Miami Beaches
• Bal Harbour Beach
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach
• Crandon Park Beach
• Haulover Beach Park
• Hobie Beach/Windsurf Beach
• Homestead Bayfront Park
• Miami Beach - Central
• Miami Beach - North
• Miami Beach - South Beach
• Miami Beach/South Pointe Park
• North Shore Open Space Park
• Oleta State Recreation Area
• Sunny Isles Beach
• Surfside
• Virginia Key Beach - North
• Virginia Key Beach - South
  
Bal Harbour Beach (Collins Ave. from 96th St. to Haulover Inlet) Bal Harbour, FL - This beach has a Palm-shaded jogging path that curves around a mile-long beach. There is a jetty for fishing at north end of beach. You can find a metered parking lot beneath Haulover Bridge. No lifeguards or showers. For info call: (305) 866-4633.
Bill Baggs State Recreation Area (1200 S. Crandon Blvd.) Key Biscayne, FL - A scenic beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne. Walking and bicycle trails wind through natural vegetation. Historic lighthouse and food concession. Restrooms, picnic tables and shower facilities available. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 361-5811.
Crandon Park Beach (4000 Crandon Blvd.) Key Biscayne, FL - Three-mile long lagoon style beach protected by 13 lifeguard towers. Beach wheelchairs for rent. Children's carrousel, playgrounds and picnic areas. Ideal for families. Shower facilities, restrooms, shelters and lifeguards. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 361-7373.
Haulover Beach Park/Nude Beach (10800 Collins Ave.) Miami Beach, FL - Spacious beach with shady picnic area/barbecue grills near the dunes. Beach wheelchairs for rent. Pedestrian tunnels link to the park and marina on Biscayne Bay. Nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, kite flying area and kite shop. Parking fee. Clothing-optional section at far north end of beach. Beach Miami info call: (305) 944-3040.
Hobie Beach/Windsurfer Beach (South end, North side of Rickenbacker Causeway) Key Biscayne, FL - Windsurfing beach on secluded inlet. Dogs are allowed. Watersports rentals, food/drink concessions, beachside parking. Great views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami skyline. For info call: (305) 361-2833.
Homestead Bayfront Park (9698 SW 328th St.) Homestead, FL - Palm-shaded, sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in South Miami-Dade County adjoining Biscayne National Park. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 230-3034.
Miami Beach - Mid Beach (Collins Ave. from 21st St. to 46th St.) Miami Beach, FL - Raised boardwalk over the dunes popular for strolling and jogging. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 673-7714.
Miami Beach - North Beach (Collins Ave. from 46th St. to 78th St.) Miami Beach, FL - Community center and old-fashioned bandshell in adjoining park at north end. Palm-shaded grassy area. Proximity to sidewalk cafes and fast-food restaurants. Lifeguard towers, food/drink concessions, beach chair/umbrella rentals, shower facilities. Metered parking. For info call: (305) 673-7714.
Miami Beach - South Beach (Ocean Dr. from 1st St. to 12th St.) Miami Beach, FL - Brightly painted, lifeguard stands. Walk, jog or skate along concrete promenade bordering the beach. Proximity to Ocean Drive sidewalk cafes. Topless bathing is permitted. Gay and lesbian beach from 8th St. to 12th St. Metered Parking. Beach Miami info call: (305) 673-7714.
North Shore Open Space (Collins Ave. from 78th to 87th Ter.) Miami Beach, FL - Lushly landscaped park with a boardwalk on the sand. Picnic tables, restrooms, shower facilities and parking. Located in North Beach, a quieter section of Miami Beach ideal for families. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 993-2032.
Oleta State Recreation Area (3400 NE 163rd St.) North Miami Beach, FL - Sandy beach on Biscayne Bay in a shady park offering mountain bike trails and recreational activities. Popular spot for with boating and kayaking along nearby Snake River. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 919-1846.
South Pointe Park (Ocean Dr. at 1st St.) Miami Beach, FL - Entrance through the park at 1 Washington Ave. Beach The park is located at the southern tip of South Beach. Great place to watch cruise ships sailing out to sea. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 673-7714.
Sunny Isles Beach (Collins Ave. from 157th St. to 193rd St.) Sunny Isles Beach, FL - Newly renourished two-mile long, wide, white sand beach. Landmark fishing pier at south end where concessions are located. Parking fee. For info call: (305) 947-0606.
Surfside Beach (Collins Ave. from 88th St. to 96th St.) Surfside, FL - Mainly residential stretch of beach with limited facilities and parking. Facilities are available at 93rd St. Community Center for a fee. For info call: (305) 861-4863.
Virginia Key Beach - North (North of Rickenbacker Causeway, east of Biscayne Bay) Key Biscayne, FL - Windsurfing. kiteboarding, and ultralight seaplane rental. Great views of Brickell Avenue and downtown Miami skyline. Food/drink concessions and restrooms. Parking fee For info call: (305) 575-5256.
Virginia Key Beach - South (South of Rickenbacker Causeway, east of Biscayne Bay) Key Biscayne, FL - Ultra-secluded beach close to Key Biscayne. Shady areas, nature trails and a bird sanctuary nearby. Only beach in Miami-Dade County where dogs on leashes are allowed. For info call: (305) 361-2833.
Back in the 1950s, Miami Beach was considered America's Riviera, home to the cool Rat Pack scene. The mid-century Modernist style is preserved in the sleek architectural lines of restored Miami Beach hotels like the Fontainbleu and Eden Roc on Collins Avenue.
Stroll along a self-guided tour of the Art Deco District starting on Ocean Drive. The Miami Design Preservation League leads 90-minute day or night walking tours of the city's historic Art Deco District. The league led the fight to designate this area a National Historic District. The Miami Beach Bicycle Center offers monthly 2-hour bike tours of the district as well.
Take in the diverse collection of paintings, sculpture, and photography at the Bass Museum of Art. This striking modern building houses a collection including 16th-century Flemish tapestries, paintings by Botticelli and Rubens, and contemporary photographs. Recent exhibitions have included works by the husband-and-wife team of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Supermodels and celebrities who visit Florida sunbathe at Lummus Park Beach, a swath of star-studded white sands from the city's 5th to 15th Street. The 12th Street stretch is a very popular gay friendly and muscle beach area. To get an all-over tan, head further north to the clothing-optional Haulover Beach.
You don't have to go all gliteratti to thoroughly enjoy South Beach. Sip an iced tea at the News Café and watch the world's beautiful people stroll by. Or dig into some serious seafood at Joe's Stone Crab on Washington Avenue. |
