Miami Design Preservation League Art Deco Walking Tour

The Miami Design Preservation League runs guided tours of Miami Beach's Art Deco architecture, and its daily walking tour is a classic introduction to the district. Every MDPL tour begins at the Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive, which also houses a museum about the architecture and culture of Miami Beach and a gift shop.

The Art Deco Walking Tour runs daily and lasts about two hours, covering roughly a mile and a half on foot. The route explores the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District and looks at three main styles: Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern, often shortened to MiMo. A highlight is the chance to step inside the lobbies of some of the hotels, restaurants and commercial buildings along the way, which you might not feel comfortable doing on your own. Headsets are included, so you can hear the guide clearly on busy pavements, as is entry to the official Art Deco gift shop.

Tickets are booked online through the League's website. Groups are limited to 20 people, so booking ahead is sensible in the busy winter season. There are separate prices for adults, seniors and young people, children aged 12 and under go free, and the tour is complimentary for MDPL members. For groups wanting their own guide, private Art Deco walking tours can be arranged.

The tour suits architecture lovers, photographers, families with older children and first-time visitors who want context for what they are seeing. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a hat, and avoid the middle of the day in summer if you can. If you prefer to go at your own pace, the League also has an app-based audio tour in four languages, and it runs talks and a historical cruise on Biscayne Bay called Mizner's Dream.

If you have a particular interest, such as Mediterranean Revival or MiMo buildings, ask about the League's on-demand Art Deco Talks, which cover themes from the district's history.

The Welcome Center and museum are open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Ocean Drive is easy to reach on foot from most South Beach hotels, and the Wolfsonian-FIU on Washington Avenue makes a good follow-up visit for anyone whose interest in design has been sparked by the tour.