South Beach Walking Tour

About South Beach Walking Tour Android App

Smart Walking Tours self guided tour brings users to 16 exciting sites throughout South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida!

Each site you visit includes an audio narrative explaining the significance, as well as historical pictures when available. Included in the app is a map with tour route so you can easily find each destination. The tour does not require an Internet connection to work, making it an ideal solution for international travelers.

Tour sites include:

1. Brown's Hotel- Although it has changed hands many times over the years, Brown's Hotel holds the great distinction of being the first hotel in Miami Beach.

2. Smith/Hardie's Casino- Before Miami Beach became a globally recognized destination, it was people from the mainland that frequented the white sand beaches. Find out what casinos are and how they provided amenities that spurred additional growth at the beach.

3. South Pointe- Home to many "firsts" including Miami Beach's first restaurant, hotel and synagogue, South Pointe, otherwise known as Ocean Beach, holds the great distinction of being the first planned subdivision in Miami Beach.

4. Joe's Stone Crabs- Founded by Joe and Jennie Weiss as Joe's Restaurant, Joe's Stone Crabs was Miami Beach's first restaurant.

5. Congregation Beth Jacob- Now home to the Jewish Museum of Florida, Beth Jacob came from humble beginnings and grew to become the epicenter of Jewish life in Miami Beach.

6. History of Art Deco- Art Deco is undeniably the flagship style for South Beach. Here we've pointed out key elements on two buildings, as well as included photos so you can better understand what to look for as you make your way through South Beach.

7. The Smith House- Once home to Miami Beach casino pioneer Avery Smith, the Smith House also served as Miami Beach's first doctors office, and was at the center of a major city scandal.

8. Art Deco Historic District- The 1970's were not kind times to Miami Beach. The area was suffering from high crime, and blight. The once neon lit Art Deco hotels were shells of their former glory, and many sat vacant and crumbling.

9. The Henri Levy House- Now home to a restaurant, the Levy House was the former home of Miami Beach developer, Henri Levy.

10. Versace Mansion- Modeled after the Alcazar de Colon in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the apartment building turned home is best known as the Versace Mansion, named after one time owner, Gianni Versace.

11. Lummus Park- Home to hundreds of palms, miles of pathways and lush grassy fields, Lummus Park was donated to the city by beach pioneers, James and John Lummus.

12. Cardozo Hotel- Owned by musical sensation Gloria Estefan, the Cardozo Hotel is an outstanding example of Art Deco design and was designed by famed architect Henry Hohauser.

13. Miami Beach & World War II- While World War II had an indelible impact on the US, few realize how close the Axis forces came to US soil, and Miami Beach in particular. (There is no physical site for this tour stop.)

14. Espanola Way- Designed to be a creative community filled with artist, poets, and other intellectuals, Espanola Way instead attracted the likes of bookies, bootleggers and even Al Capone.

15. Lincoln Road- Originally the place where the who's who of Miami came to shop, dine and socialize, Lincoln Road fell from grace, only to be revived and brought back to what was originally dreamt by founder, Carl Fisher.

16. Sagamore Hotel- Designed by architect Albert Anis and opened on January 9, 1949, the Sagamore is a carefully restored property, that perfectly blends historic and modern Miami Beach.