The term art deco came from the Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, held in Paris in 1925. It is an architectural style that blends many design elements from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Geometry, vertical lines, curved lines, round porthole windows, and strong colors define the more modern art deco designs of South Beach, Miami.
Art deco is synonymous with South Beach. The neighborhood is about ten blocks of beachfront on one side, and fantastic art deco structures on the other. It’s a must see if you’re in Miami, Florida.
History of Miami’s Art Deco neighborhood
The Miami art deco district was built in the 1930’s but, towards the end of World War II, was in decline. By the 1970’s many of the art deco hotels and buildings were seriously rundown and scheduled for the wrecking ball. Luckily in 1976, Barbara Capitman founded the Miami Design Preservation League to establish this area as a historic district.
Art deco in South Beach, Miami photo by adventuresofacarryon.com
Walking the Miami Art Deco District
Every building is a work of art. The best way to see the Art Deco district is on foot. Begin at the south end of Ocean Drive at 5th Street and walk north. The beach will be on your right. Ocean Drive is the heart of South Beach.
Gorgeous art deco hotel. photo by adventuresofacarryon.com
Walk up to Lincoln Rd., then head west over to Collins. From there, you can continue south to about 10th St. You’ll want to head back to Lincoln Rd. for one of the best outdoor shopping malls anywhere. You’ can also enjoy the beautiful people who seem to be everywhere. It seems that many of the best preserved buildings are hotels. If you’d like to stay in one of these art deco gems while visiting Miami, check out Booking.com for rates.
Starlight sign, Miami photo by adventuresofacarryon.com
Guided Tours of South Beach Art Deco
The Miami Design Preservation League has a guided tour which you can do solo or in a group. If you want to do the tour on your own, you can purchase and download the tour here. The MDPL also offers guided tours that include other areas of Miami. All tours depart from the Art Deco Headquarters, 1001 Ocean Drive at 10th Street.
Get Your Guide also offers guided tours of South Beach and other attractions in the Miami Beach area.
Art deco design is at home in this easy, breezy, beachside environment. Don’t the colors remind you of tropical drinks with umbrellas in them?
I did not take the tour, however, based on the research I did for this story, it seems that not every building is on the tour. Be sure to allow yourself time to really explore this neighborhood. After, or maybe even during your walk, you’ll want to take a break and sample some of the local cuisine, have a refreshing beverage, do some retail damage in the boutiques, and enjoy the scenery.
Gorgeous orange pop of color. photo by adventuresofacarryon.com
How to get to Miami
Miami has an international airport, one of the busiest in the USA. But it’s not the only airport you can use. Also check rates flying into Fort Lauderdale. If you go to Miami check out Kayak.com for flights and Expedia for packages that include hotel and air. You’ll need a car unless you plan to taxi to South Beach and spend your time there. It’s feasible to get around on food and by taxi or Uber. If you fly into Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll be forty-five minutes from South Beach and the traffic can be brutal, but if you time it right, it could work.
For a map of the area stop by the Art Deco Headquarters at 1001 Ocean Drive. There’s also a fun gift store there.
Go ahead ahead and pin it for later!
22 comments
I’m going to Miami next week for a few days and am currently planning my trip – I am so happy I found your blog and your recommendations on the Art Deco District!
Thanks for visiting the blog. I’m so happy to hear you found this useful! Pleas feel free to comment after your visit. I’d love to hear about it.
I’m in LOVE with art deco, have always dreamed of seeing South Beach! Do you recommend finding an apartment in South Beach or is it far too expensive?
South Beach is expensive but summer is off season. It’s hot! So you can probably find some deals. Also there’s a great hotel on Ocean Blvd I stayed in called Edgewater that offers good rates for great location. Have a look. If you don’t care about staying right on the beach I’m sure you can find something.
I think both me and Dale would love to spend some time in South Beach if we ever make it to Miami. We love architecture and Art Deco is one of Dale’s favorite style. Cheers for sharing Penny!
South Beach has the largest collection of art deco architecture in one place. You’d love it. Thanks for stopping by! Perhaps we’ll meet in Italy if you two can stay in one place long enough! 🙂
[…] My second trip to South Beach, Miami, Florida, and I finally made it for a photo walk on the beach. I never would have guessed that the Atlantic Ocean could be so colorful and the beaches so pretty. Not only can you walk for miles, but they’re nice and wide, and best of all there are plenty of chairs and umbrellas for rent. If you’re staying at one of the hotels in the area, most provide you a towel and beach chair, but you’ll still need to rent an umbrella if you want one. If you’re pasty white, like me, it’s a good idea. […]
Cat, if you are ever near SB, you MUST go!
I love Art Deco South Beach — and your pictures really capture it.
Thanks for the compliment. I only had about an hour there right before the sun went down – I had to work fast! 🙂
I’ve love Art Deco South Beach ever since I stayed in a Deco hotel on the strip in the early 90s. A weirdly wonderful place — and great photos, btw.
The Strip in Vegas? What hotel was it?
I’ve never been to SB, but thanks to my sister’s love of the Roaring 20s and the Great Gastby, which I just finished re-reading for the big premiere in Spain this weekend. I’d love to see it in person, especially when the lights are coming up!
I’m sure you caught Larissa’s post about Art Deco theatres in the Midwest? Great stuff!
I love anything Art Deco so South Beach would be heaven for me. 🙂
Hi Bethaney, if you haven’t been I do recommend it! It’s crazy fun.
gorgeous colors!
I’d definitely recommend South Beach. These photos don’t begin to describe it. It’s really fun!
Love how you captured the beauty, magic and nostalgia of every architectural wonders. I am going to Florida this Summer. My wife hopes to see Miami. You just gave me a priceless idea. Thanks.
We loved SB when we visited last year. Loved the art deco look!
It’s different to me, i travel while i go through this post and so it never completes, i like to know and i come to know while i sail through your posts, thanks.
I lived on S. Beach for a couple of years and spent a lot of time just wandering the streets and looking at the architecture. There is so much to see that you can not even come close to seeing it in one trip. The residential streets also have an amazing collection of Art Deco buildings that most people never get to see. I almost never saw any tourists on these side streets which is a shame because they do not know what they are missing.
I knew I had missed a lot. Would love to go back there.