Miami Beach Is ‘North America’s Leading Beach Destination’

Can’t decide between a beach trip and a city trip? In Miami Beach, you won’t have to. The seaside vacation hot spot was just named North America’s Leading Beach Destination and North America’s Leading City Destination at the 2023 World Travel Awards. (Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards celebrates excellence in all aspects of tourism, from destinations to hotels to tours.)

The ever-evolving destination is perhaps best known for its white-sand beaches, but it’s also recognized for its swanky beach hotels and nightlife scene. South Beach, in particular, is lined with highly photogenic art deco hotels. Prefer cultural excursions to bars and clubs? Miami Beach has you covered there — visit the Bass Museum of Art to see contemporary works, or catch a classical music concert at the New World Center.

If you can’t get to Miami Beach any time soon, you can still experience the destination through its newly launched app: EXP Miami Beach. Plan your future itinerary by perusing the top things to do, including culinary experiences and wellness offerings.

“Miami Beach is a global destination that seamlessly blends the natural beauty of our beaches with notable city experiences. We are proud to receive these recent World Travel Awards in the leading beach and leading city categories representing North America,” Christopher Rollins, chair of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure.

Two Miami Beach hotels also won awards this year: the Moxy Miami South Beach was named the United States’ Leading Design Hotel and the Fontainebleau Miami Beach was named Florida’s Leading Hotel. (The latter’s Sorrento Penthouse was highlighted as Florida’s Leading Hotel Suite.)

As a regional winner, Miami Beach will now be up to compete for the “World’s Best” title in both the beach and city destination categories; winners will be announced later this year. You can find all the regional winners at worldtravelawards.com.