Miami Ocean Drive: South Beach's Celebrated Strip

Ocean Drive is Miami's legendary strip , the bustling road that runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, lined with a fantastic array of Art Deco buildings, cafes and bars, shops, boutique hotels, and their fabulous sizzling nightscene...

This is the place to see and be seen, where everything goes and best to be enjoyed when you just go with the flow and have no expectations.

Ocean Drive in the daytime

Before noon, the vibe is mellow as everyone lazily rolls out for their cortaditos and cafés con leche, newspapers and morning jogs.

BOcean Drive and the beach at Lummus Park

A lot of the action then is accross the road along the beach and Lummus Park with bikers and roller skaters cruising the promenade and sun worshippers enjoying just another beautiful day in paradise...

Bikng Promenade along Ocean Drive and the beach at Lummus Park

As the day progresses, so does the noise level, the traffic and the raucous atmosphere...

The neons lit up and Ocean Drive transforms... lamborghinis cruising up and down... oversized margaritas... hot bodies... music of all kinds, coming at you from all directions... loud, brash and uniquely Miami...

Ocean Drive starts in the southern end of the island at South Pointe, just south of 1st Street and then follows north along the Atlantic Ocean for a short 15-block stretch, not long but it certainly packs a punch.

Best of Ocean Drive...

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A Stroll Through Ocean Drive

This is one busy stretch, specially at night. As with many touristy places, beware of mediocre food, overpriced drinks and the occasional annoying peddler or heavily intoxicated mortal...

Sidewalk cafes, restaurants and bars line the road and it gets very lively around the mid-point between 5th and 12th streets. Grab a spot and let all the entertainment pass by... For a change of pace head accross the road to Lummus Park, enjoy the sand, the breeze, the funky lifeguard towers...

Some of the most iconic art deco buildings in the district are found in Ocean Drive. Businesses come and go, but the longtimers that can be credited with energizing the Miami Beach comeback are still going strong.

Here are some Ocean Drive highlights as you stroll the strip from the south end to the north:

Nikki Beach

1 Ocean Drive

It's a South Beach landmark in prime oceanfront location, which of course features the Nikki Beach signature beach club and Sunday Brunch.

Marriott Stanton

161 Ocean Drive

Luxurious oceanfront resort with direct beach access and one of our top pick hotels on Ocean Drive. The atmosphere here is a blend of modern sophistication with a laid-back beach vibe. Starbucks on the Lobby.

Sense Beach House

400 Ocean Drive

A small 18-room boutique hotel in SoFi (South of Fifth) area, relatively quieter while still close enough to the pumping Ocean Drive action. One of our top value hotels on Ocean Drive

The Celino

640 Ocean Drive

The Celino is a luxury boutique hotel complex which includes the historic Park Central Hotel. One of the highlights is the rooftop glass-bottom pool and sun deck.

The Avalon

700 Ocean Drive

A vibrant art deco hotel with a retro vibe, vintage car and all... Here you also find the award-winning restaurant A Fish Called Avalon

The Beacon

720 Ocean Drive

The historic Beacon Hotel is a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture. The façade clearly exemplifies the typical rule of thirds.

The Colony

736 Ocean Drive

A Miami landmark, instantly recognizable and one of the most photographed Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive.

News Cafe

800 Ocean Drive

One of the pioneers, it's hard to imagine a South Beach without News Cafe. Casual atmosphere, all-day breakfast, international newspapers, 24/7 since 1988.

Ocean Drive Larios, Gloria Estefans restaurant

Larios On The Beach

820 Ocean Drive

Gloria Estefan's restaurant, serving Cuban fare naturally...

Room Mate Waldorf Towers

860 Ocean Drive

The Waldorf Towers Hotel stands out for its chequerboard style with coloured groves and the corner crowned with an original, lighthouse-like tower.

Mango's Tropical Cafe

900 Ocean Drive

It's like Carnival every day of the year here... live shows, conga, samba, mojitos, salsa, pop, reggae, merengue, break dancing...

The Breakwater

940 Ocean Drive

Another iconic property, the Breakwater's gorgeous facade can be seen in every famous Art Deco Miami Beach skyline photograph and souvenir.

Lummus Park

Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Streets

"Lummus Park" provides beach access and concessions, playgrounds, outdoor gyms, volleyball courts. Also traversing the park are walking trails and the promenade, great for strolling, rollerblading, biking, that connects to the Miami Beach Boardwalk.

Art Deco Welcome Center

1001 Ocean Drive

The starting point to exploring the Art Deco District. It provides a wealth of information about all the different design styles found: Mediterranean Revival, Art Deco, Streamline Modern and Miami Modern (MiMo).

Beach Patrol Headquarters

Behind the Art Deco Center

With its nautical and ocean liner motifs in a popular art deco style this is quite a functional building. It not only serves as the Beach Patrol main headquarters but it houses the beach concessions for visitors, toilets and showers.

The Clevelander

1020 Ocean Drive

The Clevelander IS party central... all year 'round... with its iconic pool party scene day and night... this has been one of South Beach's pioneer Art Deco Classics with over 75 years of history and certainly one of the original party spots in the area... and still going strong.

Congress Suites

1052 Ocean Drive

Congress Suites actually occupies three buildings. The corner building stands out with its nautical touches reminiscing of the big cruise liners... The Palace, the only gay restaurant/bar on Ocean Drive has reopened downstairs.

Versace Mansion

1116 Ocean Drive

Now a luxury boutique hotel, The Villa Casa Casuarina was the former home of Italian designer Gianni Versace, who was tragically murdered in front of its steps in 1997. The property has retained the extravagant and over-the-top features designed by Versace, including its 54-foot mosaic-tiled swimming pool lined in 24-carat gold.

Sugar Factory

1144 Ocean Drive

To satisfy all your sweet cravings in a luxuriously hip dining room and expansive 100-seat patio overlooking South Beach. King Kong Sundaes, Couture Pops, Berry Bliss and Martinis... Sugar Factory is the latest newcomer to Ocean Drive at the stylish Hotel Victor

The Leslie

1244 Ocean Drive

Like a burst of sunshine, The Leslie's 1937 façade stands radiantly on Ocean Drive. A gem of the Art Deco District, it is a delightful and intimate 35-room boutique hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace.

The Carlyle

1250 Ocean Drive

Another iconic landmark, its façade remains virtually unchanged from the original hotel erected in 1939. The Carlyle has been the backdrop of many movies, Scarface, The Birdcage, Random Harts, Bad Boys... This is another good example of the Art Deco rule of thirds.

The Cardozo

1300 Ocean Drive

The Cardozo is owned by one of our famous local superstars, Gloria Estefan. This was one of the first properties to emerge also bringing the celebrity touch that started the deluge to come. The Cardozo has just reopened after a gigantic $15 million renovation

The Cavalier

1320 Ocean Drive

Original Art Deco motifs from 1936! The Cavalier Hotel maintains its original exterior façade of bright pastel colors, another of South Beach's most instagrammable landmarks.

Ocean Drive The Marriott Vacation Club Pulse

Marriott Pulse

1410 Ocean Drive

A beautiful Mediterranean Revival property, the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, formerly the Edgewater, is home to 49 studios and suites and a fantastic rooftop terrace, one of our top value hotels in South Beach.

The Pastel Trio

1418 -20 -30 Ocean Drive

The Penguin, The Crescent and The McAlpin, the pastel trio on Ocean and 14th Street with their simple and stylish designs are often featured in tourist brochures, postcards and souvenirs. These are chic boutique hotels.

The Betsy

1440 Ocean Drive

This beautiful and luxurious boutique hotel reminiscent of a grand colonial estate has recently undergone a complete renovation and is a top high-end hotel on Ocean Drive. Even though in the midst of South Beach's frenzied strip, the vibe here is subdued and refined.