Hotels in Miami Beach (Florida)

With a view of Miami’s towering skyline on one side and the jade Atlantic on the other, Miami Beach is a compact city on a narrow island measuring just 7.1 square miles, less than a third the size of Manhattan. It lies immediately east of Miami, connected to the metropolis by bridges over tranquil Biscayne Bay. Here you’ll find affordable accommodations from small, Art Deco hotels in quiet historic neighborhoods to larger resorts with heated pools or beachfront access. There’s something to do for everyone at every hour in Miami Beach, from birdwatching to clubbing to paddleboarding, and a place to stay that’s custom fit.

Neighbourhoods of Miami Beach

Miami Beach is a walkable city from north to south. It is most famous for the South Beach neighborhood (or SoBe), home to many celebrities, shopping, and a well known and well populated beach where everyone goes to be seen. There’s a paved boardwalk here for workouts or checking out the scenery, whichever you prefer. Or, for something a little more highbrow, catch the Art Deco Historic District a little inland, the first 20th-century neighborhood to make it onto the National Register of Historic Places.

The neighborhood has more than 800 sites with architecture typical of the neoclassical style. Hit the Art Deco Welcome Center first, on Ocean Drive and 10th Street, to get oriented. Also, nearby is South Beach’s South Pointe Park, a dedicated green space just to the east and south of Miami Beach’s own skyline. Get even closer to the ocean on the Miami Beach Boardwalk, an elevated path running 22 blocks past the Bayshore residential neighborhood to Mid-Beach, right between the high rises and the shore. Continuing north you’ll find North Beach, where the beaches are less crowded and the vibe a little slower. See what’s happening at the bandshell in Oceanside Park, an open-air venue for concerts.

What to see and do in Miami Beach

If you’re looking for shopping, head to South Beach’s Lincoln Road: a famed stretch of more than 200 shops worth a look. Wind down with a trip to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2 acres of green things growing, including many tropical varieties. About an hour drive south is the only zoo in a subtropical climate. Ready to rest your feet yet? North Beach offers the spa at the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, the city’s largest, with a crystal steam bath and multiple saunas. If you’re still going at dusk, head to Ocean Drive, where the facades of hotels and bars are lit up in candy-colored glory, the cocktails never run dry, and there’s always someone to dance with. Or maybe you’re seeking something on a different note, then try the New World Symphony, a music school and concert hall staging concerts in a famous, Frank Gehry-designed hall. The Symphony projects some performances simulcast on the exterior wall of the building so viewers can enjoy them from the park known as the Miami Beach SoundScape.

What to eat in Miami Beach

Miami Beach is home to a strong contingent of Argentinians. Venture out to an Argentinian restaurant or bakery for empanadas, a meat-filled turnover, and medialunas, the South American take on croissants, only sweeter.

Typical events and festivals in Miami Beach

Check out some of these events to plan your visit.

• Art Deco Weekend, Miami’s longest-running free community festival.
• South Beach Wine & Food Festival with celebrity chef appearances.
• South Beach Jazz Festival, three days of performances from renowned musicians.
• Miami International Auto Show, highlighting new cars from manufacturers around the world.

How to move around in Miami Beach

Miami Beach offers the Miami Beach Trolley and the Metromover—also a tram—which are free. The MetroBus serves Miami Beach for low fares. There are also cab services on the island, especially convenient if you’re heading back to your hotel late at night. For a fun way to get to Miami and the mainland, there are water taxis that’ll take you across Biscayne Bay.

The climate in Miami Beach

As it’s in subtropical South Florida, Miami Beach has a mild climate that typically stays above 60° F during the cooler, dry months, from November to April, then heats up into the 80s from May through October. June, August, and September tend to be the rainiest months with rainfall sometimes topping 7”.

More interesting facts about and sights in Miami Beach

Although not the first thing you might think of when visiting a city, there is fauna to be found around Miami Beach. The city is the only in the US to be bordered by two national parks, Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. Try birdwatching on a quiet beach to the north; South Florida is an exceptional birding locale. Or rent a paddleboard or a canoe at one of the national parks to get at the wildlife from the water.