Venetian Causeway

My girlfriend and I tandem-​biked along this path during our visit to South Beach, and we both loved it! This path is very interesting in that it doesn’t really seem like a bridge at all. It feels more like a nice ride through some suburbs, albeit with gorgeous water views on either side. It’s a really peaceful and relaxing ride.
There is a very clear bike path with plenty of room for cars to pass. I rarely felt like the cars were too close. There is only one area where the cars get awfully close, which is on the bridge right outside of Miami. It’s only a small section however.
Biking along this to Miami from Southbeach and back was probably the highlight of my trip. Highly recommended!

Perfect way to go to the south beach by bike! Love the view and the safety! Enjoy your ride and look for big Iguanas on the bay!

This is a great short cut to get on or off the beach when the 395 (McCarthur CSWY) or 195 (Julia Tutle CSWY) is backed up. Or sometimes it’s nice to take the long scenic way on or off the beach. It’s a great road way, lot’s of killer house to see, nice views of the ocean and of course people watching.

Let’s begin–
1. Peaceful no cars blasting music and hollering at you
2. Lots of inspiration on this pathway from viewing mansions to the view of the ocean on the sides.
3. Trees outlining parts of the pathway (one with nature if you can tap into appreciating the earth)
4. You can walk, run, skate, bike or drive this causeway it’s diverse and not that long.

I’m soo surprised I have yet to review the Venetian. It makes for a great jogging route, about 6 miles up and back.
While the neighboring causeways have cars zooming by at 60+ miles an hour, the Venetian’s speed limit is 30−35mph, so it’s a bit more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. What’s more, the Venetian will provide you with incredible views north and south of amazing skylines, parked cruise ships, boaters, and if you’re lucky (very lucky) even dolphins.
If you’re crossing the causeway in a car, please respect the speed limit, watch for the pedestrians, and enjoy.

There are just some reviews I don’t want to write… this is one of them. I am afraid that the more people who write about this Causeway– the more people will know about it and it will no longer be biker/​runner/​walker friendly. So I will keep my review short — it is clean, quiet and a quick way to the beach. Enough said!

This is one of the best places on the beach to take a long walk! You can see beauty from every direction you look. The houses along the way are gorgeous and the walk provides serenity away from the sometimes chaotic south beach.

I don’t care that this causeway costs almost as much as a cup of coffee– I love it! Perfect for avoiding Alton/​MacArthur madness. And lately there’s been a lot of madness!
It’s a little bit slower speed limit wise but I find it has good flow. The views from it day or night are beautiful. Also love that you can explore the neighborhoods too and ogle the gorgeous homes!

I, too, have a special bond with the Venetian Causeway.
I never like to venture to South Beach, but from my understanding, the Venetian happens to be the least dangerous way bike route to SoBe. The biking lanes were visible, at times, but there were some occasions where the roads had to be shared — and shared awfully close.
There’s still construction going on, but don’t let that stop you from riding.
Now, the good news is that most vehicles are taking other routes, so the Causeway’s never really that busy.
Can’t wait ’till they’re done!

I basically started using this hidden causeway when the corrupt city government of miami beach put up this extra stupid traffic signal on the mccarthur causeway on miami beach causing incredible traffic in rush hour and in the mid day on the weekend when main-lander’s are trying to come to the beach. it cost’s 1.50 $ to use this causeway, but you get some nice rich scenery of yachts water front mansions and best of all no bumper to bumper traffic like on the mccarthur during rush hour. This causeway lets you off around 16^st on south beach so it is very convenient.

I will be adding stars when the construction projects are over.
Since I moved over to this side of the island, the Venetian has become my main running route, and I enjoy it to no end. The small islands, the bridges, and the views make this ideal any time day or night for a run. Plus, often there is a nice breeze to help with the cool down. The sidewalks have improved a great deal since the construction projects began, but there are still some serious missing pieces that force walkers and runners into the street with cars for short periods of time. Also, if you are not familure with the lay out, note that some of the street lights are dark in sections, once again because of the construction. Though I keep this as my top run spot, I will be happy when the construction is over.
Aside from running, this is a great place for casual bike rides, with three oval islands that have quiet roads, and views of some very nice homes, and ocasionally the bay, but the bay views of 395 and 195, as well as of the Miami beach and Miami sky lines are much nicer from the bridges. Note, there are draw bridges on each side of the causeway, and though if you are in a hurry these have serious potential to slow you down, if you are just out for a run, a bike ride, or a casual drive, being caught at one of these bridges affords you the oppertunity to step out of your car and truely enjoy the views. Note, there is also a $ 1.50 toll for either direction with booths on the west end of the causeway.

I love biking from my condominium on bayshore drive to Miami beach via Venetian bridge. Great view ! BUT, what is going on with all the constructions there. No safe lanes for bikers, no police to prevent accidents in those areas… I also bike to sobe at night to avoid dealing with parking but the construction in the area makes it very challenging with cars. I try to wait for the cars to pass then I go, I just don’t trust Miami drivers.
David

Hate to knock a star off but…
All the construction has worked my nerves the past few months! Potholes galore, trash from construction workers, closed sidewalks, and backed up traffic take away from the true beauty of this stretch of ‘gold road’. Since living on the beach for over a year now, I don’t think the Venetian Causeway has been construction-​free at any point in time. Not sure what they’re taking their sweet time on, but considering the crazy high taxes those home owners pay, I’d hope they would hurry up and finish already!

+2 stars for the magnificent views of Biscayne Bay, the city skyline, and the waterfront properties.
+2 stars for the quiet relatively light traffic that is great for walking and running. Probably the top 2 place for this activity in South Beach, the other being on the boardwalk.
+2 stars for being my hidden tunnel to downtown. Still the fastest way to mainland barring any draw bridge drama (see below). And for offering residents an annual card to avoid the tolls.
–1 star for the draw bridges being broken frequently.
–2 stars for all the road construction work that’s messing up traffic and making all pedestrian activities very dangerous. I will put back these 2 stars once the contsruction is over. Can’t wait…

I cannot remember the last time I crossed the Venetian Causeway on gas guzzler… maybe because you miss so much when you are on a tin can.
The venetian causeway is the safest most effective way to run or ride your bike over from the «mainland» to Miami Beach. I may have been lucky during traverses, but I have always found it to be an easy ride without much traffic and fantastic views.
The crossing of the Venetian is one of those rare opportunities you have when you ride to enjoy some quiet time with yourself, not braving the Miami traffic and having to be 100% alert all the time.
My latest morning runs over the Venetian are the charge of my day, and good things happen when you see the Sun rise over Miami as you cross over on your own power.

The scenic route and often the dependable route into the beach. I don’t mind the toll, as it keeps traffic to a minimum and allows the residents on the island a little more privacy. I have only had the pleasure of bike riding through here a handful of times, but a pleasure it has always been!
Riders and drivers, note bridge times, located on either side of the bridges on this rode. That way you won’t be frustrated when using this option as the quicker route. During the week, the bridge generally opens on a set schedule, forcing the boats to wait. On the weekends, it’s based on boat traffic, so it’s more likely that the bridge will open during your commute across. Don’t get upset. Simply do like most other drivers do: park your car, get out of the air conditioned car and appreciate the fresh air and beautiful yachts crossing the bay.

An incredibly gorgeous sight worth checking out. It is excellent for walking, running and bike riding thanks to their low speed-​limit. This is a 2.5 mile bridge connecting South Beach with Miami and passing through Biscayne Bay and other islands on the way.
If you are visiting south beach I highly recommend you rent a bike and ride across the six beautiful islands on this bike-​friendly roads and be ready to be stunned by the beautiful views. During sunset being the best time to do this.
The entrance from South Beach could be a bit confusing. It is on 17^th street and Alton road (on the South Beach side) — you will pass a gas station. Go towards West Avenue and look for Purdy Avenue for the entrance.
When you reach Miami, I highly recommend you stop by Mike’s Irish Pub for good cheap food and drinks:

Why review a street? When it becomes more than a street. In one of the most auto-​centric cities in the country, Venetian is the red haired bastard child, offering one of the most scenic views, traffic free, and pedestrian/​biking friendly streets in all of Miami. I absolutely enjoy riding my bike here.
«Hey Doc, better pull back. You don’t have enough change for the toll.»
«Tolls?»
*flip down my Oakley sunglasses *
«Where we’re going, we don’t need tolls.»
(+50 Unilocal points if you know where this reference comes from. But it’s just like Who’s Line is it Anyway? Where the points don’t mean anything)
If you don’t live on the causeway you pay a $ 1.50 toll on the west end. Bikes have their own lane that they can continue on without paying. Marked bike lanes and low driving speed limit make the causeway safe for cyclist and joggers to pass on through.

Dearest Venetian Causeway,
Your beautiful and we Miamians know it! You are the stress-​free, calming drive to and from the Beach. If there’s hecticness in South Beach, chances are the 195 and 395 are totally jam-​packed. You are the hassle-​free alternative route.
I always take your road when I want to avoid any kind of a South Beach traffic mess, like on holidays, most summer weekends, when there are known checkpoints at night on the 395. Or the best time I take it is when I am visiting my Cousin, who lives right next to the Standard.
The views in all directions are always fascinating, as you get a great view of the downtown skyline, the mansions on all of the man-​made islands you cut through, and of course of the ocean/​bay in general.
For those out there who may take this road, heed this warning: DO NOT SPEED. The limit is 30 mph and there are ALWAYS cops hiding in bushes, around driveways, etc., waiting to catch those speeders. Remember, this travels directly through a very wealthy residential neighborhood, so watch yourself.
Venetian Causeway, thanks for being the «private» road of SoBe.
Regards,
Sabrina*

Easily one of the best roads in Miami.
This littlest of the causeways is a romantic throwback to the days when life in Miami as much calmer, slower, smaller, simpler. This bridge connects Downtown Miami with South Beach aka Miami Beach.
There is a toll of $ 1.50 at the west end so remember to have the cash with you.
At almost any time you can find people jogging, biking, up and down the causeway. The drawbridges go up about every 30 minutes but it’s brief and this is still the best causeway to take during the larger touristy weekends in Miami.
If you’ve watched the movie Miami Rhapsody you know they filmed a scene on the Venetian, smart move as this has some great views.