The most popular streets in Miami include the city’s legendary and glamourous strips, some of which you simply can’t miss on your visit. Conjuring images of sunny beaches, beautiful people, and a uniquely vibrant local culture, the South Florida city of Miami is without doubt one of America’s most iconic destinations.

Miami is renowned for its streets varying widely in character, and it’s home to bustling boulevards, thriving thoroughfares, and squares full of character. Through this guide, we’ll have a look at the most popular places for a stroll or a drive in Miami, taking in the diverse palette of this special city. 

  • 1

    Ocean Drive

    Miami’s legendary and glamorous thoroughfare

    Ocean Drive
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    Ocean Drive undoubtedly ranks high among the most popular streets in Miami. Traversing the length of South Beach, this is the place to see and be seen in town. It’s a 1.3-mile stretch that was recently pedestrianized. This makes a stroll along Ocean Drive one of Miami’s great leisurely pleasures.

    Among the major appeals of this famous street is taking in the area’s unique Art Deco hotels, restaurants, and bars, and it’s also great for people-watching. There’s plenty of shops offering everything from haute couture to kitschy souvenirs, which further makes Ocean Drive a carnival of contrasts. The range of Art Deco buildings lining this street is truly spectacular, so make time for a nighttime stroll if you can to see their neon facades.

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  • 2

    Calle Ocho

    The heart of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood

    Calle Ocho
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    Calle Ocho is the most vibrant street at the beating heart of Cuban culture in Miami. Running through Little Havana east to west, this is a must-visit spot packed with Cuban bars, restaurants, and cafes serving specialties like Cuban sandwiches and strong dark coffee.

    Just as dynamic during the daytime as twilight, Calle Ocho is brimming with murals and art installations with a strong Cuban influence. The street is also known for its Walk of Fame, a Latin American version of Hollywood’s, which pays tribute to notable Cuban figures and celebrities. Why not consider a food tasting or culture tour while in Little Havana?

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    Location: 18th St, Miami, FL 33135, USA

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    photo by Phillip Pessar (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Miracle Mile

    A palm-fringed boulevard and premier shopping destination

    Miracle Mile
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    Miracle Mile is the name given to one of Miami’s most popular streets, a half-mile stretch of Coral Way in the city’s business district. Home to shops, financial institutions, restaurants, and an arts institution, this is a seriously diverse street that offers visitors a multitude of things to see and do.

    The palm tree-lined Miracle Mile is one of Miami’s top picks for designer fashion, home furniture, and more. The street also boasts many of the city’s top eateries. Among the landmarks worth checking out is the Colonnade Building, which boasts a mixture of Spanish Colonial and Baroque architecture and dates back to the Roaring Twenties.

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    Location: Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA

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  • 4

    Biscayne Boulevard

    Vintage charm in this bustling thoroughfare

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    Biscayne Boulevard is one of Miami’s most important thoroughfares, running north to south through Wynwood and into Downtown Miami. The street comes into its own with the vintage motels around MiMo, Miami’s rapidly gentrifying upper east side. Packed with character and retro charm, this segment of Biscayne Boulevard is a great spot to come for unique photographs as well as vintage diners, cafes, and more.

    Other notable things to see and do on Biscayne Boulevard include marveling at the Freedom Tower, catching an event at the Kaseya Center, watching a Broadway show at the Adrienne Arsht Center, experiencing exhibits at the Pérez Art Museum Miami, relaxing in Bayfront Park, and shopping for souvenirs at the Bayside Marketplace.

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    photo by Ed Webster (CC BY 2.0) modified

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    Española Way

    A historic South Beach spot for dining and shopping

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    Miami’s Española Way was created back in the 1920s to inject a sense of Latin culture into South Beach. Since then, the street has remained at the center of the area’s cultural scene, offering a cool array of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shopping options.

    Fully pedestrianized, Española Way is a street that can be visited any time of day but which truly comes to life in the evening. Many of the eateries here spill out onto the sidewalk, offering an atmospheric place to enjoy tapas and cocktails. Some of the best restaurants here include the wonderful vintage-themed Italian, Hosteria Romana, and Havana 1957, which serves delicious authentic Cuban food.

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  • 6

    Lincoln Road

    World-famous shopping in South Beach

    Lincoln Road
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    Lincoln Road is a legendary shopping street at the heart of Miami’s glamorous South Beach. As one of the most popular streets in Miami, it’s a definitive destination for South Beach shopping, offering a huge selection of designer, high-street, and boutique fashion stores.

    Lincoln Road is also renowned for its people-watching, best done from one of its many bars, cafes, and restaurants. Some local favorites include Abbey Brewing Co. and Sbarro for authentic Italian espresso. The architecture along Lincoln Road is stunning too, so take your coffee to go and embark on a sightseeing stroll.

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  • 7

    NW 2nd Ave

    Art, fashion, and great coffee in Wynwood

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    NW 2nd Ave has become the main drag in Miami’s hipster hotspot of Wynwood in recent years. Though the area’s famous murals are to be found all over, NW 2nd is where you can find the premier offerings at Wynwood Walls, with graffiti by some of the world’s finest.

    A trip to NW 2nd Ave should include a visit to the vibrant, artsy hub that is Panther Coffee. The street is also home to a glut of high-concept stores selling everything from original artwork to designer sneakers. The Marketplace should be on your itinerary if you're looking for vintage fashion, and you must sample wares from the food trucks here too.

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  • 8

    Brickell Avenue

    Miami’s most affluent street

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    Brickell Avenue, south from Downtown Miami, is a segment of the U.S. Route 1 highway that’s home to some of the city’s priciest real estates. For this reason, it’s often referred to as Millionaire’s Row by the locals.

    Brickell Avenue passes right through Miami’s business district and is lined with high-rises as well as swanky restaurants, bars, and cafes. The street is also home to a wide array of high-end shops including boutiques, furniture stores, and galleries. Boat cruises and sightseeing tours in Miami often highlight Millionaire’s Row as among their must-sees.

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  • 9

    Flagler Street

    A busy downtown artery with historic architecture

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    Flagler Street, which runs east to west across Miami, is one of the city's most historic streets. The street spans 12.4 miles, blending landmark buildings from the 1920s with the city’s famous Art Deco architecture.

    A stroll down the downtown portion of Flagler Street comprises a deep exploration into Miami’s long and fabled history. Key buildings include the Olympia Theater, the famous La Epoca department store, and the 777 International Mall. The mall might be closed now, but retains its retro marquee so is worth a commemorative photograph.

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  • 10

    Collins Avenue

    One of Miami’s grand old streets and shopping neighborhoods

    Collins Avenue
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    Collins Avenue is one of the city’s majestic retro streets, offering a taste of everything that makes Miami famous along its 13.1 miles. Here you’ll find vintage Art Deco architecture, towering palm trees, and regular glimpses of the adjacent Atlantic Ocean.

    Collins Avenue is home to legendary hotels such as the Eden Roc and the Fontainebleau, perfect examples of the flamboyant style that ruled Miami in the 1950s and 1960s. Other landmark sites on Collins Ave include the Bass, a cutting-edge art museum showcasing contemporary works from Miami and beyond. Included in the museum's admission fee is a highlights tour, which showcases the museum's most popular exhibits.

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James Connolly | Guest Writer