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Walking Tour Of South Florida's South Beach

The famous South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach is well known for parties, nightlife, celebrity sightings and Art Deco, but the good times don't end there. Somehow the relatively small area has even more great offerings to see. Walking through South Beach is the best way to catch these major points of fun as well as to see all of the sure-to-be interesting sights in between. The walking tour begins at the inspiring Bass Museum of Art and continues at the oasis that is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden before continuing on to the famous Lincoln Road Mall. Following great shopping, eating and world-class people watching, the journey goes on to the sandy shores of South Beach and finally the gorgeous and peaceful South Pointe Park.
Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Bass Museum of Art
2100 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7530
www.bassmuseum.org

The Bass Museum of Art is a lovely museum perfect for a few hours of escape. The permanent collection includes great works from around the world including Renaissance paintings, English portraits and one of the most extensive collections of Austrian paintings in the country. The extensive permanent collection was largely made possible through the donation of the Old Masters collection by John and Johanna Bass – over 500 works from Europe from the 15th to early 20th century. There are always interesting contemporary art installations in the temporary exhibits, as well, highlighting thought-provoking notions and concepts in art today. Tours are available by appointment and the Elemental gift shop is a must-visit with a creative selection of affordable and artful objects.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7256
www.mbgarden.org

Miami Beach may not be the most hectic or the most traffic-filled part of Miami, but it's certainly still a city in action. A great way to relax midday (besides with a visit to the beach) is to escape to nature, and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is the best solution. It's an incredibly short walk away from the Bass Museum of Art and visitors will find a lush and tropical green landscape beyond its gates. Admission is free and there are yoga classes and tai chi on select days each week.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.lincolnroadmall.com

Lincoln Road is well known around the globe with good reason. It's a long stretch of blocks of South Beach where pedestrians may meander to their hearts' desires for hours on end. The street has incredible offerings from mid-range prices to high-end budgets for dining and shopping, as well as a number of cute cafes. The patio dining areas of the restaurants and cafes are the most popular places to secure as they offer some of the best people watching to be found as well as a chance to revel in the Florida sunshine. Lincoln Road is even home to great art museums and street events and street vendors are a common sight.

Related: Cultural Walking Tours Of South Florida

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

South Beach
23rd Street to South Pointe
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Of course, South Beach is the sprawling stretch of beach that comes along with the city. It's definitely one of the livelier sections of the beach in Miami-Dade County. There's always an eclectic mix of people from celebrities and college students to families and thrill seekers (such as kite surfers). The Atlantic Ocean offers warm and breezy waves and it makes for quite the photo-op with the Art Deco buildings of Ocean Drive in the distance and the colorful, cute lifeguard stands on the sand.

Mr. Moe's Restaurant & Bar
(credit: mrmoes.com)

South Pointe Park
1 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7006
web.miamibeachfl.gov

The very end of South Beach is home to South Pointe Park located in the quiet and stunning area referred to as South Pointe. The relaxing park offers sweeping views of South Beach as well as direct views opposite the luxurious Fisher Island. The park includes jogging paths, a lounge area, an interactive water playground for kids and areas for biking and skateboarding. The park also includes the new South Pointe Park Pier for fishing and taking in the landscape.

Related: Top Museum Tours In South Florida

Chanoa Chen is a Fashion Merchandiser, Freelance Writer and Blogger. Chanoa has contributed stories to top firms including QVC Insider Germany and regularly contributes to CBS Local Miami and Examiner.com. She may be reached via: bokilovellc@gmail.com.
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