Smart Walking Tours self guided tour brings users to 17 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. Savoy Hotel- The Savoy Hotel is a prime example of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture. Learn about the man who built it as well as what elements make it such a prominent architectural landmark.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. The Henri Levy House- Now home to a restaurant, the Levy House was the former home of Miami Beach developer, Henri Levy.
10. The Eleventh Street Diner- The epitome of Art Deco, the Eleventh Street Diner had beginnings in New Jersey, operated in Pennsylvania and finally came to South Beach just over two decades ago.
11. The 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Almanac Apartments- While seemingly just a common apartment complex, the Almanac Apartments, with its Mediterranean architecture, was built during the height of Art Deco's craze, making the complex the antithesis of what was popular in South Beach at the time.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Loews Miami Beach- One of the most notable sites in South Beach, Loews Miami Beach's grand rotunda rises from the city skyline and is the epitome of Art Deco.