Best Summer Vacation Activities In South Florida
South Florida has been advertised as an escape from the everyday monotony of life, but many who live in South Florida can suffer from the same fatigue. However, there's a way out. You and your family and friends can indulge in sightseeing, movie-going, water sports and nature all without breaking the bank. You can have an adventure of a lifetime in your own backyard or you can make the most out of your vacation. It's a sure cure to the daily doldrums of everyday life.
South Beach
Ocean Drive and 5th St.
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 673-7714
www.miamiandthebeaches.com
You absolutely cannot have a trip to South Florida and not visit its most popular destination of South Beach. It has everything: turquoise seas, sandy shores, high-end shopping, art deco buildings adorned with florescent lights and beauties of both sexes on every corner. It's an exaggerated version of Miami Beach and somehow it's still the essence of it as well. Vacationers of all ages have something to enjoy with children and adults enjoying the day and party goers ruling the night. It's simply something that everyone must experience once in their lifetime.
Swap Shop
3291 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
(954) 791-7927
www.floridaswapshop.com
The Swap Shop is billed as Florida's second largest tourist attraction and with good reason. It's the one place where you can find great deals on knick knacks galore by day and catch a drive-in movie by night. It carries first-run movies for only seven dollars per person and if you want, you can bring in your own snacks or meal without fear of anyone glaring at you because the smell from your food is ruining their movie-going experience. It's the perfect way to soak up the South Florida sun by day and cool down on moonlit night.
A1A Watersports
1110 S. Ocean Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
(954) 973-7000
www.onthebeach.ws
Nothing says fun in the sun like water sports, and if you want the best bang for your buck, go with A1A Watersports. This company has partnered with Fort Lauderdale and Sunny.org to bring you a two-for-one special that's out of this world. Choose between kayaking for an hour and get the second hour for free or paddle boarding for a hal-hour and get an additional half-hour for free. You can also rent a sailboat for two hours and get the third hour free or rent two two banana boats and get the third ride for free. This deal is amazing no matter which option you choose and it's well worth the money if you plan on taking full advantage of the South Florida seas and summer sun.
Related: Best South Florida Water Slides
Coopertown Airboats
22700 S.W. 8th St.
Miami, FL 33194
(305) 226-6048
www.coopertownairboats.com
You absolutely cannot come to Florida, or for that matter live in South Florida, and not go on an airboat ride. It's one of South Florida's 10 commandments. So when you do decide to go, try Coopertown Airboats. It has an onsite restaurant that serves the regular fare along with alligator and frog meat for the adventurous. Then you can meander around the grounds and meet some caged crocs before hopping aboard a airboat and seeing these reptiles in their natural habitat. It's simply one the quintessential South Florida experiences that any nature lover or explorer will positively love.
Rapids Water Park
6566 N. Military Trail
Riviera Beach, FL 33407
(561) 848-6272
www.rapidswaterpark.com
The summer was made for water parks and in the land of eternal summer, there's no hotter spot. Go down the drain on its most popular ride, The Big Thunder. You and your friends sit in tiny raft as you're propelled down a humongous funnel at 20 mph, giving you the experience of what a ring must feel like when it's accidentally dropped down the sink. Add the zany ride of a flowrider and countless other water slides and play areas and you've got a day well spent. It's better and wetter than any theme park you've experienced before.
Niema Hulin was born in Newark, NJ but raised in Lexington, South Carolina for the bulk of her formative years. In 2002, she moved to Miami after graduating from the University of Florida. Since then, Niema has worked in film, television and commercials as a Production Assistant and Production Coordinator. Some of her films have included Bad Boys II and I Am Number IV. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
