You’ve asked for more ideas on Miami road trips so here are our picks for November and December, curated by friend and guest blogger Irene Moore. They’re built around special events and special interests including a pineapple festival, surfing film fest, Palm Beach food and wine festival, and a celebration of lights in nearby Naples. In case you missed road trips, Parts 1 and 2, click here.
FOR FESTIVAL ENTHUSIASTS AND BEACHCOMBERS
Jensen Beach (2 hrs. 18 min.)
November 11-13
Tucked into Florida’s east coast above West Palm Beach, Jensen Beach was once known as the “Pineapple Capital of the World.” Its signature event, the Pineapple Festival, salutes the community’s rich pineapple heritage. It’s one of the largest festivals in the region and one of the few remaining true street festivals in Florida. It features family–friendly concerts, arts, crafts, street performers, live music everyday with local bands, and midway rides. Don’t miss the Bahamian Market—a delegation from Eleuthera, Bahamas creates an authentic Bahamian Market featuring music with island bands, crafts Bahamian food and drinks (try the conch fritters), and a Junkanoo band.
findfestival.com/jensenbeach/jensen-beach-pineapple-festival-info
Other Things to Do:
Explore the Beaches: some of the area’s gorgeous beaches are nearby: Hobe Sound Beach and Santa Lucia Beach, great for strolling, surfing, shelling, swimming and sunning. The water sports enthusiast will find boating, sailing, fishing, skiing, and scuba diving. beach.com/destinations-jupiter-florida-usa-vacations
Watch the Sea Turtles: Jensen Beach also attracts several species of endangered sea turtles during nesting seasons. visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/jensen-beach.html
Shopping: With its major shopping centers, numerous specialty stores and unusual boutiques, the Jensen Beach area is renowned as the retail shopping center of the Treasure Coast. Jensen Beach has also earned a reputation for its seafood-intensive fine dining. visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/jensen-beach.html
FOR SURFERS AND FILM BUFFS
New Smyrna Beach (4 hrs.)
November 18-19
Surfer dudes are stoked to attend the 4th annual Florida Surf Film Fest. Organizers Kevin Miller (a CPA who loves surfer movies, and works with non-profits in real life) and John Brooks (a former pro surfer turned firefighter/EMT) have put together a star-studded lineup of filmmakers and surfers. Workshop members come from as far away as Spain, Washington, and Hawaii. Offering a mix of shorts, features, and documentaries, with both big budget and smaller, independent films, the festival explores the interplay between surfing, culture and music. There will be awards for Best Feature Surf Movie, and Best Short Surf Movie among others. Some of the films in competition include Sorria, a new film by Gabriel Novis, View from a Blue Moon, License to Chill, and Fire and Water.
Other Things to Do:
Explore Art Galleries and Studios: New Smyrna Beach’s Canal Street Historic District, known as the area’s “Arts and Design District,” exudes all the charm of an old-Florida hometown. Art galleries, artist workshops, interior design studios, antique shops and emporiums contribute to the district’s vibrant, creative atmosphere and artsy reputation. Vendors set up at Old Fort Park for the weekly Farmers Market on Saturday morning. canalstreetnsb.com
New Smyrna Beach Kite Festival: Stay over for the kite festival, November 21-22 (11am-3pm), at nearby Flagler Avenue Beach. The festival features tethered kites, some as large as a vehicle, plus kite demos and competitions. nsbfla.com
FOR FOODIES AND WINE LOVERS
Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival
Palm Beach (1 hr. 35 min.)
December 8-11
As temperatures plunge below freezing up north, the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival returns when South Florida is experiencing its best, balmy weather. This year’s festival features a star-studded lineup of culinary masters, food trendsetters and wine aficionados. The four-day food festival includes something for everybody: celebrity chef “throwdowns,” intimate and lively dinners, wine and cocktail tastings, cooking demos, and book signings. Headquartered at the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, there are also events that take place in other locations throughout the Palm Beaches. Our favorites this year: “The First Bite” at Buccan, Thursday December 8, 7-10pm, with Chefs Mike Lata and Clay Conley; “Miami Takeover,” Friday December 9, 12-2pm at Meat Market, with Chefs Timon Baloo, Jeremy Ford, Richard Hales, Jose Mendin and Sean Brasel; “Rise and Dine,” on Saturday December 10, 9-11am at Eau Resort, with Chefs Brad Kilgore, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Lee Wolen, Josh Thompsen and others; “Daniel & Friends, Sunday, December 11 at Café Boulud, 11am-2pm, with Daniel Boulud and Rick Mace; and the 10th Annual Grand Tasting, 5-9pm at The Gardens Mall.
Other Things to Do:
Go Shopping: Don’t miss Worth Avenue, one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the country. Rich with old world charm and historical glamour, Worth Avenue’s romantic side vias and celebrated boutiques offer the best of resort and designer fashion, accessories, gifts, art, antiques, fine and casual dining and home furnishings in a captivating European atmosphere. worth-avenue.com
See Art Exhibits and Gardens: The Society of the Four Arts presents notable speakers, concerts, films, educational seminars and art exhibitions for the public. Horticultural and sculpture gardens grace the lovely lakeside campus. fourarts.org
Take in a bit of Broadway: Back by popular demand, Broadway star T. Oliver Reid returns to the Royal Room at the Colony Hotel on October 10. His Broadway credits include: “Chicago,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Follies,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” “The Wedding Singer,” the 25th Anniversary concert of “Dreamgirls,” and many others. thecolonypalmbeach.com/theroyalroom.com
FOR LOVERS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Holiday Celebrations and Fairs
Naples (2 hrs. 10 min.)
Early December through New Year’s Eve
Winter Solstice Celebration: Over the weeks before and after Christmas, admission to Naples Botanical Garden includes music and other live entertainment, and shopping for gifts while sampling a variety of locally produced wines and hors d’oeuvres. Call 239.643.7275 for more information.
Celebration of Lights: Early in December, school and church group carolers, and Santa Claus visit Annunciation Circle in La Piazza, Ave Maria, northeast of Naples to celebrate the holiday season and view the Christmas lights, with lots of refreshments and train rides for the kids. Call 239.262.2600 for more information.
Downtown Naples New Years Weekend Art Fair: During the last week in December, 5th Avenue South is filled with the paintings, sculptures and crafts of local artists in this annual celebration, complete with all kinds of food booths and nationally recognized live musicians. Call (954) 472-3755 for more information.
New Year’s Eve Party: The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts hosts an annual midnight champagne reception and party on New Year’s Eve, preceded by an entire evening of outstanding, top-name live musical entertainment. Call 239.597.1900 for more information.
Other Things to Do:
Shopping: This is a favorite pastime in Naples. The upscale shops of Olde Naples’ 5th Avenue and 3rd Street South are famous, and the streets are all decked out for the holidays. The Waterside Shops, The Village on Venetian Bay, Coastland Mall, and Bayfront all add to the ambience.
Visit Big Cypress National Preserve: Big Cypress, a hotbed of biological diversity, serves as a supply of fresh, clean water for the vital estuaries of Everglades City’s Ten Thousand Islands area. Camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and birdwatching are popular, with explorers, who watch woodstorks feeding along roadside canals or search for the elusive Florida panther. On U.S. 41 in Ochopee, about 20 miles south of Naples. 239.263.3532. nps.gov/bicy/index.htm
2 Responses
Great suggestions – thanks!
Lisa
Thanks for publishing “Weekend Getaways.” Hope you get lots of clicks!