There’s so much to see and do in South Florida that it can be hard decide what to explore. From kid-friendly places, to stores and emporiums with a New Age feel, to random, out-of-the way strip malls that contain quirky and unusual stores.
Thrift Shopping
If you’re looking for some gently used or eco-friendly items, try any of the local Goodwill stores. Plato’s Closet is known for its gently used, brand name items and Out of the Closet (with locations in South Beach, Wilton Manors, and Sunrise) supports AIDS issues and the LGBT community. Second Edition Books in Hollywood, Florida, is a cozy little used bookstore with ambiance, class, and a generous supply of free lollypops. Fort Lauderdale has many thrift stores of all kinds, from small hole-in-the-wall style stores, to bigger stores.
From the Mysterious to the Feel Good
Davie’s New Age emporium Modern Zen offers patrons spiritual readings, reiki classes, and a small bookstore in a cozy environment. Up the street is Your Big Picture Café, a warm-fuzzy, feel-good place with teas, snacks, and organic goodies.
Shopping
From Miami’s world-famous Lincoln Road to Las Olas, there’s plenty of shopping to be had.
Places for Kids
There are many kids’ museums in South Florida. The Miami Children’s Museum in downtown Miami is great for kids. The first floor has a pint-sized city that consists of a market, a hospital, and more that just for kids. On the second floor, kids can explore creativity and make some music. The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Science and Discovery has an Everglades exhibit and is a short walk from the shops at Riverfront.
On the Hunt For Interesting: Florida has great out-of-the-way places that are outside of Miami or Fort Lauderdale. South Florida has many, many random strip malls that house quirky and interesting stores and restaurants. Over the years, I’ve accidentally found everything from used bookstores to Vietnamese or Chinese restaurants to tiny authentic grocery stores. In South Florida, there are plenty of interesting places to see and experience, both on the beaten path and hidden off the trail.
What other things can you think to do in Florida?
