Tours of Miami Beach Abound

If you haven’t visited Miami Beach before, it’s advisable to look for a guided tour that will show you the places you want to see. Even if you’ve been here before, a tour is the best way to experience as much of the wonderful Miami Beach scene as possible and not be confined to following a map. Whether you want to see it by air, water or ground, you will not lack choice. Many of the tours should be scheduled ahead of time due to limited space. Most will pick you up at your Miami Beach hotel. It’s best to check in advance and be sure of pricing, times and where to meet. The more information you have up front, the more you can relax and enjoy your time in Miami Beach.

Boat Tours
The locals will tell you that the best way to see the sights is by boat. Several different types of boat tours are available. Whether you prefer bayside speedboats, duck boats, sailboats, private yachts, fully-narrated sightseeing boats, Zodiac RIB boats for small adventures or individual jetski, parasailing or deep-sea fishing excursions, an amazing list of experiences await. Depending on the time you have and the amount you want to spend, the choice is yours. Most of the points covered include the Miami Skyline, Miami Beach Marina, Biscayne Bay, Flagler Monument, Fisher Island, Port of Miami as well as sightings of celebrity homes along the shore. Airboats are also available for a tour of the Everglades only one hour south of Miami Beach. Hangliding, paddleboarding, waterskiing, jetboarding, kayaking, hot air ballooning and kiteboarding also lure the adventurer.

Land Tours
Tour the area by bus, car, bike or your own two feet. Double-decker buses where you can hop on and off, golf cart tours, pedicab tours, antique car tours and Segway and bike rentals take you through the heart of the city and along the beaches. You can even combine a bus and a boat for a full day's enjoyment. Specialty tours include pub crawls, club tours, rainbow club tours, culinary tours, shopping tours, local guide tours, art deco cocktail tours, and combinations of the above. It only takes a bit of research, maybe asking at your hotel, or a travel professional to get the most of your visit to Miami Beach.

Coastal plane rides and helicopters
From 15 minutes over Hollywood to one hour and 20 minutes gliding over the entire Florida coast, many air tours are available. Miami Beach Tour, for example, is a 30-minute ride over the spectacular shoreline including Golden Beach, Sunny Isles, Ball Harbor, Port of Miami, Fisher and Star Islands and the world renowned South Beach. Even a romantic skyride at sunset can be booked.

The companies range from private tours run by two people to large, group accommodating ventures. Be knowledgeable and get a recommendation before you book. Miami Beach caters to all and the adventures are waiting for you.

Top Ten Things to See When Visiting Miami Beach

As the world's busiest cruise port, Miami is Florida's perfect host for visitors from around the world. Miami is packed with things to see and do from endless shopping opportunities to trendy nightlife. We have narrowed the list down drastically to highlight the top ten things to see in Miami.

1.Little Havana

To experience little Havana is to experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the Cuban district of Miami. Though most don't live there, this neighborhood is Miami Cuban's pride and joy. Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) is the main drag and reflects the life so many Cubans left behind after 1959 when Castro came to power.

2.Lincoln Road

Think of Lincoln Road as the Fifth Avenue of Miami. Browse art galleries, bookstores, and high-end boutiques at this street mall. Our Miami Beach Hotel is two blocks from all the action on Lincoln Road.

3.Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive, nicknamed The American Riviera is only four blocks from the Dorchester. It's in the heart of the Art Deco District/ This area in South Beach is the place to be for the best Miami has to offer in clubs, restaurants, and nightlife. It has a lively boardwalk and a cool, pristine park.

4. Key Biscayne

A stop in Key Biscayne is a must. The drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway is stunning, and the beaches are Miami's best. This sliver of land is between two major parks-Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.


5. Seaquarium

At Miami's Seaquarium, visitors will learn about Florida's fascinating resources. The Seaquarium's rescue and release program for sea animals will amaze you. You can even get in the water and get up close with the friendly dolphins.


6. Coconut Grove

Historic Coconut Grove with its Bahamian influences is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or bike ride. The streets are shaded with giant oak trees, and plenty of bay front parks are available for relaxing.

7. Jungle Island

Formally Parrot Island, Jungle Island has grown to be much more than parrots. Now you can meet Hercules the liger (part lion, part tiger) and a "Crocosaurus" named Hank. Jungle Island is located on Watson Island in Biscayne Bay.

8. Coral Gables

Swanky hotels, boutique shopping, and lush parks abound at this old Florida neighborhood founded in 1925.Although it lacks in waterfront views, you will find an old aquifer pool here. Coral Gables is also popular for its nightlife.

9. Surfside

If culturally diverse cuisine is your thing, don't miss a side trip to Surfside, the uptown beach town. It also has miles of beautiful beaches and is also known for its agenda of family-oriented activities.

10. Wynwood Walls

Art lovers won't want to miss the ever-changing display of large scale murals at Wynwood Walls. The walls are in an old warehouse district. The outdoor art work is spread among six buildings between NW 25th and 26th Streets.

As the world's busiest cruise port, Miami is Florida's perfect host for visitors from around the world. Miami is packed with things to see and do from endless shopping opportunities to trendy nightlife. We have narrowed the list down drastically to highlight the top ten things to see in Miami.

Miami Beach Art Deco Distric

The Art Deco District located in Miami Beach, Florida is part of the Register of Historic Places due to the historical significance of 800 buildings. Most of these were constructed between 1923 and 1943. The buildings are gorgeous with sleek curves, porthole styled windows, terrazzo flooring, glass blocks and shiny chrome.

Many of the buildings fly flags from the ocean liners that used the dock in the 1930's. The hotels are luxurious and extravagant. The Marseilles Hotel is in Miami Beach's heart and soul. The Marseilles Hotel combines comfort, sophistication, serenity and charm. There are photographs available at http://www.marseilleshotel.com/.

The entire area is reminiscent of a postcard and has always drawn the biggest of Hollywood stars such as Rita Hayworth, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable. It is no wonder when just a couple steps takes you to beaches filled with sapphire waves and golden sand. The skyline is stunning and nothing short of magnificent. Musicians sing and play instruments in the park filling the air with rhythm.

The Miami Preservation League was founded in 1976 and makes its home here. They have stopped the bulldozers and restored numerous hotels to the days of their grandeur. Their tours are fascinating and brochures and colorful books are available.

The Spanish styled mansion that once housed the Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace is a must see. This 1930 residence is named Casa Casaurina. This is now a private mansion featuring amazing parties.

There is even a tower twelve stories tall which was designed by L. Murray Dixon in 1936. This is an art deco monolith with beautiful porthole windows. The curves on the building are the epitome of art deco.

The buildings are restored and you can see the original light sconces, furniture and woodwork. There are illustrious collections of art, deco pools and waterfalls. Esther Williams used the outline of the waterfall in movies from the forties and fifties. MTV filmed a dance show in the same location several decades later. How much more luxurious can it be than to have a poolside bar with full service right next to a wood burning pizza oven.

There is so much to see and do in the Deco Art District. Lincoln Road is an outdoor mall with the most charming shops and boutiques. This entire area is steeped in history, stories, beauty, elegance and class. This is a place everyone should see only one visit will never be enough.