Although it's a small city of only 15.22 square miles, which is 7.68 square miles of land and 7.53 square miles of water, Miami Beach has been “America’s Riviera” and is one of the pre-eminent beach resorts and vacation designations in the nation since it was incorporated on March 26, 1915. Its estimated population of 92,307 in 2017 makes it the 26th largest Florida city based on the US Census Bureau figures.
Situated on natural and man-made barrier islands that lie between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the popular South Beach on the southernmost 2.5 square miles together with downtown Miami and the Port of Miami form South Florida's commercial center and add to all the entertainment, water sports activities, 20 parks, and the natural beauty of seven miles of beaches that make Miami Beach famous.
Visitors and residents alike can enjoy trend-setting shopping, dining, arts, and culture along with the many historic buildings and areas that have outlasted the years since Julia Tuttle, the “mother of Miami,” purchased 640 acres in 1891 for her family. She talked Henry Flagler into extending his railroad down to Miami, with the railroad arriving in 1896, and then building a luxury hotel to attract tourists and begin to lay out a new town.
A “hot spot” is the preserved world-famous Art Deco Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the internationally-renowned South Beach and more than 800 Art Deco white and pastel-colored stucco buildings that have been beautifully restored to their former splendor and are all located within one square mile.
Some of the other arts, performing arts, and cultural attractions include:
* Art Basel Miami Beach, the Americas' largest contemporary art fair each December where 200 leading galleries exhibit over 1,500 artists and attract dealers, art collectors, artists, curators and art enthusiasts from throughout the world.
* Lincoln Road has its Art Deco Colony Theater with first-rate comedy shows, live productions, and world-class film festivals. The New World Symphony, a prestigious classical music academy, presents a full concert season from October to May at the Lincoln Theatre. The Byron Carlyle has one-of-a-kind local dance and theater programs.
* The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater still continues the tradition of excellent live entertainment at this grand facility that Gleason made famous four decades ago.
* The impressive Arts in Public Places program where temporary art exhibitions in public areas provide a free treat for onlookers.
* Movies at the Park offers cultural choices from the drama of Shakespeare and opera to contemporary dance and tango to visitors and residents under the clear tropical sky.
Locate one of the best performing realtors in Miami Beach to show you and your family the delights that this city has to offer and explain why it is an outstanding place to live, work, retire, and enjoy the many available activities, entertainment, and sightseeing.
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Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay
