Things to do in Southern Florida?

[Bertha Venation]

We're thinking of taking a side triip while in FL next month. We're staying in Hollywood, near Fort Lauderdale.

I thought of going to the Hemingway Home, but Key West is a four-hour drive. That's too long for a day trip.

I think we're going to the Everglades National Park.

Any other ideas?

[cloudbase]

1. Go house hunting.

Easy way to fill up a day or two.

[Maine-ah]

2. Miami Zoo

I lived in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of years, about 14 years ago. Nice to visit. The zoo was still a mess from hurricane Andrew (I think it was Andrew) but it was still pretty cool. There is also a wicked cool amusement park, I can't remember the name of it. There was a ride there though that was very similar to bungee jumping. You put on a harness which was attached to a wire and a crane pulled you up a couple of hundred feet up in the air. Once you were up, you pulled the rip cord and free fall and then you swing back up and you can see the whole park. \

[Bertha Venation]

15. Thanks, Maine-ah

:hi:

[Inchworm]

3. For what type places?

There is a lot to do in SoFl. It's a fun place.

It depends on what you are into though.

Got kids, looking for local art, outdoorsy stuff, history? How far north are you from?

:hi:

[Bertha Venation]

7. Outdoorsy is good. OOPS gotta go, more later!

[Inchworm]

10. See #8

:)

[Chan790]

4. You could see Lake Okeechobee.

It's the second-largest freshwater lake wholly-contained within the continental US (after Lake Michigan) and can be seen from space. If you're a nature-lover, a hiker, kayaker/canoeist or a bird-watcher, it's beautiful.

http://lakeokeechobee.org/

[Bertha Venation]

17. that's a great suggestion - thanks

:hi:

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Go to Parrot Jungle. It's full of beautiful, beautiful birds.

Skip the Monkey Jungle unless you're fine with horrendous smells and an ugly bumper sticker on your car.

[Bertha Venation]

18. Ooh! How wonderful!

I'd love to see birds. However, monkeys have no place in my life. I do not like monkeys. :shudder: (I can only imagine what you mean by bumper sticker)

[sarge43]

24. Second Parrot Jungle.

It's really worth a day's visit. Be sure to see the training area.

[Bertha Venation]

27. Terrific! It's as good as on the agenda.

Thanks!

[geomon666]

6. That depends. Will there be kids with you?

If so, you can check out Jungle Island, Miami Seaquarium, Miami Science Museum. The Everglades National Park is great however, I recommend wearing pants as this will reduce the number of cuts and scratches due to walking through sawgrass.

If no kids, the sky is the limit. You've got the Hard Rock Casino right there in Hollywood, you've got South Beach in Miami and the shops at Coconut Grove and Miracle Mile.

[Inchworm]

8. All super places

For out doorsy stuff I'd like to add airboat rides at the end of Griffen road. I think it was called Holiday Park or something. Griffen road and SR27. It's fun with or without children.

I don't know if the locals still do it but a mile or two south on 27 there is a cut up area people bring there recreational vehicles. ATVs, 4x4s, swamp buggys, etc. The locals go there with the whole family and mingle. Everyone was always welcome to hang out, sit on coolers, and mingle.

North of Holiday Park on the east side of SR27 there is a tiki bar that truckers frequent (what truckers make it that far south). Give Becky a big tip, she's a sweety :D

Oh! Lets not forget Hollywood's Boardwalk. A few miles of sidewalk cafes and the actual walk is between the cafes and the beach. My favorite pizza joint there is near Hollywood Blvd. and is called "The Greek Place" or close. If you want a free pitcher of beer ask the cook about his Scotch Bonnet challenge. lolz.. no, I don't reccomend that really.

I miss Hollywood

:D

Edit: Pitchers of beer stumble

[Bertha Venation]

21. Well, I found Holiday Park - and Mrs. V. wants an airboat ride!

http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/

And we're staying on the beach where the Broadwalk is... this trip is a long-planned inaugural week extravagance, and we're staying at a very nice hotel. In fact, you can see the entrance on Google Street View. We've stayed there before, and I find myself going back over and over to Street View, sighing in memories and in anticipation. :sigh:

Can't wait!

Thanks for your suggestions. Oh - and I'm sure we'll go to your pizza place for at least one dinner. Our extravagance budget won't extend to meals.

Thanks, Inchworm :hug:

[Bertha Venation]

19. We're definitely going to Hard Rock.

No kids, but the Seaquarium is still a distinct possibility. :hi:

[SteppingRazor]

28. The Hard Rock in itself is a whole night. It's got almost a dozen nightclubs...

at least that many restaurants, and that's not even getting into the actual casino. Unfortunately, with the poker craze of the last few years, it's really tough to get a table, even in the wee hours of the morning.

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. Driving to Maryland

[Bertha Venation]

22. Heh

:hi:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

33. Don't forget to stop at South of the Border

[fishnfla]

11. The pier there in Ft lauderdale is kinda neat

open 24 hours, watch the fishing

if you like seafood, nonchain, go to southport raw bar

[Maine-ah]

14. ha! my ex worked there.

:hi:

[matcom]

12. Hookers and Blow

:bounce:

[XemaSab]

13. When you put them together, it's even more fun

:thumbsup:

[PassingFair]

16. Stay overnight somewhere along the Keys...it will be worth it.

We took our kids down to visit Grandma and took
off on a road trip to Key West. We hadn't planned
on driving that far, but the closer we got, the
more we wanted to see the sunset at Mallory Square.

It remains my happiest vacation memory, the whole
thing, from the swamp-buggy ride to the 1/2 price
luxury hotel pool, to the nature shows along the
way, to the drunks in Key West, to the southern-most
tip marker, to the conch-eating extravagance.

The kids LOVED it, and we loved the free-wheeling feel
of it all.

[Bertha Venation]

20. Thanks, Fair

:hi:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

23. When in the Everglades, don't forget to do the Shark Valley tram ride.

It's pretty cool. Takes about an hour, you drive in a 15 mile loop and see more alligators, birds and other wildlife than you've ever seen before. At the halfway point you'll get off and go up an observation tower.

Just don't be too alarmed at the alligators sitting 4 feet off the side of the road.

[LynneSin]

25. You have to spend a day at this great amusement park in Orlando!!!!!!

http://www.holylandexperience.com/

:hide:

[Bertha Venation]

30. pfft

:spray:

[LynneSin]

32. So I guess that means you're skipping that one huh?

To think these things actually exist

[Bertha Venation]

34. I wanna go to Landover Baptist Church

wouldn't it be cool if there were such a thing?

[SteppingRazor]

26. In Hollywood?

Make sure to get a burger at Le Tub, if you're a meat eater. I believe it was GQ magazine that named it the best burger in the country (Fair warning: Cash only)

Hang out at some of the little bars and clubs around Young Circle Park. There's some good ones there.

Lemme think about it some more and I'll shoot you a PM or somethin'.

[Bertha Venation]

29. We went to Le Tub, but left sadly . . .

we got a seat but were told it would be half an hour before they could take our order. I think that's what happened. Anyway, I remember having a beer and going away disappointed.

I need a good place to take Mrs. V. for her birthday. Thoughts?

[SteppingRazor]

35. What does she like?

Steak? Sushi? Greek? Spanish? I know some good places, but I'd like to tailor it to you. One shamelessly self-promoting suggestion: Check out the website of the company I work for:

Southflorida.metromix.com

Click on restaurants, click on Hollywood, and there's about 150 options.

[Bertha Venation]

40. She likes about everything but shellfish.

We went to Rivals and she really liked that. Know of any other places like that?

One of our favorite restaurants is Mike's American. See www.greatamericanrestaurants.com

She also likes good Mexican food and good fish. Really good fish.

[SteppingRazor]

43. Here's a couple suggestions.

Spice Resto Lounge opened recently in downtown Hollywood. Latin fusion restaurant/nightclub. Fun place, good food. www.spiceresto-lounge.com


Sushi Blues Cafe is a Hollywood institution. It's got sushi. And blues. http://www.sushiblues.com/

La Barraca is a pretty good tapas bar. Live flamenco dancers. http://www.paellas.com/

If you're into wine, check out: http://www.harrisonswinebar.com/

Taverna Opa's pretty fun. Belly dancers, Greek food, ouzo, and all that. http://www.tavernaoparestaurant.com/

Padrino's could have the best Cuban food in South Florida -- and it's in Hollywood, not Miami. http://www.padrinos.com/



Hope that helps! Like I said, Southflorida.metromix.com has lots of other ideas.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. Really?

I'll have to try that out.

I know about Lindburgers, which are excellent. Haven't heard of Le Tub yet.

Had I known about it, maybe I would have gone there this afternoon.

[JCMach1]

36. Get away as soon as possible...

I am a native Floridian, but South Florida to me is one of the arm pits of the universe.

[SteppingRazor]

37. Well screw you too!

:P

[Tommy_Carcetti]

38. Nice post, Chuggo. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

39. I took my parents to Morikami Gardens when they were down for Thanksgiving.

It's very nice. You'd never know it is smack dab in the middle of suburbia by how placid and calm it is.

[catzies]

47. Wow, that looks beautiful! Where is it?

Being a native South Floridian (Coral Gables High School football RULES!) I'd definitely visit on my next family trip there.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

48. Delray Beach, right off of Jog Road. nt

[catzies]

49. OK, cool! Thanks! I have relatives in both Miami and Jacksonville so I get there

frequently & that's on the to-see list! :hi:

[RebelOne]

41. Go to Coconut Grove. Almost as much fun as Key West. n/t

[kwassa]

42. South Beach, Miami

lotsa cool restaurants and clubs and such. Coconut Grove, the old money area, neat architecture.

and I loved Key West, vacationed there.

Otherwise, Florida is basically a swamp surrounded by a beach, as the saying goes.

[SteppingRazor]

44. Tourist.

:eyes:

[kwassa]

45. Thanks!

I've also been a resident.

[catzies]

46. Vizcaya and it s gardens, in Coconut Grove. Cape Florida, on Key Biscayne.

Museum of Science, across the street from Vizcaya.

Venetian Pool, in Coral Gables.

Too bad you don't have the time to go all the way to Key West. I don't remember it being a 4-hour drive, though. It's one hour from Miami to Key Largo, that I know for sure.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

50. Venetian Pool is definitely a must see.

Given that South Florida doesn't have any natural springs like North or Central Florida, it's the closest thing to a spring in South Florida. I try to go at least a couple times a year.

[LSK]

51. Drive to Key West and stay overnight there