand, you’ll find a relaxed beach atmosphere with families enjoying an afternoon by the water. If conditions are right, this is also where you’ll see surfers riding rollers near the jetty.
Enjoy beautiful waterfront views at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse.
The upscale Smith & Wollensky steakhouse holds a position of pride at the southern edge, with ample outdoor waterfront seating and a popular al fresco bar.
Work out beachfront at Lummus Park on South Beach.
The Art Deco District & Ocean Drive
At Fifth Street, the beach meets famed Ocean Drive, where historic Art Deco hotels and Lummus Park continue until 15th Street. This is the South Beach of the movies, where you’ll see fit rollerbladers zooming down beachside pathways and muscled men working out on beachfront exercise equipment. This area is also home to the Art Deco Architectural District, where you’ll marvel at pastel-colored buildings highlighted by their trademark curvilinear shapes and geometric ornamentation. Ocean Drive boasts ample outdoor cafes where you can enjoy a socially distanced al fresco lunch or cocktail. If you’re looking for a classic South Beach experience with other vacation goers, this is the section of the beach where you’ll want to spread out your towel.
Time Out Market on Lincoln Road boasts 17 kitchens and three bars.
Beaches North of Lincoln Road
As you continue to travel north along the beach, the hotels become grander as they mingle with a more residential section of South Beach. The pedestrian Lincoln Road Mall runs perpendicular to the beach and Collins Avenue just north of 16th Street. There you’ll find a wide variety of boutiques, art galleries and outdoor cafes. The dazzling hotels along this stretch of beach include the iconic Delano, the newly reopened Ritz-Carlton South Beach and the eco-chic 1 Hotel South Beach. It’s an undeniably stylish stretch of beach.
Plan Your Beach Day
If you don’t happen to be staying at a South Beach hotel with beach service, Boucher Brothers is your vendor for all things beach, including beach chairs and umbrellas, jet ski, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, banana boat excursions and parasail boat tours. Their kiosks are conveniently located every few yards along South Beach.