There are fun things to do in South Beach Miami. Whether you are here for a weekend, an extended stay, or one nght right before getting on a cruise ship or going back home, Miami has a lot to offer. Beacon Hotel is located right in the heart of famous South Beach - southern part of Miami Beach FL and Miami’s most exciting area. Here you are seconds away from the sandy beach, warm waters of the Atalntic, and spectacular place to people watch. South Beach is in fact a great place to vacation, enjoy gorgeous weather and diverse crowd, shop and dine, get a perfect tan, experience tantalizing SoBe nighlife, relax and unwind. So, if you find yourself in Miami and wondering what there is to do, here are some of our suggestions:
Walk down the Boardwalk – Take a stroll down Miami Beach’s four mile boardwalk. The boardwalk runs from 5th to 46th streets. The paved and wooded walkway winds down Ocean Drive and behind the oceanfront hotels, providing views of the hotel pools on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Rent a Scooter – Renting a scooter is a popular activity for visitors to do while they’re in South Beach. All riders must be at least 18. A driver’s license and credit card ($300 deposit) is required. Below is a list of rental companies all located within the same vicinity:
Beach Scooter. Tel (305) 538-7878
Scooter City. Tel (305) 532-2032
Scooters Rental. Tel (305) 532-0019
Parasailing – Parasail up 800 feet over the ocean. Take off and land from a specially designed parasail boat flight deck. Miami Beach Parasail is located right in South Beach; Phone (305) 266-4144.
Picnic on the Beach – There are over a dozen great beaches in Miami many with picnic areas, barbecue grills, and play areas for kids. Some noteworthy beach parks include: Sunny Isles Beach, South Pointe Park, Haulover Beach, Matheson Park, and Crandon Park.
Art Deco District – South Beach has the world’s largest collection of Streamline Moderne Art Deco architecture. Visit the Art Deco Museum on Ocean Drive and ask about their walking tours.
Ocean Drive – Running in a north-south direction, Ocean Drive is the easternmost street in South Beach, from 1st to 15th Street (Lummus Park). Ocean Drive is responsible for the South Beach aesthetic that visitors expect. It’s also home to several prominent restaurants including News Cafe, Mango’s, Clevelander, and is the site of the infamous Versace House.
Lincoln Road – An open-air pedestrian mall, considered to be the premiere shopping area in South Beach. Lincoln Road Mall is home to many restaurants, shops, art galleries, as well as retail outlets and the Regal Cinema movie theatre.
Espanola Way – This street runs from Collins west to Pennsylvania. The area was modeled after the Mediterranean villages found in France and Spain. Today it’s home to a yoga studio, art house movie theatre, restaurants, shops, and more.
Versace House – Probably the most photographed landmark in South Beach, Casa Casuarina aka Versace House was built by Gianni Versace in 1993, and is the site of his tragic death. The house was sold to Peter Loftin, and is not open to the public. Casa Casuarina is located at 1116 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; (Map).
Jungle Island – This animal theme park is minutes from South Beach. The park features exotic wild animals such as the world’s largest crocodile, baby orangutans, tigers, and parrots of every species. There’s also an inflatable water slide for kids. Parrot Jungle is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 248-6345
Flamingo Park – Visitors can find a beautiful tree-lined grassy park located in the middle of South Beach. The facilities include a swimming pool with lap lanes, a water playground for kids, dog park, tennis, basketball, and handball courts, and a baseball, football, soccer field, and a gym. Flamingo Park is located at 999 11th Street (Map)
South Pointe Park – This park is found at the southernmost end of Miami Beach. It’s a great place to watch the cruise ships come in and out of the Port of Miami (a good time to see departing ships is Sundays after 3pm). South Pointe also has BBQ pits and pavilions. The park is adjacent to the beach, and has a good supply of metered parking spaces. Valet parking is available at Smith & Wollensky . South Pointe Park is located at 1 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; (Map)
And here are some of the things you can do in Miami:
Miami Seaquarium - Tucked away on Key Biscayne, the Seaquarium was the first marine park attraction in South Florida. In addition to marine mammals, they house fish, sharks, sea turtles, reptiles and manatees. Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy., Key Biscayne; (Map); Phone (305) 365-2507
Everglades National Park – A subtropical climate, a broad, shallow river, and a variety of plant and animal life make this National Park a must visit. Wildlife species include the Florida Panther, American Crocodile, and West Indian Manatee. If you enter through the Flamingo Main Entrance, make sure to stop and take the 45-minute walk around the Anhinga Trail , it’s a partially paved trail with a boardwalk that stretches out over the water. This is a good spot to see alligators in their natural habitat. Everglades National Park is located at 40001 State Rd. 9336, Homestead; (Map); Phone (305) 242-7700
Biscayne National Park – Southeast of Miami, this National Park is 99 percent underwater and features colorful coral reefs and undeveloped keys in Biscayne Bay. Three-hour glass-bottom bout tours are offered from 10am to 1pm daily. Reservations are necessary, and six passenger minimum applies. Reminiscent of area pioneer homes, with wooden walks and a metal roof, Dante Fascell Visitor Center has a wide veranda with sweeping views across mangroves and the Bay. The center is the base of operations for the boat tours, and houses a museum that explores the park’s ecosystem. Note: this is the only area of Biscayne National Park accessible without a boat; (Map); Phone (305) 230-7275
Take a Swim in the Venetian Pool – Formed from a rock quarry in 1923, this is the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places. This chlorine-free pool is fed with cool spring water, and features two waterfalls, a three-story observation tower, coral rock caves, and a palm-fringed island. The pool ranges in depth from four feet to over eight feet near the grand waterfall. There’s also a kiddy pool near the lifeguard station. Venetian Pool is located at 2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables; (Map); Phone (305) 460-5306.
Fairchild Garden – The 83 acre garden contains an extensive collection of tropical plants. Visitors can enjoy tram, audio and walking tours, as well as a butterfly garden, a bird watching section, and a tropical fruit tree pavilion. There is also a 13-acre palm collection, a green house with orchids, and the only outdoor tropical rainforest in the United States. Fairchild Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; (Map); Phone (305) 667-1651
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – Often called Hearst Castle of the East, Vizcaya is a 10-acre, Italian Renaissance-style mansion with gardens open to the public. The museum consists of Villa Vizcaya, its grounds, and the museum’s collections. Vizcaya is located at 3251 South Miami Ave., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 250-9133.
The Coral Castle – Located near Homestead, the castle is comprised of numerous coral stones, each weighing several tons. Many of the castle structures are notable, including machines to tell time, home-made air conditioners, and a nine-ton revolving door. Psychic Day is the first Saturday of every month. Coral Castle is located at 28655 South Dixie Hwy., Homestead; (Map); Phone (305) 248-6345.
Miami MetroZoo – Just 20 miles from downtown Miami, you’ll find the largest zoological preserve in South Florida. The zoo houses over 900 wild animals and is the only subtropical zoo in the United States. From October to March, the zoo offers nighttime tours that start with a pizza dinner and last 2 hours. MetroZoo is located at 12400 SW 152 St., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 251-0400.
Seminole Hard Rock Casino – Between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, this 86-acre resort has a Vegas-like casino, a tropical pool area with water slides, and a Hard Rock Cafe. Hard Rock is located at 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; (Map); Phone (954) 364-4140
Miccosukee Casino – Just 15 minutes west of Miami Airport, Miccosukee Casino is situated along the edge of the Florida Everglades. The Casino has a hotel, and 24-hour-a-day gaming. Miccosukee is located at 500 SW 177th Ave., Miami; (Map); Phone (305) 222-4600
Horse Racing at Gulfstream Park – Gulfstream Park is a casino and horse racing facility with two tracks that feature thoroughbred racing. The casino has 512 slots, and 17 poker tables. The property has 10 restaurants, and is also a popular venue for concerts. The track is open from mid-January through late March. Gulfstream Park is located at 901 South Federal Hwy., Hallandale; (Map); Phone (954) 454-7000
Haulover Beach – Situated between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, this 180-acre park boasts sandy beaches, and Miami’s only nude beach . An underground path leads from the Marina parking area to the Beach. Haulover Beach is located at 10800 Collins Ave, Miami. Phone (305) 947-3525
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