How To Plan A Southern Florida Adventure

While the theme parks and beaches of southern Florida are an obvious draw, my husband and I were interested in what else the Sunshine State had to offer. We’re an active family who like to eat, see sights, visit galleries and museums, swim (warm pools get my vote) and generally reconnect away from our busy lives.

Thanks to Today’s Parent and Visit Florida, Visit Lauderdale, the Greater Miami Conventions and Visitors Bureau, and Discover Martin County, my husband Mike, our 11-year-old son, and nine-year-old daughter travelled to southern Florida for a fun-packed week touring the coast.

Our trip began in Fort Lauderdale. Then, we drove south to Miami and north to Martin County, where we stayed in the coastal town of Stuart. Finally, we returned our rental car and flew out of Palm Beach, home to Toronto.

It was family time we’ll never forget.

Flying to Fort Lauderdale

I travelled separately, which, as any parent knows, is a mini-break all in itself. I flew WestJet from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a direct flight that took three hours and 26 minutes. With the WestJet app, I was able to check in from home 24 hours before my flight and download my boarding pass. No stress!

Renting a vehicle for a multi-city trip

Thanks to prior arrangements, my husband was able to pick up the rental car with our kids at the airport Avis location before I landed. There was a backup in the availability of clean vehicles, and the kids were troopers while the staff worked to sort everyone out. An extra wait is something to have on your radar during a busier arrival time at an airport rental location.

The convenient parts were an auto-transponder for tolls and the ability to return the car to Palm Beach International Airport because our flights home were booked from there.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Area: Dania Beach, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale

The Greater Fort Lauderdale area includes 31 separate municipalities, and we visited two other cities during our stay, Dania Beach and Pompano Beach. From the airport, it was a quick 15-minute drive to the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport at Dania Pointe, our first hotel of the trip.

Check-in was a breeze with friendly service, and parking was ample and easy; just use your room key card to enter and leave at your own discretion. They also offer valet service. Our standard room had a city view with two comfortable queen beds, soft pillows and blackout curtains – the trifecta of travel sleep. After checking out the room, we headed straight to the rooftop pool. A swim with a view is a great way to kick off any vacation and the cabanas were a welcome sight.

Day One: Pompano Beach

After recharging, we drove about 40 minutes to Pompano Beach, a sunny city on the Atlantic Ocean. The Fishing Village is a bustling neighbourhood with shops, condos, and restaurants along Pompano Beach Boulevard. There’s also a playground and outdoor gym equipment where our kids burned off some fourth-wind steam (they had been awake since 4 a.m.).

We went for a walk along the Fisher Family Pier just as the sun was setting. It was a good idea to get some fresh air and take in the warm evening. The kids had a snow day off from school only a few days before!

The large pier stretches 900 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, where fishing fans can cast off and keep their catch. Even if you skip the fishing, it’s worth the visit for the ocean views and pelican- and people-watching.

Day Two: Dania Beach and Fort Lauderdale

Our first adventure took us to the Tigertail Lake Recreation Center in Dania Beach, less than 10 minutes from our hotel.

Tigertail Lake offers watersport rentals like canoes, kayaks, windsurfers and paddleboards as well as outdoor activities. We were there to try out the Aerial Challenge, a ropes course 46 feet in the air. While we’ve all done ropes courses before, this was the highest one we’ve seen!

After safety training, my husband and son locked in and ascended up the net tunnel to conquer the course. They loved it, especially jumping off the final platform and slowly descending by a cable.

Then we changed into our swimsuits for the Aqua Challenge, a series of eight inflatable trampolines, swings, climbers, and connecting tubes on the lake. Believe me, a one-hour session is ample time for the grown-ups to tire themselves out completely.

After some downtime at the hotel, we headed to Mad Arts, an immersive digital art gallery in Dania Beach. Here you’ll find over 20 exhibits, rooms and art installations incorporating a variety of lights, videos, art, language, photography, abstract imagery, cameras and human interaction. There’s also an outdoor garden area with food trucks, music, art installations and a play area for kids. It was the perfect artsy experience after our sporty morning.

Day Three: Finishing up in Fort Lauderdale and on to Miami

A sleep-in was required, and then we packed up to check out. We swung by the Museum of Discovery and Science in downtown Fort Lauderdale to check out over 200 STEM-related exhibits and learn about space, weather, dinosaurs, Florida’s ecology and more. Plus, there’s an IMAX theatre and a large play area for young kids and toddlers. Then it was about a 45-minute drive to Miami.

Where to eat in Greater Fort Lauderdale

• The Vault Restaurant and Bar in Old Town Pompano is housed in the city’s historic bank building which was built in 1922. The bank’s original “cannonball” style vault, round and thick, is still on display. Highlights: Dapper Dills—deep fried pickle coins, short ribs, blackened mahi sandwich
• Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, a family-owned Dania Beach institution since 1956, specializes in classics like hot dogs, burgers, hot and cold sandwiches and ice cream made batch by batch on site, 45 flavours with all the fixings. Highlights: fried chicken sandwich, onion rings and crinkle fries, splitting the Oreo sundae
• Louie Bossi is in downtown Fort Lauderdale. It was packed to its gleaming wooden rafters, so a reservation is definitely required. The back garden patio is a pretty space strewn with twinkle lights. Highlights: Dry aged prosciutto, margherita pizzas, spaghetti carbonara, rib eye steak
• Café Bastille, also downtown along one of Fort Lauderdale’s many canals. Did you know the city is called “the Venice of America” because it has over 300 waterways? The prettiest covered patio and delicate decor. Highlights: Eggs Benedict, shakshuka, the Nutella croissant and some of the best coffee we had all week
• Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale offers homemade Asian American fare. You order at the counter, and the food is brought to you fast and hot; everything was filling and delicious. Highlights: Wonton noodle soup, shrimp and pork dumplings, and Cha Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns)

Day Three, Miami: The Elser Hotel and Wynwood Walls

Miami has a vibrant, exuberant energy, a change from the slower but still cosmopolitan Greater Fort Lauderdale area. The kids spotted sports cars we’ve only seen online at every stoplight, and the architecture was outstanding.

Opened in 2022, the Elser Hotel & Residences in downtown Miami is a luxuriously designed 49-storey hotel and private residence with high-end amenities, spacious suites, and a central location with access to everything you need. The valets were waiting to whisk the car away while the porter took our bags to the reception desk. The service was impeccable.

We stayed in a two-bedroom, three-bathroom suite with a large balcony with jaw-dropping 40th-floor views overlooking Biscayne Bay. We were impressed by the comfortable beds, stunning views, ensuite bathrooms (with bathrobes!), and overall swankiness.

We investigated the sleek two-storey gym, which opens onto the 10th-floor patio and pool area, which features loungers, a snack and coffee bar, towel service, and plenty of Florida sunshine.

Our first stop in Miami was the eclectic Wynwood Art District, where we checked out Wynwood Walls, an outdoor gallery founded in 2009 to celebrate street art in all its forms. We walked around snapping photos of dozens of bold and colourful murals.

At the Street Art Experience, we got about 10 minutes to try our hands at graffiti-style spray painting. The staff had spray paint cans available and told us how to get the best flow of paint (spray close to the wall). We all loved it and it’s worth registering for this added experience.

Day Four: Historic Overtown and the Frost Science Museum, Miami

We had a quick breakfast of croissants and coffee by the Elser Hotel pool before Mike and the kids headed to the Savoy Hotel & Beach Club on South Beach. One of the perks of staying at the Elser is access to the Savoy’s pool and club.

I took myself on the Melanin Miami Tour with Key2MIA Tours, a walking tour of historic Overtown, known as “the Harlem of the South,” to hear about famous visitors like Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Martin Luther King, Jr. while visiting the popular community garden and taking in the creative murals by local artists displaying Black pride. My guide Keymia was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed learning from her and asking questions.

Reunited, we walked from our hotel to the Frost Science Museum downtown. This museum has a planetarium, aquariums, outdoor gardens, and exhibits like Bugs, The Dig, and The Me Lab. Plus, the views from the open fifth floor are incredible.

We started with the aquariums and were mesmerized by the swimming stingrays, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and fish of all shades and sizes. My daughter is a stingray fan and there’s an open tank where guests can touch them gently. We didn’t have luck that day, but it was still fun trying.

Then we moved on to my favourite, the planetarium, where we watched a short film about the Earth’s climate systems and felt like we were immersed in the universe.

Day Five: Leaving Miami for Martin County

A lazy morning with coffee, breakfast burritos and croissants by the pool was blissful after a busy, but fun, four days. Then my son and I went on the award-winning Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour by Miami Culinary Tours to sample authentic Cuban cuisine.

Our guide Ariel provided plenty of details about the history of Cubans in Miami while we walked around the historic neighbourhood, sampling strong Cuban coffee, beef empanadas, Cuban sandwiches with pork tenderloin, deli ham, pickles, and Swiss cheese, pastelitos, which are flaky pastries filled with guava and cream cheese, and fried churros sprinkled with sugar.

I enjoyed spending one-on-one time with my son—we both love to eat and learn about history. Then we said adios to Miami and settled in for the one-hour and 45-minute drive to Martin County and the cute coastal town of Stuart, our final destination.

Where to eat in Miami

• 1-800-Lucky in Wynwood, Miami’s first pan-Asian food hall and marketplace with seven vendors selling foods from across the continent, as well as two bars, a karaoke area and space for private parties. Highlights: Fresh sushi from B-Side, sisig, a Filipino rice dish from Jeepney, and Cha Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns) from Yip.
• Julia and Henry’s is downtown closer to Overtown. It's a multi-storey food emporium with 25 small vendors selling food from around the world, with multiple bars offering different types of cocktails, wine and beer. Highlights: Wagyu beef burger from June, Peruvian ceviche from J Wong, handmade popsicles from Cielto Artisan Pops
• Sixty Vines downtown boasts 60 different wines on tap and well-crafted, wine country-inspired meals. The beautifully decorated room was family-friendly with a kid menu and great service, but still grown-up enough to feel special. Highlights: Bacon-wrapped dates, golden beets with whipped feta, pan-roasted chicken

Day Five, Martin County: Stuart and Jensen Beach

If Miami was luxury and high energy, Martin County was a comfortable, calming contrast. Located on the Treasure Coast, named for sunken treasure from a Spanish fleet in the 18th century, Martin County offers charming small towns, 22 miles of beaches and over 100,000 acres of parklands. There’s a real take-it-easy energy with more families and retirees than party-seekers.

Stuart was voted the Best Coastal Small Town in the 2024 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards, and it’s easy to see why. The pastel-coloured downtown is lined with cute shops, cafes, diners, and restaurants, and the locals are welcoming.

The Old Colorado Inn, Stuart

Family-owned and operated, the Old Colorado Inn is in the heart of town and offers suites in the main building as well as in a group of quaint cottages. We stayed in the Evinrude Suite on the first floor of a mint green bungalow, which had a private porch swing and access to the pool and Jacuzzi (only the cottages had access, so it wasn’t crowded).

Our suite had a large living room, several seating areas, a dining table, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a front and back porch, and an outdoor seating area with a barbecue. Each room had a small kitchenette; the primary one had a coffee maker, a full fridge and dishware.

We took a short drive to the Ohana Surf Shop on Hutchinson Island for a private stand-up paddleboard (SUP) experience. Our guide had boards, paddles, life jackets and bug spray ready for a trip down the St. Lucie River, which was calm and laid out before us almost like an ocean.

I’m not entirely experienced, and our daughter and I wanted to stay together, so our guide recommended a larger paddleboard that was sturdier for two people and made sure we were comfortable. My son and husband, both more experienced SUP-pers and stronger swimmers, each had their own paddleboard. We stuck to the shore along the mangrove trees, taking in the late afternoon sun and beautiful views.

Day Six: Stuart and Jensen Beach

We began the day at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center in Stuart, where finally touching stingrays was top of the list. It was a success! They are sweet and slimy, and it was lovely to fulfill this particular dream for our daughter. This small but mighty educational eco-center has a lot to offer, from stingrays to different types of fish and sea turtles, indoor exhibits, and nature walks over 57 acres.

Across the street, you’ll find the white sands of Stuart Beach and our next stop, the Elliott Museum, which honours the genius of prolific local inventor Sterling Elliot. It also houses an impressive collection of vintage cars from the early 1900s onward, plus motorcycles and bicycles. The big attraction was the “car vending machine” (our nickname), an automated three-level garage system filled with vehicles that guests can “order” by choosing the combination from a list and telling the attendant.

Watching your chosen car slowly drawn through the mechanical system, lower to your level, slide into place, and then turn in a full circle on a spinning platform is one of a kind.

Another smaller museum that’s worth checking out in Martin County is the House of Refuge, a short shuttle bus ride away from the Elliott. It’s a historic site built in 1876 as a haven for shipwrecked sailors that specializes in seafaring life on Florida’s coast.

After some downtime on the porch swing and in the pool at the Old Colorado Inn, we chased the sunset to Jensen Beach, a lively beach town a quick drive from Stuart. Every Thursday night is ‘Jammin Jensen’ where local vendors, artists, musicians and makers line Jensen Beach Boulevard. We strolled the area, taking in the sights and souvenirs.

Day Seven: Goodbye, Martin County

We began our day at the Savannas Preserve State Park in Jensen Beach to meet our Explore Natural Martin guide for a nature walk on Hawk’s Bluff Trail. She provided bug spray and binoculars so we could better see the wildlife.

A guided nature walk is a smart way to make hikes more engaging because it puts what you’re seeing into context. And binoculars are just fun for everyone!

After checking out, we stopped by the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast in Jensen Beach’s lovely Indian Riverside Park. This hands-on museum is perfect for babies and kids up to age 12. There’s a large pirate ship where they can load and shoot the cannon (loud but safe), as well as a large area for younger ones with a pretend town for imaginative play. Outside is a garden with some delightful climbable vegetable sculptures.

Then it was back to Stuart and The Roasted Record, a coffee shop and record store, for iced coffees, delicious fresh pretzels and pastries before driving to West Palm Beach to catch our flight home.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Martin County and appreciated ending our busy trip on a slower, small-town note. The people were friendly, the nature restorative, and the food made with love.

Where to eat in Martin County

• Stuart Boathouse, a local favourite serving seafood and upscale dining on the water. We did take out because we were wiped out after paddleboarding. Highlights: Chopped Boathouse wedge salad, New England lobster roll, proper fish and chips
• Osceola Street Cafe in downtown Stuart around the corner from the hotel. This classic diner had plenty of breakfast and lunch options and the food was so homey, we ate there twice. Highlights: Açai bowls with “the best granola ever,” fresh bagels made in-house, traditional breakfast, grits with cheddar
• Seaside Café at Stuart Beach, located in a chickee hut—an open-air thatched roof hut with a high beamed ceiling so the Atlantic Ocean breeze can pass through. Highlights: Hot dogs, chicken fingers, fries
• Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Grill and Raw Bar on the main strip in Jensen Beach, a bustling restaurant with live music, home cooking and Louisiana charm. Highlights: Fresh shucked oysters, crawfish étouffeé, Bourbon Street chicken

Flying home from West Palm Beach

After a 45-minute drive, we followed the signs to Avis at the Palm Beach International Airport, returned our trusty car and thanked it for its service. The process was pretty quick – you park the car in a line, speak to an attendant, leave the keys in the car and remove your things. Then you’re free to hop on the shuttle to the departure area of the airport, a short ride away.

This is a smaller airport, and it was quiet for a weekend. We all flew Porter Airlines direct to Toronto (just over three hours) and checked in the night before using the Porter app. There are a few shops, restaurants and even a mini golf and clubs to practice your putts.

After seven jam-packed, but truly fun days, four tired Thomsons made their way home from Toronto. The kids agreed that they’re ready to return to southern Florida any time. We all fell a little bit in love with the sunshine, friendly people and inspiring things to see and do.