Florida Reviews

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Traveling Around Florida

Know what’s great about Florida? You can travel all around it by car and see so many sights, so many different cultures, and take in a lot of history. There aren’t many other states in the U.S. where so much diversity is just a car ride away. If you’re local, you can get to anywhere in the state in a day’s drive. If you’re flying in from elsewhere, you can rent a car and make a weeklong stay and see all the different parts of the state.

Even better, rent an RV (as recommended on https://traveltmi.net) and make some family fun out of it! Visit the beautiful beaches, take in all the theme parks and attractions, do some shopping (there are plenty of outlets and malls in Florida) and give the kids a vacation they’ll always remember!

Florida Travel Destinations

Seriously, Florida is so varied. You can be in Southeast Florida where the Miami area is very Latin, it’s almost like being in Havana. A little south of there is the Florida Keys, beautiful tropical islands that are the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Go a little further north of there and you’re in Fort Lauderdale, which is a lot of transplants from the Northeast region.

Head across the swamp (taking a drive known as “Alligator Alley”) and you’ll end up on the Florida Gulf Coast. There you can find many retirees from the Midwest, or “snowbirds” as they are called. Golf and blue plate specials are plentiful. But there are also some beautiful islands like Sanibel and Captiva that make wonderful vacation destinations.

Go up the Gulf Coast from there and after passing through the Tampa / St. Petersburg area, and you’ll run into the “Panhandle“. This is the skinny part of the state (northwestern most part) and you’re basically in the South. It is very rural and agricultural.

Across the state from there, central along the Eastern seaboard and you are in the Orlando area. Home to Disney and all the other theme park attractions that go along with that. Tourism drives the economy in this area, and business is booming!

From the southernmost part of the state, driving north all the way to the Florida / Georgia border will take you around 8 to 9 hours, give or take, as it is about 450 miles from point to point. As said above, there are few states that are this navigable and have so many diverse options all just a drive away.

Always Close to Home

I love living in the Fort Lauderdale area, as it affords me all of the fun that South Florida has to offer. Plus, it offers easy access to visit family. With my parents just across the swamp in the land of the retirees and my wife’s family just another hour north of that in the Sarasota area, it’s always possible to spend time together on the holidays or just because. It’s a great place to live! I’ve really enjoyed driving around this state and exploring all it has to offer.

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Favorite Bars in Fort Lauderdale

If you look around this site, you’ll see that a lot of the places I frequent are restaurants and bars in the Fort Lauderdale area. Living in Wilton Manors with my girlfriend, there are a lot of places walking distance to us that we can stop in for a bite to eat or a drink at any time without having to get in the car.

On other nights when we leave our neighborhood, we have a great social network that we met through our running club that meets weekly at Bull Market. That’s quickly become one of our top places to go have a beer, especially on Tuesdays when it is taco night, and is situated on Himmarshee (2nd Street) in Lauderdale that’s full of nightlife.

Favorite Places to Drink in Fort Lauderdale

I’ll say this right off the bat – I like to get out there and have beers and see as many new bars (and try as many new beers as I can). It’s all in good fun and I keep it under control in a social manner. If you feel as if you may have a problem with alcohol, please do seek assistance like this drug rehab Florida center where you can get the help you need.

Ok, with that PSA out of the way, let’s get on to a few of my top places when I’m thirsty for a drink. Previously on this site, I wrote about Riverside Market which is an amazing place with tons of beers to try. What makes this place really cool is the concept. It’s not a typical bar where you go up to a bartender and order a drink.

Riverside Market

Instead, it is all cozy seating inside (they have an outdoor area as well) and the walls are lined with beer fridges. There are beers from all over the world of all varieties. What you do is grab a bottle of whatever you want, and keep the bottle when you’re done. When you’re ready to leave, just bring your empties up to the register at the exit and they’ll ring up your total. It goes on the honor system, so the type of people you find there are pretty friendly and chill.

Riverside is great for a casual night, but if you’re looking for something a little fancier I’ve been liking the Royal Pig Pub lately. My girlfriend and I had maybe our best dinner ever in Lauderdale there a few months back, and when my parents came to visit we had an amazing brunch. On top of all the beers they offer, their liquor selection is top notch and I had an amazing Old Fashioned (my favorite cocktail) the last time I was there. It is located on Las Olas in the downtown area.

On any given week, you’ll probably find me, my girlfriend, and a group of friends at one of those places. There’s a lot more I’ve yet to cover, this town is full of great watering holes, but that should give you a few good ideas if you’re looking for something to do.

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Places We’ve Visited in Miami

Our site is admittedly a little bit Fort Lauderdale-centric. With our main editor living in Weston, and our other biggest contributor living in Wilton Manors (just outside of downtown Lauderdale), it’s understandable that many of the restaurants and local businesses we visit are focused on the places we frequent in that area. That doesn’t mean that we don’t get down to Miami, however. There are a number of establishments on this site that we’d like to remind you of.

Miami Reviews

Our editor-in-chief, Tim, used to live in South Beach and other areas of Miami until his son was a few years old and it was time to move to the suburbs to provide a better family environment. He’s our main source when comes to what’s good down in Dade County.

His favorite hangout down in South Beach is definitely Smith and Wollensky. It is a great place to eat, drink, and just generally hang out and enjoy yourself with good company and a great atmosphere. The steaks and the seafood there are always top notch. We have never been disappointed by a meal there, and the selections of beers and cocktails are unmatched. If you want to read more about this place, check out our review over here.

That’s definitely the place to dine down there. If you’re looking to shop, look no further than the Havana Nines Bayside Mall. You can check out this page for all the details. It’s an open-air mall adjacent to American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat plays. It backs up to a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay. Given where it’s located, right by the MacArthur Causeway that connects Miami to the mainland, you can imagine that it brings in a lot of tourism and is a very popular shopping destination.

Lastly, if you want some dinner and a movie, go to the northern outskirts of Miami and check out the Cinebistro at Dolphin Mall. It has a restaurant and bar inside of it along with seat service. You can enjoy a great meal and drinks while you take in a flick. We had a little bit of a hiccup with the service the one time we’ve visited. However, we are chalking it up to a bad night. We’ll certainly give it another try the next time we’re in the area and in the mood for a movie. Read about our experience over in this write-up.

While that’s all we have about Miami-Dade at the moment, the list of reviews will certainly grow as we venture down there more often. Be sure to check back for updates. Feel free to contact us if there are places that we have to check out!

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Holiday Trip to Isla Mujeres

So while we’re typically blogging about what’s happening in the State of Florida, we’re about to embark on a journey and since we really enjoy writing and reviewing things, it only makes sense that we share it with you.  We’re taking a company trip to Isla Mujeres!

Vacationing to Isla Mujeres

We’re pretty excited to do this, since it’s not often we visit Mexico.  For those of you who don’t know about this destination, here is some basic information so you can be ready for the pics that will follow as we tear it up!

Located across from the Bahia de Mujeres, which stands for the Bay of Women, from Cancun, Mexico, this is a very tranquil place in comparison to Cancun.  Still, there is plenty to do, like enjoying water sports, going shopping, and of course drinking whatever your beverage of choice is in that gorgeous environment.

It’s known for white sand beaches and amazing blue waters, as well as having a friendly local populace.  The diverse destination includes what you would expect in a beach town environment.  Everything from artists hawking their trade, to fisherman, to musicians and dive operators, you’ll find it all.  There are many expatriates who call Isla Mujeres home and have made it their new surrounding.  People from all over the world have chosen to live in Isla Mujeres for the beautiful surroundings, the amazing Mayan culture and the way of life.

We’re excited to get out of our daily routine here in the City of Weston, and get acquainted with something new.

We’re still looking for accommodations, but according to many websites, there are plenty of options there.  We aren’t the B & B type, we’d rather stay in a W hotel or Ritz Carlton or something like that, but we haven’t got that far in the research just yet.  It’ll be cool to kick back, find some nice clear blue ocean, a tequila (or two), and just to be away from the hustle bustle that Florida always seems to bring.

Oh, and work.  Yeah, really looking forward to getting out of that zone and just kicking it around on a beach.  Not that Florida doesn’t have nice beaches, but it’s just not the same when you call a place home and are on vacation without any expectations of behaving, and being able to completely tune out life.

Back later with more updates on the trip!

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People Running Stop Signs in Weston Town Center

Here’s a compilation of videos of people who blatantly “forgot” to stop at the stop sign in front of the Cheese Course in Weston Town Center.

This is an area highly trafficked by pedestrians, not to mention an area where children ride their bikes and congregate.  The fact that people can’t come to a proper stop, as required by law, is completely absurd.

Here’s a compilation of videos collected on Friday, September 30, 2016.  These were all capture in about a ten minute span after witness countless cars do the same thing prior to beginning the filming of these videos.

When You Ignore a Stop Sign in Weston Town Center

Here’s another piece of footage we captured on the same day.

If P Diddy was driving he’d be like “Can’t stop.  Won’t stop.”

This guy didn’t even slow down!

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Site Updates Heading Into Summer 2016

We’ve been quite busy here at FloridaReviews.com!

In case you haven’t noticed the changes on the site, I’ll go ahead and give you a recap of what’s been happening here.

I’ve been very busy checking out local businesses.  There’s really no shortage of businesses in South Florida, where I reside, so it could be a full time job if I wanted it to be.  I had the luxury of attending a BREIA meeting, and if you are looking to invest in real estate, you should check out one of those for yourself.  It’s highly organized and there are many things one can learn there, even if you are complete novice in real estate like myself!

As far as some of the most read reviews that were recently posted, you should avoid Honey Pets.  If you read that review, you’ll find out why!

On a more positive update, Total Nutrition in Weston has become a favorite place for me to frequent after working out.  It’s located off of State Road 84 on the north end of town, which technically speaking is Sunrise.

I’ve done a lot of Summer shopping at Sawgrass, and subsequently have done reviews of the following stores – Hurley, Nautica, and even Tumi, where I got new luggage.  I’ll be doing a review of the RainForest Cafe coming up as well as Hugo Boss.

It’s going to be a very busy Summer.  Hopefully I can travel and catch some of the stuff on the West Coast.

Be sure to follow our often updated Instagram Page:  http://www.Instagram.com/floridareviews.  We always have new pictures of what’s going on in Florida!

There are many things yet to tackle, and we’re just getting started.  Please check back often as we put up more reviews of Florida businesses and happenings!

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Florida Moving Tips

If you find yourself moving to Florida, follow these moving tips, courtesy of Summit Van Lines.

Six Tips to Help Your Move to Florida

Moving is tricky business. You have to do a lot before you move. This includes registering with government agencies, changing your address, updating other crucial data and the moving of stuff itself. Things can get nasty if you aren’t prepared. Here are some tips that can help you get the best out of your move day.

Carefully buy the boxes you’ll be packing stuff into

When you go out to buy boxes, buy both small and big boxes. Some items are better packed in small boxes than in large boxes. Books and other items can be packed in small boxes while linen, duvet and other clothing stuff can be put in big boxes.

Pack carefully

When packing, the biggest mistake someone can make is not sort the stuff out. If you are packing heavy stuff, pack them at the bottom and the light stuff should go on the top. If you carefully pack stuff, the chances of breakage are really less.

Try not to leave any empty spaces in the boxes

If you are moving to a far away location, the truck carrying your packed stuff will have to travel a lot. Leaving space in the boxes means that everything in that box will be overturned by the time the truck reaches the new space. Make sure no space is left in the boxes by putting foams and other means between the things so they are tightly packed.

Labeling the boxes is important

Label your boxes with clear and big headings. Don’t just write what the box contains but also write where the stuff belongs in your new home. For example, stuff from the kitchen must be labeled ‘Kitchen’ ‘Utensils’ or ‘Kitchen’ ‘Cutlery’ etc. This also makes moving companies more efficient in placing the boxes at the right rooms. And ultimately this will make unpacking them a lot easier.

Ensure boxes are tightly sealed

Again if you are moving to a new place that is far off, you need to make sure your boxes are safe and tightly packed. Put the tape around the boxes and check them for durability. Your boxes shouldn’t be lightly taped because they can open on the way.

Get professional help for delicate stuff

Expensive stuff can be hard to deal with. If you have tons of expensive paintings and other home decoration pieces, you may require special catering services. These people are experts when it comes to moving stuff that is fragile, expensive and hard to move. Alternatively, if your new home isn’t far off, you can put this stuff in your private car and carefully drive to the new place.

Ensure the small things are kept really accessible

When you move to the new house, you will need tools. Make sure tools like pliers, hammer, nails and other important tools are kept in a small box accessible to you. These small tools can easily be lost in the move itself and you may not be able to find them on the right time.

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Memorable Florida Vacation

When Ponce Leon led Spanish explorers to the Eastern Coast of Florida searching for gold and the Fountain of Youth some 500 years ago, they were impressed by the vast variety of tropical flowers and named the land La Florida establishing the first European settlement in how would later be the United States. Florida, besides boasting of the earliest European settlement in the world is also the place to find a rich Native American Heritage which dates 12, 000 band and still continues to the present time. Since the 1500’s explorers flocked Florida in search of their own version of the fountain of youth. Whether along the white sandy beaches or in the Magic Kingdom, visitors can easily find their treasures-vacation with lifetime memories. These are www.floridareviews.com/ top two things to do when you embark on a journey to Florida.

Disney world Once a land characterized by orange groves and palm trees, Walt Disney envisioned a magical world. With his team, he rebuilt the landscape into the most wondrous and magical place anywhere in the world, the Walt Disney World Resort. Since 1971, families visiting Florida can create memories at this magical kingdom which is one of the most visited theme park globally. With an inclusion of the EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney, Two water parks, and more than 20 resort properties, Disney World draws a million visitors every year. Just a single visit to the theme park and you will understand why there is so much hype and thus why it is referred to as the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Search for seashells Florida boasts of over 700miles of sandy beaches along her 1,200 miles long coastline. Most of these beaches are rated as some of the world’s best with their white powdery sand on Florida’s Panhandle, Emerald Coast, gaining the most accolades.

Choosing where to stay in Florida depends on the experience you are looking for. If you opt for pristine beaches, pitching a tent on the sugar sandy beaches on Perdido Key or ride a ferry out to Caladesi Island close to Dunedin is the best option. Teens can enjoy the thrill of driving a car on the Daytona Beach renowned for the Spring Break fun or learn surfing at the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

Along the St. Petersburg/Clearwater, enjoy the nearby attractions, theme parks as well as restaurants spread along the beaches votes the best for families. For a tropical flavor, go for the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. The southwest coast, Marco Island boasts of miles of sandy shorelines ideal for a romantic sunset stroll.