Does it feel strange for anyone else in the United States that July 5th is on a Friday? While the days of the week are starting to blur together for me, I know that there are people who are probably working today. That might be odd, but it also happens to be National Workaholics Day, which seems fitting for those who are working.
While I used to be a workaholic, I don’t consider myself one anymore. At some point, I worked through correlating my happiness with my work. So for today, I thought I would help the workaholics out by giving them something to daydream about, or maybe to turn into a dream come true: I am going to share my six favorite Florida escapes.
The truth is that vacations and breaks for relaxation help me avoid burnout and are just good for my overall well-being and morale. Whether I needed an escape after finishing finals in school or completing a major project at work, these are a few of my favorite places to escape to in the sunshine state of Florida.
1. Clearwater, Florida
Why It’s Perfect: When you imagine a beach escape that involves a soothing ocean with blue waters and salty air, that is the experience I get when I visit Clearwater. The sand here is a texture that I want to squeeze between my toes, and when I release it, I can feel my stress slide away with it too. Clearwater is the place to visit if you are looking for a beach escape.
Activity: Parasailing, 400 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767. Maybe parasailing isn’t what comes to mind when you think of Clearwater, but it is my association because I parasailed for the first time here. And I couldn’t think of a better place for the first time: clear skies, blue waters, and relaxation for miles.
Restaurant: Sandshakers, 700 Eldridge Street, Clearwater, FL 33755. If you’re looking for a place with a lot of fancy extras, this is not the place. This local joint is truly a comfortable, delicious place to grab a bite by the beach. And if you ask me where I have had the best seafood pasta in my life, this is the answer. The seafood was so fresh I could’ve licked the plate.
2. DeLand, Florida
Why It’s Perfect: There is nothing like a small town’s downtown. This is especially true of Deland, which is probably one of the most artsy cities I’ve been to in Florida. Maybe that comes from having a wonderful theater, or maybe it comes from the town’s history. Whatever it is, it makes a great escape if you’re looking for an evening out.
Activity: Walking the Streets of Downtown, 100 N. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32720. Beyond having a great theater, every Friday night in Deland is an artisan market, where local artists and vendors showcase their wares. It is always a great time, and family-friendly too. I especially love it when there is a themed night, like an ice cream night. If you purchase a ticket, you get the opportunity to sample an assortment of places participating in the evening. It’s a great way to experience what the town has to offer.
Restaurant: Bake Chop, 110 Artisan Alley, DeLand, FL 32720. If I had to name a reason to come to DeLand, this place would be it. My favorite place to get a burger, I probably make the trip when I crave one. The one I recommend is the Allicin Wonderland burger. I don’t know if it’s the French onion reduction or the garlic aioli, but every bite of this burger is one of goodness.
3. Disney World
Why It’s Perfect: The best place to go when you don’t want to be an adult anymore is to visit your childhood. Disney World is a place that screams children (figuratively and literally). While it might not be as fun if you have to lead them around, this is the place to go if you want to embrace your inner child. There is a reason that this place is a tourist trap: it can be a magical place, especially if you have the money to spend.
Activity: Roaming Epcot, especially during a festival season. If I could only buy one Disney park ticket, it would be a ticket to Epcot. This is the one ticket that allows me to travel all over the world through the Epcot World Showcase. From Morocco to the Swiss Alps, there are so many cultural experiences to be had. There is also a rotation of festivals that they host year-round, from the Festival of Holidays to the Flower and Garden. My personal favorite is the Festival of Arts, which takes place in early February.
Restaurant: Casey's Corner in Magic Kingdom, 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 32830. I am happy to pick up a hot dog for lunch and go about my day when I’m at the park. But, honestly, if I stop by a few of the food stands around Epcot, I am good to go without a restaurant. I just make sure to pick up a candy apple before leaving at any one of the candy shops.
4. St. Augustine, Florida
Why It’s Perfect: If you grew up in the state of Florida, then you’ll remember taking a field trip to this beloved town in fourth grade, and it is rich with history. While I didn’t get to visit until I was an adult, I appreciate the historical town with cobblestone streets and its Spanish charm. Sometimes, the best escape is the one that reminds you of simpler times, like when people were looking for the Fountain of Youth.
Activity: Scenic Boat Tour. This is a seasonal offering that they do during the holidays, but I think it is very well worth it. If you come into town for the Night of Lights Festival, this is the very best way to see it. You don’t have to fight the crowds, nor do you really have to walk around. The tour guide I had was also very knowledgeable about the history, as well as the planets, so I learned plenty.
Sweet Treat: The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops, 48 Charlotte Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084. I wanted to recommend a restaurant, but the truth is that anything that I have eaten in town has been overshadowed by my anticipation to get my hands on one of these popsicles. From classical flavors, to seasonal flavors, to fun and creative, swinging into Hyppo is always a sweet treat. While you might think that a popsicle is nothing special, you appreciate your walk around town more when you have a treat to keep you cool.
5. Miami
Why It’s Perfect: The preconceived notion I have of Miami is that it is a place of hustle and bustle, one where business takes place on the regular, like a Florida version of Wall Street. Luckily, I have never worked in Miami, so my preconceived notions don’t apply to me. Miami is a great place to escape because it is culturally rich, and one of the best places to get fresh fruit. My friend Michelle says that it’s hard to find a city with delicious fruits on the side any of its streets. Miami is one of the few I can name that does.
Activity: Wandering Around Wynwood. I’ve mentioned art a few times so far, so maybe I don’t need to say that I am typically interested in the art scene a city has to offer. Wynwood is the arts district in Miami, and where I stayed the first time.
Restaurant: 1-800-Lucky, 143 NW 23rd Street, Miami, FL 33127. I would love it if more food halls popped up around Florida. This is one of the few I’ve seen, and they do it well. It is Asian themed, and plenty of variety in that realm. I had delicious soup dumplings from Yip’s and fresh sushi from b-side.
Sau's Favorite: New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Why It’s Perfect: There’s no place quite like home, and this is the little nook of Florida that I would claim to be most familiar with. It’s one where I grew as the roads did. This place used to be the idealized small beach town, but now we have multitudes of tourists coming through year-round.
Activity: Paddleboarding, 175 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. As I said, the beaches are currently full of tourists, so locals like me have to find a quieter way of enjoying them. The place I’ve linked here is one that I’ve gone to since I was in high school, and I’m glad it’s still in business. I will confess that you’ll be paddleboarding out of a canal instead of the beach, but it is a lot quieter. Plus, I think it is a bit cooler to look around at the houses along the way.
Restaurant: AA Garden Fusion, 206 Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. I feel like I couldn’t call this place home without offering a phenomenal place to get Vietnamese food. AA Garden Fusion is it, and they offer much more than Vietnamese food (hence the fusion part). I love so many items off of their menu, from the lobster rangoons to the green curry. However, what I will tell you is that they change their dessert menu on a daily basis. My favorite would be their creme brulees, which they also have a variety of flavors that they go through, so don’t pass up the chance if they have the white chocolate one (I figured out that I actually wrote a blog post about this place back in 2020, and if you want to read it, you can click here).
Whether you're here to take a mental break from work or if you're planning a vacation to Florida, I hope you enjoyed and found this helpful.
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