Art Deco Welcome Center
Miami Beach, FL 33139-5080
Phone: (305) 531-3484
Editorial Review for Art Deco Welcome Center – by Stephen Bridges
In Short
The friendly volunteer staff here considers themselves to be the ambassadors of the Art Deco District. Run by the Miami Design Preservation League, whose on going efforts have saved South Beach from the developer's bulldozer, the center offers an assortment of tours. Aside from weekly walks of historic South Beach, it also sponsors monthly tours of Lincoln Road, private gardens, the Miami Beach waterways and even an "Art Deco Underworld" tour of Al Capone's prohibition haunts. The center sells all kinds of collectible souvenirs, but this is cool kitsch, definitely a step above your typical tourist trap gift shop. It specializes in reproductions of antique postcards, vintage deco travel posters and home accessories with the streamlined look. Best of all, proceeds benefit the league's preservation efforts.
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Insider Tips
Get SeriousThose with more than a casual interest in art deco will appreciciate the MDPL Historic District Shop (510 Lincoln Road) which carries an assortment of architecture books and modern furniture.
Love BoatBe sure to check out the back side of the welcome center. It's a prime example of the sub-genre known as Tropical Deco, a style that mimics the lines of 1920's era oceanliners.
