An Honest Review for Visiting South Florida

This is another installment in our Honest Review category, where we include a little more negativity in our guide because we think it’s warranted. So whether you’re wondering what to do with your time in South Florida, or you want to know where to stay or what the weather and traffic are like, or you can’t figure out if its worth visiting South Florida at all, you’ve come to the right place.

Because its honesty season all year long in South Florida. And that’s our favorite time of year.

We recently lived in South Florida for a few months at the end of 2023, up in the Jupiter/Juno Beach area. I work for the VA Healthcare system and they move our family around every few months. We’ve been to 40 states in the past three years, and lived in eight of them.

I like to think we’re reasonably objective in our assessments of what’s good or otherwise. We’re friendly folks who like people and pick up on vibes pretty quick. We might not share your tastes or interests but at least we’ll tell it to you straight.

If you’d like to learn more about our adventures, click here, here, or here.

Are the South Florida Stereotypes true?

Is everybody old, crotchety, and/or blonde?

No. But you see more blonde women than any other part of the country. We found the people of South Florida to be more friendly than average compared to other parts of the country, especially in the Jupiter area where we stayed.

Is everyone a loudmouth, flag-waving conservative?

Perhaps in their private lives, but no. South Florida is a very diverse part of the country. We heard a few unprompted, conservative statements that we might not hear in other regions, so folks are not afraid to complain about the current state of affairs.

Is everyone rich?

Oh, hell no. You don’t have to creep far from the beaches to find middle-class neighborhoods and poverty. That said, it can feel like everyone around you is wealthy along the shore. In some of the neighborhoods the wealth is so grandiose you’ll go slackjaw right there in your Costco jeans.

Where is South Florida?

Jupiter is the northern border of “South Florida”. Above that is 30 minutes of greenery before you get to Port Saint Lucie. Miami is generally considered the southern part of “South Florida”.

In between Jupiter and Miami is a large cluster of people living as close to the beach as they can afford. Major cities include Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. There’s a few more in there that don’t differentiate themselves like the above listed towns. To learn where to stay on your South Florida vacation, check out The 6 Best Cities in South Florida.

What’s the Weather like in South Florida?

Everyone told us the weather is great from October to April.

In actuality, there was more rain than shine between October and December. Folks said, “I don’t know what’s going on. The weather is NEVER like this.” This was a very cool story, but we’ve heard that balderdash before.

Temperatures in the fall and winter typically run in the 60’s-70’s. There were a couple of days where it dropped into the 40’s, and a handful up in the 80’s.

We also survived a mini-hurricane in November. A tree branch bashed the covers off both our air conditioners (on the motorhome), and the RV Park took zero responsibility for their poorly pruned trees. Now you know.

So, we saw a lot of gray skies. When the sun came out and the sky was blue it was magic. Wish there had been more days like that.

What’s it like Driving in South Florida?

Well, there are worse places to drive. But here’s something people never mention: Many South Florida neighborhoods are hidden from site behind a wall of greenery.

Residents probably feel this creates a sense of privacy. On the outside, however, it can make miles of highway feel lonely and dull.

The freeways move pretty well except at rush hour. Rush hour is bad.

Downtown Miami is mostly a cluster. We don’t recommend driving there.

Places to Go and Things to Do in South Florida

A South Florida vacation has so many options. Tropical beaches, art collections and mansions, animal encounters, even National Parks.

Below are our favorite estates, gardens, museums, parks, and beaches to visit in South Florida.

1. The Mansions

Some of South Florida’s early settlers were wealthy beyond belief, and they built themselves fantastic winter dwellings that we enjoy to this day. These are a few of the better known mansions.

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The gilded age was a glorious era where wealthy men built incredible things. The Biltmore, Hearst Castle, and the Vizcaya are examples of gilded age mansions.

James Deering inherited his money from his father, and this is where he threw his parties. The gardens are charming and the waterfront milieu is one of a kind.

Flagler Museum

The Flagler Museum is another spectacular Gilded Age Mansion in South Florida. Henry Flagler was the brains behind Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, and is mostly responsible for developing this part of the country.

The interior of the Flagler is exquisite far beyond the Vizcaya, yet it lacks the gardens and oceanfront ambience that makes the Vizcaya one of a kind.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

Chicago artist Fred Bartlett wanted a winter home for his family where they could pursue their artistic talents. The home was built in a Caribbean plantation-style architecture which fits well in the surroundings. 

Tour the Bonnet House family compound with a tour guide or just walk around the property. It’s a block from the beach in Fort Lauderdale. This isn’t as nice as the previous two, but it makes a fine excursion to mix up your vacation.

If you love to travel, or love the idea of traveling more, better, or different, we have something we would like to give you. It is our professionally designed e-book and it is FREE of charge. We think it’s pretty great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll like it, too. It’s called, “Cultivating a Lifetime of Travel”. Click HERE. and we’ll send it on over!

2. The Beaches

Why would you come here if it weren’t for the beaches? That was a rhetorical question. Animal rescues and rave parties notwithstanding, the warm, tropical ocean is the primary draw to South Florida. These are our favorite beaches.

Fort Lauderdale Beaches

Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale is our favorite of the South Florida beaches. The beach is wide sand is perfect. If you want lunch or a drink there’s an action-packed strip right behind you. The surf is wild and the prettiest blue on the coast. This is a can’t-miss stop.

Jupiter Beaches

Jupiter has some wonderful beaches, namely Juno Beach and Coral Cove/Blowing Rocks Preserve. The beach crowd is smaller and more clean in these parts.

The sand on these beaches is not as nice as the sand in Fort Lauderdale or South Beach. Its darker in color and more coarse. Shells are also abundant, which is a blessing and a curse.

Boca Raton Beaches

Boca Raton’s most popular beach is Red Reef Beach. We consider this to be one of the five best beaches in South Florida. Unlike Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach, Red Reef Park feels sequestered away from the cityscape and highways.

Miami Beaches

Everyone is familiar with South Beach, seen behind Monica above. They even named a diet after the place (although not many beach goers are on a diet, apparently). South Beach is in the running for best beach in South Florida.

That said, this is not a world class beach. None of them are. If you want the best beaches in Florida, head on over to the Emerald Coast — The 20 Best Redneck Riviera Beaches.

3. Animal Encounters

South Florida is in the tropics, a completely different climate than the rest of the contiguous USA. With a tropical climate comes some exotic animals. Here you can have up-close experiences with creatures you might not find anywhere else.

Flamingo Gardens

Part botanical garden, part zoo, the Flamingo Gardens were our favorite animal excursion in South Florida. Be sure to take the narrated tram tour through some of the last natural jungle in Florida. 

Loggerhead Marine Life Center

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a nonprofit focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation. A dozen or so tanks (shown above) house turtles that are in various stages of rehabilitation. Also enjoy shark feedings, jellyfish (very cool), and an assortment of creatures. And its free!

Manatee Lagoon

One of the best places to observe manatees is Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is not a zoo or a rescue but a common place for the beasts to gather, so no guarantee the manatees will be there. The facility is really great, though, even if you strike out.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has over 40 years of dedication to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. To the undiscerning person this is a small zoo with some amazing animals (a bear, panther, etc.).

Other Options

Gumbo-Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton is another animal rescue.

Butterfly World in Coconut Creek claims to have every butterfly on earth (and charges accordingly).

Lion Country Safari near Jupiter allows visitors to have up-close encounters with the wild beasties at their drive-through zoo.

3. Parks, Gardens and Museums

South Florida has an appreciable number of parks and museums to enhance your holiday beach experience. We recommend adding a little man-made beauty between the hours you spend holding the sand against the earth.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

This is a large state park with substantial opportunity for water sport rentals. The highlight of the park is the lighthouse. Stroll the beach or rent a kayak and trace the perimeter of the park for one of the most fun things to do in South Florida.

Bayfront Park

Downtown Miami has a clean and active waterfront. Bayfront Park is a great place to walk, jog, or bring the dogs. Dining and shopping are also available, but they are mostly junk.

Blowing Rocks Preserve / Coral Cove

This is the hidden gem in Jupiter, Florida. You’ll want to visit when at low tide to see the waves crash against the coral banks. Here’s a tide chart to help you plan. Wear durable shoes and you’ll have to walk a half-mile down the beach from the parking lot.

Norton Art Museum

The Norton Museum was founded in 1941 by a wealthy couple that turned their private art collection into a museum. The Museum’s permanent collection includes Monet, Van Gogh, Raphael, O’keeffe, Pollack, and more. This is an above average art museum. We recommend it.

West Palm Beach Green Market

The WPB Green Market is the best outdoor market we’ve seen in our USA travels. The setting is lovely in downtown West Palm Beach. The crowd is vibrant. The stalls have a wide variety of foods and crafts. At Christmas they build a gigantic sandcastle named Sandi and everyone gathers to celebrate.

Dubois Park

This is perhaps the nicest park on the South Florida coast. Walk all along the southern side of the Jupiter Inlet and take in the views of the passing boats on your way to the beach. In the background is the Jupiter Lighthouse, which ties the whole scene together.

Mizner Park

Mizner Park is Boca Raton’s version of Las Olas Boulevard — a delightful park surrounded by shopping and restaurants. The Boca Raton Museum of Art is here, as well as a cultural center, an amphitheater, and an assortment of Ferraris, Bugattis, and other trappings of immense wealth.

Mounts Botanical Garden

Mounts Botanical Garden is a 20-acre oasis amidst the traffic chaos. Get lost in these tropical gardens for a couple of hours.

Where are the Best Towns to Stay in South Florida?

Choose your town carefully. On a map it looks like they all run together, but with traffic it can take awhile to get from one city to another. Each place has a different vibe — some better than others — and you don’t want to feel stuck in a subpar environment. So… choose your town carefully.

Fort Lauderdale

This is your best chance at a good time in South Florida. Great beaches and access to other towns and attractions. Clean, upscale, and beautiful.

Jupiter/Juno Beach

The wealth is apparent, but tasteful. The community is active, but subtle. The waterways and beaches are beautiful. And people are quite friendly!

Boca Raton

Boca doesn’t have much for the tourists beside a beach, some parks, and a very nice shopping hub. If that’s exactly what you’ve looking for, this would be a fine place to lodge.

Miami Beach

You might be drawn to the architecture, which is very cool, yet there’s a high probability you’ll leave thinking more about the sleaze just under the polished exterior. The obnoxious elements are naked and hollering right in broad daylight and they outnumber you by infinity.

West Palm Beach

The exclusivity on the outer Palm Beach is almost prohibitive, and downtown West Palm Beach isn’t interesting on its own. Unless you are shacking at The Breakers, we wouldn’t recommend staying here. This is more of a “day trip” or “live here” place.

For more information, read The 6 Best Cities in South Florida.

An Honest Conclusion for Visiting South Florida

Our family gave South Florida mixed reviews. Monica absolutely loved living here. Our RV park was across the street from Juno Beach, and she would walk the beach every day, cleaning up trash as she went along. It was transformative for her.

On my days off from work I would drive us to different beaches and opulent shopping hubs. We would see manatees and flamingos and loggerhead turtles at the animal rescues. And even if we did nothing, our RV park had an impossible palm tree sensibility and a brilliant blue pool.

My defining South Florida experience was driving on Interstate-95 to work in a rough hospital. On my days off I’d drive endless miles across flat landscape where the houses were hidden away behind jungle walls. The foliage was redundant, although the palm trees were wonderful.

South Florida felt like an exhaust-sucking-traffic-jam as much as it did a tropical paradise. Beach time was usually good, but I couldn’t help but think about the beaches in Destin, which are superior. West Palm Beach was boring, so if we wanted to be somewhere other than Jupiter/Juno Beach we were driving over an hour south to Fort Lauderdale.

Monica would move here yesterday. I would prefer to live in South Dakota over South Florida.

Is South Florida Worth Visiting?

If you do it right, then yes. If you do it wrong, then no, South Florida is not worth visiting.

Firstly, there are better beaches in Florida. If your primary draw to this region is the sandy shore, strongly consider the Florida Panhandle instead, also known as the Emerald Coast (link). The sand is softer, the water is more vibrant, and there is no metropolis jacking up the milieu.

But assuming you aren’t changing your plans because of our last minute recommendation, keep a few things in mind…

If you stay in Miami Beach, heaven help you. The town has a Carnival Cruise atmosphere.

Our best advice for South Florida would be to stay on the beach in Fort Lauderdale and take day trips to places like Everglades National Park, South Beach, the Vizcaya, etc.

If you want a low-key holiday, try one of the beach communities outside Boca Raton — Delray Beach, Hollywood Beach, Pompano Beach, etc.

We love Jupiter, but the downside of Jupiter is you’re very far away from everything except West Palm Beach. Jupiter would be a much different vacation than lodging further south. And maybe that’s a good thing! It really depends on what energy you enjoy.

Above all, we hope this article was helpful to you in one way or another. That’s the crux of the Honest Reviews. Sorry if we rocked your boat. Hopefully it was worth it.

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