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Art Deco Historic District and Ocean Drive
South Beach's Art Deco Historic District holds hundreds of 1920s to 1940s buildings, with the pastel hotels of Ocean Drive facing Lummus Park and the beach.
At a glance
- Type
- Architecture walk
- Area
- South Beach, Miami, United States
- Official site
- mdpl.org
Good to know
- Free
- Guided tours available
- Art Deco Welcome Center
Why we recommend it
The Miami Beach Architectural District, better known as the Art Deco Historic District, covers much of South Beach, roughly between the Atlantic Ocean, 6th Street, Alton Road and the Collins Canal. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and contains around 960 historic buildings, many of them built between the Depression years and the early 1940s, alongside earlier Mediterranean Revival buildings from the 1920s.
Ocean Drive is the showpiece. Between 5th and 15th Streets, a long line of hotels faces Lummus Park and the beach. Notable examples include the Amsterdam Palace from 1930 and the Tides from 1936, and Gianni Versace's former mansion, Casa Casuarina, is also on Ocean Drive. The Betsy at 1440 Ocean Drive is at the northern end of this stretch.
You can easily explore on your own, but the Miami Design Preservation League makes it richer. Its Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive has a small museum on the architecture and history of Miami Beach and is open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The League runs a daily two-hour guided walking tour from the centre, and also offers a self-paced audio tour app in four languages.
Walk in the morning for softer light and fewer crowds, or around dusk, when the hotel signs are lit. The district extends well beyond Ocean Drive, so Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue are worth exploring too. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water, especially in the middle of the day.
The League's guided walk covers about a mile and a half in two hours, visits the lobbies of several hotels, restaurants and commercial buildings, and includes headsets so you can hear the guide on busy pavements. Groups are capped at 20 and children aged 12 and under go free, so booking online in advance is sensible.
The district suits architecture fans, photographers, couples and families, and you can combine it with a beach break in Lummus Park. Allow two hours for a self-guided walk, more if you join a tour or visit the Wolfsonian-FIU on Washington Avenue, whose collection covers the design period that produced these buildings. The Miami Beach trolley and ride-share are easier than driving and parking in the busiest blocks.
Art Deco Historic District and Ocean Drive FAQs
Where is the Art Deco Historic District?
It covers much of South Beach, roughly between the Atlantic Ocean, 6th Street, Alton Road and the Collins Canal.
Is it free to visit?
Yes, walking the streets is free; guided tours and the museum at the Welcome Center are separate.
How many historic buildings are there?
Around 960 historic buildings are part of the district.
Where can I learn more?
The Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive has a museum and is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Are there guided tours?
Yes, the Miami Design Preservation League runs a daily two-hour Art Deco walking tour from the Welcome Center.
When is the best time to walk?
Morning for softer light and fewer crowds, or around dusk when the hotel signs are lit.
Which part of Ocean Drive has the most Deco hotels?
The hotels between 5th and 15th Streets face Lummus Park and the beach.
When was the district listed?
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.