If you love art and culture, then you’ve come to the right place. Miami is big on art. There is, for example, the Art Deco Weekend, which has been happening since the early 70s and continues its tradition, bringing film critics, movie buffs and fans together. Started by the Miami Preservation League, you can join in on the action—along with a million other people on the street in Ocean Drive.
Another great event to catch is the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, every February. See celebrity chefs, food personalities, and food critics come together for this annual culinary highlight.
Or, arrive for the Ultra Music Festival, happening every spring since it first kicked off in 1999. Thousands of people come to revel in the music and join in one of the biggest world parties to celebrate electronic music and dance till the wee hours of dawn.
Other activities to try are cultural walking tours of the city or food trips (where you can indulge in melt-in-your-mouth Cuban sandwiches, local seafood, and Southern specialties like chicken and waffles). Families and couples alike will also enjoy water sports at South Beach.
The 5 Most Instagrammable Art Deco Buildings in Miami Beach
South Beach has over 800 art deco structures that are mostly found along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. Each building is so unique and charming that you’ll have a hard time deciding which one to post on your Instagram feed. For example, The Bass Museum, built in 1930, exudes a regal air with stunning bas reliefs at the entrance while the Cavalier South Beach Hotel is simply exquisite with its embellished stucco friezes.
A spectacular model of Maritime art deco is the Essex House Hotel built in 1938. It was designed to resemble an ocean liner. If you love the blue color, get ready to snap a photo of the Park Central Hotel with its dazzling blue neon marquee. Check out its stunning lobby with their Terrazzo floors. Before you hang up your camera for the day, visit the Cadillac Hotel, whose stark and streamlined exterior is illuminated during sunset.