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Occupying a mere 2 square miles on the southern tip of Miami, South Beach packs a life style punch so large as to be disproportionately at odds with its size. This is fantasyland, a real time 24/7 Disneyesque world where you will need to walk at least two blocks back from the beach to rediscover reality.
The broad white sands are America’s most famous no holds barred beach and a great place to sit and watch the strutting and preening of the self titled ‘chosen few’. This is probably the best place in the world to observe the excesses of human vanity and self-importance.
But there is far more to this place than just the beach, visibly, this is one of America’s most eye-catching destinations. The Art Deco Historic District, with the largest concentration of 1920's and 1930s architecture in the world, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and justifiably so. A visit to South Beach redefines how you look at buildings – the corner curves, soaring finials and glass brick expanses of the Art Deco architectural style create a time warp here. Stand in Lummus Park, a green expanse bordering the wide beach and note how the pastel pinks, bright aquas and canary yellows of the Ocean Drive hotels fight for space in the sky. These are “don’t try this at home” colours, this is the only place they work en masse.
The renaissance of South Beach has been an influential factor in the areas rise in popularity as a favoured location for films, music and television shows and as a backdrop for fashion shoots, with no shortage of eager models! The Lincoln Theatre on Lincoln Road is home to the New World Symphony; the Colony Theatre, a performing arts centre, and the Alliance Cinema, specializing in foreign, art, documentary and independent films. The second Thursday in each month turns South Beach streets and venues into a monthly cultural celebration with open dance, music and theatre, lectures, art gallery opening and meet-the artist receptions. Also worth a visit are The Bass Museum with a new Grand Gallery to display its art collections; the Jackie Gleason Theatre, where Broadway Shows come to town and the Miami Beach Convention Centre, site of major expositions and events.
Of course there is no reason to do anything more energetic than just sitting in one of the numerous bars, cafes and restaurants that front the beach. One of the most famous of these is the News Café open round the clock and a popular haunt for the star struck waiting to be noticed.
Whatever your persuasion, whatever you want, you will almost certainly find it at South Beach.
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