every year my family takes a trip to celebrate my cousin xavier’s life. he was more like my nephew and was killed in a tragic accident. at only 21 his life was gone in an instant.
it shook us.
but instead of mourning his loss, we’ve decided to celebrate his life. he deserves the turn up, not just the tears.
this year’s trip was to south florida, and it was nothing short of amazing. the best part was we stayed clear of all the hoopla in miami beach and got to enjoy each other plus some good beach time.
overall, visiting florida during the pandemic can be a bit of a mind f*ck. it’s very different from more progressive states where masks are mandatory and people tend to respect social distancing. instead, florida is doing it’s own damn thing. some of the most popular miami beaches and restaurants are packed as if covid ain’t out in these streets.
for that reason, i definitely recommend visiting the cities that surround miami beach for a safer trip. keep reading for my favorite cities, shopping and restaurants in south florida.
READ: How to Attend Miami Swim Week
Tips for Visiting South Florida During COVID
Where to Stay
florida is my home state, and we have lots of relatives who live on the east coast. during covid, i’d recommend booking a stay in any of the following, especially if you’re looking for a quieter trip or family vacation:
- pompano beach
- west palm beach
- fort lauderdale
- dania beach
- key biscane
- belle isle
we started our annual #zaecation in pompano beach in a fantastic four bedroom, three bathroom condo with a garage and two balconies. it was literally steps from the beach which was super quiet and subdued. the neighborhood was cool with access to plenty of restaurants. check out my vlog for more details on where we stayed.
onraé and i dipped to the standard hotel for a night before leaving, and it remains one of my favorite hotels of all time.
the standard is the kind of place where zoe kravitz, michelle obama and 21 savage would all meet for lunch. it’s just fancy enough to feel exclusive, but hip enough to smoke a joint at the pool. it’s seriously one of the BEST hotels that i’ve ever visited, and i’ve travelled the world. plus, we booked a garden terrace room that has a private outdoor bathtub.
if you’d prefer to stay in the city and really want to treat yourself, then i highly recommend the miami beach edition. the pool is breathtaking and entire hotel smells like roses. i’m not joking. you’re steps away from the beach with private umbrellas and full food and cocktail service. i mean, it’s just everything.
What to Do
even during covid, you can still find things to do in south florida. first, i always visit wynwood. it’s a hip neighborhood with lots of street art by famous artists like retna and kobra, small art galleries and cute shops. they just opened a le labo on the main corridor, and it’s home to the world famous art basel every december.
READ: Five Great Things about Miami Art Basel
actually, miami has a pretty dope art scene. you’ll get the local flavor at wynwood and then hop over to the PAMM, the contemporary art museum for a more elevated experience. the place is beautiful and definitely worth a visit.
now for the good stuff — shopping. my favorite spots in the city are bal harbour and design district for high end shopping and wynwood for small boutiques. typically, i’d recommend lincoln mall near south beach, but it’s way too crowded right now. instead, stop by sawgrass mills in miramar for luxury outlet boutiques like gucci, valentino, saint laurent and more.
one of the highlights of our trip was chartering a yacht. it was seriously a movie. the weather was perfect, boat was spacious and we got to enjoy the most beautiful sights in the city. now i’m spoiled and can’t imagine visiting south florida without booking a yacht. some would call this a rich auntie lifestyle.
Shop This Post
What NOT to Do
stay away from the tourist traps on south beach. if you’re visiting the city, i’d stick north of washington avenue and ocean drive. the southern part of the strip has a bunch of overpriced restaurants with pushy hostesses who try to constantly lure customers inside. plus, the hotels aren’t as nice and the area extremely packed right now.
pack light. did you read that in erykah badu’s voice like me? but seriously, you’re visiting south florida sis so keep it simple. all you need are the basics — sunscreen, bathing suits and lightweight clothing. you’ll be spending most of your day lounging, and i guarantee most of the clothes you bring will hang out in your suitcase untouched. plus, you need extra room in your suitcase in case you do some shopping.
overall, this was an excellent trip and much needed time with my family. i’m even more grateful for xavier’s life and the gift he’s given us. we recognize how important our relationships are and actively show love on the daily. whether south beach or iceland, january will always be our time to celebrate.
if you’re planning a trip during covid and want to enjoy some warm weather, then south florida is definitely a great option. skip south beach for a cheaper and safer stay.
