Southern Byways » Florida

Good-Bye For Now

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:59:56 +0000

Although, it’s been wonderful joining everyone at Southern Byways, the time has come for me to part with everyone here. Don’t fret, because Apryl will still be around and I’m just making my way over to The South Florida Traveler. So if you are looking for the best in South Florida, from restaurants and museums to hot events and new openings, please stop by to check me out. We’ll be in touch.

Photo Credit: Kruggg6 @ flickr

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Trick or Treat – Must Attend Events in South Florida

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:58:15 +0000

You’ve spent the last month trying to put together that perfect costume, and now the time has come. Halloween is right around the corner, but where will you be strutting your stuff? Here’s a run-down of some of the parties in town:

Trick or Treat on 2nd Street: If you are in the Fort Lauderdale area on the 31st, make sure to bring your Boo down to Himmarshee Village in Downtown Fort Lauderdale for an outdoor street festival. There will be a costume contest ($5,000 grand prize) and a chance at $50,000 cash for the 1st 1,000 visitors.
Halloween Party at The Blue Fish in Delray Beach: Located at 110 E Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, The Blue Fish will be hosting a costume party with prizes and a DJ. The night starts out with a Red Sun Happy Hour from 6-7 pm, then an Orzel Vodka promotion from 10 pm – midnight. Be there by midnight, as that is when the costume contest will begin.
Covenant House Halloween Bash at the River House in Fort Lauderdale: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, the cost will include live music, 2 drinks a person, food and a costume contest. Sign up at youngpros.net and remember a portion of the proceeds will benefit Benefits Young Professionals for Covenant House, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Broward County Gator Club Charities, Riverwalk Trust, and Jessica June Children’s Foundation. The River House is located at 301 SW 3rd Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.
Tobacco Road in Miami from 6:00 – 7:36 pm. Ok, so this isn’t technically a Halloween event, but for 96 minutes, Tobacco Road will be offering select drinks for only 96 cents. Try beating that!
1920’s Prohibition Halloween Party at the Delano: Join in the fun at this roaring 20’s Halloween Party. Live performances by Brendan O’Hara and the Big Bounce, and they will be featuring an Absinthe Prohibition cocktail menu.
Halloween at Tequila Ranch: Get ready for some freaky costumes and a bull-riding contest. Live DJ and prizes for the best costumes. Great choice if you are north in the Hollywood area.
Heaven and Hell at Opium Garden: Sponsored by Absolut Vodka, this Heaven and Hell themed event celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Starts at 11 pm.

Photo Credit: peasap @ flickr

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Stone Crab and Seafood Happy Hour

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:46:03 +0000

When it’s October in Florida, it’s your duty to indulge in Stone Crabs. They are only available for a short time, but how do you do it without breaking your bank account? It’s called — Stone Crab and Seafood Happy Hour — and it’s only available at Nikki Beach located on One Ocean Drive in Miami. This occurs on Friday and Saturday nights from 4-7 pm. $10 Jumbo Stone Crabs, Lobster Tail and half-price Mojitos. Life sure is delicious! For reservations, call 305-538-1111 or visit them online.

If you can’t make it to their happy hour, they have quite the selection of special promotions going on during the week including their famous and fabulous Sunday brunch (and I’m not even fond of Sunday brunches, but going to Nikki Beach on Sundays makes me think I am). They also have matinees on Saturdays, where Fit Fashion on the Beach is the theme going around. From 11 am – 9 pm, you will hear DJ Bruno making some noise, enjoy morning yoga, and enjoy the latest line from Bluefish Sport Fitness Apparel.

Photo Credit: cayobo @ flickr

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Lingerie & Cocktails This Thursday

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:36:50 +0000

If you’re looking for a twist on the traditional cocktail party, stop by Agent Provocateur tomorrow night. They are hosting a cocktail party from 6 to 9 pm at their Bal Harbour location. They will be serving drinks and scrumptious canapes at this fabulous in-store party. Besides the food, drinks and collection of lingerie, they will also be giving away a gift with purchase during the event. Ohh-la-la!

An RSVP is required to francesca.reed@agentprovocateur.com

Agent Provocateur is located at the Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue, 2nd Level in Bal Harbour.

Photo Credit: James@mannequindisplay.com @ flickr

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Just What the Doctor Ordered

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:01:20 +0000

It’s time to destress and here’s the perfect answer. Three times a week on Mondays and Wednesdays (6-7:15) and Saturdays (9-10:15), free yoga classes are held in the park at Tina Hills Pavilion (south end) in Miami. This outdoor location is the perfect setting for relaxation and gives you a chance to escape and invigorate yourself. All classes are taught by a certified Yoga Instructor and everyone who attends must be over the age of 18. Attendees must come prepared and bring their own yoga mat, water and towel. If it rains, no worries as the classes will be moved inside the Bayfront Park office. All levels are welcome. For more information, visit their website or call 305-358-7550.

Photo Credit: fifila @ flickr

De-stress three times a week with

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Coming to a Spa Near You

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:12:36 +0000

Does the economy stress you out? Are you ready to pull your hair out? Why not spend time next week pampering yourself? Now is the time to indulge in Spa Week 2008. Taking place from October 13-19, participating spas will offer spa treatments for only $50. Whether you are in Washington D.C., Florida or Georgia, you will be sure to find a new treatment that will brush your worries away.

Take a look at some of the options:

In Florida:

The Contour Day Spa at the Seminole Hard Rock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers a 50-minute Loofah Salt Glow and Seaweed Body Masque.
The Stonewater Spa and Boutique offers a 45-minute Body Salt Glow and a 75-minute Milk and Honey Glow.
The Spa at Shula’s offers a 45-minute Aromatherapy Massage and a 45-minute Detox Facial.
White Light SkinCare in Miami offers a 60-minute Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and a 60-minute lunchtime exfoliating peel.

D.C.

100 West Hair Studio offers a 75-minute Lavendar Hot Stone Massage
Eyma Salon offers a 60-minute Thermal Calming Water Treatment
Trendz Rejuvenation offers a 45-minute Geranium Sage Full Body Massage and a 45-minute Organic Stone Crop Customized Facial.

In Georgia:

Indulge Spa offers a 45-minute Green with Envy Eucalyptus and Tea Tree Pedicure with Hot Stone Pedicure Massage.
Mind & Body Day Spa offers a 40-minute Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Organic Peel.
Tranquility Salon and Spa offers a 50-minute Tranquil Bliss Facial.

For more options, visit Spa Week. You will see a full lineup of the options, and best of all, these special treatments are only $50. Indulge. Enjoy.

Photo Credit: Erik @ flickr

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Meals Worth Stopping for in Florida

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:56:41 +0000

There is never a wrong time for a road trip. Packing the car up and venturing out with a group of loved ones can be the best experience that can happen to you. Good friends, good food and good conversation add to the experience. While some people don’t like to make plans, but rather see where their trip may take them, others want to make sure they experience the best a particular area has to offer. For those who like to plan ahead or at least know what they are getting themselves into in regards to food and dining, I’ve just discovered a book that is essential while traveling through Florida by car.

Meals Worth Stopping for in Florida: Local Restaurants Within 10 Miles of the Interstate is a must have for those traveling gourmands. The Gourmettes, Nancy Barber and Jane Bolder have surveyed a 10-mile radius along the major interstate in Florida. They have discovered more than 100 local favorites that the typical tourist would never have known existed. Their highlighted destinations include where the locals go to find the best seafood, barbecue, soul food, steaks, sandwiches, Key Lime Pie and more. Better yet, you barely have to take a detour off your chosen path. The restaurants are arranged by interstate and the books includes clear directions from the interstate.

If you are traveling on Interstate 10 from Pensacola to Jacksonville, here are some of their recommendations:

McGuires’s Irish Pub, Pensacola
H & M Hotdogs, DeFuniak Springs
Shell Oyster Bar, Tallahassee
Kool Beanz Cafe, Tallahassee
Mozaik, Tallahassee
Z. Bardhi’s, Tallahassee
Ed-N-Barb’s Cream Donuts, Lake City
Biscottis, Jacksonville
Mossfire Grill, Jacksonville
The Metro Diner, Jacksonville

Why not turn your road trip into a culinary getaway?

Photo Credit: Willy Volk @ flickr

Post from: Southern Byways

Clowning Around

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:28:20 +0000

When I was a little girl, my grandfather dressed up as a clown whenever there was a parade coming through our small town. No, he didn’t dress up for no reason and sit and watch the parades, but he (along with a group of his friends) rode his little trolley or bus or whatever it might be through the parade to entertain those in attendance. As part of the festivities, I often had the opportunity to truck along with him. Oh, clowning around!

Fast forward and many years later, I found out about Florida Circus School of the Art. In the past it was just for kids, but recently they opened it up to adults too. So, you want to be a kid again? You want to be part of the circus? Here’s your chance.

The school is run by Mr. Eugene Baranok, a graduate of the Russian Circus School and a past performer in the Moscow State Circus. It offers participants the chance to walk on a tight rope, become an aerial star or take part in a trapeze act. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle, ride a unicycle or learn to precision jump rope, you can do that too. Better yet, these classes will get you in shape. It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Classes are offered in the day, evening or weekend and you can take these as private classes, semi-private or in a group setting. They range from one-day programs to summer camps. Imagaine the stories that you would have to tell.

Photo Credit: Carf @ flickr

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It’s Time to Limbo

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:54:51 +0000

What happens when you combine cocktails and roller skating? ..an entire night of craziness. That’s what happens every Tuesday night at Gold Coast Roller Rink in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and it has been that way since 1968. Intoxiskate, as it is called, is one of the longest standing institutions for the thriving gay community in South Florida. Local DJs work the turntables, while guests skate the night away. $5 gets you in the door and skate rentals are $2. Drinks are inexpensive, as well. The crowd is younger than the bar scene, as Gold Coast’s liquor license is similar to that of a bowling alley, and you only need to be 18 to get in the door. Couple’s or backwards skate anyone?

Gold Coast Roller Skating Rink is located at 2604 S Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. (954) 523-6783 Roll Out takes place every Tuesday night from 8:00 pm – 2:00 am.

Photo Credit: Indy Charlie @ flickr

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How Much Do You Really Know About Florida?

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:47:55 +0000

From Jacksonville to Miami and from Palm Beach to Naples, you feel like you know Florida like the back of your hand. But when it comes down to it, How much do you really know? Here’s a quiz on the state of Florida. Test yourself first and then, scroll down for the answers below. Feel free to leave a comment as to how well you did. Good Luck

What is the largest city in Florida? What is the capital?
Who discovered and named Florida?
What is the state flower?
What is the state bird?
Who is the Governor?
What is Florida’s nickname?
What 2 states border Florida?
Will the Dolphins go to the Superbowl?
How many miles of coastline does Florida have?
What is Florida’s state day?

Tallahassee, Jacksonville
Ponce de Leon
Orange Blossom
Mockingbird
Charlie Crist
The Sunshine State
Georgia, Alabama
What do you think?!
1800 miles
April 2nd – This is the day when Ponce de Leon landed in Florida – April 2, 1513.

Photo Credit: Seashells by Kruggg6@ flickr, Lighthouse by Janusz l @ flickr

Post from: Southern Byways