Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The series is set in Miami, Florida, and was filmed almost entirely on location there and in surrounding South Florida areas. There is virtually no gap between the two: unlike shows that substitute Los Angeles backlots for another city, Miami Vice shot on the actual streets, marinas, and hotels it portrayed. Some episodes did reach into Broward County, such as the Plunge Beach Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea used for the pilot.
The Studio Side
Miami Vice was based at Greenwich Studios in Miami, which served as the production's home during the series run. The studios are not open to public visits. Interior work was handled there, while nearly all exteriors were shot on real Miami locations, a deliberate choice by the producers to showcase the city's vibrant colors and atmosphere rather than recreate them on Hollywood sets.
Tours That Visit These Locations
No tour is dedicated solely to Miami Vice, but several general film and TV tours of Miami pass stops connected to the series. These are sensible options for travellers who want a guided introduction to the city's screen history and can pair well with self-guided visits to the public sites listed above.
Private Ocean Drive Walk
Movies and TV Filming Locations Walking Tour (Private)
A private walking tour of Miami movie and TV filming locations with multiple stops along Ocean Drive, the very stretch where the Carlyle Hotel steps from the opening credits and pilot still stand.
★ 3 reviews
Guided Tour With Museum Entry
Miami: Film and TV Tour with Vizcaya Museum Entry
A guided film and TV tour of Miami that includes a stop at Brickell City Centre, putting visitors within sight of the Atlantis condominium from the opening credits, and adds entry to Vizcaya Museum.
Brickell Film Locations Tour
Miami Film and TV Locations Tour with Optional Vizcaya Museum
A Miami film and TV locations tour with a stop at Brickell City Center and an optional Vizcaya Museum add-on, useful for covering the downtown Vice sites without arranging transport alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Miami Vice actually filmed in Miami?
Yes. The series was filmed almost entirely on location in Miami and surrounding South Florida between 1984 and 1989, including some Broward County sites such as the Plunge Beach Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Greenwich Studios in Miami handled production, but the producers avoided Hollywood sets for exteriors.
Can you visit the Miami Vice locations today?
Most are free to see. The Carlyle Hotel, Española Way, Bayside Marina, and the former gas station at 1240 W Flagler St are all publicly accessible. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park charges a state park entry fee. Two sites, the Atlantis condo and the Coconut Grove house at 3067 Jefferson St, are viewable from outside only.
Where is the hotel from the Miami Vice opening credits?
The Carlyle Hotel on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach appears in the opening credits and in pilot episode scenes shot on its steps. The historic Art Deco facade is accessible anytime with no charge.
Why did the show use so many real locations?
The production wanted to capture Miami's actual colors, sounds, and vibe. A directive reportedly banned earth tones so the city's pastel palette would dominate the frame, and filming on real streets was central to achieving that look.
Where was Vice HQ located?
The exteriors of Vice HQ were filmed at the Gold Coast Shipping Building at 615 SW 2nd Avenue in Miami. That building was demolished in 2007, so it can no longer be visited.
Are there Miami Vice tours?
No dedicated Miami Vice tour is currently offered, but general film and TV tours of Miami include stops connected to the series, such as Brickell near the Atlantis condominium and Ocean Drive near the Carlyle Hotel. All the public locations above are also easy to visit independently.
Miami Vice remains one of the rare series where the filming locations are the destination itself. Walk Ocean Drive past the Carlyle, loop through Española Way, take in Bayside Marina and the Atlantis, and finish with a beach afternoon at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and you will have retraced the show almost scene for scene. A guided film and TV tour can tie the highlights together, but the pastel streets do most of the work on their own.
