Art Deco Walking Tour: Explore Miami Beach History
4.9
1,397 Ratings
Miami Beach

Discover the captivating history and stunning architecture of Miami Beach on our Art Deco Walking Tour. Support our non-profit mission while exploring the iconic Art Deco Historic District.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Official Art Deco Gift Shop - Founded in 1976, The Miami Design Preservation League has proudly offered guided walking tours of The Art Deco District for over 40 years. All Proceeds go towards supporting preservation.
    Visitors are introduced to the history, architecture, and preservation efforts of Miami Beach. Tour ticket includes free…
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What's Included
  • Headsets provided for the tour
  • Admission to the Art Deco Museum and Gift Shop included
  • Expert tour guide service
Additional Information

ENSURE YOUR ARRIVAL 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR CHECK-IN
TOP FIVE REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ART DECO WALKING EXCURSION:

  1. Our tour guides skillfully use the buildings’ architecture to narrate the story of Miami Beach and its inhabitants.
  2. Proceeds from the tour are used to support our non-profit cause, focused on promoting, preserving, and…
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Location
Art Deco Welcome Center
Ocean Drive
ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO TOUR DEPARTURE FOR CHECK- IN
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(1397 Ratings)
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Johntheeditor
Mar 29, 2025
Excellent "secret history" of Miami Beach with awesome sights - Even if you know a lot about the Art Deco movement and have visited Miami Beach before, you'll see and learn more on this excellent two-hour tour of many of the countless landmarks on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue. You'll see rooms that used to be secret speakeasies, learn how to read the coded messages on terrazzo floors, and understand how and why Deco architecture flourished here even after the Crash of 1929 cut short architectural exuberance in the rest of the nation. You'll also learn about how this neighborhood was saved at a time when it had fallen into disrepair and was considered an eyesore by many. Our guide, Paola, has an in-depth knowledge of South Miami Beach's architecture and history and is eager to share it. If you pay attention and ask good questions, you might be rewarded with additional secrets and tips at the end! A visit to the little museum at the Art Deco Welcome Center is included with the tour and is recommended. Having taken this tour, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_d
Mar 29, 2025
History comes alive - Fantastic tour! You learn all about and see 20 plus examples of the 4 types of art deco architecture as well as get a great history lesson of Miami Beach.
Review provided by Viator
Curiosity16703635314
Mar 27, 2025
Art Deco Fan - This tour is worth every penny. Spending a few days at Miami from Washington DC, we went on this tour with Howard, and this gentleman not only has a very clear speaking voice, he also is a natural storyteller. Go on this tour. very enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annette_c
Mar 26, 2025
Love Art Deco! - 90 mins long. Bring water if hot. Price includes free admission to Art Deco Museum which was a nice surprise!
Review provided by Viator
A7912zscarlw
Mar 24, 2025
Great History and Architecture - Julie was great. Highly recommend taking this tour. Very interesting history of Miami Beach and the architecture. Plus added in some local info on which celebrity visited which restaurant when.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erino325
Mar 24, 2025
A Great Way to Get More from Your Time in South Beach - We really enjoyed our tour with Rick, who was funny and knowledgeable. We finished our tour with a decent understanding of Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, Mediterranean Revival, and MiMo styles. I really appreciated his take on the history of South Beach, and his descriptions of how people from the Northeast U.S. would travel for days by train and bus to the area for vacations -- without a reservation! (And I think my teens get cranky on trips...!) One of our favorite moments of the tour was when we walked into one of the bustling cafes on the front of a hotel and Rick flipped up the mat to show us a neat terrazzo floor. We were in capable, knowledgeable hands! Thanks to him, we also knew to check out the amazing photography at the Betsy Ross Hotel later that night. (WOW!) South Beach is a fun place to vacation, but I think taking this tour made it richer and more meaningful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_h
Mar 22, 2025
Art deco tour - It was a nice tour with the right size group, a knowledgeable guide, interesting sites, easy to book,
Review provided by Viator
Amanda
Mar 22, 2025
Fun, little tour of Ocean Drive - This was a really great tour! We booked it online through Travel Advisor and costs $80 for two of us. You wear old school, over the ear headphones which is fun yet practical ti hear the guide. Our tour guide, M, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour lasted 1.5 hours down Ocean Dr. Would highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants a quick little tour of a beautiful and historic stretch of Miami.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisette_v
Mar 22, 2025
Interesting tour, must do!! - Howard gave us a walking tour and told us everything about the Art Deco. He is a walking encyclopedia!!
Review provided by Viator
Georgina_h
Mar 20, 2025
I highly recommend this... - I highly recommend this tour. It was a fantastic way to start my holiday in Miami. Our tour guide Gina was so knowledgable.
Review provided by Viator
Check Availability
From $40
From $40
up to 6 guests
1 Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).