Miami Beach is 235 miles from Orlando about 3.5 Hours drive. In 1979 Miami Beach's Art Deco Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Art Deco District is the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world and is comprised of hundreds of hotels, apartments and other structures erected between 1923 and 1943.

Mediterranean, Streamline Moderne and Art Deco are all represented in the District. The Historic District is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the East, Lenox Court on the West, 6th Street on the South and Dade Boulevard along the Collins Canal to the North. The movement to preserve the Art Deco District's architectural heritage was led by former interior designer Barbara Capitman, who now has a street in the District named in her honor

Many people know of Miami thanks to the hit TV show, Miami Vice, which gave the city much recognition in the '80s.

Miami Beach, particularly Ocean Drive of what is now the Art Deco District, was also featured prominently in the movie Scarface. Many famous people have homes in the Miami area. Lincoln Road is a nationally known spot for great outdoor dining, bike riding, and shopping. Miami Beach is home to many retired people, and particularly snowbirds when the cold winter sets in to the north.

South Beach is the part of Miami Beach, that encompasses the southernmost 23 blocks of the island separating the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. This area was the first section of Miami Beach to be developed, starting in the 1910s. The area has gone through numerous man-made and natural changes over the years, including a booming regional economy, increased tourism, and the 1926 hurricane that destroyed much of the area. South Beach (also known as SoBe, or "The Beach") is one of the more popular areas of Miami Beach. Topless sunbathing is tolerated on certain designated areas of the beach. Before the TV show Miami Vice helped make the area popular, SoBe was rundown with vacant buildings. Today, it is considered one of the richest commercial areas on the beach.

Ocean Drive is the easternmost street in South Beach, and stems from south of First to 16th Street, running in a north-south direction. Ocean Drive is responsible for the South Beach aesthetic that most out-of-town visitors expect. It is a popular Spring Break and tourist area, including the famous, yet predominately local, Pearl and Nikki Beach night spots. It is also home to several prominent restaurants (including "News Cafe," "Mango's," and the MTV-popularized "Clevelander") and is the site of Gianni Versace's former ocean front mansion.

Lincoln Road is an open-air pedestrian mall, considered South Beach's premiere shopping area. It is home to many restaurants and several night clubs, such as Score and Funktion, as well as many retail outlets. While Lincoln Road was one time rather downtrodden, its unique boutique shops and restaurants have given it "an esoteric chic that maintains its trendy appeal." (ref. Ocean Drive Magazine) It is located in between 16th Street and 17th Street and spans the beach in an east-west direction

South Beach has a very active club and bar scene. It is host to over 150 clubs and other destinations, most of which close at 5 am. South Beach can be expensive, and access to nightclubs is often difficult for non-locals who do not have connections, or do not plan their evenings in advance. Access to the more popular nightspots can cost anywhere from $20-60 for entry (depending on event and venue) and sometimes comes with a wait of several hours, in addition to evaluation by door staff.

Nightlife in South Beach is dynamic and ever-changing, although some watering holes like The Clevelander and "The Deuce" have remained steadfast tourist destinations on Ocean Drive for well over a decade. Clubs constantly change decor, name, and owner, so it is difficult to state at any given time which clubs are popular. The average club is only open for about a season or less. Recently, the local government has been taking steps to prevent these short-lived venues from establishing themselves at all. South Beach is one of the world's foremost locations for fashion shoots, making the Miami area the model shoot capital of the United States. Approximately 1,500 models live in the area, with many more arriving during the prime fashion shooting season, running from October to March. Ocean Drive is the most popular place for shoots, but back streets are often used as well.

Manatees in the Wild -- You are likely to see wild manatees from the shore and along the harbours, canals, and intracoastal waterways. One good place is in Coral Gables at the intersection of Old Cutler, Sunset, and Douglas Road. Other good locations are: Black Point Marina, Oleta Park, and Dante Fascell Visitor Center.

Miami Airport is the Third largest airport in the US with over 400,000 flights and over 30 million passengers a year. It is quite close to Miami beach with a taxi ride costing around $25 for the 20 minute trip. There many duty free shops and they are undergoing a a huge $4 Billion modernisation program incorporating a new terminal, runway and roads.

To get to Miami from Orlando you need to take either the Interstate 95 or the Florida Turnpike (Toll) and take state road 112 continue on the 112 connector to the Airport.

More info can be found on the Perfect Florida Villas forums or The Perfect Florida Guide