Flamingo Gardens in Davie combines my all-time favorite things: history, flora, fauna — and great deals.
Southeast Florida
Boca Raton urban Paddle: Backyards of the 1%
Paddling South Florida’s canals is not always a wonder of nature, so explore the tropical back yards of the rich and famous! A network of public canals allows the “rest of us” to get an eyeful of elegantly manicured properties of Boca Raton’s exclusive Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club.
Rustic Inn: Boisterous Old Florida crab shack
Fort Lauderdale’s Rustic Inn is a classic. Their “world famous garlic crabs” draw hundreds of people every night to this old Florida restaurant, tucked away on Ravenswood Road, just west of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. You’ll find it from the sound of wooden mallets pounding on the table every few minutes.
Best Camping Near Fort Lauderdale
Despite a lack of state parks with campgrounds, there are five well-maintained public campgrounds near Fort Lauderdale and a few private campgrounds worth considering.
Seven favorite South Florida kayaking spots: John Lloyd State Park in Dania Beach, and more
Located in John U. Lloyd State Park, Whiskey Creek is a narrow, lush tidal waterway lined with mangroves — a perfect place to paddle in through a slice of nature in congested Broward County. Now, after several years absence, you can rent kayaks and even paddleboards here.
Archie’s in Fort Pierce: No shoes, no shirt, no problem
FORT PIERCE — This iconic beach bar draws an amazing mix of bikers, tourists, locals and retirees to the north end of Hutchinson Island, and the staff here really hustles to deliver the food and drinks with chaotic precision.
Everglades kayak trail: Exploring Nine Mile Pond
A canoe or kayak trail at Everglades National Park is a perfect way to surround yourself with the sights, sounds and creatures of the Everglades. On our trip, a 15-foot crocodile smiled as we paddled by.
Howley’s diner: It’s back to the ’50s in West Palm Beach
Howley’s Diner has been there for 60 years. It’s not just retro, this West Palm Beach diner is the real deal — from its terrazzo floors to its tin ceiling.
Broward’s ‘natural’ beach: Mizell-Johnson State Park (formerly John U. Lloyd)
If you like your beaches lined with sea oats and sea grape trees instead of concrete and cars, then John U. Lloyd is your beach in Broward County. With a 2.5 mile ribbon of sand, the park gives visitors room to have a piece of the beach all to themselves.
Barley Barber: Rare cypress swamp now inaccessible
This old-growth forest with 1,000-year-old trees is closely guarded because it is next to an FPL plant. Free tours are no longer offered of this 1.1 mile boardwalk in Martin County
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