If you’ve decided that the endless sunshine and scenic beauty of Miami are simply too much to ignore any longer, then take your adventure one step further by heading to beautiful Miami Beach just off the coast. Located on a barrier island to the east of mainland Miami, Miami Beach and trendy South Beach are waiting to offer you a beach vacation with more waterfront excitement than you could possibly imagine.

Most popularly known for its Art Deco Historic District and its lovely beaches, Miami Beach is more than just a place to work on your tan and soak in some stunning architecture. In the popular South Beach area, shopping takes center stage with everything from common clothing chains and unique boutiques, where you can pick up some clothes no else can copy, to art galleries and jewelry stores for those who cannot fit anymore outfits into their overstuffed closets. While there are four main shopping areas where you can pick up a few goodies, the one to definitely peruse is the Collins Avenue/Washington Avenue for its extensive offering of designer duds and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

After strutting your stuff on the catwalks, or streets, of South Beach and selecting a couple of great new outfits, then you are definitely ready to take on the oh so chic nightclubs and party like a celebrity. Miami Beach clubs are known for being celebrity hotspots, meaning they can be difficult to get in, but if you dress appropriately and bring plenty of cash the night should go smoothly. While most tourists flock to Ocean Drive even though there aren’t many clubs, Washington Avenue is definitely the place to go for a memorable evening in its many bars and clubs.

Since many of the clubs in Miami Beach stay open until 5 a.m., it can be difficult to rouse yourself out of bed and get your body moving towards something more productive after a long night. However, there is a remedy for your sleepy state and the answer lies in the warm air, sunny skies, and soft sandy beaches of Miami Beach. Stretching for more than 12 miles along Collins Avenue, sparkling white sand and blue-green waters are waiting to clear the fog from your eyes and entertain you with an afternoon of sunbathing, swimming, and just about any other water-filled pursuit you can imagine.

With such a long expanse along the Atlantic Ocean and most of it open to the public, it can be difficult to select the perfect sunning spot for your time on the island. As a general rule, if you want to avoid the crowds and all of the people-watching, head further north along Miami Beach. But if you enjoy the atmosphere of a bustling beach, South Beach is definitely the place to go for pretty people and perfect tans. There are also sidewalk cafes along the beach to offer you refreshment should you need a break from the sweltering Miami sun.

No Miami Beach vacation is complete without a stroll through the Art Deco District, so pull yourself away from the glitz and glamour of the beach for at least one afternoon and take a stroll past the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. Built between 1923 and 1943, there are hundreds of apartments, hotels, and other structures that represent Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Mediterranean styles. The Art Deco District Welcome Center in South Beach offers great walking tours to ensure you catch all the sights, while Lummus Park is perfect for viewing the antique neon signs on Ocean Drive at night.

Miami Beach complements its lovely beach surroundings with a swanky environment that is sure to stand out in your mind as one of the most original vacation spots in the country. The shopping, dancing, and endless sunbathing are bound to leave you more relaxed than ever before, so why not add convenience to your getaway by staying in a Miami Beach rental. An utterly distinct option that flows with your unique setting, Miami Beach FL vacation rentals are sprinkled throughout the island so you can stay close to your favorite attractions without giving up any of the comforts of home. Leave behind the ordinary every step of the way, and realize the Florida getaway you always wanted in a vacation home rental.