Miami Architecture
Even if you have no interest in architecture it is difficult not to enjoy having a look at the Miami interpretation of Art Deco. The hotels built to echo ocean liners, the wonderful colours which glow in the sun and the clever use of neon all combine into a great visual spectacle. Apparently the colour was not part of the original design and was added when many of the buildings were refurbished in the 1980s but I really like it.
Art deco building
It is well worth taking the time to go inside some of the buildings as well. All the Deco hotels are used to people wandering in to check out the public areas so you will not be alone. It is well worth popping to the bar and swimming pool of the Raleigh Hotel as well as its lobby – it is a beautiful place. The Wolfsonian Museum is also worth checking out.
If you want more context about the Miami architecture or some background to the SoBe area it is worth taking a tour. The Miami Design Preservation League is a not for profit that aims to preserve the architectural heritage of Miami. They have a Welcome Center at 1001 Ocean Drive from which you can either take a self guided audio tour or join a walking tour http://www.mdpl.org/tours/
Art Deco Tours also hosts walking tours and has a great reputation http://www.artdecotours.com/
Miami at night
Finally, if walking does not appeal you can take a bike tour of South Beach including the Deco area http://www.bikeandroll.com/miami/southbeach.html
In addition to the SoBe Deco area there are a couple of other places of architectural interest. Villa Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is in Coconut Grove and was built during 1914-18 by a wealthy industrialist in the Mediterranean Revival style – i.e. it’s supposed to look like it has been transported from Italy or France at various periods from the 15th to the 19th Century. It is not really my thing but lots of people love it, particularly the Italian Renaissance Gardens and the eastern side of the Villa facing onto Biscayne Bay. You can get to the Villa using the metrorail – get off at the ‘Vizcaya’ stop, but from South Beach is it far easier to drive or get a taxi. The Villa has a website for further information. http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/
Art Deco Neon
Should you not fancy the Villa the other place to head for is Coral Gables. This is a separate city within Miami and was built during the 1920s by George Merrick in the Mediterranean Revival style. Like Villa Vizcaya, I find Coral Gables a little sterile but it is quite interesting and if you are in Miami for several days is worth a trip. The Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool are two of the highlights, the Venetian Pool being a vast freshwater pool that is open to the public so be sure to take your swimming costume. It also has a pleasant pedestrian friendly centre with plenty of bars and restaurants clustered together in the streets in front of City Hall so it is a good place for a day long outing maybe taking in a walking tour, a dip in the pool and a trip to the shopping mall, the Village of Merrick Park. http://www.coralgables.com/ Is a good source for additional information.