Between Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Hwy-A1A runs along the shore, first as Ocean Drive and later as Collins Avenue, while US-1 runs inland parallel to the old Dixie Highway. There’s nothing here to compare with the attractions farther south, but the town of North Miami Beach does have one oddity: the Ancient Spanish Monastery (daily 10 am–4 pm; $5), at 16711 W. Dixie Highway, a 12th-century monastery bought in the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst, who had it dismantled and shipped to the United States for his Hearst Castle. However, it was confiscated by U.S. Customs, and finally rebuilt here as an Episcopal church.
On the coast, Hwy-A1A runs past a number of indistinct beach towns before hitting Bal Harbour, home to one of Miami’s biggest and best shopping malls, and one of its biggest beaches, Haulover Beach. From here south to Miami Beach, the road is lined with towering concrete condos and hotels.
At the far north end of Miami Beach, one place you’ll want to stop, especially if you’re hungry, is Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House (daily 6:30 am–2 am; 305/947-4581), on Hwy-A1A at 17190 Collins Avenue, a super-sized NYC-style deli done up in Miami’s favorite colors: shocking pink and turquoise green. The portions here are good and huge—big enough to feed two or more—and the conversation is more entertaining than Seinfeld reruns.
