It all started with the restoration of an impressive row of Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive. More than 800 Deco structures were built there in the 1930s and 1940s. Now, the hotels' comely facades beckon with sherbet-hued exteriors, glass-block windows, rounded corners and "eyebrow" window shades, and names like the Leslie, the Avalon and the Shelborne. Today, the historically designated district has the world's largest collection of this architecture. The Art Deco Weekend in January celebrates this district's evolution.

Here, first-class hotels share palm-lined streets with hip youth hostels, where backpackers exchange budget travel tips. Members of a new café society gather to discuss literature, politics and the arts. Models and photographers pose for fashion magazines, and honored chefs dish out Latin and Caribbean cuisine at various indoor and outdoor venues at places like Yuca and Pacific Time.

The district has become an internationally regarded nightlife venue. At night, 10 blocks of Ocean Drive become an endless party. The Electrowave shuttle service, Florida's first electric transit system, breezes through South Beach's heart along Washington taking passengers to hot spots like Bash and Living Room. The cozy sidewalk cafes, art galleries and boutiques of Lincoln Road are surrounded by waves of live music, ranging from hot rock to cool blues and jazz.