South FL in early June
 

Hello, I'll be in Miami during the first week of June for business. I'm thinking of having my girlfriend fly down once I'm finished with work and then heading to a resort destination for 5 days. Initially, I had been thinking of visiting the FL Keys, but the reviews seem very mixed. We're both in our late-20s, and partying is not exactly a top priority. We're not looking to be the youngest people on the beach either. We both prefer a laid back destination with beautiful beaches, accomodations, good food, and a good nightlife. My only concern is that it may be too hot for us that time of year (we live in the Northeastern US). I have a passport and we probably have enough time to get her one if needed. Would a cruise be worthwhile out of Miami? I've never been to FL before and would hate to waste the opportunity. At the same time I'd like to visit a place much different than what I can get in my own backyard - ie. Cape Cod, Jersey Shore....My favorite beaches so far have been outside of the US, but that's not fair to say since most of my beach experiences have been along the East Coast. A little international flavor might be a good thing for my gf as she has never been out of the U.S. and I wouldn't mind her getting the same travel bug that I have....I really want to visit the Greek Islands, but I think I'll wait for the exchange rate to improve slightly.

Here are my thoughts . . .

In Key West, you have the nightlife, but the beaches are pretty poor. The other keys might have nicer beaches, but very little nightlife. I'm not sure what others beaches you have been to outside the US, but Florida beaches (IMHO) don't really compare at all with beaches you find in the islands (at least in regards to crystal clear water). I'm not a cruise person myself, but for some reason I'm thinking you can get to the Bahamas fairly quickly/easily from Southern Florida? That might be an option.

I would recommend either Ft Lauderdale as Las Olas Blvd ( in Ft Lauderdale_)is hopping with restaurants and shops and nitelife--and the beach is huge and beautiful.

For a quiet relaxing place, my favorite is Naples Fl-about a 2 1/2 hr drive from Miami--and stay at either the Registry Inn or the Ritz Carlton at Vanderbilt Beach..
Naples is very cosy and has great restaurants....and there is a bar scene at nite.

A cruise out of Miami would also be nice- but only do a 7 day cruise as a shorter cruise is not worth the money or time as by the time you figure your way around a ship, it is time to get off...

All 3 places will be hot..

Thanks for your input.....I should have clarified my concern about the temp....we can tolerate heat, but humidity can get to us both. I've been told that the keys aren't quite as humid as other parts of South FL. I've been doing some research on the Lower Keys as well as Key West. Both sound like very nice places to visit. But if this was your first trip to FL would you choose the Keys over a place like say, Naples or Clearwater? I've heard good things about the gulf coast - but I'd imagine that it's more humid and probably has more insects.

I definitely wouldn't choose Clearwater as a vacation destination. Though the beach is great, the area itself leaves much to be desired. Aside from the beach, there really isn't much to do in Clearwater Beach.

On the other hand, Key West has lots of top-notch restaurants and tons of tourist activities, but the beaches are all man-made and most are tiny.

Having said all that, I would NOT visit Key West in the summer months. Even though it's my favorite vacation destination, it's horribly hot and humid. I'm accustomed to temperatures over 100, but the combo of temps in the upper 80s with humidity almost the same can be deadly. If you've ever been to New Orleans in August, you'd get the picture.

Just a word about the heat and humidity of South Florida vs the Northeast: every summer I go to Rhode Island for the fourth of July and 3 out of the last 4 times that I have gotten off the plane in Providence it was hotter and more humid than what I left in Miami. Do you intend to be working on a road crew or fixing a roof while on vacation? Because if not, I wouldn't let fear of heat and humidity scare you off of a June Florida vacation.

Fort Lauderdale area is great. The public beach is nice, and there is a wide range of accomodations from budget to luxury. Travel in and out of Fort Lauderdale airport is good, and you can get a quick flight from FLL to Nassau for about $100 if you want a short side trip. Great restaurants throughout the area, and lots to do. I particularly like the Museum of Discovery and Science - has a great IMAX theater [www.mods.org] You can go to the Everglades or the Sawgrass marshes. Sawgrass Mills is a huge outlet mall just outside Fort Lauderdale for that day you just need a reprieve from the beach.

June is perfect is south FL - not too hot yet and usually too early for hurricanes. The snowbirds are gone so it's not as crowded as Dec-Mar. Check out the area at www.sunny.org

I agree with the others that talked about Fort Laurderdale. I've lived in Central Florida almost my whole life and it can get pretty hot in June, but we were in Ft Lauderdale in July and I remember there being a pretty nice breeze and the beaches are awesome. I fell in love with that area.

We actually spent alot of time walking around, which for some Floridians can be unusual, because we run from our air conditioned houses to the air conditioned cars, to the air conditioned businesses, when we aren't at the beach or pool in the summer.

Naples over clearwater for sure, but I would reccomend Sarasota -Siesta key is consistently rated in the top 10 for beaches (think it was 7 last year) - sand is like white sugar (crushed quartz) absolutely beautiful. More laid back than Lauderdale as far as nightlife, if partying was a top priority I would say stay there but there is plenty of music, bars and excellent restaurants to be found in Sarasota. You can't escape the heat and humidity though- thats a Florida summer. The Longboat Key club is a nice beachfront resort, but there are many other accomodations (private cottages or condos check Siesta4rent website). Boca Raton is another location you may like, just north of Lauderdale, Boca Hotel & Club a possibility -they have a Beach Club also- excellent restaurants and shopping there - beaches typical of east coast, I don't care for grey sand or sea lice, but the water can be beautiful at times. I promise you would not be dissapointed in the Sarasota beaches, they are hard to beat! Have a great time.

Hi DL2, I live in FLL and I love it. I like the clear blue water here in SE Fla...you can snorkel and dive rather easily. Just an FYI for you.