Looking for Sunshine & Slowness
In the middle of a St. Louis winter—gray skies, heavy coats, and the dull thrum of routine—we booked a beach trip on impulse. We didn’t know much about Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, except that it looked charming, it wasn’t a huge tourist trap, and it was close enough for Sam’s online friends to meet up with him in real life. That was enough.
We packed light, left our boots behind, and flew south for a reset. We used expedia and vrbo to plan.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: Bright, Breezy, and Built for Wandering
Our Airbnb was tucked just a few blocks from the beach and about three from Commercial Boulevard, the colorful little strip that runs through the heart of town. It had that relaxed, vintage-Florida feel—the kind of place where strangers say good morning, kids ride bikes barefoot, and the ocean is always a short walk away.
The pier was closed due to storm damage, which might’ve disappointed us if we weren’t already content just walking the sand. The weather was too cool for swimming—January breezes kept us bundled in light layers—but we dipped our feet in, wandered barefoot, and watched the light change across the water each evening.
It was peaceful. No pressure to do anything. Just permission to be.
Eating Outside, Always
One of our favorite things about this trip? We ate every single meal outside. No reservations, no fuss—just good food, casual vibes, and plenty of people-watching.
- Billy Jack’s Shack had that “come as you are” feel with bold flavors and laid-back seating.
- Tacocraft Taqueria served up some of the best tacos of the trip, and the outdoor patio was perfect for people-watching.
- Boston Beef by the Sea felt like a local comfort-food staple—nothing fancy, just tasty and satisfying.
- BurgerFi was quick, fresh, and easy—ideal after a day of wandering.
It wasn’t about the restaurants themselves as much as it was about how easy everything felt. No expectations. Just walk, eat, enjoy.
Our Nightly Ritual: Ice Cream, Naturally
Every evening, like clockwork, we walked to Commercial Boulevard for ice cream. Right across the street from each other, we had two solid options:
- Sloan’s—a bubblegum pink, over-the-top dessert wonderland
- Kilwins—a classic, creamy, old-fashioned scoop shop
We alternated, of course. It became our unofficial trip tradition—walk up, choose a cone, stroll home under string lights and palm trees. There’s something about finding small rituals while traveling that makes a place feel just a little more like yours, even if just for a week.
Flamingo Gardens: Quiet, Wild, and Full of Character
One of the most memorable afternoons of the trip was our visit to Flamingo Gardens in nearby Davie. It’s a 60-acre wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden, and while it’s not a big flashy attraction, it had soul.
We walked through shaded trails, passed giant trees and exotic flowers, and were greeted—no joke—by a chorus of peacocks screaming their opinions. We saw otters playing, sleepy panthers napping in the grass, and rescued birds doing their best impressions of grumpy old men.
And of course—the flamingos. Sassy. Social. Slightly judgy. They strutted around their lagoon like they owned the place. (To be fair, they kind of did.)
We hopped on the tram tour, which looped around the more remote parts of the sanctuary. It was peaceful, informative, and gave us a better sense of the landscape. We also toured the Wray Home Museum, a charming little time capsule of early Florida life. Nothing about the place felt rushed or commercialized—it just felt intentional.
The Cruise: Pretty Views, Questionable Soundtrack
Before heading home, we drove down to Miami for the Millionaire’s Row Cruise—a 90-minute boat tour through Biscayne Bay that glides past celebrity homes on Star Island and the Venetian Islands.
Let’s start with the good:
- Being out on the water? Beautiful.
- The breeze and skyline views? Worth it.
- The boat itself? Comfortable, shaded, and not too crowded.
Now… the commentary.
As we passed each waterfront mansion, the guide gave us a full play-by-play of the celebrity who may or may not live there, while blasting a song that supposedly matched the star. Picture us sailing past Gloria Estefan’s home while “Conga” blared through the speakers, followed by Pitbull’s house with—you guessed it—Pitbull at full volume.
It was hilarious, honestly. Not quite the peaceful sightseeing we expected, but definitely memorable. If you’re into house-gawking and pop music trivia, it’s your jam. If you’re more into sea air and quiet reflection… well, bring headphones.
Still, we enjoyed it in our own way. Sometimes travel throws a little extra personality into the mix.
Final Thoughts
This trip wasn’t about doing everything. It was about doing less, more intentionally.
We found a little town where we could walk everywhere. We ate outside. We watched the ocean. We said yes to flamingos and nightly ice cream. We took a boat tour that turned into a live celebrity karaoke show. And we soaked up everything we didn’t know we needed.
That’s the heart of a handcrafted adventure—choosing connection over chaos, and making space for the kind of memories that stay with you long after your toes are back in socks.
