Tourists Don't Know
What tourists do not know about Mid-Beach.
· 4 min read · Miami Beach
Most visitors aim straight for South Beach, the neon and the crowds. Locals know the better trade is a few blocks north, in Mid-Beach. Here is what the guidebooks tend to skip about the stretch of Miami Beach around Collins Avenue and the 50s.
Mid-Beach is the calm version
Mid-Beach runs roughly through the 40s and 50s on Collins, between busy South Beach and residential North Beach. Same ocean, same sand, far less chaos. The beach is wider and quieter, and you can actually hear the water.
The beachwalk is free and underused
A paved beachwalk runs behind the dunes along this part of the coast. It is free, flat, and shaded in stretches, and it is the best way to move up and down the beach without dealing with traffic on Collins. Early morning and golden hour are the two times to be on it.
Order coffee like you live here
- Skip the drip. Order a cortadito, Cuban-style espresso cut with a little steamed milk
- A cafecito is the small sweet shot that runs the city, finished in two sips
- A colada is the big one meant to be shared, with little cups for the group
- All of it is at our espresso bar at 5101 Collins, from $2.50, open at 7am
The little things that save the day
Parking is tighter and pricier the closer you get to South Beach, so staying in Mid-Beach and walking is the move. And when you forget sunscreen, a charger, water, or a snack, the corner store beats the hotel minibar every time. We are in the lobby at 5101 Collins, open 7am to 10pm, with delivery across Mid-Beach if the towel has you pinned.
Quick answers
- What is the difference between Mid-Beach and South Beach?
- South Beach is the busy, neon, nightlife end of Miami Beach. Mid-Beach, around the 40s and 50s on Collins Avenue, is quieter and more residential, with a wider, calmer beach and the historic MiMo hotels.
- Is the Miami Beach beachwalk free?
- Yes. The paved beachwalk behind the dunes is free and open to everyone, and it runs along the Mid-Beach coast. It is the easiest way to walk the beach without using Collins Avenue.
- Where do locals get coffee in Mid-Beach?
- Locals order Cuban-style coffee: cortaditos, cafecitos, and coladas. Green Market at 5101 Collins Ave pours them from 7am daily, starting at $2.50.