Art Deco Welcome Center

Tourist information center · Miami Beach

Art Deco Welcome Center

Tourist information center · Miami Beach

1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

3 Postcards

Highlights

Miami's Art Deco Historic District dazzles with its vintage charm, showcasing 800 vibrant structures and offering delightful tours amid stunning beach views.

1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Get directions

mdpl.org

@matadornetwork

"Miami Beach is home to the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, and for fans of this early-20th century style, nowhere compares to South Beach. The old hotels along Ocean Drive are the obvious spots to visit, but be sure to also check out the Miami Beach Police Station, the Wolfsonian Museum, and all of the Morris Lapidus-designed Lincoln Road pedestrian mall. There’s an Art Deco Welcome Center on 10th Street and Ocean Drive that can help guide you around." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Art and Culture in Miami

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@afar

"Art Deco Tour in Miami Beach Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District is the first 20th-century neighborhood to be recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, with 800 structures of historical significance, most built between 1923 and 1943. The Miami DesignPreservation Leaguehosts tours to view some of the city’s buildings and historic outdoor spaces. The candy-colored buildings overlook the emerald waters of the Atlantic and haveporthole windows, ship-like railings, sleek curves, glass blocks, shiny chrome, and gleaming terrazzo floors resemblingthe ocean liners of yore."

The Perfect Day in Miami

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@afar

The Perfect Weekend in Miami

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Michael Ingram

Google

Great place to start your exploration of Miami Beach. Glorious air conditioning and customer accessible (not public) restrooms. Great deal on bottled water (hydrate or die). We enjoyed a nice walking tour from here. Oh be sure to snag their excellent map of the district.

Angie P.

Google

$7 for adults and students are FREE; do not miss this little gem. There is a great collection of information on Miami's glow up and beyond! I spent about an hour or so here reading and looking and watched the short film. I spent about 35min in the gift shop buying all sorts of neat souvenirs! I am happy to support this museum and will visit again because that gift shop is so fun!

Hend Ben Lakhal

Google

Interesting visit! Passionate guide, explaining architectural design/style of south Miami Beach’s art deco

Jim Cenname

Google

A pleasant 2-hour guided tour and walk to learn about South Beach architecture and its history. Guide Julie was enthusiastic and pleasant. $35 is a fair price for an informative walk. I reserved in advance online. The Friday morning tour was probably 40 people but Julie didn't lose us.

Anup Kulkarni

Google

We walked through the District while participating in the annual Art Deco Festival. There is block after block of amazing hotels, bars and restaurants. All next to Lummus Park and the beaches. Lots of people walking their dogs while strolling through here. The festival included exercise, music, antique cars and more.

Naisha Dorvilus

Google

I went here and met the wonder Beatrice and Jeremy they gave me a history tour of the property and it’s amazing took me back in time they have one of a kind pieces you won’t find anywhere like this vintage Chanel bag made with shells and the jewelry wasn’t breaking my pockets they have something for any budget it’s also a hug part of art deco and proceeds go towards saving the Miami beaches art deco architecture ( I just learned this and it’s so many beautiful locations from the 1920’s with original art work and buildings)

Ebony A

Google

Really cool gift shop! They have ice cold water for sale and the ladies are so nice who work there. They also had some local handcrafted items like match boxes that were very unique.

Furd Burfle

Google

Great place. Has local transport and tourist information, so that's your nearest place in South Beach for this. It also has the museum of Art Deco, which documents the history of Ocean Drive and is definitely worth a visit. Great little exhibition in the centre for $5 entry. Well worth doing. 11th Street diner a block 6 you would be daft to miss that experience as featured in Diners,Drive Ins and Dives. It's such an excellent place.

Michael Ingram

Google

Angie P.

Google

Hend Ben Lakhal

Google

Interesting visit! Passionate guide, explaining architectural design/style of south Miami Beach’s art deco

Jim Cenname

Google

Anup Kulkarni

Google

Naisha Dorvilus

Google

Ebony A

Google

Really cool gift shop! They have ice cold water for sale and the ladies are so nice who work there. They also had some local handcrafted items like match boxes that were very unique.

Furd Burfle

Google

Gi V.

Yelp

1) The "Welcome Center" is a tiny vestibule. The rest is a poorly done 2 room museum with an entrance fee that is not advertised outside. 2) The exhibits read like a terrible dry grad school text book. And after coming from the sweltering heat, you really cannot digest the awfully written text. 3) An entire exhibit was a metal gate propped against a wall and a plaque effectively saying, "A house was demolished, this was going to go in a landfill, a neighbor asked to salvage it, here it is." 4) Another "exhibit" was an Ikea style glas cabinet filled with random glass vases (the kind you get a Goodwill) with no plaque explaining why half of a wall in a 2 room museum would be taken up with this ... I guess they had nothing else to display? 5) At lease have a vending machine for people who need a cold drink,

Ariel W.

Yelp

The Miami Design Preservation League is a non profit preservation and arts organization founded in 1976. Their goal is to preserve and protect the architectural, cultural, and social integrity of Miami Beach. The society was founded by Barbara Baer Capitman in 1976 making it the oldest Art Deco Society in the world. The Miami Design Preservation league operates the welcome center which contains a small museum. The current exhibit is "If Seats Could Talk: the Story of the Miami Marine Stadium." The museum offers lectures, films, exhibits, and other educational events. In addition to the museum the League runs the Art Deco gift shop next door. At the welcome center you can purchase tickets for the daily official Art Deco walking tour or if you prefer you can pick up a map for a self guided walking tour which i offered in 11 languages. The welcome center also provided information to visitors about cultural and sporting events, National Parks, city tours, and day trips. They can help answer any questions you have about the typical things people like to do on vacation. The Miami Design Preservation League works to promote the art, design, architecture, history of South Beach. South beach has been resurrected from a place people were afraid to drive through in the 80's into a world class vacation destination. At the heart of the transformation was the preservation of the Art Deco buildings from the 1930's. The restored historic buildings of South Beach are what makes it special and the MDPL works hard to make sure it stays that way.

Ann W.

Yelp

For $5 you easily get your money's worth... But when I got a call from a family member, poking me and saying I cannot talk on the phone while it's not posted anywhere was unnecessarily rude... People were "talking" all through the museum including a meeting going on.

Blessed Y.

Yelp

Checked into the center. Inside is the Official Art Deco gift shop. Fun store... Antique jewelry and a lot of area work. Karen S. Provided so much information of each item...

Jennifer C.

Yelp

MDPL Art Deco Welcome Center was a nice break from the sun, heat, and noise of South Beach. Staff are resourceful and can give you tons of ideas for things to do in and around the area along with brochures. There is an adjoining museum to stroll through for $5 that showcases pieces of history regarding music, art, furniture, and fashion of the area. We enjoyed our visit.

Jennifer W.

Yelp

We wandered in here our first day exploring Ocean Drive. It's a very small place so we just picked up a few brochures about Miami. There was only one employee in there, but she was talking to someone else so we didn't speak with anyone. At another entrance, there is a cute little shop with vintage and kitschy gifts. I'm a sucker for these types of items, but I didn't purchase anything.

Jeff G.

Yelp

I was at the beach and it started pouring so I ran in here for shelter. Turned out this little welcome center and museum was a great addition to my trip. The information about the history of Art Deco in Miami was understandable and interesting. I instantly grew an appreciation for the architecture in Miami Beach - both Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival. The lady at the counter was also very kind and gave me some recommendations for restaurants in the area. Good place to get your bearings on what Miami Beach has to offer. On the museum side of things, I do question whether they can justify a $5 entry fee for such a small exhibit, but if you see it as a donation to the preservation society then it works.

Jennifer T.

Yelp

Neat little place. Is the museum worth $5? Probably not, but it's full of info, has fun pieces of furniture and art. Stop in and see for yourself if it's something you're interested in. The shop next door is full of fun and vintage goodness, definitely pop in. I got some great unique postcards for friends and framing!

Nicole K.

Yelp

Went there yesterday and it was nice enough. There was only one counter with one person there who was helping a couple so we didn't really get to talk to anyone. It is very small and the only thing really in there is a pamphlet wall and a Christmas tree. It was nice enough to visit once. I will warn you though that the public restrooms behind the building are absolutely disgusting. I don't know if that is something they have control over but still, they are horrible so just be warned if you are planning to use them during your visit.

Jessica M.

Yelp

Very small museum, but entertaining and informative! I really loved the gift shop. It had Art Deco postcards and vintage reproductions, plus some quirky, fun gifts.

Cari O.

Yelp

We stopped on here and checked out the little tourist store as well. You could tour the little venue for $5 but we were not in the mood to. There is a lot of tourist information available here for Miami and Beyond.

Bruno F.

Yelp

When you're coming into South Beach and need a list or recommendations of things to do, you have to stop here. People here were very knowledgable and friendly and offered me many different activities. Very attentive and quick to help. I really enjoyed that.

Jim W.

Yelp

Cleanest public restroom ever. You'll be happy you know this once you try to use one down by the beach.

Candy B.

Yelp

The staff is very helpful. I was there to get information about public transportation and they pointed me in the right directions. This location has all the information you need as a tourist or just a local in need of directions. The staff is very well informed on all there is to do in South Florida. This is definitely where I would send tourist in need of information.

Helena H.

Yelp

I wanted to see their exhibit for art deco, which was open by donation. I did not have cash, and then was turned away although I offered to pay by credit card. Donation is a misnomer, and "entrance fee" is more appropriate term.

@matadornetwork

Art and Culture in Miami

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@afar

The Perfect Day in Miami

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@afar

The Perfect Weekend in Miami

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Michael Ingram

Google

Angie P.

Google

Hend Ben Lakhal

Google

Interesting visit! Passionate guide, explaining architectural design/style of south Miami Beach’s art deco

Jim Cenname

Google

Anup Kulkarni

Google

Naisha Dorvilus

Google

Ebony A

Google

Really cool gift shop! They have ice cold water for sale and the ladies are so nice who work there. They also had some local handcrafted items like match boxes that were very unique.

Furd Burfle

Google

Michael Ingram

Google

Angie P.

Google

Hend Ben Lakhal

Google

Interesting visit! Passionate guide, explaining architectural design/style of south Miami Beach’s art deco

Jim Cenname

Google

Anup Kulkarni

Google

Naisha Dorvilus

Google

Ebony A

Google

Really cool gift shop! They have ice cold water for sale and the ladies are so nice who work there. They also had some local handcrafted items like match boxes that were very unique.

Furd Burfle

Google

Gi V.

Yelp

Ariel W.

Yelp

Ann W.

Yelp

Blessed Y.

Yelp

Checked into the center. Inside is the Official Art Deco gift shop. Fun store... Antique jewelry and a lot of area work. Karen S. Provided so much information of each item...

Jennifer C.

Yelp

Jennifer W.

Yelp

Jeff G.

Yelp

Jennifer T.

Yelp

Nicole K.

Yelp

Jessica M.

Yelp

Very small museum, but entertaining and informative! I really loved the gift shop. It had Art Deco postcards and vintage reproductions, plus some quirky, fun gifts.

Cari O.

Yelp

Bruno F.

Yelp

Jim W.

Yelp

Cleanest public restroom ever. You'll be happy you know this once you try to use one down by the beach.

Candy B.

Yelp

Helena H.

Yelp