Cultural Walking Tours Of South Florida

South Florida is a tourist destination, so naturally, there are tours of every sort available. While most locals skip these tourist traps, many tours can expand your knowledge of local scenes and cause you to look at an everyday building in a new light. There are also culinary tours that expand the foodie’s palate and cocktail tours that pour exotic libations. All you need is a pair of walking shoes and an open mind.

Miami Design Preservation League
1001 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 672-2014
www.mdpl.org

The Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) has the best of both worlds. You can select a volunteer guided walking tour or an audio self-guided tour. The volunteer-led tours will give you an expansive view of the Art Deco scene, Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture, Jewish Miami Beach and Gay and Lesbian Miami. These tours typically costs $20 to $25 per person and are about 90 minutes long. Conversely, you can do a self-guided Art Deco Tour of Miami Beach for $15 at your own pace and save yourself from the crowds.

Art Deco Private Walking Tour
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 814-4058
www.artdecowalkingtours.com

The Art Deco Private Walking Tour is more than just a tour of South Beach’s architecture. It has two other tours that explores ecletic cocktails and Little Havana’s unique culture. Tickets start at $30 for this two-hour guided tour and it’s available in several languages including French and Spanish. Groups are small and private tours are also available.

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Walking Tours
219 S.W. 2 Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 463-4431
www.fortlauderdalehistoricsociety.org

Date: First Sunday of the month; 2:30 p.m.

For those looking to save a couple of bucks and learn more about Fort Lauderdale’s historic past, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society offers walking tours monthly on the first Sunday of the month. The tours start at 2:30 p.m. and offers historical information about Henry Flager, the New River and the Florida East Coast Railroad. The best part is that it’s totally free so you can take the tours as many times as you like and even bring a family member along to enjoy the ride. It’s the best bet for your pocketbook and a great way to learn about Fort Lauderdale.

Related: Top Parks To Walk Your Dog In South Florida 

Miami Food Tours
Lincoln Road in South Beach
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(786) 361-0991
www.miamifoodtours.com

If you are ready for a three-hour tour that won’t take you to Gilligan’s Island, then try Miami Food Tours. It’s a bit pricey with tickets for the South Beach Tour Des Forks starting at $53 for adults, but it includes a 1.5-mile guided walk of South Beach’s Art Deco neighborhood and tasting that include lunch and snacks. If South Beach isn’t your scene, the Swooped with Forks tour is a part walking/riding tour that explores Venezuelan, Pan-American and Greek cuisine from Wynwood and MiMo alike. This tour is pricier at $110 per person but it lasts four hours and spans 10 miles.

Miami Culinary Tours
1000 5th St., Suite 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(786) 942-8856
www.miamiculinarytours.com

Miami Culinary Tours has been featured by The Travel Channel and Forbes Magazine and offers a taste of South Beach, Little Havana and Wynwood. The price is reasonable at only $59 per person and last approximately two hours. Each tour makes five to seven culinary stops allowing you to taste the full spectrum of Miami’s culinary scene. If you’re more into wines, there is also a South Beach Wine Tour where tourists can sample up to five drinks. Obviously, this is one tour that both locals and tourist can agree on.

Related: Top Historical Tours Of South Florida 

Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.