Tag Archives: South Florida Lifestyle

Pandemic Picnic: The 4 Best Beaches for Picnicking in South Florida

access_timeMay 29, 2020personScott Patterson

After being cooped up for two months, it’s time to go outside and soak up the sun! Here in South Florida, our beaches are open, and as long as you maintain proper social distance, you can enjoy a day out by the ocean. Why not bring a meal out there, too?

South Florida Beaches Are Ready for Picnics

Due to everything going on right now, you’ve probably been stuck at home for quite a while. Now is a great time to plan a visit to South Florida’s beaches, and you could even pack a meal to enjoy, too. Whether you go with family or even take a book and head down solo, you’re bound to have a great time at any one of these South Florida beaches.

1. Sanibel Island

This beach is known for the beautiful shells and birds that line its coast. There’s no better place to watch the ocean waves while enjoying a good meal! It’s also pretty secluded, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about other people or maintaining social distance.

2. Siesta Beach

This popular beach is known for having sand that’s made out of quartz crystals. That means it’s always cool, which makes it ideal for the perfect summer excursion—eating a meal here won’t be too hot, and the clear ocean water will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

3. Clearwater Beach

This location is perfect if you’re looking to spend some time outdoors and enjoy more than just a meal. There are bike trails around the nearby town, and you’ll also be able to take in the atmosphere of a relaxing beach. While Clearwater Beach is mostly known for the restaurants around it, you can still have a great day on the seashore even if they’re closed.

4. Pensacola Beach

If you’re looking for a magical place where you can relax along the dunes while taking in the view, then Pensacola Beach is a spot you have to visit. You’ll have a great time watching the local wildlife and unwinding on sandy dunes—it’s also the perfect place to picnic! Dolphins are known to come pretty close to the shoreline, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Are You Moving to South Florida?

If you’re looking for more things to do in the South Florida area because you’re about to buy a home here, then we can help! The Scott Patterson Group has all the tools you need to find your dream home. Contact us if you’re ready to take the next steps, and make sure to check out the resources we have for buyers!

The Best Rainy Day Attractions in the South Florida Area

access_timeNovember 22, 2019personScott Patterson

We might not get typical winter weather in South Florida, but we’re not immune to a chilly rainy day here and there. Luckily, even when the weather doesn’t reflect our reputation as the Sunshine State, you’ll still find plenty of things to do!

Here are the top rainy day attractions around the South Florida area to check out during the next cold snap or downpour.

Dezerland Park

An arcade, virtual reality games, mini bowling, trampolines, a bar and lounge—Dezerland Park is a one-stop shop for all things entertainment. With over 250,000 sq. ft. of indoor space, there’s plenty of room to burn off that rainy day energy.

Perez Art Museum Miami

Miami’s flagship art museum, the Perez Art Museum offers stunning displays of modern and contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The building itself is quite the sight—designed by Pritzker Prize winning architects Herzog & de Meuron—with sleek and sharp lines jutting out to the waterfront. You could spend a whole day listening to the rain gently fall on the rooftop as your browse the latest exhibits.

Museum of Contemporary Art

If you want to make the art museum rounds, the the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami should be next on your list! The 25,000 sq. ft. building houses a rich collection of sculptures, paintings, and more created by local, national, and international artists. Keep in mind, the main gallery of the museum is closed until November 26th, but will reopen after the installation of two new exhibitions—Cecilia Vicuña’s About to Happen and Alice Rahon’s Poetic Invocations

Frost Museum of Science

A woman standing in front of the glass at an aquarium.

A beautiful new addition Miami’s Museum Park, the Frost Museum of Science stretches across four acres of land, offering a state-of-the-art planetarium and aquarium, as well as six floors of interactive exhibits.

The three-level aquarium mimics the Gulf Stream, with the top floor reserved for creatures of the open water like hammerhead sharks and mahi-mahi, the second floor for colorful parrotfish and damselfish, and the bottom level for fish of the deep—showcased through the breathtaking 30-foot oculus.

Not to be outdone, the planetarium offers an 8K visual system, which is twice what you’d find in a typical planetarium, as well as six 3D-capable projectors and 250 seats. If you haven’t visited the Frost Museum yet, it should be at the top of your list!

Pines Ice Arena

Want to get in the holiday spirit? Spend the day hitting the ice at Pines Ice Arena! The indoor rink hosts public skates sessions every day of the week and offers skate and helmet rentals.

HistoryMiami

HistoryMiami is a Smithsonian Affiliate in heart of downtown that’s committed to sharing and remembering Miami’s past. The museum houses over 37,000 artifacts, dating all the way back to the prehistoric ages, detailing over 10,000 years worth of local history. The current rotating exhibit is all about the highlights of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and you’ll also find collections on the Miami International Airport, the Whitman Family, and the history of our unique local culture.

Boxroom Escape Games

If you’ve never done an escape room before, it’s definitely worth a try—and Boxroom Escape Games was voted #1 in South Florida! Teams can be comprised of 2 – 8 people, and there are six rooms of varying difficulty to choose from. See if you can solve the puzzles and escape in 60 minutes!

Explore Life in South Florida

No matter the season or the weather, you’ll always find something new to explore around South Florida. If you need a few more suggestions for rainy day attractions, check out my top picks for local spots!

Thinking of making South Florida your new home? I can help with that, too! With years of local experience, a wide variety of helpful resources, and a commitment to achieving your goals, I’m here to make sure your real estate experience is as seamless and stress-free as possible. Ready to take the next steps? Just give me a call.

Get in the Fall Spirit with These Seasonal South Florida Celebrations

access_timeSeptember 26, 2019personScott Patterson

Although we may not have autumn’s quintessential crisp temperatures and changing leaves, we still have plenty of fall fun in South Florida.

From Oktoberfest celebrations to food festivals to book fairs, you’ll find something happening pretty much every weekend! Check out a few of the top upcoming highlights, and add them to your schedule!

Miami Carnival

When: October 11th – 15th

Where: Locations vary

What: A celebration of Brazilian and Trinidadian culture, the Miami Carnival is one of the most lively and colorful events in the region. You can expect parades, live music, dancing, arts and crafts, and tons of food and drinks. The most popular parts of the carnival include the Junior Carnival and J’Ouvert!

Oktoberfest Miami

When: October 11th – 13th, 18th – 20th

Where: German American Social Club on Miller Drive

What: Celebrating its 62nd year, Oktoberfest Miami is the longest continuously-running Oktoberfest in the country! Come one of the two weekends for authentic German beer food, music, and more.

Grovetoberfest

When: October 12th

Where: Regatta Park

What: If you’re a fan of craft beer, then you won’t want to miss Grovetoberfest. With over 500 craft beers, tons of tastings, and live music, it’s one of the largest celebrations of its kind!

Cardboard Boat Race

When: October 12th

Where: City of Hollywood Marina

What: Grab a team, assemble a boat, and see if you have what it takes to stay afloat for the Cardboard Boat Race! Boats can be built on or off site, and cardboard will be provided. The winners of the race get trophies and bragging rights! Check out some of the designs from last year, and get to building.

South Beach Seafood Festival

When: October 22nd – 26th

Where: South Beach

What: Named by USAToday as one of the Top 5 Specialty Festivals in the country and rated as the Best Seafood Festival in the US by the Travel Channel, the South Beach Seafood Festival is a can’t-miss. In addition to some of the best flavors in the country, you can also expect live music, games, demos, and plenty of drinks.

Miami Beach Pop Festival

When: November 8th – 10th

Where: South Beach

What: Jack Johnson, Chance the Rapper, T-Pain, The Roots, Maggie Rogers—this three-day music festival is bringing in some big names. No matter what your favorite genre is—from dance and hip hop to pop and rock—you’ll probably find a familiar name on the lineup.

Miami Book Fair

When: November 17th – 24th

Where: Locations vary

What: Close out the season by curling up with a perfect book at the Miami Book Fair. For eight days, you can explore vendors, authors, and all things literature.

Explore Life in South Florida

Whether you hail from Hollywood or Miami, you’ll find that our area of South Florida is always busy with things to do. The best way to explore it all? Find your new home in one of our unique communities!

Take some time to get to know more about the South Florida area, and browse my buying resources for more information. Ready to get started? Just give me a call!

Hassan Whiteside Possibly Buying A New Home In South Florida This Year

access_timeJuly 6, 2016personScott Patterson

Miami, Florida- Basketball season is out and the news is in. According to Bleacher Reports article and various other news sources, major basketball star Hassan Whiteside signed a four-year maximum deal with our very own Miami Heat. His new contract will be cashing in a whopping 98 million. WOW. You heard right, 98 million! That is a total of one hundred times more than his current Heat contract. With that being said, Whiteside is expected to put that money to good use and what’s better than real estate, right? There is a plethora of pricey real estate options for him to purchase here in South Florida. Currently, he resides in a two bedroom at 900 Biscayne but will he opt for a more lavish waterfront home? Or chose to stick to the high-rise lifestyle? Heat fans, I want to hear how well you know Whiteside!