Miami Beach is more than just a beach resort

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Oct. 24, 2015 - PRLog -- What a perfect year to visit Miami Beach! In 2015 this beloved resort town is marking its centenary. Of course while you are there it is de rigueur to spend at least a few hours stretched out on one of the gorgeous white sand beaches, devouring the latest trashy paperback while working on your tan. (Do apply sun screen though -- that South Florida sun is strong!)

There are two especially intriguing new places to stay in Miami Beach. The first is Thomson Hotels' repurposed Art Deco skyscraper and the second is Marriott Hotels' exquisite Miami Beach Edition, in partnership with boutique hotel master Ian Schrager.

Speaking of Art Deco, the edgy architectural style for which Miami is famous (so much so that a sub-genre is called MiMom, standing for "Miami Modern"), main drag Ocean Drive now boasts a new Art Deco Museum, under the auspices of the Miami Design Preservation League.

A second new must-see for those interested in art is Beck’s Urban Canvas. This is a multicultural project to create street murals at various locations around the city. As new works continue to be unveiled, you will find pop-up parties to celebrate. There are also two more traditional venues for viewing art works in Miami -- Institute of Contemporary Art and the Bass Museum of Art -- with frequently updated exhibitions.

Yet another off beat attraction is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring via self-guided tour, activated by scanning the QR codes on the many and varied flora in the garden.

Don’t forget that Miami Beach is a popular destination. Miami Beach has so much to see and do that you’ll appreciate staying in a comfortable hotel with easy access to everything. The nicer and lower priced Miami Beach hotels tend to fill up fast in any season, though, so it’s a good idea to reserve in advance (http://crshotels.com/).