Award-winning Art Deco & History Walking Tour
🏎 Why We Picked This
gygCulture experiences like this one are ideal for free mornings before Friday practice or the quiet Sunday morning before the race — you get depth without eating into race day.
📅 Popular during Grand Prix week
Award-winning Art Deco & History Walking Tour
From $49 per person
About this experience
Explore the heart of Miami Beach with a local expert and learn about the area's history, architecture, crime and scandals, the cocaine cowboys era, the influence of Miami Vice, and much more.
Did you know that Miami Beach is mostly man-made? And that Biscayne Bay used to be a shallow swamp? And that Muhammad Ali became world boxing champion for the first time right here in Miami Beach? As an avid member of the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) and a devoted local historian, I'm excited to offer a captivating guided walking tour through the heart of Miami Beach, where we will delve into its checkered past and relive its history over time, which is truly stranger than fiction. Our journey will take us along iconic streets of South Beach leading us through lobbies and rooftops of exquisite Art Deco hotels. You'll gain insights into early days evolution, The Great Depression, city's unique architecture, adverse segregation, Back history, Jewish history, Cuban migration, the notorious cocaine cowboys' era, the influence of "Miami Vice," the infamous murder of Gianni Versace, plenty of hidden gems, and much more. You’ll discover the true spirit of Miami Beach beyond the typical tourist routes and simplified clichés so many visitors get trapped in. You'll walk away with a newfound appreciation for this remarkable city and its intriguing story.
Highlights
- ✓Hosted by a passionate local historian involved in Art Deco preservation
- ✓Explore picturesque spots of Miami Beach
- ✓Learn about city's history, which is stranger than fiction
- ✓Get familiar with local architecture of Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and MiMo
- ✓True crime and scandals stories/locations hit the dark side of history
What's included
- ✓Guided tour with local historian and preservationist
- ✓Behind-the-scenes access to historic hotel lobbies and other semi-public spaces
- ✓Get to know Hollywood film locations that made Miami famous such as Miami Vice, Scarface, and Birdcage
- ✓Receive an artfully crafted guide map personally curated by your tour host
Not included
- ✕Gratuities
Getting there
Meet at the "The Betsy Hotel" lobby next to Concierge desk. Please walk inside from Ocean Drive (NOT Collins Ave).
View on Google Maps →Reviews
“Il y a un avant et un après ! Damian, son enthousiasme, ses connaissances nous ont permis d’apprécier l’architecture de Miami et de voir cette ville sous un autre angle. Je recommande vivement. À faire dès votre arrivée !!! Même si vous n’êtes pas bilingue, tout se comprend aisément.”
“This was so fascinating!! Damian did an excellent and passionate job of explaining the history of the art deco architecture, taking us to several different locations, inside as well as the exteriors. My husband and I would highly recommend this tour!”
“Really great tour. Damien is super engaging and knowledgeable about the area and art deco. We enjoyed it and learned a lot”
35 reviews on GetYourGuide
Il y a un avant et un après ! Damian, son enthousiasme, ses connaissances nous ont permis d’apprécier l’architecture de Miami et de voir cette ville sous un autre angle. Je recommande vivement. À faire dès votre arrivée !!! Même si vous n’êtes pas bilingue, tout se comprend aisément.
Really great tour. Damien is super engaging and knowledgeable about the area and art deco. We enjoyed it and learned a lot
This was so fascinating!! Damian did an excellent and passionate job of explaining the history of the art deco architecture, taking us to several different locations, inside as well as the exteriors. My husband and I would highly recommend this tour!
Excellent tour. Very knowledgeable guide