Miami Art Deco District

Sometimes referred to as "America's Riviera," the Miami Beach Art Deco district was not always freshly painted and glitzy. Created in the 1920s and 1930s, this compact neighborhood had fallen into disrepair and ruin by the 1970s. There was talk of bulldozing the whole area to build more skyscrapers.

A spirited, private fund-raising campaign has given new life to Miami's Art Deco district, the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. Spearheaded in 1976 by one tenacious woman with a vision, Barbara Chapman, the Miami Design Preservation League raised the money necessary to save these unique buildings from demolition. Today, Miami's Art Deco neighborhood, or South Beach as it is affectionately called, is home to trendy restaurants and boutique hotels as well as models, artists, and movie producers.

What to Do in Miami's Art Deco District

Miami's Art Deco district is all about glitz, sun, and glamour. During the day, activity centers on the beach, a ten-mile stretch of glistening, white sand. Even the lifeguard huts on this beach reflect the Art Deco style. Watersports are plentiful here. Windsurfing, water-skiing, and sail boating are all offered. Be careful, though, the water may look calm, but it is still the Atlantic Ocean, and conditions can change quickly. Beach volleyball, people watching, and losing yourself in a good novel are other options.

Off the beach, enjoy interesting shopping along Ocean Drive or eclectic shopping at Lincoln Road Mall. Sip a tropical drink at a cafe across from the beach, or take in a museum. Perhaps, you'll come across a magazine photo shoot or a motion picture filming--it certainly wouldn't be unheard of. Models and movie stars are frequently stopped in the Art Deco district.