For a one-day Miami Beach route, start at South Pointe Park, walk north along Ocean Drive through the Art Deco Historic District, then finish at Lincoln Road Mall. If you’re weighing the best time to visit South Beach, South Pointe’s sunrise-to-sunset hours give you a useful boundary for planning the waterfront start.
- Start: South Pointe Park, at 1 Washington Avenue.
- Historic district: Along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, between 5th Street and 23rd Street.
- Finish: Lincoln Road Mall.
- Park hours: Monday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset.
At a glance
5 places · swipe
01Start with a South Pointe waterfront walkSouth Pointe Park makes a practical first stop for a waterfront walk, with beach access and paths beside…
02Follow Ocean Drive through the Art Deco districtOcean Drive runs through the Art Deco Historic District, which spans the area between 5th Street and 23rd…
03Pause for the beach and nearby sightsBeach access at South Pointe gives you a place to pause by the shoreline before continuing through South…
04Finish around Lincoln RoadLincoln Road Mall makes a natural endpoint for this route, bringing the day from the waterfront and…- 05FAQsThe district features Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles.
Start with a South Pointe waterfront walk
South Pointe Park makes a practical first stop for a waterfront walk, with beach access and paths beside the shoreline. The park is at 1 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, and the City of Miami Beach lists it as accessible.
Its amenities include seating, a water fountain, outdoor fitness equipment, a playground and a dog park. Paid parking and public restrooms near the concession are also available. For another green-space stop in the area, parks in Miami Beach for a walk or waterfront break include options beyond this starting point.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Hours can affect the timing of your first stop, so check the official site before you go.
Follow Ocean Drive through the Art Deco district
Ocean Drive runs through the Art Deco Historic District, which spans the area between 5th Street and 23rd Street along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. The district has been on the National Register since 1979 and includes more than 800 historic buildings.
For a structured walk, the Miami Design Preservation League offers daily guided tours. Its route starts at 1001 Ocean Drive and takes about two hours, covering approximately 1.5 miles. Prices vary by age: $50 for adults ages 18–64, $40 for seniors ages 65 and older, $35 for youths ages 13–17, and free for children 12 and under.
If you’d rather explore at your own pace, the League’s self-guided audio tour also begins at the Art Deco Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive.
It takes approximately 1½ hours and is available in English, Spanish, German and French. The Welcome Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Pause for the beach and nearby sights
Beach access at South Pointe gives you a place to pause by the shoreline before continuing through South Beach. The park’s amenities include restrooms near the concession, seating and a water fountain, which can help you plan a stop without adding another destination.
The Miami Beach Beachwalk is an oceanside promenade that spans the full length of Miami Beach. Complimentary trolleys connect South Beach, Mid Beach and North Beach; the guide to Miami Beach public transport covers that wider network.
Finish around Lincoln Road
Lincoln Road Mall makes a natural endpoint for this route, bringing the day from the waterfront and historic streets to a pedestrian shopping area. Keep it as the final stop after Ocean Drive, or use the complimentary trolley connections between South Beach, Mid Beach and North Beach if your plans extend beyond this stretch.
Miami Beach city centre is about a 9-minute drive from AC Hotel Miami Wynwood, a four-star hotel.
FAQs
What architectural styles can you see in the Art Deco Historic District?
The district features Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles.
Where does the Art Deco walking tour begin?
The guided walk and the self-guided audio tour begin at 1001 Ocean Drive, at the Art Deco Welcome Center.
Is there a pedestrian route along the Miami Beach shoreline?
Yes. The Beachwalk is an oceanside promenade spanning the full length of Miami Beach.