Miami Beach History and Sightseeing Tour

Experience Miami Beach's vice, glamour, and secrets, gaining invaluable insider tips for your stay. This dynamic tour blends walking and trolley riding, offering more sightseeing, architecture, culture, and cuisine. Learn about Miami Beach's fascinating history and how Jewish elders, Cuban refugees, Hollywood, and the mafia shaped this "Billion Dollar Sandbar." The tour covers world-famous attractions and ventures beyond tourist hotspots to uncover hidden gems, from charming historic streets to trendy rooftops, secret speakeasies, and top local eateries. Visit filming locations from "Miami Vice," "Scarface," & "The Birdcage," and explore local hangouts not found in standard tourist guides. We'll visit the Art Deco District, Ocean Drive, Versace Mansion, South Pointe Park & Pier, Fisher Island, Port of Miami, Espanola Way, & Lincoln Road Mall, and step inside historic South Beach hotels. This is Miami's only tour with professional guides holding Hospitality & Tourism Management degrees.

Meeting Point

Art Deco Welcome Center

1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

We meet outside by the stairs in front of the ART DECO WELCOME CENTER at 1001 Ocean Drive- Ocean Drive & 10th Street. Arrive 10-15 minutes before start time. It's not possible to join any of the tours halfway or once it has started. THIS WALKING TOUR IS 2 HOURS ON FOOT. THE REST IS WITH THE TROLLEY.

What's included:

• Discounts on bike rentals and tours in South Beach with your ticket.
• Our small group tours allow for a more personalized, intimate and tailored experience.
• Complimentary admission to the Official Art Deco Museum in Miami Beach.
• Get insider knowledge on shopping, tours and sightseeing to rooftops, nightlife & even speakeasies.
• Private Tours available. Inquire directly with Sobeach Tours.
• Get insights into must-see sights, unique hidden gems and secret locations that many tourists miss.
• Get to know Hollywood film locations that made Miami famous such as Miami Vice, Scarface & Birdcage.
• 10% off any item at the Art Deco Gift Shop.
• 50% off our online Miami Undiscovered Travel Guide.
• Half off cocktails/drinks all day at a historic Art Deco hotel on Ocean Drive.
• Exclusive access to the interiors of historic hotels and other landmark structures.
• Get insider tips and recommendations from your guide on local restaurants and bars.
• Only tour with professional guides holding degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Miami Beach

Miami Beach, Florida

Visit top attractions and hidden gems no other tour in Miami will show you.

10 minutes

Art Deco Historic District

, , Miami Beach, Florida

Visit the heart of the Miami Architectural and Art Deco Historic districts and take a deep dive into Art Deco history, architecture and preservation with your dedicated expert guide. Walk along glamorous Ocean Drive seeing the most relevant Art Deco buildings in South Beach with a visit to the interior of several historic hotels and buildings.

10 minutes

Ocean Drive

Miami Beach, 33139, Florida

Visit the oldest and most famous dive bar in Miami established in 1926 made famous by celebrities, Playboy and Miami Vice.

10 minutes

Collins Avenue

Miami Beach, Florida

This tour touches on various subjects including art, history, architecture, art deco, fun facts, pop culture, celebrities, gangsters, local cuisine, and much more. Hear stories about South Beach's legendary nightlife during the late 80s and visit the most famous nightclub of that era.

10 minutes

Espanola Way

Miami Beach, 33139, Florida

Visit a cobblestone Mediterranean village built in the 1920s frequented by JC Penney and Harvey Firestone turned into a den of vice and crime frequented by bookies, bootleggers and gangsters by the 30s. Enter a clandestine gambling spot and a rooftop.

10 minutes

Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road, , Miami Beach, 33139, Florida

Visit one of the top attractions in Miami Beach. Take a leisurely stroll along a 1-mile open air pedestrian mall with more than 200 retail stores, cafes, restaurants, bars and cinemas. Hear stories about the pioneers who developed Miami Beach into a world class resort for the rich.

10 minutes

Versace Mansion

1116 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

World-famous Ocean Drive is one of the most photographed stretches of Miami Beach. Here we find, nestled among low-rise Art Deco hotels, Villa Casa Casuarina – better known as the Versace Mansion, the former Miami Beach home of fashion designer Gianni Versace. The Versace mansion is the third most photographed house in the United States behind Elvis’ Graceland and the White House. The Mediterranean Revival style palace, lined with the designer’s signature Greek mythology Medusa logo in gold bas relief, has been the subject of fascination for locals and tourists alike on Ocean Drive ever since Gianni Versace’s untimely murder on its front steps in 1997 at age 50.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

South Pointe Park

1 Washington Avenue, , Miami Beach, 33139-7323, Florida

South Pointe Park is a vibrant green space at the southern tip of Miami Beach, offering stunning views of the South Beach shoreline, Port of Miami’s cruise ships, and Downtown Miami’s skyline. You might get lucky and spot the Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, docked at the Port of Miami's Dodge Island. For photo-worthy views, take a stroll along the 20-foot wide promenade and see Fisher Island across the water as yachts pass by, then continue on to South Pointe Pier.

10 minutes

Mango's Miami

900 Ocean Dr, , Miami Beach, 33139-5013, Florida

Mango's Tropical Cafe in South Beach is the ultimate hotspot for dining, dancing, and entertainment in Miami. With a lively atmosphere that keeps the party going until 5 AM every night, guests can enjoy a Latin Cabaret Revue show, sip on delicious mojitos while learning salsa, and groove to the beats of live music in the #1 nightclub in South Beach. Mango’s became one of the world’s most famous nightclubs in the 90s and is regularly frequented by celebrities such as Will Smith, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Tiger Woods, Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony and Andy Garcia.

10 minutes

Art Deco Museum

1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, 33139-5080, Florida

The Art Deco Visitor Information Center is your go-to spot for all things Miami Beach vacation planning. Located in the lobby of the Art Deco Welcome Center in the heart of the Art Deco Historic Disctrict at 10th Street and Ocean Drive, this friendly concierge hub offers assistance with things to do, places to eat, attractions, tours, and adventures to make your trip a breeze. Stop by for info, maps, brochures, and event guides – no admission fee required! The Center also houses the Official Art Deco Museum and the Art Deco Gift Shop filled with original Art Deco posters, t-shirts, books, cards, vintage items, jewelry, memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind art.

10 minutes

Scarface Hotel

728 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

The Scarface Hotel, located at 728 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida, is where the infamous chainsaw scene from the 1983 crime drama film took place. In the movie, Tony Montana and his crew visit the Sunray Motel to buy drugs from a Colombian gang, only to find themselves in a deadly setup. The hotel is now home to a CVS store, but back in the day, it was a Johnny Rockets joint. So, if you're ever strolling down Ocean Drive, keep an eye out for this iconic filming location!

10 minutes

Mac's Club Deuce

222 14th St, , Miami Beach, 33139-4207, Florida

One of the few remaining dive bars in Miami Beach (and one of the oldest), Mac's Club Deuce is the seaside town's definitive spot to drink, feed the jukebox, and shoot pool. Not much has changed inside this legendary establishment which opened in 1926.

10 minutes

Palace Bar & Restaurant

1052 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, 33139-5014, Florida

Grab your camera and head over to a Drag Queen show. The Palace is the most famous LGBTQ bar in Miami since 1988! Located on Ocean Drive, it's a popular destination for locals and tourists looking to enjoy a fun night out. The colorful décor and friendly staff add to the overall experience, making it a must-visit for anyone wanting to soak up the energetic vibe of South Beach.

10 minutes