Saturday, April 22, 2017

Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.

Lincoln Road 
         
Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach, Florida is a road restricted to just pedestrian traffic. It lies parallel from east to west between 16th Street and 17th Street. Where cars once traveled, shoppers can now enjoy a multitude of stores, galleries, restaurants, and businesses that stretch form the Atlantic Ocean to Biscayne Bay.
The History of Lincoln Road

The area where Lincoln Road is found was once a forest of mangroves. Carl Fisher cleared a strip of these in 1912 that eventually became the social center of the town. Over time it became a prime location for businesses including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bonwit Teller, and Packard and Cadillac dealerships.

Morris Lapidus was asked to redesign Lincoln Road in the 1950s. His design featured fountains, gardens, an amphitheater, and shelters with Miami Modern Architecture predominate. The road was then closed to all traffic except pedestrians making it the first pedestrian mall in the country.

Lincoln Road remained the same until a renovation in 1997 by Martha Schwartz. Fountains and landscaping that had deteriorated during the 1980s were restored. Today’s Lincoln Road is the home of a multiplex cinema, several local merchants, more than 200 boutiques, many national retailers, and a wide variety of restaurants and bars. It has become one of the top destinations for South Beach visitors.
Things to Do At Lincoln Road

The shopping is what draws visitors in. Lincoln Road takes on the atmosphere of an open air market with wares like hand crafted jewelry, homemade items, and origami displayed on card tables set along the road side or on textiles spread across the ground. On the weekends you can find a variety of food market stands selling everything from local produce to baked treats.

Lincoln Road isn’t just a flea market type of experience. This area is home to name brand stores too. Spend your afternoon browsing through trendy spots like Forever 21 and H & M. Top brands are found here such as J. Crew, Madewell, Lacoste, and John Varvatos. Unique shops like Books and Books, The Apple Store, and the Romero Britto Gallery are also scattered among the businesses.

There is no shortage of eateries on Lincoln Road. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or a fancy dinner, they have it covered. It is also the place to be for a cup of coffee or a casual drink. Nespresso offers all the latest tastes in coffee. Grab a cup and enjoy the seating that comes with the perfect view for people watching. Later you can enjoy a cocktail at Haven. This place has an electric vibe and stunning views of the surrounding area.

Be sure to take the time to explore Lincoln Road on your next visit to Miami Beach. Along with plenty of shopping and dining, this pedestrian mall features street performers for your entertainment. There are several places to stay nearby like the
Marseilles Hotel with accommodations along the shore.

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