America's Backyard- Steps Out Of The Ordinary Club Scene

An outdoor bar with a pool party setting filled with barbecue pits cooking up burgers, definitely lives up to its name "America's Backyard."

This is not your ordinary bar/restaurant. In a normal bar you wouldn't be able to pass a football across the room, but here anything goes.

• The center of the room is a pool, except the pool bar is filled with bartenders instead of water.


• In the back there is a smokin’ grill cooking a menu of all-American favorites to satisfy anyone's appetite.


• They have hand-crafted beers from across the country at the Tool Shed Bar.


• They have concerts at Revolution live next door


• KISS Country on Thursday nights and Ladies night on Wednesdays.


• They play a great mix of contemporary dance hits, familiar retro hits and country.


• They offer private parties, birthday and special event parties as well as bachelorette parties.

Tip: Cover charge of $5 if you live outside of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Must be 21 and bring ID for proof of age

This place gets extremely crowded by midnight, so if you don't like the crowds come early and leave early.

Smoking is also allowed, so if you can't be around smoke this isn't the right place to be or you can try to avoid the smokers.

Open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Hear what others are saying about this place from South Florida Metromix

Miami Seaquarium Offers Annual Pass For The Price Of One Day

Miami Seaquarium is one well known destination among tourists visiting South Florida.

Many Florida residents are also well aware of this place but don't visit that often. According to Sun-Sentinel, "Between now and March 1, residents visiting the Miami Seaquarium will receive an annual pass with each purchase of a regular price admission."


Picture Courtesy of Miami Seaquarium

• The pass is not subject to black out dates.


• Proof of Florida residency is required.


• The passes are valid through December 31,


• passes good during the Easter Egg hunts, summer events and the Monster Splash Halloween Bash.


• Ticket are $36 for adults and $27 for kids aged 3 to 9.


• Parking is $8.


• Seaquarium is open 7 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Here are some of the things that Miami Seaquarium has to offer:

• Corporate and Social Events


• Dolphin Interaction Program


• Educational Program

Shows and presentations include:

• Top Deck Dolphins Show


• Golden Dome Sea Lion Show


• Flipper Dolphin Show


• Killer-Whale and Dolphin Show


• Shark Channel Presentation


• Tropical Reef Presentation


• Manatee Presentation


• Sea Lion Feeder Pool


• Discovery Bay Presentation

Tip: Remember to bring some extra cash for food and souvenirs.

video courtesy of City Search

Miami-Dade Offers Eco-Friendly Adventure

For the eco-conscious and adventurous traveler, the Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department offers guided nature, adventure, and historic tours involving biking, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, and bird-watching all over the city.

EcoAdventures, is set in Miami and established by the nationally renowned Miami-Dade Parks system, which is one of the largest networks of parks, beaches, wildlife-landscapes, wetlands, and recreational gems in the entire United States.

• If you want some water fun you chose a good place. While you are in the water, you are likely to see starfish, wading birds, spotted eagle rays, and many more fascinating creatures as you kayak, canoe and snorkel your way through South Florida's marine sanctuaries.

• One sanctuary includes the Bear Cut Marine Preserve in Key Biscayne. The fossilized rock reef is over 1500 years old and one of only two in the world found in a sub-tropical zone.

• You can also see and experience the cavernous remains of a 1908 German wreckage.

EcoAdventure tours provide different rates depending on what activity you are doing and have a detailed schedule of activities.

For reservations, locations, or customized tours, you can contact EcoAdventures at:305-365-3018.

Everglades National Park- A Wonderland Of Exploration

pictures courtesy of nps.gov

Want to get a close encounter with an alligator? How about taking an airboat ride through a sawgrass swamp?

The Everglades National Park which was created in 1947 to protect the southern end of the Everglades ecosystem, has many activities for the whole family.

The Everglades National Park Contains:

• Nature Trails




• Camping




• Fishing




• Airboat rides on the sawgrass




• glass-bottom boat tours




• Alligator Wrestling




• Extensive hiking paths, boardwalks and canoe trails including the famous Anhinga Trail, a boardwalk from which it's possible to look down at the struggle for food and life among alligators, wading birds, turtles and snakes.




• A 15-mile paved loop at Shark Valley allows people to walk, bicycle or ride a tram through the heart of the sawgrass marsh, with the chance to see alligators, deer and wading birds.

Here is what visitors are saying according to City Search:

Convenient hours
Short lines
Group discounts
Ample parking
Friendly staff

Tips:

Cameras are allowed on airboat ride, but keep in mind the alligators in the swamp are NOT PETS, so try not to get too close!

Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Gator Farm tours last airboat leaves at 5:25 p.m.

Bring bug repellent

Melting Pot- Wine and Dine Your Valentine

Since Valentine's is almost here and I am a huge lover of chocolate i must mention the "Melting Pot." This is a restaurant that has been in business for more than 33 years and has over 130 locations open in the United States picture courtesy of Melting Pot Website

• According to the Melting Pot website the first Melting Pot opened in April of 1975 in Midland, Florida. It was a cozy, quaint location and its first menu consisted of just three items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue and a chocolate fondue dessert. However, as the restaurant's popularity expanded, so did its menu and ambiance.

Here is what the Melting Pot offers today:

• relaxed atmosphere


• private tables


• attentive service


• fine wines


• signature fondue dinners.


• Club Fondue


• Fondue Chocolate Bars


• Four Course Dining

What The Meal Consists Of:

• Appetizer is a cheese fondue


• Next course features salads like the California Salad with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese


• Main Entree- fillet mignon, sirloin, chicken, tenderloin, shrimp, ravioli, and rigatoni


• Best Part- Dessert- chocolate fondue dessert

The Melting Pot in Fort Lauderdale is also providing a special treat for Valentine's Day

"10 Days of Cupid: February 9 - February 18, from only $119 per couple."

Cupid's Romance Package For Two:
Cupid's Four-course Fondue Feast
"Love Quiz"
Cupid Gift Bag valued at over $50
Private Booth
Dozen Roses
90 Minutes of free-pouring of champagne
The restaurant is decorated to set a festive mood.
2/13, 2/14 - $249 per couple. All other days only $199 per couple.
Not a champagne drinker? Subtract $30 per couple.

TIP......There are other specials that come up once in a while, so i recommend taking advantage of them if it is over your budget.

Contour Day Spa: Heal and Relax

What is a vacation without a relaxing massage? Whether you are looking to relax those tired muscles from too much surf or too much work, consider visiting Contour Day Spa in Plantation or Hollywood.





Contour Day Spa provides an array of services to meet the needs of their clients. Here are some of the many services they provide:

• Spa Romance
• Quick Fixes
• Body Healing Therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Holistic Massage
• Hair Salon
• Manicure and Pedicure Salon
• Facial Therapy
• Spa For Today's Man
• Wedding Day
• Maternity Program
• Mikveh
• Botox and Cosmetic Fillers
• Hydrocolonic
• Body Care

Quick Tips from Contour Day Spa

• Sixteen years old is the minimum age requirement for all body services
• Pregnant women should refrain from receiving any heat treatments, or massages during the first trimester or the last two weeks of third trimester
• For spa services check in 30 minutes prior to appointment
• Service Charge: A 20 percent service charge will be added to all Spa / Salon Services and Packages upon check in.
• Drink plenty of water before and after your spa visits
• Offer special pricing Monday-Thursday Only

LOVE CHOCOLATE? CONSIDER THIS:

Chocolate Indulgence Cellulite Treatment: 75 minutes for $130

A guilt free way to enjoy chocolate without the calories! A totally unique experience for those who wish to detoxify, smooth, and contour the body. The sensory appeal of chocolate will inspire and delight as the body is reshaped and reconditioned.

Looking For A Valentine's Or Anniversary Gift? Consider This:

Together Forever: 3 hours for $299
Two 50 minutes Swedish Massages in a VIP suite, Two Hand Paraffin Treatments, Two Spa Manicures and Two Spa Pedicures.

Need More Information?

Visit Hollywood or Plantation Sites.

To see what other people are saying about Contour Spa visit the review section.

photo courtesy of Contour Day Spa Website

Bongos: Eat and Dance Latin Style

picture courtesy of tripadvisor.com

Bongos Cuban Cafe located in downtown Miami is owned by superstar Gloria Estefan. Bongos Cuban Cafe opened in 2000 is a restaurant by day and a dance-club by night.



"Bongos is a cool spot. I love the way it looks with the bongo seats and the dance floor is huge i love it! Its really beautiful inside, the lighting, the fake palm trees everything," said Liliana from Brooklyn.

What Bongos Has To Offer:

• Overlooks the port of Miami, Biscayne Bay and the Downtown Miami Skyline.


• Hosts international events such as the after parties of the Latin Grammy's, Latin Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.


• Accommodates entertainment such as welcome receptions, wedding receptions, corporate events, and concerts.


• Spectacular light show every Friday and Saturday night

What Is The Wow Factor?

• Authentic Cuban Cuisine


• Wide variety of classic and flavored Mojitos


• Giant pineapple structure


• Salsa and Meringue dancers


• popular celebrity hangout


• live music

Bongos In The News:

• Best Of City Search Dining Guide recommended Bongos as having the "best live music venue, Cuban cuisine and celebrity hangout. "
  

Restaurant hours of operation:

• Lunch: Friday - Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


• Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
  

Nightclub hours of operation:

• Fridays: 11:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.


• Saturdays: 11:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.

****A tip: The cover is $20/person, but you can avoid this by getting there before 9:30 p.m and just hanging out at the bar...use those $20 there.

Other things to keep in mind:

• Dress is casual


• Not good for kids


• Take Reservations


• Best Nights Friday and Saturday


• Good for groups


• Happy hour


• Indoor and outdoor seating

Read what others are saying about Bongos:

tripadvisor review

yahoo travel guide review

clubplanet review

Fort Lauderdale Beach: No Longer an Ordinary Spring Break

Fort Lauderdale has a wide variety of cultural, historical, and social activities; however the beaches are a popular spot for tourists and locals.

Fifteen years of successful redevelopment has transformed Fort Lauderdale Beach from a seasonal tourist spot to a year round, world class family resort destination



You can take a stroll along the beach, bike, or skate along Atlantic Boulevard and the Beach Promenade. You can also take part in the many watersports available, such as kite surfing, kayaking and Parasailing.

Fort Lauderdale is also known as the "Venice of America," due to its large and extensive canal system.

Here is some of what Fort Lauderdale beaches have to offer according to the city's website:

• 7 miles of beaches
• Recreation, relaxation and enjoyment
• Award-winning wavewall
• Signature beachfront promenade
• Along the coast there are many shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and entertainment venues.
• Wide range of activities from boating, wind surfing, jet skiing and volleyball to snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and rollerblading.
• The area is home to the Las Olas Marina and Fort Lauderdale Aquatics Center,
• holds major events including the McDonald’s Air and Sea Show, Greater Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Beachfest, Oceanfest and numerous other festivals and special events
  

If you would like to see more of Fort Lauderdale, a water taxi tour along the inland canals can give you easy and inexpensive access to major points throughout the city. You will also get a glimpse of the rich and famous along what's known as "Millionaire's Row."

Tips and Advice:

• If you are in the area and are looking for good quality inexpensive alcoholic drinks consider visiting Blondies located on A1A. Margarita specials are $3-$4

• If you have a late night craving you can visit Primanti Brothers which is open 24 hours, located on A1A just south of Sunrise Blvd. Pizza is the popular food choice.
  
  
  For more activities to do in Fort Lauderdale check out visting Florida website, sunny.org
  
  
  or you can visit the city of Fort Lauderdale website.

Stranahan House: A Place For Historians and Hungry Ghost Hunters

If you are looking for a little scary fun and have a curiosity for historical homes, the Stranahan House may be an interesting spot to see.

Many local visitors and tourists come to see this house intrigued by rumors of spirits from the previous owners. They come to see if anything happens.

Other visitors come to learn and experience the history of the oldest house in Fort Lauderdale, which was built as a trading post for settlers and the Seminole Indians in 1901. It later evolved into the post office, community center and town hall

Watch a detailed video describing the Stranahan House:

Look at this article from The Black Vault based on the findings of local ghost hunters:

For more information and the complete history of the Stranahan House you can visit stranahanhouse.org.

Tours are given on the hour Wednesday-Saturday 10 a m.- 3 p.m., Sun 1-3 p.m.. Last tour starts at 3 p.m.. Tours last about 45-60 min.

Comments from visitors:

"Our tour guide brought the house and the Stranahans to life for us," said a visitor from Baltimore. "The people who work at the house are very devoted to the house and to its history."

"Small property now...but at one point I can imagine it was beautiful as it was," said a visitor from Ontario. "This is right downtown perfect location, easy to find right near the Cheesecake Factory."

picture courtesy of the Stranahan House website.