With nicknames like "America's Riviera" and the "Art Deco Playground," it's no wonder so many people flock to South Beach. Travelers see South Beach not only as one of the best vacation areas in Florida but as one of the best in the country. Popular perception has somewhat pigeonholed the area as being reserved exclusively for the young and beautiful and 24-hour partiers, but that's not necessarily the case. The truth is that South Beach welcomes anyone looking for pristine sand, amazing food, and yes, a buzzing nightlife.

The options are limitless: you can spend the whole day shopping at boutiques, getting pampered at an opulent spa, or just strolling along Ocean Drive. Families can take the kids over to see the animals at Jungle Island or to play at the Miami Children's Museum for some educational fun. South Beach also hosts numerous festivals and events, including volleyball tournaments, Art Deco Weekend and music, and art shows.

And of course, there's the beach itself. Many choose to set up camp in Lummus Park, which runs roughly from 5th Street to 14th Street. Here you'll find white sand, beautiful water, volleyball nets, and ample people-watching opportunities. Recent visitors said they appreciated how clean the beach is kept and noted the clear blue water sometimes makes you feel like you're no longer even in the U.S. You may notice a lot of preening going on here, but that's just part of the fun. 
South Beach has a well-deserved reputation for not being the most affordable of neighborhoods. (It's home to some of Miami Beach's best hotels.) While it's possible to explore the area on a budget, you're sure to have a fuller experience if you have some funds at your disposal.

South Beach takes up the southern chunk of Miami Beach; most agree that the northern boundary of South Beach runs from Dade Boulevard on the western bayside until it hits 24th Street on the eastern ocean side. Hotels in South Beach are expensive, but your nightly rate might include a resort fee, which might cover the cost of beach chairs and umbrellas. Otherwise, those can run anywhere from $10 to $35 a day. Cost-conscious travelers should look farther north, between 24th and 192nd streets, where they'll find accommodations with much more palatable prices.