“It’s one hell of a drug.” I happen to agree after living here for ten+ years. I always warn people that it is like a trap. Once you’re in, it is hard to leave, and some don’t want to. I have enjoyed all of the benefits of living in Florida and even stayed here for school. Go Canes! Go Tars! I’ve spent most of my time in South Florida, and I’ve chosen a few of my favorite spots from last year’s adventures to share.
Naples, FL, will always hold a special place in my heart. The beach is stunningly beautiful and is home to a great deal of wildlife. I’ve seen dolphins, all kinds of fish, crabs, starfish, hermit crabs, manatees, stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and even a baby seahorse on an extremely lucky occasion. Every time I’ve walked that beach, I’ve seen something exciting. Fishermen love to cast lines from the sand, and I once saw a shark that had been caught earlier that day. Yes, people stopped for photos, but I opted out of swimming. I’ve also found some beautiful shells that look like they were hand-painted. Sand dollars tend to wash up along the shores, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find one whole.
Key Largo’s Jimmy Buffett vibe causes one to feel relaxed upon arrival. A close friend and I drove down to go snorkeling for the afternoon. I found the activity on Viator. The water down there is the most brilliant blue and so refreshing. We saw all kinds of parrot fish and even a few barracuda as we snorkeled the reef. I enjoyed exploring the reef and admiring its beauty. The other thing I liked about this activity was that it wasn’t noisy, so we could really immerse ourselves in this adventure. Taking the time to disconnect from technology and connecting with nature and its sounds is something I highly recommend doing. Taking the opportunity to slow down from the hustle and observe the world around us can be soothing and inspiring.
Jupiter and the West Palm Beach area can be a blast. A close friend of mine took me boating. We started in the WPB area and headed up to Jupiter for lunch. U-Tiki Beach has a fantastic atmosphere with a view of the lighthouse. It’s always nice to see fellow boaters out and about enjoying the day. Florida has gorgeous winters, and we were taking advantage. On the way back, we cruised around Peanut Island. It’s a favorite hangout for many boaters, and I’ve also been paddleboarding out there with friends. I have yet to experience hanging out on a floating tiki bar, aka Cruisin’ Tikis, but they look like a blast. West Palm Beach’s Clematis Avenue has fantastic restaurants and nightlife to explore as well.
If you’re looking for a beach town vibe, Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue is the place to go. I’ve spent a lot of time on the avenue meeting up with friends for dinner and heading to the beach. The avenue has tons of shops, restaurants, and nightlife for everyone to enjoy. Personally, I love The Office, Lemongrass, Kilwins, Elisabetta’s, and City Oyster. The avenue has something for everyone. While the beach is a blast, you have to watch out for the Portuguese men-of-war during their season. Their stings are no fun to deal with at all (click the link to learn more).
The title of this post is dedicated to Taylor Swift and her awesome song, “Florida!!!” Thank you for writing such a fabulous song about the Sunshine State.
Livvienitup 