Miami Beach Art Deco: Hidden Gems Tour
5.0
58 Ratings
Miami Beach
Uncover the hidden gems of Miami Beach on a captivating Art Deco tour. Explore secret rooftop terraces, peculiar corridors, and obscure lobbies while discovering fascinating history and intriguing stories.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ocean Drive - We’ll start by revisiting the very first “Miami Vice” scene with Don Johnson at “The Carlyle” restaurant.
  • Cardozo Bar & Grill - Introduction of Art Deco architecture, its origins and place in the history of Miami Beach
  • Washington Ave. Beach - USPS post office building is both a “Miami Vice” filming location and a very important monument of Art Deco. We will step inside to marvel its original beauty.
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Guided tour
Additional Information

Did you know that Miami Beach is largely artificial? Or that Biscayne Bay was once a mere swamp? Or that Miami Beach was the place where Muhammad Ali first claimed the world boxing championship? The history of Miami Beach is a fascinating tapestry of intriguing narratives, which I have devoted myself to illuminate through thorough investigation, compelling narration, and a love for the subject.

As an experienced tour director, I’ve unearthed and collected the area’s best concealed treasures, such as hidden rooftop terraces boasting incredible vistas, peculiar passageways leading to clandestine sanctuaries, enigmatic lobbies steeped in enthralling stories, and discreet bars with gripping tales to share. We’ll tread upon locations that were once the focus of global news as crime scenes, and interpret the camouflage of Art Deco architecture in plain view. Regardless of your interest in history, you’ll be captivated by an assortment of eccentric facts and engage in film and TV trivia as we reveal the settings of famous film and television scenes.

Location
1440 Ocean Dr
Ocean Drive
Meet at "The Betsy Hotel" lobby. Please come inside from Ocean Drive, NOT from Collins Ave.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(58 Ratings)
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Paulinerx6895lc
Jun 11, 2024
Very knowledgeable and friendly host Damian - Very interesting Art deco tour and Damian is so knowledgeable and friendly , we learnt a lot today. The rain didn’t spoil the tour for us !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Victormu4178fx
Jun 10, 2024
Cultural Experience - The tour was refreshingly unpredictable, offering rich architectural, cultural, and social history perspectives. Exclusive access paired with unique insights provided captivating information. Bravo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oskarp528
Jun 8, 2024
Miami Beach History and Art Deco - What a superb tour around the small-scale neighborhood. It's like a time capsule from 1930s, and every street is a vignette, buildings which belong to the same big family. Keep the preservation going.
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D39aisamanthab
May 24, 2024
Engaging Experience - Damian led us on an informative, well-paced walking tour of the South Beach area. He included architectural details about the district as well as the historical and political influences that shaped Miami. He was engaging in his delivery. A very worthwhile tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karl
May 19, 2024
Great tour through the art deco quarter - It was a very interesting tour with lots of stories and explanations about the architectural details. Damian is very experienced and has a thorough knowledge of the art deco district! We found the tour very enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beth
May 19, 2024
Fabulous history and art deco tour with Damian that was the highlight of our visit! - This was a fabulous tour! Damian shared history, culture and art deco architecture with us. He is so welcoming and wanted to identify our background and questions we might have, so he could go more in depth with our individual interests! He is so knowledgeable about the area and history, but always looking to gather more information to share!! He inspired us to want to learn more and check out places he shared with us. We will look forward to another tour with Damian on our next visit to the area. This was absolutely the highlight of our whole visit!! If you are visiting South Beach, I recommend this tour as a MUST DO!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Willak2013
May 16, 2024
Take this tour! - This was an excellent tour with Damian! He wove the history of South Beach with the historical Art Deco District. What a treat for us!
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D375cdjonasl
May 12, 2024
Art Deco in the Tropics - South Florida is as far as you can go without leaving the continental US. And what a beautiful little strip of land Miami Beach is. The uniqueness of the area is what makes it so special, and Damian captures that magic like he built the city. He's clearly very passionate and it shows at every step of the tour. He deserves to be a mayor one day ;)
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Cathylz5206hf
May 7, 2024
Phenomenal - Don't miss out on this essential Miami Beach Tour! Damian was phenomenal! A captivating historical storyteller, he made it engaging for everyone, regardless of age. The visual aids he provided via tablet showcased the areas we visited and their historical transformations over time, adding depth to our experience. Damian was incredibly attentive, ensuring plenty of breaks for restroom visits, refreshments, photo opportunities, and informative discussions about our surroundings. It was truly outstanding!
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Alyraeson
May 4, 2024
Authentic art deco culture tour with an engaging storyteller! - Super fun history tour with an authentic Miami Beach vibe! Damian draws from a wide variety of material for a history told with a great sense of humor. Learned a lot about the development of the area, the evolution and preservation of the architecture, the ecology, music, fashion, movies, and major events. Loved that the tour weaves indoors and out through lobbies, courtyards, and rooftops for the best views of the "two oceans." Highly recommend a tour with Damian!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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