Written in May of 2018, edited and re-posted in May of 2019.
They said I could be anything, so I became a South Florida gal for a week, and boy did I love every second of it.
Okay, I definitely didn’t fit the part because I was as pale as a vampire the entire time I was there,Β but as always, I enjoyed my trip to the Sunshine State, and figured I’d share the details with you! There are so many hidden gems in South Florida that no one really talks about. Visits to Miami are frequent, but I wanted to mention the spots outside of the hot (metaphorically and literally) city that you’veΒ gotta check out.
The reason for our trip was for my mother-in-law’s birthday, but we made the most of our time there and visited a bunch of our favorite spots (and some new ones). My husband’s family lives in and around the Fort Lauderdale area. We didn’t trek down to Miami this time, but we found plenty to do close to where we stayed.
Places We Went
The Swap Shop
We hit this spot every time we go to SoFlo. It’s a massive flea market with an arcade inside and a bunch of fruit stands outside!
Sawgrass Mills
Probably the biggest mall I’ve ever been to, and it hasΒ all of my favorite stores. Typically I do some serious shopping damage here, but this time we shopped for B – and it was such fun!
The Walk of Coral Springs
This is walking distance from where Brandon lived when we first met. It’s got some ice cream shops, a Barnes & Noble, and some really pretty spots to sit and soak up the sun.
Game Night Arcade
I can’t rave enough about this place. We had the immense privilege of being there for the opening night a couple of years ago, and now it’s just so neat to visit and see how they’ve grown! The old-school video game vibe is the best (and they’ve also added mixed drinks to their menu, so we were pretty excited about that)!
Fort Lauderdale Beach
I feel like you can’t visit South Florida andΒ not go to the beach. We try to make it a habit to go around golden hour. Β It’s usually less crowded, and the view is spectacular!
FATVillage
If you can’t make it to Wynwood in Miaimi, this art district in Fort Lauderdale is a great option! Such a cool spot, filled with so much color and life!
Places We Ate
BREW Urban CafΓ©
This cafe is in FATVillage and has an airstream shop inside, along with a massive wall of books that reminds me of the library in Beauty & the Beast. They’ve got some seriously delicious cold brew!
Wings Plus
In my vlog, you’ll hear us say that people write full blog posts about their bleu cheese dressing – and we’re not wrong. You can read the post right here. I don’t enjoy bleu cheese dressing, but Wings Plus is an exception – and their wings are also phenomenal!
Taiwan Ice
A totally cute spot at The Walk of Coral Springs that offers rolled ice cream and bubble tea in lightbulbs!
BurgerFi
When B lived in South Florida, he raved about this spot for burgers. I never understood the hype until I tried their “CEO burger.” I think I swooned.
Pollo Tropical
I know this is a chain, but we don’t have them in Richmond, so any time we’re in SoFlo, I try to stop by to get myself a TropiChops. And don’t even get me started on how delicious their cilantro garlic sauce is.
Cherry Smash
I’ll never be able to truly express how much I love Cherry Smash. Not only is their ice cream to die for, but the shop itself is an experience. Walking in, you’re greeted by retro diner vibes and “Happy Days” playing on the TV. There are toys and collectibles from floor to ceiling that transport you to simpler times, and each time you visit, you’ll notice something you didn’t before!
Related Posts
The Pink Party Dress You’ll Never Want to Take Off //Β Tropical Print Pants You Gotta Wear to the Beach //Β 60 Gingham Dresses You’ll Love for Summer
Samantha Mariko says
That’s so special you visited to celebrate your future mother-in-law’s birthday! I’ve never been to Florida but the beachy vibes definitely remind me of California π I’m craving those cute boba drinks though!
xo Samantha
Samantha Mariko says
That’s so special you visited to celebrate your future mother-in-law’s birthday! I’ve never been to Florida but the beachy vibes definitely remind me of California π I’m craving those cute boba drinks though!
xo Samantha
Kimberly Burke says
I love all the vibrant colors in your pictures! π I am sure your MIL was super excited to have you guys there. Definitely book marking this so I can check out all the cool places you visited! Have a great weekend!
Rach says
You guys definitely did a lot and I love it! And those colorful walls are amazing!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Amita says
It looks like you had an amazing vacation! I’ve only ever visited Orlando in Florida, but the south looks like a great place for vacation. I’m loving your pictures! xx
Lily says
Oooh, looks like you guys had a blast! Loving all of your fun pictures!
Donna says
Fort Lauderdale. Best place on the planet!!
Kimberly Burke says
I love all the vibrant colors in your pictures! π I am sure your MIL was super excited to have you guys there. Definitely book marking this so I can check out all the cool places you visited! Have a great weekend!
Rach says
You guys definitely did a lot and I love it! And those colorful walls are amazing!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Amita says
It looks like you had an amazing vacation! I’ve only ever visited Orlando in Florida, but the south looks like a great place for vacation. I’m loving your pictures! xx
JoJo says
Love love the bubble tea in a lightbulb! Hope you had a blast!
Ruthie Ridley says
Oh my gosh you guys are the cutest! This looks like the best vacation ever!! Love these images!
Liz says
This looks like so much fun! I haven’t visited Florida yet, but it’s on my bucket list!
Cathy says
How fun! I’ve never been there, I’ll have to add this as a place to go to my list!
XOXO
Cathy
Lily says
Oooh, looks like you guys had a blast! Loving all of your fun pictures!
Donna says
Fort Lauderdale. Best place on the planet!!
JoJo says
Love love the bubble tea in a lightbulb! Hope you had a blast!
Ruthie Ridley says
Oh my gosh you guys are the cutest! This looks like the best vacation ever!! Love these images!
Kileen says
This looks like such an awesome trip! Next time I visit Florida, I’ll have to check these places out!
Kileen
cute & little
Kileen says
This looks like such an awesome trip! Next time I visit Florida, I’ll have to check these places out!
Kileen
cute & little
JayCee || Life of a Sister says
This looks like such a fun trip! I always fly into Ft Lauderdale but haven’t really explored much! I need to do that next time. That video is great, I love how you created it!
Nailil says
Wow he looks like you had a great time. I always love visiting Florida!
Ps. I’d love to have you share your post on my new Link Up Party here: http://thirtyminusone.com/trendy-thursday-linkup-off-shoulder-stripped-romper/
Xx, Nailil
Nailil says
Wow he looks like you had a great time. I always love visiting Florida!
Ps. I’d love to have you share your post on my new Link Up Party here: http://thirtyminusone.com/trendy-thursday-linkup-off-shoulder-stripped-romper/
Xx, Nailil
Laura || Walking in Memphis in High Heels says
I need to check out these places the next time I am in Florida! I am loving the murals in FATVillage, I love finding colorful spots to take photos!
Deborah says
Oh wow, looks like you guys had a lot of fun! The arcade sounds amazing!
Lauryn Hock says
What a way to spend your MIL’s birthday! The Swap Shop is calling my name
Taylor Mobley says
You rock hot pink better than anyone I’ve ever seen!
Deborah says
Oh wow, looks like you guys had a lot of fun! The arcade sounds amazing!
Stesha says
ah, looks like such a fun time!
xo
Stesha
http://www.stesharose.com
Lauryn Hock says
What a way to spend your MIL’s birthday! The Swap Shop is calling my name
Taylor Mobley says
You rock hot pink better than anyone I’ve ever seen!
Stesha says
ah, looks like such a fun time!
xo
Stesha
http://www.stesharose.com
Danielle says
So many fun places! Loved watching the vlog and that cotton candy ice cream looked amaaaazing!!
xx, Danielle | Pineapple & Prosecco
KatWalkSF says
I haven’t been to Florida in forever! Dying to go there!
Danielle says
So many fun places! Loved watching the vlog and that cotton candy ice cream looked amaaaazing!!
xx, Danielle | Pineapple & Prosecco
KatWalkSF says
I haven’t been to Florida in forever! Dying to go there!
Annie Fairfax says
This looks like so much fun! I love how colorful and cinematic your photos are too!
Annie Fairfax says
This looks like so much fun! I love how colorful and cinematic your photos are too!
Rachel R Ritlop says
awe you’re in my neck of the woods! We live just north of Ft. Lauderdale!! Being a FL girl is my absolute fave! Also the veggie burger at burgerfi is so good next time you go back! I’ll ahve to check out fatvillage!
Rach says
I had no idea that Fort Lauderdale has an art district! Definitely need to check that out next time I’m there! Always loving going to florida as well and my husband & I try to make it there at least once a year!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
rebecca says
I have always vacationed in the panhandle but would love to visit South Florida sometime soon!
xx rebecca
Liz says
You visit the best places! This looks like so much fun!! Also love the outfit with your pick dressed and floral shoes – soooo cute!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Katie says
These pics are absolutely beautiful and I love the way you described your trip – it was so informative! I would love to go to Florida!
Lina Melo says
Wow, amazing trip! It looks like so much fun!
Also, I love all your pictures and your outfits, pink looks so good on you!
Rachel R Ritlop says
awe you’re in my neck of the woods! We live just north of Ft. Lauderdale!! Being a FL girl is my absolute fave! Also the veggie burger at burgerfi is so good next time you go back! I’ll ahve to check out fatvillage!
Tanvi Rastogi says
Looks like so much fun. You had a wonderful trip.
❥ tanvii.com
Rach says
I had no idea that Fort Lauderdale has an art district! Definitely need to check that out next time I’m there! Always loving going to florida as well and my husband & I try to make it there at least once a year!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
rebecca says
I have always vacationed in the panhandle but would love to visit South Florida sometime soon!
xx rebecca
Liz says
You visit the best places! This looks like so much fun!! Also love the outfit with your pick dressed and floral shoes – soooo cute!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Hillary Conheady says
This post is soooo fun! Looks like y’all had a great trip! Definitely want to go to that arcade spot!
Katie says
These pics are absolutely beautiful and I love the way you described your trip – it was so informative! I would love to go to Florida!
Aliya Gulamhusein says
Looks like you had such an amazing time. The vibrance of Florida is always so nice. Great photos and hope the birthday party was fun too.
Tanvi Rastogi says
Looks like so much fun. You had a wonderful trip.
β₯ tanvii.com
Lee says
Looks like you had such a blast and had so many delicious treats!
Rachel says
Such a fun trip! I haven’t been to Florida in years but I’m dying to go back! Love the pink dress on you, too!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Ro says
That lightbulb bubble tea looks so cute! I would love to be able to visit Florida one day with my husband! I’ve gone before when I was younger, but I know I’d experience it much differently as an adult, now. Great post! Sounds like you had a lot of fun!
Carolyn says
You have me totally longing for the beach right about now! I’ve never been to South Florida, but I’ve been to Florida and loved it. Will have to remember these spots if I ever get there. Oh, and I loved your travel vlog! You guys are the cutest!
Candace says
Florida is always special. They have the nicest weather! Loved your pictures. The hot pink outfit is my favorite<3
Candace Hampton
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Jasmine Vargas says
Girlfriend, you are having a good year with all of these fun getaways. Looks like you had fun too in Florida.
Kileen says
Looks like such an amazing trip!! Definitely need to add these places to my list when I visit again!
Kileen
cute & little
Lily says
I would LOVE to visit Florida one day! I could go for some beach time right about now.
Jamaria says
This looks like it was so much fun! Iβve never really explored this part of Florida but now I definitely want to! Xo
Jiawun | Beauty Nerd By Night says
Omg, THOSE DESSERTS look amazing! The places you visited are stunning, but my eyes went directly to the food items, heh.
amanda elizabeth - meet at the barre says
My in laws live there! I definitely need to check out some of these places the next time we go down there! Thanks for the recs!
Lizzie says
I’d love to go to Florida! Definitely saving this post for future planning π Glad you had fun and got celebrate her birthday! I really loved watching the vlog too!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Katherine says
I am one of Floridaβs biggest fans but I never get down to South Florida as much as I want to! There really are some incredible hidden gems and I absolutely love Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Such a wonderful list!
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
I love to visit it Florida! It’s such a fun state!
Taylor Mobley says
I love Florida! I need to make a trip back
Deborah says
Oh, fun! South Florida is always a fun time – the beaches are fabulous! I think you may have been there at the same time my boyfriend was there for a conference!
Sarah Lindner says
Florida is like my second home! I usually venture to Orlando but I also LOVE SoFlo – my assistant just moved there I will pass on your rec’s to her too!
xoxo Sarah
Lizzie says
I’d love to go to Florida! Definitely saving this post for future planning π Glad you had fun and got celebrate her birthday! I really loved watching the vlog too!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Summer says
I need to get back to Florida so bad. I wish I could hop a plane tomorrow! That ice cream looks incredible!
Laura says
I have yet to go to Florida, but girl you are inspiring me! Your photos are awesome and I’m so glad you had fun!!
Cathy says
This looks like such a fun trip! I need to try that ice cream!! Yum!!
XOXO
Cathy
huda says
ive only been to south florida once a few years ago but this really made me wanna go back! love the pictures π
Summer says
I need to get back to Florida so bad. I wish I could hop a plane tomorrow! That ice cream looks incredible!
Laura says
I have yet to go to Florida, but girl you are inspiring me! Your photos are awesome and Iβm so glad you had fun!!
Nailil says
Florida is always fun. I love traveling through the East coast.
Xx, Nailil
http://thirtyminusone.com
Lecy | A Simpler Grace says
I’ve never been to this area of Florida before, but it looks so vibrant and full of life! The food, alone, looks amazing!
miriam says
this looked like such a fabulous trip! so colorful! definitely pinning this for the future!
Tanvi Rastogi says
Looks like SO MUCH fun. Love the photos. So sunny and wonderful.
❥ tanvii.com
Becky says
I love Florida, sometimes so much I want to move there! I have a special place in my heart for BurgerFi. I was down in Florida and at the time was training for a marathon, and that week I needed to do a 25 mile training run. So I did my run in the morning and BurgerFi is where we ended up for lunch – a burger has never tasted as good as it did after 25 miles of running!
Tanvi Rastogi says
Looks like SO MUCH fun. Love the photos. So sunny and wonderful.
β₯ tanvii.com
Tonya Morris says
So fun! I’m going to Florida for my babymoon and can’t wait!
Kait Elizabeth says
I’ve been wanting a Florida trip and this made me NEED one! Hugs, Kait Elizabeth
Tonya Morris says
So fun! I’m going to Florida for my babymoon and can’t wait!
Kait Elizabeth says
I’ve been wanting a Florida trip and this made me NEED one! Hugs, Kait Elizabeth
Morgan says
OMG I need to visit for the food alone!! It all looks so fun! And that fresh produce market is calling my name!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Morgan says
OMG I need to visit for the food alone!! It all looks so fun! And that fresh produce market is calling my name!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Carmen Edelson says
Your photography is amazing! I live close to here and I love everywhere you went, nice work!
Carmen Edelson says
Your photography is amazing! I live close to here and I love everywhere you went, nice work!
Renee || Getting Fit Fab says
I love your photography style! I need to go just to feed myself LOL. SO much fun keeping this in mind for when I go there!
Renee || Getting Fit Fab says
I love your photography style! I need to go just to feed myself LOL. SO much fun keeping this in mind for when I go there!
Laura says
Definitely pinning this so I can check out all the places you visited next time we travel to Florida!
xo, Laura
Laura says
Definitely pinning this so I can check out all the places you visited next time we travel to Florida!
xo, Laura
Celeste says
Looks like it was such a fun trip and your dresses so adhoc! Need them all!
Celeste says
Looks like it was such a fun trip and your dresses so adhoc! Need them all!
Cathy says
How fun! I’ve never been there, I’ll have to add this as a place to go to my list!
XOXO
Cathy
Laura || Walking in Memphis in says
I need to check out these places the next time I am in Florida! I am loving the murals in FATVillage, I love finding colorful spots to take photos!
JayCee || Life of a Sister says
This looks like such a fun trip! I always fly into Ft Lauderdale but haven’t really explored much! I need to do that next time. That video is great, I love how you created it!
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
I love to visit it Florida! It’s such a fun state!
Deborah says
Oh, fun! South Florida is always a fun time – the beaches are fabulous! I think you may have been there at the same time my boyfriend was there for a conference!
Taylor Mobley says
I love Florida! I need to make a trip back
Cathy says
This looks like such a fun trip! I need to try that ice cream!! Yum!!
XOXO
Cathy
Katherine says
I am one of Florida’s biggest fans but I never get down to South Florida as much as I want to! There really are some incredible hidden gems and I absolutely love Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Such a wonderful list!
Sarah Lindner says
Florida is like my second home! I usually venture to Orlando but I also LOVE SoFlo – my assistant just moved there I will pass on your rec’s to her too!
xoxo Sarah
Aliya Gulamhusein says
Looks like you had such an amazing time. The vibrance of Florida is always so nice. Great photos and hope the birthday party was fun too.
Hillary Conheady says
This post is soooo fun! Looks like y’all had a great trip! Definitely want to go to that arcade spot!
Lina Melo says
Wow, amazing trip! It looks like so much fun!
Also, I love all your pictures and your outfits, pink looks so good on you!