Some years ago, we visited Miami Beach and found ourselves walking in what was to us a fascinating area. I guess it was a mile or so long-- the boardwalk-- with a wonderful combination of lots of orthodox Jewish families (heard almost all Yiddish spoken) and lots of Latinos. I believe there were some hotels there also. Are any of the hotels along that part of the beach quite pleasant (and quiet) and reasonably priced? Is the area pretty much as I'm remembering it? Thank you.

Try putting Miami Beach in the title. Maybe someone will see it.

The only boardwalk I know of in Miami runs from Mid Beach at about Collins and 45th Street all the way down to South Beach.

The Miami Beach you are speaking of with Jewish families hanging out in front of hotels is long gone.

While there is a very large Jewish population in Miami Beach, Miami Beach has morphed into luxury high rise condos and is now an expensive winter destination for the well healed.

It's really long gone? It was there in January of 2004, that's for sure.

We were staying at the Loews South Beach and I saw a boardwalk and just started walking North, it was a little too chilly for lying on the beach, anyway, I walked for over 2 miles, and I definitely came across many communities of orthodox jews. The teenagers were all on the beach, covered up and playing sports, hanging out, and on the other side of the boardwalk the older folks were outside, chatting or walking on the boardwalk.

I remember thinking I had come across some hidden enclave but poss, the area you're referring to was definitely there 2 years ago and in full swing. I don't know if there were many hotels, but to me it appeared to be condos. Maybe they're rental condos that primarily rent to the Jewish community?

Thanks for responses. Gotravel: Abt 4-5 years ago, we were on a boardwalk in that area-- in mid-morning-- and there were hundreds of people of all ages (most obviosly orthodox) speaking only Yiddish, some strolling, some sitting on benches and chatting. I felt I was in some kind of time-warp or movie. The scene really moved us (esp my husband, who is not Jewish and who deeply appreciated being able to feel-- at least briefly-- that unfamiliar "ambience.")

nina, I've walked that area between South Beach and Mid Beach and I've never seen this but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Years ago most of Miami Beach was an enclave for Jews from the northeast. Sky rocketing real estate prices have changed the clientele of Miami Beach drastically and the larger Jewish populations have moved to the northern end of Miami beach to Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, Surfside, and the like.

I would hit the boardwalk and start walking.

It's a common sight on the boardwalk particularly on Saturday mornings. The beach still has a large community of Jews, particularly Hasidic, I believe. I'm not Jewish, so I'm at a little loss for the correct words, but the boardwalk has been blessed and is an area where they can walk and play on the sabbath. It involves a string that runs along above it. And, please, if anyone knows the correct terms (is it eruv?), please tell me. There are many hotels that cater to Jewish families, particularly in the area of 38-43 street more or less.