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All About Town: Miami’s Distinct Neighborhoods

All About Town: Miami’s Distinct Neighborhoods

Discover Miami’s distinct neighborhoods, which give the city its eclectic personality and magnetic metropolitan appeal.

SOUTH BEACH

Occupying less than two square miles on the tip of Miami Beach, South Beach enjoys its own claim to fame. Life is celebrated here as one big, ultra-hip, 24/7 party with a Technicolor backdrop. Sexy, beautiful people throng the beaches. People leisurely dine at chic outdoor cafés along Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road, which was redesigned in the ‘60s by MiMo pioneer Morris Lapidus as the country’s first pedestrian mall. When the sun goes down, South Beach’s club scene kicks into overdrive as revelers head to the city’s No. 1 zone of no-holds-barred bacchanalia.

South Beach (©Getty Images)
South Beach (©Getty Images)

CORAL GABLES

Appropriately named “The City Beautiful” by its designer, George Merrick, Coral Gables is an utterly charming community of gracious Mediterranean architecture, monumental gateways, fountains, streets shaded by huge banyans and miles of waterways. With its completed Streetscape Project in the city’s downtown, travelers have more reasons than ever to check out the neighborhood and its enhancements, which include pedestrian-friendly streets with garden areas, outdoor dining, improved lighting, public art and more.

Giralda Plaza in Coral Gables (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
Giralda Plaza in Coral Gables (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)

AVENTURA/SUNNY ISLES BEACH

Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach are two enclaves known for their tropical landscaping and scenic waterways. The sleek high-rises tower from the horizon and diversions are plentiful. Tee off at a championship golf course at Turnberry Isle or enjoy first-class shopping at Aventura Mall. And over the Intracoastal Waterway, Sunny Isles Beach beckons with world-class, family-friendly beaches for a day on the sand and to watch the sunset.

Turnberry Isle Golf Course in Aventura (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
Turnberry Isle Golf Course in Aventura (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)

BAL HARBOUR/SURFSIDE

Against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, Bal Harbour Village is a haven for residential living and upscale tourism. Just north of Miami Beach, this picturesque village features the Bal Harbour Shops, where you can browse internationally renowned, fashion-forward boutiques in a lush tropical garden-setting. Next to Bal Harbour Village is Surfside, a charming seaside community featuring beachfront hotels and more than 100 restaurants and cozy boutiques in a two-block strip with glorious ocean views.

Bal Harbour (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
Bal Harbour (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)

WYNWOOD/DESIGN DISTRICT

Step inside Wynwood to immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of color. This vibrant neighborhood is filled with esteemed collections and contemporary art galleries, bustling bars and restaurants, indie shops and enormous art murals, all of which are open for exploration, making it a must-visit. Travel north from Wynwood to the fast-growing, dynamic community of the Miami Design District. The 18-square-block center houses virtually every top luxury brand. The Design District is also home to art galleries, design installations, fine dining restaurants, cafés and a weekly farmers’ market.

Wynwood Walls (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
Wynwood (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)

DOWNTOWN MIAMI/BRICKELL

Each downtown district boasts its own unique identity. Home to the Kaseya Center, Bayfront Park and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, it is a hotbed of daytime and nighttime activities. Brickell is a residentially developed area dubbed the “Manhattan of the South” with premier retail outlets including Brickell City Centre. The Park West neighborhood features the historically African-American community of Overtown and important historic sites such as the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater and Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum.

Downtown Miami (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
Downtown Miami (Photo courtesy of the GMCVB – http://Miami andBeaches.com)
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