September 23, 2005 at 10:05pm by Gus

South Beach (Video)

Hi folks! I’m going to try and explain the difference between South Beach and Miami Beach for you. People are sometimes confused by this, but it is very easy to understand. They are one in the same. South Beach is just the southernmost area of Miami Beach. That’s it.

The dividing line is 23rd St. The area north of 23rd St. is “Miami Beach”. The area south of 23rd St. is “South Beach”, sometimes called “SoBe”, and usually refereed to as “the Beach” by locals.

Most of the trendy nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels are located in South Beach.

In South Beach you will also find Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Espanola Way, Flamingo Park, Art Deco District, Convention Center, Wolfsonian Museum, Regal Movie Theatre, and a beautiful (topless) beach.

If you are visiting South Beach for just 3 or 4 days, you could easily get by without renting a car. Most everything is in walking distance, and the public transportaion is good. Keep you eyes open for the South Beach Local Bus.

Thanks to Expedia and Hotels.com, we also have a tool on our site where you can search for just South Beach hotels.

Arr.. I find it so much easier to show rather than to tell. Take a look at this South Beach map. Ain’t it cool!

Before I sign off, it should be mentioned Wikipedia has an excellent article about the section of Miami Beach known as South Beach.

Lastly, if you are researching a report, or just crazy to learn everything you can about the area, MiamiBeach411 has a helpful article that explains the history of Miami Beach & South Beach.

ABOVE: Take a narrated bus tour down world famous Ocean Drive in South Beach. Make A Reservation

That’s the best description I can give for now. What else helps to define South Beach and Miami Beach? Questions, Comments?

Gus Moore heads up Miami Beach 411 as site administrator, where he has been helping people understand how Miami works for over a decade. See more articles by Gus >

By Gus Jump To Comments
See related stories in Local, Travel,

RSS |  Del.icio.us Bookmark |   Submit to Digg |   Yahoo! |   Email this

12 Responses to "South Beach (Video)"

1. Bryan says:

   There are so many unique neighborhoods in Miami Beach that we could write pages about each of them.  South Beach just happens to be the largest neighborhood with all the action. South of 23rd street not only will you find most of the popular and trendy shops, restaurants, and hotels, but also the most diverse neighborhood. 

   South Beach is large enough that from block-to-block one can really find a different vibe.  For example, when people come to visit they tend to spend time on the eastern side (Atlantic side) on famed Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Street, where the beaches and most of the hotels, shops, and nightclubs can be found.  Walk the streets south of Fifth Street in “SOFI” and you will find a quiet neighborhood of luxury waterfront high-rise condominiums, South Point Park, and a mix of exclusive restaurants and boutique hotels.  To the West, along Alton Road and West Avenue is where one can find many service related retailers and bay front condos where locals often find solace from the hustle and bustle of the touristy eastern portion of South Beach. There are many great restaurants on the western side that are mostly frequented only by locals.  Of course, to the north there is Lincoln Road, a pedestrian street that connects Alton Road to Washington, and one of the hottest areas in town for shopping, dinning, and people-watching. 

   I believe South Beach has played a significant part in helping Miami to become a truly international city, and will continue to be the #1 entertainment destination of Southeast Florida.

   Posted on 11/06 at 9:24 PM
2. Evan says:

   Check out SouthBeachBikeTours.com.

   This is the first and only bike tour of Miami’s South Beach.  A 3 hour leisurely ride through the Art Deco Historic District.  The tour highlights Unique Architecture, Miami Beach’s Colorful History, Celebrity Spots and Fabulous Hotels.

   Posted on 11/10 at 9:21 PM
3. Molly says:

   My husband, I and two young boys (ages 9 and 12) are taking an Eastern Caribbean cruise out of the Port of Miami in early April.  We are flying into Ft. Lauderdale Airport.  We are trying to find a hotel close to the Port of Miami (Carnival) so that we do not have far to go the morning of.  We just need a hotel for one night and are not familiar with Florida at all.  Our sons are excited to see “the Strip” and “all the lights”.  Can you suggest a hotel that is near all the action, but safe for our family?  We will not have a vehicle so it would need to be where we can safely walk and get to our port the next morning.  We are wondering also if there is a hotel you can recommend (or shuttle service) that picks up from FLL Airport and takes you to your hotel either inexpensively or free….and then possibly to the Port?  If not, we will rely on taxi.  This will be for my 40th birthday so I want it to be special.    We would love to find a hotel that is right on the beach or across the street from.  My husband loves the show “Miami Ink” so we were wondering if that is also on the strip, do you know?  We look forward to your respone and thank you!    Molly R.  - Colorado

   Posted on 02/03 at 7:17 PM
4. Gus says:

   Hi, Molly, thanks for posting here. I’d be happy to make some hotel suggestions. What are your travel dates?

   To answer your question about Miami Ink, the studio is on Washington Ave. in South Beach, within easy walking distance to all the hotels. For more info about the local tattoo scene, use the search box at the bottom of the page.

   Posted on 02/03 at 7:37 PM
5. Molly says:

   Hi Gus:  Thanks for responding back so fast…truly appreciate it.  Our travel dates are April 7-8, just one night.  I have been searching your website (very informative!) and I am thinking I really like the hotels on Ocean Drive.  It looks like a lot of fun there.  Do you think ok for 2 young boys?  So far the only ones I am finding that have vacancy and are in our price range are:  Colony Hotel (but it doesn’t specify each room has a bathroom/shower….odd!) for $170; Waldorf Towers Hotel for $159; and Hotel Shelley for $166.50 - but they don’t have a pool so that would be my last pick.  I like the look of Ocean Drive - kind of Miami looking and artsy fartsy.  What can you recommend?  I am guessing taxi from FLL and then taxi again to Port of Miami?  I am guessing Port is not too far..2 to 3 miles??  I’m trying to stay at $150 or less a night and hotel must have a pool/jacuzzi.  Would love to find a hotel that offers 2 QUEEN beds but so far am only finding “double” beds.  Is Ocean Drive a pit though?  I heard Collins St. is.  I don’t want to be in a “pit” for my boys’ sakes.    I hope you can help me narrow it down or give me more ideas.  Looking forward to the warm weather as we are snowed in here in Colorado.  :(  Thanks!  Molly

   Posted on 02/03 at 11:50 PM
6. Luxury says:

   Another unique aesthetic attribute of South Beach is the several colorful and unique lifeguard stands, still used today by South Beach’s lifeguards.

   Posted on 03/24 at 2:05 PM
7. zara says:

   beautiful, just beautiful!

   Posted on 12/25 at 2:22 AM
8. Lea says:

   Hey!  I just booked a trip to South Beach in July for my husband & me.  We are staying at the National Hotel.  Would you say this is a good hotel?  Thanks, your tips are much appreciated!

   Posted on 06/08 at 2:53 PM
9. Gus says:

   Lea, the National is one of the nicer hotels on South Beach. I think you’re going to love it. They also have a good happy hour at the lounge bar.

   Posted on 06/08 at 6:35 PM
10. Deb says:

    I and a friend are visiting Miami for 3 days in the middle of July.  we are thinking of seeing south beach, the miami metro zoo and the sea aquarium.  We would like a cheap and safe hotel, do we need a car and are these sites worth seeing?

    Posted on 04/27 at 5:38 PM
11. Gus says:

    Hi, Deb. Thank you for commenting. Yes, you will need a car. South Beach is pretty far from both those places. It will take around 35 minutes to drive from South Beach to the Sea Aquarium and about 45 minutes to drive to the Zoo, and while the Zoo is nice, I would avoid the Sea Aquarium. In fact, some locals are so disturbed by the facilities at the aquarium, they call it the sea prison, and made a website, voicing their complaints. You can learn more my Goggling “Miami Sea Prison”.

    We’d love you to join us on an Everglades and/or City Tour. The website, Tripadvisor.com rates our tour company (MiamiTourCompany.com) one of the best attractions in Miami.

    Posted on 04/28 at 6:45 AM
12. lenice boyd says:

    hey me and my friends where are 21, and we wanted to know whats the best thing to go to for our age. we are coming the third week in july. will it be raining those days, seeing that its hurricane season. and we wanted to know what are the best hotels to stay, so far we have the hiltons, double tree, chelsa. And also, what is a good estimate, of how much money to bring. We looking to have the best, wildest and good time

    Posted on 06/11 at 6:03 PM

Review, comment, or add new information about this topic:

Live preview:

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below:

Discuss the surrounding area in our hugely popular Miami forum.