This winter I escaped the usual snow and cold temperatures of New York and retreated to Florida just like a snowbird! In the state I learned about birds I never knew existed, ate bizarre and wonderful fruits, and learned deeply about a world outside of my native Northeast.
Florida is huge, but I wanted to get a good feeling for the whole peninsula so I split up my time in three spots to best explore the area. I spent a month in South Florida based in between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, a month on the Gulf Coast in the wonderfully cool little city of St Petersburg, and a few weeks up north in Jacksonville. I’m hoping to explore the Panhandle next winter!
Miami
What I loved:
+The most incredible Cuban food
+Endless things to do in a big city
+Access to Florida Keys and Everglades
What I won’t miss:
+Serious traffic and paying for parking everywhere
St Petersburg
What I loved:
+Best beach I have ever been to, nothing like the Gulf
+Excellent hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing
+A small city done right with well cultivated museums, shops, and activities
What I won’t miss:
+The food scene wasn’t as elaborate as bigger cities
Jacksonville
What I loved:
+The ability to hop over the border to another state, Georgia
+Plentiful free beach parking
+Less touristy than other parts of Florida
What I won’t miss:
+The CRAZY road system
This was my first time living outside of NY and it was an interesting cultural change, even though there are a lot of other northern transplants. Over the next few weeks I will be going over my favorite beaches, restaurants, day trips, and all the hidden gems I discovered. Stay tuned!