If you are in South Beach, you really should take a walk on famed Ocean Drive. The people watching is fun, the unique Art Deco style hotels are colorful, and you can recognize the scenes from many movies and TV shows dating back to Miami Vice and Scarface.

There are many restaurants and bars along Ocean Drive. Some are great and some are just tourist traps. Check the Trip Advisor reviews before you get hooked by someone promising a "special" deal. Many times it comes with strings or you pay more for drinks, etc. which negates what ever special was promised.

Some places I like: News Cafe, Wet Willies, Caffe Milano, Pelican, Fish Called Avalon.

Ocean drive is the best shopping right by the beach!! They have tons of beautiques and restaurants. So much fun!

Its nice but honestly i wish i spent my morning elsewhere. Its all just shops that they have at malls at home an the rest are hotels peddling every 5 feet for you to come eat in there restaurant. Annoying

Having lived near restaurant row in the theater district of Manhattan for many years, the town side of of Ocean Drive reminded me of the pre-theater crowds on the sidewalk at dinner time. The hosts are the typical soliciting types, the food and drinks all look the same. That said, Bongos at Larios was fine after a day of walking around for the experience. Service there was ok. Food was good.

Stay on the beach side of the street and admire the buildings -- pretty when lit at night. The crowd seems to be more of the 2 Coronas in a Margarita bowl type, but I once was young and in love with alcohol in mass quantities, so I can't judge. The Clevelander & Mangos looked like a spring break mecca. Lummus park is a nice place to chill under the palms, maybe rent a bike to ride on the beach path behind.

Welcome center in the area very nice.