South Florida pride is loud in the best way: palm silhouettes, pastel sunsets, bilingual jokes, and “I survived hurricane season” energy. This local pride accessories assortment is a small, curated set for gifts, guest-room baskets, and everyday wear — not a warehouse of generic Florida souvenirs.

When you can, buy from South Florida artists, screen printers, and small shops (Wynwood, downtown West Palm, Las Olas markets, neighborhood pop-ups). The links below are convenient starter searches for classic pieces while you hunt a maker with a better story.

Wearables that travel well

Soft “I Love South Florida” / Miami–Broward–Palm Beach tees — Comfort-color blanks over stiff tourist-trap cotton.
Legacy-style Florida or county hats — Dad caps and truckers that survive convertible hair and beach parking lots.
Enamel pins and stickers — Low-cost gifts for visitors who already bought the shot glass.

Beach-to-brunch carry

Canvas tote or mesh beach bag with a Florida motif — doubles as a market bag in Little Havana or Delray.
Insulated tumbler or can cooler — Practical pride for boat days and tailgates.
Lightweight scarf or UV wrap in tropical prints for air-conditioned restaurants after the sand.

Home and desk accents

Art prints of Miami skyline, Art Deco, or Everglades birds — Look for licensed local photographers when possible.
Florida-shaped cutting board or coaster set — Host gift that does not collect dust as fast as a snow globe.
Small flag or garden banner for condo balconies where rules allow.

Gift bundle ideas

New resident welcome: tote + tumbler + sticker pack + our food starter guide printed or bookmarked.
Snowbird host gift: soft tee + enamel pin + beach day essentials from the beach day kit.
Storm-season care package: pair pride merch with something useful from hurricane prep basics — humor plus readiness.

How we keep this curated

We skip novelty junk that breaks in a week and anything that mocks communities rather than celebrating place. If you run a South Florida shop and want to be featured as a non-affiliate local partner, that is the long-term direction for this page.

Things to Do in South Florida: A Local’s Guide

September 23, 2026 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

South Florida is not a single itinerary — it is Miami-Dade energy, Broward’s parks and Intracoastal towns, Palm Beach County’s cultural corridor, and day-trip nature from the Everglades to the Keys. This hub is a friendly starting map for locals showing out-of-town friends around, and for newcomers still learning which exit to take on I-95 versus the Turnpike.

We write like neighbors, not like a billboard. You will not find invented cover charges or “secret” restaurant hours that go stale by next week. You will find a way to choose a vibe, pick a county, and build a day that feels like South Florida instead of a generic beach postcard.

How to use this guide

Start with the kind of day you want: saltwater, shade and trails, museums, food-led wandering, or a mix. Then decide whether you are anchoring in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County. Drive times between the three are real — a “quick hop” on the map can be an hour in traffic — so cluster activities geographically when you can.

Hours, ticket prices, event lineups, and beach conditions change. Always verify on official park, venue, or city sites before you commit to a drive. Think of this page as the table of contents for a living region.

Beaches and water days

Atlantic beach mornings remain the classic South Florida reset. The character changes every few exits: some stretches are postcard-busy, others feel like a neighborhood backyard with a lifeguard stand. For a county-by-county orientation, use our Best Beaches in South Florida overview, then confirm same-day flags and parking rules.

Pair a swim with a paved promenade stroll when you want people-watching without committing to a club night.
Look for mangrove-edged paddle spots when you want wildlife and quieter water — Oleta River State Park is a frequent Miami-Dade recommendation for kayaks and shaded trails.
Boat traffic on the Intracoastal is free entertainment from public boardwalks and parks if you would rather stay dry.

Water confidence matters here. Swim near lifeguards when you can, respect posted flags, and skim our refreshed notes on shark-smart beach habits for calm, science-friendly perspective — not scare content.

Outdoors inland and on the trails

South Florida’s flatness is a feature if you plan for heat and insects. Early mornings win. Carry more water than you think you need, and treat afternoon summer storms as a scheduling fact of life rather than a surprise.

Everglades day trips: national park boards and nearby preserves deliver the “only here” landscape. Bring sun protection and a mosquito plan; see our mosquito guidance for yard context and why standing water matters at home too.
Broward dirt time: beginners often start at Quiet Waters Park before graduating to busier trail systems.
Coastal bike spins: a beach-cruiser day around Haulover Beach Park is a different pleasure than singletrack — breeze, bridges, and snacks.

Food as the itinerary

Cuban cafés, Haitian plate lunches, Peruvian and Venezuelan rooms, Jewish delis, farm stands further west, late-night corners in Miami — eating well is one of the most authentic ways to “do” South Florida. Start with our food starter guide, then wander on foot where parking is annoying and the sidewalks are alive. Midday is often when specialty kitchens shine; save some waterfront tables for sunset atmosphere rather than assuming they are automatically the best meal.

Culture, sports, and nightlife (pick your volume)

Downtown museums and performing-arts centers in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach give you air-conditioned ballast on hot days. Gallery districts and mural blocks reward slow walking. Live music, comedy, and pro sports calendars turn over quickly — check current listings the week of your plans rather than trusting a year-old roundup.

Nightlife ranges from quiet wine bars to high-production club nights. If you are hosting visitors, ask what “out” means to them before you book a reservation that requires a midnight second wind.

Weekend sketch itineraries

Miami-leaning day: beach or paddle morning → Cuban or Haitian lunch → indoor museum or shady park → sunset on the water → easy dinner in a neighborhood you can walk.

Broward-leaning day: Quiet Waters or another park workout → shower and reset → Fort Lauderdale Beach or Hollywood Broadwalk stroll → Intracoastal-adjacent dinner.

Palm Beach-leaning day: morning beach or greenway → cultural district or downtown Delray-style wandering → relaxed dinner inland or on the water without forcing a three-county marathon.

Seasonal smarts for 2026 and beyond

The drier, cooler months (roughly winter into spring) are peak visitor season: popular attractions and restaurants book up, and parking patience becomes a virtue. Summer trades smaller crowds for heat, humidity, afternoon storms, and more assertive mosquitoes. Hurricane season runs June through November. Locals keep a basic plan; travelers should watch forecasts and travel insurance options without letting the calendar cancel an otherwise great trip.

A little context while you roam

If you like knowing why the skyline and the accents feel the way they do, read A Brief History of South Florida. It is a short orientation to Indigenous roots, boom eras, immigration, and the environmental stakes that still shape headlines.

10 Things To Do in South Florida on Valentine’s Day

February 10, 2023 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

Evergreen refresh for romance season in South Florida. Valentine’s Day here does not have to mean fighting for a last-minute reservation on Ocean Drive. Between gardens, museums, beaches, and Intracoastal sunsets, you can build a date that feels local — not generic.

Hours, ticket prices, and special menus change. Confirm details before you go, and book popular spots early when February falls on a weekend.

1. Take a sunset cruise

A short Intracoastal or Biscayne Bay sunset cruise is classic for a reason. Look for reputable operators in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach County, and ask about private vs. shared boats. Bring a light layer for the breeze.

2. Visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild in Coral Gables is made for unhurried walks, shade, and photos without the club-line energy. Check seasonal exhibitions and tram options on the garden’s official site.

3. Hot-air balloon (or a sky-high alternative)

Balloon rides occasionally operate from inland South Florida / nearby counties when weather cooperates — they are weather-dependent and book up. If balloons are unavailable, a rooftop or lighthouse viewpoint can scratch the same “up above it all” itch.

4. Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Smaller and calmer than the beach crowds a few blocks away. Nice for a morning stroll before brunch.

5. Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Modern art plus bay views. Pair with a walk along Museum Park. Confirm timed tickets when exhibitions are busy.

6. Beach day, deliberately

Skip the packed tourist strip if you can. Quieter county or municipal beaches — or a late-afternoon arrival — feel more romantic. See our best beaches guide for county-by-county ideas.

7. Spa afternoon

Hotel spas from Miami Beach to Boca often allow day visits. Book couple treatments early; ask about package hours rather than assuming walk-ins.

8. Picnic in a park

Pack a simple spread (and a blanket) for places like Crandon Park, Hugh Taylor Birch, or a Palm Beach County waterfront park. Follow park rules on alcohol and glass.

9. Cooking class together

Cuban, Italian, seafood, pastry — South Florida’s class scene is strong. Hands-on classes make a great gift when restaurant waits look brutal.

10. Romantic dinner — with a backup plan

Reserve early, or flip the script: early prix-fixe, then dessert elsewhere. For cuisine ideas without chasing hype lists, start with our Eating in South Florida food starter guide.

More date-adjacent outings live in our locals’ things-to-do hub.

Friendly local suggestions only — verify hours, fees, and Valentine’s specials each year.

The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes: Volume II

April 5, 2018 by I Love South Florida Leave a Comment

Ahh. Another Winter. Another chance to flaunt your Floridian lifestyle to your freezing snowbird friends on Facebook via Memes.

Our first collection of the 10 Best Florida Winter Memes was so popular, we had to make second volume to document the ongoing hilarity. These memes are not owned in any way by I Love South Florida and have been collected from the viral web. A source is not always known, but is documented when possible.

Without further ado, the 10 Best Florida Winter Memes – Volume II:

1. If you’re cold, they’re cold. Bring them inside.

Don’t be rude! Give your fellow South Floridian neighbor a place to crash in the cold.

In all seriousness though, never open your door for a gator or crocodile.

2. 50 Degrees in Florida

New native (or extraterrestrial) species discovered? Nope, just a typical South Florida reaction to 50 degree weather!

3. Spiderman Sitting in Florida

Who knew Spiderman hangs out in Florida for the Winter? Makes sense. Spidey sense.

4. National Hate Florida Day

This was an actual forecast on the news last year, and it forever became known as Hate Florida Day. The best part of this meme is it can be used on any day that resembles the above forecast. Beach, anyone?

5. First Day of Winter in Florida. First Day of Summer in Florida.

They say consistency is key, right? Not a Florida Key though.

6. Florida Snowman – Them and Us

The snowmen say it all. Them = ice cold. Us = sunshine and smiles

7. Will This Winter Ever End?

Wait, did it ever begin?

8. Come on Down to Florida, and You Will Cease to Freeze!

No, this isn’t from the Oprah 2020 campaign trail where she is attempting to win Florida voters. Just a simple, amusing meme.

9. Brace Yourselves. Winter Isn’t Coming.

Winter may not be coming, but I’ll still be inside watching Game of Thrones.

10. That Cold Front Gone Yet?

More like, is that gator gone yet?

And there it is, the new 10 “best” Florida memes circulating the internet making fun of winter to the rest of the world.

Have a Florida Winter Meme that you didn’t see on the list? Share it with us in the comments below! Then, stay tuned for Volume 3!

The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes

February 22, 2016 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Winter. It is the best time to be from Florida, if not for the fact that you get to taunt your snowbird friends on Facebook with some hilarious Memes. Memes that will make them question their entire lives and re-evaluate why they do not live in the Sunshine State.

Alas, here is a collection of the 10 most popular Memes shared on our I Love South Florida Facebook Page that make fun of Winter, in no particular order:

1. Salt in the Winter

This Meme sums up the different priorities between Florida and the rest of the world by showing how salt is used in the Winter. Two margaritas sounds better than two stuck tires!

2. This is my view of Winter…from my cell phone in Florida

For most living in Florida, the best view of a real Winter is seen through this tiny little screen. And we’re okay with that.

3. This could be us, but we live in Florida.

We could be shoveling snow all day and watching our cars slowly sink into a freezing abyss, but we live in Florida.

4. I’m in Florida, so that’s none of my business.

Kermit the Frog enjoying his tea in South Florida, minding his own business.

5. I looking at the Snow. On Facebook. From Florida.

It’s beautiful. To look at. From here.

6. Messy the Mudman, Frosty’s distant relative.

The next time your out of town friends send you a picture of their perfect, powder-white snow man, show them this, and get on with your life. You can do more with your day than just building snowmen, like go to the beach.

7. Florida in the Summer. Florida in the Winter.

Consistency is key.

8. The Florida Seasons

Even Frosty migrates down here after the Holidays.

See?

9. Time to break out the Winter clothes!

Socks and Sandals. A fashion taboo most of the year, totally okay in the Winter.

10. Meanwhile, back in Florida.

Like I said, one of the best parts of Winter in Florida is getting to brag about it to your Northern friends – and getting to do this in the middle of January.

—-

And there you have it! Ten of the “best” Memes that sum up Winter in Florida. Not only do they provide the perfect seasonal humor, but provide gratitude for living in Florida after further reflection. A good Florida meme also makes you think twice before complaining about some cloudy weather when half the world is covered in snow!

Let it be known that these Memes were not originally created by I Love South Florida, and were collected from across the web. If there is a watermark on the meme, that is usually the source. Those without one have origins unknown.

Picking 10 of the funniest Florida Winter Memes wasn’t easy, and there are plenty more out there, so check back for the sequel to this post!

Have a Florida Winter Meme that you didn’t see on the list? Share it with us in the comments below!

If you liked those, check out The 10 Best Florida Winter Memes – Volume II.

Jingle Bells – The Florida Remix

December 14, 2015 by Olivia Lancaster Leave a Comment

Let’s face it, Florida is a special place. Sometimes, that makes it rather easy to create our own special version of things, especially songs! As an example, check out this Florida rendition of “Jingle Bells,” one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time:

While the original author is unknown (graphic courtesy of I Love South Florida), the lyrics were obviously crafted by someone familiar with the area – most likely a long-time local.

Lyrics

If you are having trouble viewing the image, the lyrics are as follows:

“Dashing through the sand, in a rented mini-van. Driving by the bay, laughing all the way. Tourists drive too slow, everywhere you go. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Jingle bells, coconut shells, dolphins in the bay. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Orange juice stands, Mickey Mouse land, gators in your way. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. Crowded shopping malls, lotto and bingo halls. Sunshine that’s too hot, a football team that’s not. When Santa hits the shores, he finds jellyfish galore. Oh what fun it is to live in sunny F-L-A. ”

Perhaps after a few glasses of eggnog, you’ll be singing it with your family and friends this year!

How To Make Natural Pesticide Spray

October 14, 2013 by I Love South Florida 1 Comment

South Florida in the summer can be full of bugs and pests that will eat all of your precious plants and make you want to stay indoors.

As a result, most people resort to pesticides that can be harmful to them and the environment. Few people know that it is possible to make your own homemade pesticide spray – free of chemicals!

Here is how:

1. Finely chop up a head of garlic and place them in a dish.

2. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of mineral oil or any oil you may have available, then mix with the chopped garlic.

3. Pour in a tablespoon of mild liquid soap, then mix the 3 ingredients.

4. You may add hot peppers, hot sauce, or onions to strengthen up the mixture. I would not add in more than 4 tbsp of hot sauce, hand full of chopped onions, or 4 hot peppers.

5. Pour the mixture into a sealable container and let it sit over night. Some let the mixture sit for 72 hours in room temperature.

6. Add 3 to 4 cups of water into a spray bottle and then add the mixture and shake. You may want to sieve the mixture to remove chunks of vegetables that may cause blockage.

Too lazy or don’t have the time to make your own natural pesticide spray? You can always get a 32oz bottle of Orange Guard on Amazon for less than ten bucks, which uses orange peel extract as one of its main ingredients.

How To: Make a Homemade Mosquito Trap

May 10, 2013 by I Love South Florida 2 Comments

Updated for 2026. Between summer rains, irrigation, and the Everglades next door, mosquitoes are part of South Florida life. Beyond itchy ankles, some species can transmit viruses — which is why county mosquito-control programs matter, and why small yard habits add up.

First: dump the breeding water

The highest-ROI move is still removing standing water: saucers, clogged gutters, toy buckets, boat covers, and plant trays. Empty or scrub weekly. Screens, fans on patios, and dusk/dawn long sleeves help too. Homemade traps are a supplement, not a replacement for source reduction or professional/county control.

DIY bottle trap (classic yeast + sugar CO₂ lure)

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. A simple fermenting mix inside a 2-liter bottle can lure some into a funnel they struggle to exit.

You’ll need:

1 two-liter plastic bottle
About 1 cup water
About 1/4 cup brown sugar
A small amount of active dry yeast (about 1 gram / a pinch-to-teaspoon range — follow package common sense)

Steps:

Cut the bottle in half.
Dissolve brown sugar in warm water; let it cool.
Pour the sugar water into the bottom half; add yeast (no need to stir vigorously).
Invert the top half as a funnel into the bottom; tape the seam.
Wrap the lower bottle in dark paper or cloth; place outdoors away from where people gather if possible.

Refresh the mixture every week or two, or when it smells spent. Results vary by species, weather, and competing breeding sites nearby.

Safety and expectations

Keep traps away from curious pets and kids.
Do not add pesticides to DIY sugar traps unless a product is labeled for that use.
During heavy outbreak periods, follow county health / mosquito-control advisories.

Related local how-tos

This is homeowner-style guidance for 2026. For disease-risk alerts or neighborhood spraying schedules, check your county mosquito-control district.

Popular