Kennedy - Miami and the Keys

Strolling, skating, or biking along this beachfront strip is the way the locals do it. From about 6th Street and north, take in the toned, tanned athletes, the abundant, ice-cream-colored Art architecture, and the people-watching cafs.

Google Map

This swath of busy park and 300-ft (90-m) wide beach stretches for ten blocks, from 5th St north. Much of the immaculate sand was imported.

Google Map

The caf-restaurant at 800 Ocean Drive continues to be action central for SoBe social life. Sit and read the morning paper, available in several languages, over a full breakfast or just watch the action. News Cafe 305 538 6397 open 24 hours

Google Map

This Mediterranean-Revival style building at 1114 Ocean Drive houses a luxury hotel and a restaurant run by renowned restaurateur Barton G. Weiss. Gianni Versace lived in the mansion until his death in 1997. The Villa by Barton G 305 576 8003 restaurant open from 7pm daily

Google Map

After a hurricane in 1992 destroyed most of the lifeguard stations, several artists, including Kenny Scharf, were called in to create fun replacements. The best of these stands can be found between 10th and 16th streets.

Google Map

These funkier cousins of Ocean Drive offer kinky shops, top nightclubs, and some fine Art Deco buildings, including the Miami Beach Post Office.

Google Map

The 1920s Mediterranean-Revival, buff-colored tower is a distinctive So Be landmark. Its red-tile roof can be seen for blocks around. The building now houses the Miami Beach Cinematheque movie theater. Miami Beach Cinematheque 305 673 4567

Google Map

Between 14th and 15th streets, and Collins and Meridian Avenues, Espaola Way is a Mediterranean-Revival enclave that is all salmon-colored stucco, stripy awnings, and red-tile roofs. It now houses boutiques and offbeat art galleries. Built in 19225, it was meant to be an artists colony but instead became an infamous red-light district at one stage of its history.

Google Map

Built in the 1920s as an upscale shopping district, The Lincoln Road Mall became one of the countrys first pedestrian malls in the 60s.This fashionable area is lined with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Google Map

Most of South Beachs top clubs are located on Washington and Collins Avenues, between 5th and 24th streets. Few get going until at least midnight. Choose between straight, gay, and mixed venues.

South Beach is a top vacation destination for LGBT travelers; it ranks as one of the largest LGBT communities in the US. Rainbow flags dotted throughout indicate gay-friendly businesses. The festivals, all-night dance events and beach parties here attract thousands from around the world. Many hotels offer packages geared towards LGBT guests. A culture of the Body Beautiful thrives here, which, combined with the constant ebb and flow of revelers, makes the area a vast playground for the sexually adventurous. LGBT residents also enjoy considerable social and political clout.

Tip: Parking is a problem everywhere in the area, so once you find a place, leave the car and walk. Be aware that youll need to feed the meter a feast of coins (many meters now accept bills and credit cards), unless you choose one of the parking garages.

Tip: To participate fully in the SoBe experience, the News Caf should definitely be your destination for people-watching.

SoBes Art Deco District consists of some 800 preserved buildings, the cream of them along Ocean Drive. This splendid array of structures embodies Miamis unique interpretation of the Art Deco style, which took the world by storm in the 1920s and 1930s. Floridas take on it is often called Tropical Deco, which befits the fun-and-sun approach to life. Often hotels were made to look like ocean liners (Nautical Moderne) or given the iconography of speed (Streamline Moderne).