South Beach

The epicenter of gay Miami Beach, and one of the world's preeminent gay and lesbian travel designation, the section of Miami Beach commonly referred to as South Beach, or "SoBe", comprises the southern tip of Miami Beach, from Dade Boulevard south to Government Cut. South Beach is a gay and lesbian fantasyland boasting pulsating nightlife, world-famous clubs, hip shops and restaurants, and breathtakingly beautiful Atlantic and Biscayne Bay shorelines. Twelfth Street Beach is a favorite gathering place for gay and lesbian locals and tourists. The heart and soul of South Beach, the 125-block Art Deco Historic contains the world's largest concentration of Art Deco architecture. Preservations tout these buildings, with their streamlined design, decorative flourishes, and pastel colors as some of the most architecturally significant structures in America. They provide a whimsical, fun-loving backdrop for a whimsical, fun-loving city.

South Beach's strip of fine white sand and clear-blue water ranks as one of the Travel Channels' top ten beaches in the world, while The Surfrider Foundation has voted South Beach as the premier urban beach in the U.S. The unique spirit of South Beach has turned it into a favored location for films, music and television shows and backdrop for fashion shoots. Just walking by the buildings of South Beach is experiencing art; step into any one of the many galleries on the beach and you'll be given the rare Miami-flavor of local artists as well as observe major expositions. Such attractions include the Wolfsonian/FIU collection, housed in a 1927 Mediterranean Revival Building, The Bass Museum with its new Grand Gallery, the Jackie Gleason Theater, where Broadway Shows come to town, and the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road is home to the New World Symphony and also the Colony Theater, a performing arts center.

South Beach also offers its own designer district on Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, and Ocean Drive. Find names huge names like Armani Exchange, Versace, and Betsy Johnson, as well as locally owned stores with limited edition merchandise. Attend regular antique shows on the weekends and check out Espanola Way, a block-long Spanish-style village street dotted with stores selling New Age and retro goods.

Dozens of restaurants and clubs populate South Beach only within a few bocks. Restaurants on the beach may offer casual cuisine or gourmet food inspired by Italy, France, China, Thailand, Cuba, and Latin America. Stone crabs are a South Beach specialty. Restaurants are busy until the wee hours and after enjoying a delicious meal, be prepared for some action in one of the liveliest night scenes found anywhere. Musicians and singers perform live at venues while dancers gyrate to throbbing house music in dance clubs. Rock and jazz spill out of hotels, clubs, and bars. With the renowned club-hopping scene at South Beach, the possibilities are endless.