It might be challenging to choose where to stay in Miami Beach because there is a wide selection of lodging alternatives, from posh boutique hotels to glittering skyscrapers and spa complexes. In addition, the procedure might appear daunting when aspects like noise levels, proximity to the activity, and beach access are considered. So between Miami Beach and South Beach, where should you start first?
The beaches of Miami Beach and South Beach are well-known worldwide. However, some people could be perplexed when comparing South Beach with Miami Beach since they think they are the same. Even though South Beach is part of Miami Beach, the former has more fame.
South Beach is a component of Miami Beach, which is a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, and 23rd Street divides the two beaches. Miami beach lies north of this line, while South beach lies south of it. However, both destinations have a lot to offer and are often tailored to suit different travelers. That said, this is what you should know.
Comparing Miami Beach And South Beach
The whole City of Miami Beach is a melting pot of individuals from diverse cultures. The famed sands of “America’s Riviera” are enjoyed by a diverse range of individuals, including waifish models, amateur architecture critics, distinguished elders, and sun-seeking families.
The beaches in North Miami Beach are the most family-friendly and have the cheapest dining options and lodging options. In addition, greater Miami’s art galleries, museums, and theaters are only ten miles distant.
There is also South Beach (also known as SoBe). This well-known southernmost neighborhood demonstrates how Miami Beach is more like two citiesโa family-friendly getaway during the day and a super-chic city at night.
You’ll need to use your credit card at upscale shops, mingle at avant-garde fusion restaurants, dance at exciting nightclubs, and unwind poolside at hotels with an art deco aesthetic if you want to keep up with your favorite celebrities. But not just the wealthy and famous will enjoy their stay here.
With that in mind, even though both sites are fantastic and provide many attractions, some travelers might choose one over the other.
Everything is up to the individual and what they wish to do while on vacation. However, people should be aware of what will help them choose which of the two beaches is deserving for their next holiday and where to stay.
What To Know About South Beach
The people traveling to these stunning locations significantly differ between Miami Beach and South Beach. Elite celebrities, for instance, are known to frequent Miami Beach. In light of this, prominent members of society and those who love seeing celebrities should holiday here. Conversely, South Beach draws less well-known celebrities and models attracted to a “run-away.”
Partygoers and nightlife enthusiasts will also find more upscale nightclubs in South Beach than in Miami Beach. The considerably smaller, much older hotels on the former beach are another attraction that contributes to the shore’s appeal.
In contrast, visitors to Miami Beach’s northern regions and the area north of the beach will discover larger hotels.
In addition, most of the clubs, hotels, and restaurants in South Beach are accessible by foot. As a result, this beach has more commercial areas, dining options, and nightclubs than Miami Beach.
You can anticipate a lot from South Beach: it’s loud, vibrant, seductive, and hot. But it may also be subdued, calm, and just when you think you have everything figured out โ completely surprising.
Although South Beach’s gorgeous beaches and crazy party scene are certainly its two largest draws, this well-known coastal district is also home to some of Miami’s top restaurants, world-class shopping, and historic buildings.
In light of that, the following are just a few of the many exciting things to do in South Beach, whether you’re looking for culture in the form of art or a delectable croqueta or simply trying to learn something new.
The Bass: Explore Art And More
The Bass is a recognized institution for modern art, so don’t overlook it because of its modest stature. It houses magnificent collections and touring shows.
Additionally, visitors should be looking for the vibrant public art continually moving across the museum grounds. If you plan it correctly, you may enjoy Sweet Liberty‘s happy hour (4โ8 pm, weekdays) after a leisurely afternoon of culture. Oysters for .95 cents are to die for!
Take A Break At The Miami Beach Botanical Garden
In 2011, the 50-year-old, 2.6-acre Botanical Garden in Miami South Beach received a facelift and was once again a popular spot for visitors and locals.
Weekend live music concerts, orchid exchanges, yoga, meditation sessions, and seminars on horticulture are all held there. Bromeliads, palms, and cycads are among the native Florida species, but there is also a Japanese garden and wetland with mangrove and pond apple trees.
LIV: Nightlife At Its Best
LIV is undoubtedly the most well-known club in South Beach. A $1 million facelift in 2017 adds extra LED displays that provide more spectacular light shows to emphasize its star-studded roster, including everyone from Travis Scott and Skrillex to Justin Bieber. Come to LIV’s well-known weekly Sunday night celebration (LIV on Sunday), where no less than five well-known rappers will perform.
The Goodtime Hotel: Daytime Playtime
The Goodtime Hotel is a pastel-hued, real-life riff on a quirky Wes Anderson film, created by music mogul Pharrell Williams and nightlife entrepreneur David Grutman (of LIV fame). The hotel is filled with iconic Instagram moments, and potential celeb sightings abound.
Strawberry Moon is the place to be from the inside to the poolside. The lively Mediterranean restaurant and club hold daily happy hours (4โ7 pm at the bar) when locals and guests dress to the nines.
Sunset Harbour: A Breath Of Fresh Air
Sunset Harbour, which has a beautiful position in South Beach, is home to chic stores, quaint eateries, and more.
This sedate section of South Beach is home to locals who reside in its highrise condominiums and knowledgeable tourists who take advantage of the gorgeous surroundings and a scattering of fine restaurants, bars, and outdoor sports like paddleboarding, kayaking, and scooter rentals.
Stiltsville Fish Bar is a fantastic choice for a relaxed, seafood-focused breakfast. Along with the well-known Pubbelly Sushi and Osteria Morini, this location is home to Panther, a local coffee institution.
Relax At South Pointe Park
The southernmost point of South Beach is a magnificent waterfront park with many open areas for picnics or relaxing while viewing the passing cruise ships.
South Pointe Park offers plenty of metered parking, access to the beach, and a walking pier from the park. In addition, the freshest crabs in Miami are available at Joe’s Take Away, Joe’s market-style equivalent, within walking distance for the ideal beach lunch.
What To Know About Miami Beach
South Beach, Mid-Beach, and North Beach are the three neighborhoods that form Miami Beach. The latter is less visited by visitors but is renowned for its calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Young professionals, families, and people from other backgrounds are attracted to the area because they like the outdoor lifestyle and feeling of community there. In addition, the beauty of North Beach’s tree-lined streets, where one may cycle, jog, or saunter, will be evident to onlookers.
This region has what people seeking a tranquil beach that is also family-friendly are searching for. Additionally, they will have lots of room to spread out and unwind.
People may enjoy shopping in the neighborhood beach shops in North Beach or the posh Bal Harbour Shops, which are just a short drive away. In addition, they will enjoy dining at sophisticated restaurants, chef-driven establishments, and intimate family-run restaurants.
The residents of North Beach have a strong feeling of community where they get together and celebrate. In addition, the North Beach Bandshell is a popular destination for tourists since it allows them to watch concerts and live performances outside with their companions.
A center of culture for the region is Mid-Beach. It is distinguished by its upbeat atmosphere and unique fusion of MiMo and Art Deco architecture. People like the elite and stylish atmosphere that permeates this neighborhood’s white sand, and immaculate beaches, which are surrounded by opulent apartment towers and stylish boutique hotels.
Visiting the incredibly fashionable Faena Hotel Miami Beach and shopping at the one-of-a-kind Faena Bazaar, visitors to Mid-Beach must travel to the wealthy Faena District. In light of that, the following is only a taste of the enchantment that can be found across Miami Beach.
Grab A Drink At The Broken Shaker
The Broken Shaker is an indoor/outdoor watering spot encapsulating the city’s drinking culture, right down to poolside seats and seasonal punch bowls. Don’t know what to drink? You should close your eyes and point to the menu. Everything is fine. Customers are also welcome to use the pool, so grab a drink and go for a swim.
Explore Culture At The North Beach Bandshell
This open-air music venue with a proscenium stage and bench seating features some of Miami’s most unusual bookings, such as rare world music performers and Latin jazz, presented to you by venue managers Rhythm Foundation. The North Beach Bandshell is Miami’s most attractive tiny concert venue, with string lights and an ocean breeze overhead.
Get Rid Of Your Tan Line At Haulover Park
Every Tuesday from 5 to 10 pm, this 99-acre waterfront open space has picnic pavilions, accessible parking and beach access, and a great food truck festival. It’s also a tan-line-free zone: Haulover offers one of the county’s few nudist beaches. It also has one of the most excellent dog-friendly beaches in Miami.
Faena District Has Plenty To See
This aesthetically spectacular complex of buildings scattered over mid-Beach is part of the Faena family of luxury hotels. It offers some of Miami’s most fabulous public events, from cabaret acts to interactive art pieces and more. The Faena Forum‘s floor resembles a gigantic kaleidoscope, and the Faena Theater features a Jazz Series with a changing cast of award-winning performers from worldwide.
Wind Down At Eden Roc Miami Beach
The glittering, Morris Lapidus-designed hotel is still as beautiful and relevant now as it was then in the late 1950s. The Eden Roc Miami Beach, formerly a Hollywood hotspot, is now a favorite among vacationers looking for a peaceful respite away from frenetic South Beach.
It is vast and spacious, with four pools, a spa, and the famed Japanese restaurant Nobu. In addition, Rover may accompany families traveling with dogs on vacation because the hotel is one of the few premia, pet-friendly alternatives in the region.
The Ocean Social restaurant at Eden Roc offers upgraded coastal gastronomy and incredible views of the beach without spending hundreds on a cabana by the pool
Spoil Yourself At Taquiza North Beach
Taquiza is an excellent venue for a post-beach meal, featuring a terrific house-made michelada. It, too, has organic blue masa tortillas that are milled daily and packed with fresh protein or (if you’re adventurous enough) grasshopper.
Finally, don’t forget to get a basket of crispy totopos with guacamole. I mean, honestly. Don’t. It’s a favorite of many because of its gorgeous outside terrace overlooking the ocean, which is set inside a renovated Art Deco hotel.
For Most, A South Beach Vacation Is Unlike Any Other
South Beach is a world-renowned resort for its vibrant, busy, and varied atmosphere. This area is famed for its one-of-a-kind shops, pastel-hued Art Deco buildings, magnificent expanses of immaculate white beach, and legendary nightlife.
In addition, people love visiting the area’s several sub-neighborhoods, including West Avenue, South of Fifth, and the Art Deco District. South of Fifth Avenue is home to some of the world’s most wealthy real estate.
Although South Beach has high traffic, visitors will appreciate strolling about without a car. It is because every location may be reached on foot or by bicycle. Water sports, volleyball, and running are just a few available activities in the area. People will also feel comfortable and cheerful by simply laying down on the beach in the sun and people-watching.
Conclusion
Overall, South Beach has the best draws and is an excellent place for individuals of all ages who want to enjoy the environment, taste the food, and feel the nightlife of this top beach resort. It’s reasonable to argue that South Beach is Florida’s hottest beach.
However, Miami Beach is not far behind. Therefore, it best suits individuals who want a more relaxed attitude or perhaps a respite from South Beach’s crowds and high energy.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Beach,_Florida
- https://www.quora.com/How-do-Miami-Beach-and-South-Beach-differ
- https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/news/article225781905.html
- https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/south-beach
- https://travel.usnews.com/Miami_Beach_FL/