Miami Beach
By Anna Lynn Sibal
In Europe, the place where the rich and the famous go to have fun under the sun is the French Riviera, the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea. In the United States, the local version of the French Riviera is none other than Miami Beach.
Miami Beach has always dubbed itself as America’s playground. Sitting on the tip of the peninsula of Florida, Miami Beach is embraced by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches along its shores are lined with powder-fine white sand. These beaches were made famous by the hit TV series Miami Vice, as well as the movie of the same title that this show inspired.
South Beach is that section of Miami Beach that showcases the best of what Miami Beach has to offer its visitors. It is located on the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, and it includes the barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Bay of Biscayne. This is the place in Miami Beach where the celebrities come to play, and so it is not uncommon to spot them relaxing under the tropical sunshine in this part of Florida. South Beach is also one of the few beaches in the United States where topless sunbathing is tolerated. This is perhaps in consideration for the European tourists who come to visit South Beach and enjoy the sun here.
Miami Beach has always been one of the premier resort cities of the United States, not just because of its beautiful coastline but also because of its vibrant nightlife. South Beach alone has hundreds of cafes, nightclubs, restaurants and other hangouts that stay open until the wee hours of the morning. There is always a party somewhere in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach, however, is not just about the sea, the sun and the partying. A visitor to Miami Beach can also glean more than just a little art and culture in this seaside jewel. Miami Beach is home to the world-famous Art Deco Historic District, the largest display of Art Deco architecture in the world. Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District entered the US National Register of Historic Places in 1979. There are around 960 buildings housed in this area.
Miami Beach is also one of the best places in the United States to experience Jewish culture. There are around 20,000 people living in the Jewish community in Miami Beach, and this community attracts more Jewish people to visit the city every year. There are a number of synagogues and yeshivas to visit, as well as kosher restaurants to sample in Miami Beach.
Another significant place to visit in Miami Beach is the Holocaust Memorial. It is a memorial honoring the memory of the Jewish people who died in the concentration camps of Europe during the Second World War.
For some serious shopping in Miami Beach, the place to go is Lincoln Road. Along the length of Lincoln Road are high fashion boutiques and retail stores. It is also home to a state-of-the-art Cineplex and to a concert hall for the New World Symphony Orchestra.
For a glimpse of the life of the jet-set crowd, the place to go is Miami Beach in Florida.
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