South Beach's broad, immaculate strand ranks as one of the Travel Channels' top ten beaches in the world. The Surfrider Foundation voted it the premier urban beach in the U.S.

But there's more than fine white sand to this fantasy land of exuberant architecture, pulsating night life and spectacular shoreline in a scene as cool as the sun is hot. Occupying less than two square miles on the southern tip of Miami Beach, South Beach's subtropical sandbar has an identity of its own.

South Beach has been called the American Riviera and an Art Deco Playground. The area has taken on new life as a big, ultra-chic, 24/7 street party.

With its beautiful beach and whimsical architecture, the area has also become a favored location for films, music and television shows and a backdrop for fashion shoots. The renaissance of South Beach was a factor in Greater Miami and Beaches' growth as a nationally recognized center for film, television and print production and Latin music.

The Art Deco Historic District, with the largest concentration of 1920's and 1930s architecture in the world, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and recognized globally as one of Greater Miami and the Beaches' unique attractions.

SIGHTSEEING
Start at South Pointe Park, the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, for a close-up view of ships heading through the deep water channel known as Government Cut to the Port of Miami. Across the channel rise the Mediterranean-style buildings of Fisher Island, accessible only by ferry.

A visit to South Beach redefines how you look at buildings - the corner curves, soaring finials and glass brick expanses of the Art Deco architectural style create a time warp here. Stand in Lummus Park, a green expanse bordering the wide beach and note how the pastel pinks, bright aquas and canary yellows of the Ocean Drive hotels fight for space in the sky. Outdoor cafes are ideal for people-watching.

To feel the area's buzz you can join a walking tour given by the Art Deco District Welcome Center or explore the area on your own. Look out for South Beach's other attractions: the Wolfsonian/FIU collection, housed in a 1927 Mediterranean Revival building; The Bass Museum with a new Grand Gallery to display its art collections; the Jackie Gleason Theater, where Broadway Shows come to town and the Miami Beach Convention Center, site of major expositions and events. The Lincoln Theatre on Lincoln Road is home to the New World Symphony; the Colony Theater, a performing arts center, and the Alliance Cinema, specializing in foreign, art, documentary and independent films. Second Thursdays turn South Beach streets and venues into a monthly cultural celebration with open dance, music and theater rehearsals, lectures, art gallery opening and meet-the artist receptions.

SHOPPING
South Beach has its own designer district on Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue and on Ocean Drive. Find shops and boutiques with names like Armani Exchange, Nicole Miller, Versace, and Betsey Johnson as well as locally owned stores with limited edition merchandise.

Pedestrian-only Lincoln Road Shopping District offers an eclectic mix of intriguing boutiques and bookstores, art galleries and home design shops. Here you can join the crowds browsing and buying until the stores close well into the night. Regular antique shows draw throngs on the weekends. Española Way, a block-long Spanish-style village street, is dotted with stores selling New Age and retro items.

DINING AND NIGHT LIFE
With dozens of restaurants within a few blocks, South Beach rates as a culinary meeting-spot for gourmet to casual cuisine inspired by Italy, France, China, Thailand, Cuba and Latin America. Stone crabs are a South Beach specialty too. In a town that seems to never sleep, restaurants are busy until the wee hours.

At night South Beach comes alive with crowds dressed in party-casual chic heading for the action in one of the liveliest night scenes found anywhere. Talented musicians and singers perform live in local night spots; dancers gyrate to throbbing house music in packed dance clubs and rock and jazz spills out of hotels, clubs and bars. Club hopping is the rule in the neon-lit darkness. In South Beach the possibilities are endless.