Art Deco Historic District, South Beach, Miami
The heart of South Beach is its Art Deco Historic District, from 18th St. and south along Ocean Dr and Collins Ave, one of the largest areas in the US on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, the rejuvenation and renaissance of the District as a major tourist destination results directly from its protection as a historic site in 1979.
The National Register designation prevents developers from wholeheartedly bulldozing significant portions of what was, in the 1980s, a crime-ridden collection of crumbling monstrosities populated primarily by drug-crazed lunatics, refugees from Cuba, and residents elderly. It’s a far cry from that now, with a lively mix of neighbors, including gay men, just for the winters, plus a sprinkling of veteran’s shelters. Today, the facades of hotels and apartments are decidedly colourful, with pastel architectural details.
Your first stop here should be the Art Deco Welcome Center (305-531-3484; 1001 Ocean Dr; 10 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Mon-Sat, to 6 p.m. Sunday). which will give you a good idea of this beloved but often misunderstood district. You’ll find an informative permanent exhibit in the gallery, a host of walking tours you can sign up for (including an excellent self-guided audio tour), and a well-stocked gift shop selling souvenirs from old postcards to decor. jewelry style.
Venetian Pool, Miami
As tons of dirt and rock were taken for the Merrick building boom, a very large limestone quarry soon formed. So a creative thinker thought; Why not transform this monstrosity by letting it fill with water so that it becomes an extraordinarily beautiful swimming hole? Now on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1924 spring-fed pool (305-460-5306; 2701 DeSoto Blvd; adult/child Nov-March $6.25/3.25, Apr-Oct $9.50/5.25; varies by season but usually from 11am to 5pm), with a capacity of 820,000 gallons, it features coral rock caves, waterfalls, a palm-fringed island, vine-covered loggias and Venetian-style moorings. It was designed by Merrick’s uncle, the ubiquitous muralist Denman Fink, and is large enough to accommodate a large waterfall, a children’s area, and an adult swimming area. In fact, during its heyday in the 1920s, it hosted synchronized swimmer Esther Williams and Johnny ‘Tarzan’ Weismuller, both seen in historic pool photos. Whether you want to swim in it or not, this pool is a sight worth seeing.
Mallory Square, Key West
Mallory Square is the belly of the beast. While it’s just another beachfront park filled with shops during the day, after dark the area transforms into a wild sunset soiree: an over-the-top display of handicraft vendors, fire eaters, singers, bikers, mimes and assorted other characters, all competing for the tourist dollar. as people mill about and gather around the most outrageous performers, the event quickly turns into a mob scene. But love it or hate it, it’s an integral part of Key West culture, so make sure you visit it at least once. You can always calm down by watching the glorious sunset.
Author: Kenneth Ng, Lonely Planet
