Miami / South Beach

Trendy district

South Beach is the center of queer life in Miami. Between Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, the pastel-colored Art Deco facades line each other, and the wide sandy beach is only a few steps away. If you walk through the area, you will quickly notice how international and strongly Latin American the scene is. The car-free Lincoln Road Mall with its cafés, restaurants and shops is also part of the fixed programme of a stay.

Beyond the city limits, it is worth taking a detour to Wilton Manors near Fort Lauderdale, about 40 minutes north. The suburb is considered one of the gayest communities in the USA. Around Wilton Drive, it bundles numerous bars, pubs and shops of the community in a small space.

Nightlife

Nightlife is spread across South Beach and the mainland. In South Beach, queer bars and clubs are mainly concentrated along Collins and Washington Avenue, where beach vibes alternate during the day and club sound at night. The celebrations are late, often until the early hours of the morning.

If you like it less touristy, head to Wilton Manors, where the bars are more relaxed and neighborly. Firmly on the calendar is the Winter Party, a multi-day festival on the beach that brings the community from all over the world to Miami Beach in the spring.

Beaches

Miami's gay beach is located in South Beach around 12th Street. During the day, the scene meets here to sunbathe, before moving on to the bars and clubs in the area in the evening. Wide and sandy, the beach stretches along the water and is well visited all year round.

Things are a little quieter to the north at Haulover Beach, which is known for its nudist section and also has a popular queer area. Both beaches can be easily reached within the city by bus or car.

Best time to visit

The most pleasant time to travel is in the dry, warm winter between December and April. During these months, the humidity remains bearable, and the temperatures are well suited to the beach and long days outdoors. On the other hand, it gets hot and humid in the summer from June to November, which also falls into the Atlantic hurricane season, in which heavy downpours and storms are possible.

Arrival

From German-speaking countries, you can reach Miami with direct flights from several major airports, such as Frankfurt. About twelve kilometers west of the city center is Miami International Airport (MIA). Depending on traffic, you can get from the airport to South Beach by taxi, rental car or car service in about 30 minutes.

Locally, renting a car comes in handy if you're planning destinations like Wilton Manors or the Everglades. Within South Beach itself, many things can be done comfortably on foot or by bus. As a German, Austrian or Swiss citizen, you usually need an ESTA permit to enter the country.

Safety & LGBT Rights

In Florida, same-sex marriages are recognized, and same-sex acts are legal. South Beach and Wilton Manors are considered open and queer-friendly, so travelers in these neighborhoods usually move safely in everyday life. As in any big city, it is worth paying attention to valuables and the surroundings at night.

At the state level, Florida has tightened several laws in recent years that affect LGBT issues, such as education. For a holiday in the trendy districts, this has hardly noticeable consequences. Before the trip, however, it is worth taking a look at current information from the Federal Foreign Office.