2 Days in Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Thursday Dec 5th - Sunday Dec 8th 2024

Black is research done prior to the trip; purple is what we learned from our trip

Fly in to Fort Lauderdale Thursday:

Hotel:

• Embassy Suites Boca Raton
• Chose this one, bc we got a good deal on it
• Address: 661 NM 53rd St Boca Raton, FL 33487 
• Check-in: 4:00 PM

• Check-out: 11:00 AM

• Free made-to-order breakfast

• Complimentary evening reception (2 free drink tickets per person, and free appetizers)

• Free parking

• On-site restaurant

• Outdoor pool

As soon as we got in, we headed to Mizner park for some food.

Mizner Park: This Mediterranean-style shopping and dining center is also home to an amphitheater, where you might catch a live show or event.

• Shopping: Mizner Park features a variety of upscale shops and boutiques, ranging from well-known brands to unique local retailers. It’s a great place to find fashion, jewelry, and gifts.

• Dining: The park has a wide range of restaurants and cafes, offering everything from casual to fine dining.

• Mizner Park Amphitheater: This outdoor venue hosts live music, events, and performances throughout the year. Check if there are any concerts or shows during your visit.
• Fountain Plaza: A picturesque spot at the center of the park with fountains and greenery. It’s perfect for a leisurely walk or just relaxing after shopping and dining.

We grabbed lunch at Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar which was nice sitting outside, and so chicly decorated inside. Food was great!

I couldn't resist this place called Cielito Artisan Pops 1) bc it was a concept I've never heard of before, and 2) again, DAIRY-FREE options!

  

Other food suggestions:

• Trattoria Romana: A cozy spot for Italian food with a local favorite status.

• Oceanfront Dining: Consider visiting Oceans 234 in nearby Deerfield Beach for dinner with a stunning ocean view.

  
  

Then we headed to the beach to snorkel.

Red Reef Park: A beautiful beachfront park ideal for snorkeling and relaxing by the ocean. (Bring your own snorkel gear)

• Snorkeling- Construction of a new recreational snorkel reef at Red Reef Park was completed in September 2021, enhancing the park’s current reef into an extended snorkeling trail for beach goers. This sounded amazing. Anything to preserve our planet and the creatures that live on it. However, we were highly disappointed with the snorkeling. We asked the lifeguard on duty for better directions on where to head, but it wasn't anything impressive. Maybe we missed it?? A few fish here and there. I have to be honest, Matt brought back the GoPro footage from his snorkel mask, and I didn't think it was worth getting in the water for, so I stayed dry hahah

• Parking: Parking AT the park is ridiculous. Like $30. So we parked in a lot across the street via the Park Mobile App.
• The facilities were nice. There was a boardwalk and walking paths winding through the foliage, grill, picnics areas, a playground, restrooms (where we changed into and out of suits since we didn't check into our hotel yet) so we enjoyed laying out on the beach a bit. Not crowded at all. 

  

South Inlet Park (snorkeling)

• Best Feature: Located at the Boca Raton Inlet, this park offers opportunities for snorkeling in calm waters along the rock jetties. The jetties act as natural breakwaters, attracting marine life.
• Marine Life: Fish species like parrotfish, snapper, and sergeant majors are commonly spotted here.
• Tip: Watch the tides and currents near the inlet for safety, and snorkel during high tide for the clearest water.
• We actually walked from Red Reef Park along the walking path, down to South Inlet Park and visited the gazebo/pier.

Can you spot the big spider?

  

Spanish River Park: A tranquil spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, or walking along shaded trails. https://spanishriverpark.com/

• Beach Access: The park offers easy access to a less crowded stretch of Boca Raton’s beautiful beach. It's a perfect spot to swim, sunbathe, or just relax by the ocean.

• Picnic Areas: Shaded picnic tables and barbecue grills are scattered throughout the park, making it an ideal spot for a beachside lunch or family gathering.

• Walking and Biking Trails: Enjoy scenic walking trails that meander through the park’s lush landscape, offering both ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views. These trails are also great for a leisurely bike ride.

• Kayaking and Paddleboarding: You can launch kayaks or paddleboards into the Intracoastal Waterway from the park. The calm waters make it a relaxing way to explore the local mangroves and spot wildlife.

• Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a variety of birds and other wildlife. It's a serene spot for nature lovers who want to observe the natural habitat.

• Fishing: The Intracoastal side of the park allows for fishing, where you can cast a line and relax.

• Restrooms and Showers: Convenient facilities for beachgoers.

• Playground: There’s a playground area, making it a family-friendly option.
• Lifeguards: Lifeguards are often on duty, ensuring a safe swimming experience.
• We didn't want to pay the $30 to park here, and there weren't any ParkMobile parking spots close by, so we unfortunately skipped this spot.

If it rains:

• Boca Raton Museum of Art: Located in Mizner Park, this museum features a mix of contemporary and classical art exhibits. It's a great cultural stop while you're there.
• Tickets ~ $16; Your general admission includes a free, docent-led one-hour tour to explore exhibitions on view offered every day at 2pm.
• Wick Theatre & Costume Museum: For a unique experience, check out their theater productions and extensive costume displays

We then headed to the hotel to check-in and get ready for dinner

Farmer’s Table: A health-conscious spot that uses organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. This restaurant offered indoor and outdoor seating, but my fav part was all the dietary options. This dessert, is dairy free! (I am lactose-intolerant).

 

Friday:

Friday I had a continuing education course for work. So while I was in lecture from 8a-3p, Matt had another beach day.

He picked us up tacos for lunch from El Jefe Luchador and we sat by the hotel pool during my class break to eat.

After my course was over, we went out for dinner to Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen 

Saturday:

Started off the morning at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: A coastal nature center offering scenic trails, a butterfly garden, and a sea turtle rehabilitation are; 20-acre coastal preserve. 

Parking lot was already full, so we had to go back to Park Mobile parking in the parking lot we used the 2 days prior, and pay.

This was one of my fav stops in Boca Raton!

• Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: One of the center's main attractions is its sea turtle rehabilitation facility. You can see rescued sea turtles that are being nursed back to health.

• Aquariums: The outdoor aquariums showcase a variety of marine species native to South Florida’s coastal waters.

• Butterfly Garden: Wander through a beautiful garden filled with native plants and butterflies. (this is not an enclosed exhibit; we only saw one butterfly; did not live up to the hype)

• Nature Trails: The center offers peaceful, shaded trails through a coastal hammock, ideal for birdwatching and learning about local flora.

• Observation Tower: A great spot to climb for panoramic views of the ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and surrounding nature.

Learned a lot about sea turtles at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.

Most interesting to me was Morgan. She was injured by a boat collision that partially paralyzed her back flippers and gave her buoyancy issues. We learned that when sea turtles are struck by boats, they can suffer from a condition called “bubble butt syndrome” or buoyancy disorder. This occurs when the trauma from the collision allows air to enter and become trapped inside their body (often fractures in their shell, creating gaps).

Turtles may become permanently buoyant on one side or unable to submerge completely. This makes it difficult for them to dive for food, avoid predators, or rest properly underwater.

Morgan had weights affixed to her back to help with buoyancy so she could swim better.

The temperature of sea turtle nests plays a crucial role in determining the gender of the hatchlings.

Warmer temps produce mostly female turtles while cooler temps produce mostly male turtles (I never knew this! Was interesting to learn)

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are leading to hotter beaches, which result in disproportionately more female hatchlings.

At Gumbo Limbo, they had 3 different species of sea turtles, with their nests hatching 94%, 86%, and 98% female.

This imbalance could threaten sea turtle populations in the long term, as fewer males might reduce successful reproduction rates.

The disease that causes sea turtles to develop tumors on their face and fins is called Fibropapillomatosis (FP).

Tumors can impair the turtle’s vision, swimming, feeding, and ability to avoid predators.

They told us that FP is linked to to environmental factors.

Water pollution via runoffs containing fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants from agricultural or urban areas can degrade water quality.

FP is often more prevalent in regions where water temperatures are higher. So a link to climate change.

Loss of seagrass beds (what turtles feed on) and coral reefs forces turtles to inhabit polluted or suboptimal areas, increasing exposure to contaminants.

Info:

• Nature Center and Aquariums: Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

• Nature Trails, Boardwalk, and Tower: Monday - Sunday, 7:00 am - Sunset

• There is no charge for general admission, however Matt and I put some money in the donations jar at the info desk!

Calendar Events:

• Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding: Daily at 12:30 pm
• Intracoastal Adventures – Intro to Kayaking (various dates)
• This was on a Sunday, so we did not get to go

After the nature center, we headed back to Fort Lauderdale (downtown) to explore a bit more before our flight.

Grabbed lunch outside at El Camino

Got coffee from Ann's Florist & Coffee Bar

The prettiest coffee shop ya ever did see!

And then explored downtown before our flight back home. If we would have had more time, we would have loved to purchase a day pass for the water ferry to hop around.

2 Days in New River Gorge National Park

 

New River Gorge National Park

For Matt’s 46th Birthday

Friday Oct 18th - Sunday Oct 20th 2024

• Address: Canyon Rim Visitors Center 162 Visitor Center Rd Lansing, WV 25862

• Hours of Operation: The park itself is open 24 hour a day, year round. The park's two main visitor centers at Canyon Rim and Sandstone are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 

• Fee: FREE!

National Park Website

Black is research done prior to the trip; pink is what we learned from our trip

Friday:

Airbnb: Cabin in Edmond

• Not my favvv Airbnb, but VERY close to the park and hiking trails; would not rec booking for more than 2 people
• Check-in: 4p
• Checkout: 11a
• Address: Beauty Mountain Road, Edmond, WV 25837

Grab dinner and check-in

Taste of Bridge Day: "For over 20 years, the Canyon Rim Rotary Club has organized the annual Taste of Bridge Day festival. This is a family-oriented event that showcases the area’s finest restaurants and caterers, who offer samples of their menu specialties. The event is held on the Friday evening before Official Bridge Day, which allows thousands of visitors to enjoy wonderful food, local artwork, and live music in the beautiful outdoor setting of Adventures on The Gorge. There is no fee for admission, and food sample prices range from $2.00 to $8.00. Funds raised from this event benefit the Canyon Rim Rotary Club in their extensive community service projects and numerous donations to charitable organizations, especially those that support children in our local community."

Time: 5:00 - 9:00pm (get there early before tickets/food is sold out)

Location: Adventures on the Gorge

This was crowded, but very cool! Amazing outdoor space. HUGE! Dress warm.

Saturday:

Endless Wall Trail

I would say there are 2 big hikes in the park, and this is one of them. You will walk along the rim of the gorge to get amazing views of the New River below, and the Bridge. This time of year is perfect as the color of the leaves is magical. 

Trailhead: Start from either the Nuttall Parking Area or the Fern Creek Parking Area. It's a loop trail, so either works. 

We hiked from Nuttall to Fern Creek, and then walked back to Nuttall via the road.

Both parking lots are right down the street from our Airbnb. We started this hike early (before dark) so we could be out to the overlook for sunrise

Length: 2.4 miles round trip (1.2 miles each way
Estimated Time: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on stops for photos and breaks. 
Diamond Point: This is the most popular viewpoint on the trail where you can see the panoramic views of the gorge below. It took ~45 min to get to Diamond Point, where we watched the sunrise (with maybe 15 other people) so start your hike 45 min - 1 hr before sunrise if you wish.

The view was amazing off the bridge, but my fav was the fog coming off the river (you couldn't actually SEE the river bc of it)

We even chatted with some guys that were getting ready to slackline their way across a part of the ridge up at Diamond Point.

I liked the direction of the loop we took, because it allowed us to stop at another overlook after the sunrise at Diamond Point, that gave us a closer view of the bridge after the fog had cleared some. 

However, we did have to walk uphill (gradual) on the road to end our hike.

We had planned to eat somewhere after this hike, but decided to eat at Bridge Day bc there are TONS of food vendors.

 BRIDGE DAY!!!!!

"Bridge Day starts at 9am and is West Virginia's largest single-day festival and one of the largest extreme sports events in the world. Held annually every third Saturday in October on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia, this is the only day each year thousands of spectators can walk across the bridge and watch as serious BASE jumpers get their chance to fly 876 feet into the Gorge below and rappellers ascend and descend from the catwalk."

We were very lucky we booked this trip, and THEN found out Bridge Day was going to occur while we were there. It was an amazing experience and really filled our Saturday with something fun to do.

From Fern Creek parking lot, it's ~4 min drive to the northern part of the bridge.

Schedule of events:

• • 5:30 AM:  Vendors arrive at designated staging lots

  • 7:00 AM:  Route 19 Closes to traffic. Detour Begins

  • THIS RIGHT HERE is why we planned our hikes AROUND bridge day.

  • One of our hikes is on the northern side, the other on the southern side.

  • They are only a 15 min drive from each other. But when that bridge is closed,

  • it turns into a 45+ minute drive. So plan accordingly with where your staying,

  • and where you'll be hiking.

  • 7:00 AM-8:00 AM:  Active SWV’s Bridge Day 5K Run Racers arrive at designated pickup spots

  • 8:15 AM:  Buses begin transporting 5k racers to starting line

  • 8:30 AM:  Shuttles begin at designated lots - see map

  • 8:45 AM:  Bridge Day 5K Race begins (this is why as we arrived to bridge day, we saw many runners leaving)

    9:00 AM:  Bridge Day Begins (Prohibited bags include: backpacks, tote bags, large purses, camera bags, binocular cases)

  • 9:00 AM:  Into The Gorge bus rides start (pre-sold tickets only) (See below for more info)

  • 11:00 AM:  Bridge Day Car Show (Held at Starlite Drive-In)

  • 1:30 PM:  Into The Gorge bus rides end

  • 3:00 PM:  Bridge Day chili cookoff in downtown Fayetteville

  • 3:00 PM:  Bridge Day ends

  • 5:00 PM:  Route 19 re-opens. Detour ends

Only experienced base jumpers and rappellers are allowed, but anyone may zipline.

Let me tell you. As soon as I saw what Bridge Day was, I whipped out my credit card ready to sign up to jump. Well apparently you need to be a "professional" base jumper, with proof of AT LEAST 50 prior jumps. Once we got there and saw the jumpers in their gear, with the helmets and go-pro attached, watch them hurl themselves off the bridge, and navigate the icy waters below, it made sense why my butt wasn't allowed to jump.

Another option for "unprofessional" daredevils, is the zip line. This didn't look too impressive to me though, after ziplining through the jungles of Mexico and the Dominican. But if you are interested, you may ride the high line and slide 700 feet on a zipline from the catwalk of the bridge to Fayette Station Road. You don't need experience to ride the high line, but you should reserve your spot early. For more information about Bridge Day High Line, visit the Bridge Day Rappel site.

• 

Parking: Shuttles to the Bridge are $5 per person. Cash only is accepted at these parking lots.  There are 6 pickup locations. From Fern Creek parking lot, it's ~4 min drive to the northern part of the bridge. We were going to find parking and take the shuttle ($5 cash), but decided to park closer (lit along the highway!) and walk it. 

If you're up for the walk, I say it's worth it. The shuttle lines were very long. 

Into the Gorge: "This is a different shuttle than the parking shuttle. This "Into the Gorge" shuttle starts at 9AM to take you down to the bottom of the gorge, (along the river where the base jumpers land) and you must get on the last shuttle out from the bottom at 1:30PM. Tickets go on sale in January, and sell out quickly." By the time I realized Bridge Day was a thing, tickets for into the Gorge were sold out. I added our names to the waitlist but didn't hear anything. We stopped at the info tent as we arrived to Bridge Day and they had 5 tickets still up for grab. We were about to buy 2, but when they said its $45 a ticket, we decided to pass. What it provides is a bus ride down the windy road (open to the public year-round, but closed to the public the day of the event to transport jumpers back up after their jump) to give you a different viewpoint of the jumpers and rappellers. You get to watch them from the bottom, from underneath the bridge. Matt and I figured we would pay to get down there, watch a handful of jumpers, and then be over it. So we saved our money. After talking with people AFTER the event, I think it would have been cool to do. If you have the money, I say do it. Bucket list item. If you have been a part of "Into the Gorge" I'd love to know your opinion on the experience!

"You may ride your bike or walk down into the Gorge. Just keep in mind it is a 4+ mile distance one way and that you yield the road to motorized vehicles.  There are no unauthorized vehicles allowed into the Gorge via Fayette Station Road on the day of the event." Again, after the event we met people and found many hiked down the road, just part of the way, and were able to see some great sights of the jumpers. We would have liked to have done this, had we known even a partial hike down was worth it.

Bridge Day was great! We:

• rocked out to music up on the bridge as we watched people jump off the bridge and watched people jump off the lift off the bridge
• explored local vendors and artisans
• ate some delicious food
• watched skydivers jump out of airplanes overhead
• chatted with some of the daredevils themselves about their jump
• counted down for the catapult to launch and hurl jumpers into the air over the railing of the bridge
• watched water rescue sweep in to gather jumpers that didn't quite make it to the target landing area, and ended up in the New River waters
• spied white-water-rafters veering down the New River past all the action

Afterwards we exited Bridge Day and headed to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to learn more about New River Gorge National Park (became a National Park in 2020) and walk out to the overlooks for great views of the New River Gorge Bridge. This finally gave us a view of the rappellers that were underneath us the whole time, rappelling down the 876 feet Bridge.

Brewery/Winery/Dinner

After we walked back to the car, we headed out for some food and drink.

No wineries are close by; closest one is 40 min drive further south (Daniel Vineyards)

We started at the Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill. Sat outside eating amazing burritos and tacos, and having a drink. They are open seasonally. Address: 179 Oscar White Rd Lansing, WV 25862

• Freefolk Brewery 
• Address: 25385 Midland Trail Hico, WV 25854
• Hours: Saturday | 12-9pm
• Large parking lot across the street. Sat outside and had a drink. There are inside games like ping-pong and darts.

• Bridge Brew Works (Fayetteville, WV)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 1 pm – 9p
• Address: 335 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, WV 25840
• Website is very limited; can’t tell if they have stuff other than beer, or if they serve food
• We sat outside around the roasty fire and listened to live music while Matt enjoyed a beer

Explore DT

• Hobbit Hole – This quirky shop is perfect for anyone who loves fantasy, gaming, and unique gifts. You’ll find everything from handmade jewelry to collectibles inspired by fantasy novels and films.

Dinner

Secret Sandwich Society

• Location: 103 Keller Ave, Fayetteville, WV

• Hours: Everyday 11am — 9pm

• Distance: About a 10-15 minute drive from both trails.

Great food. Farmhouse-chic. Really liked this spot. Popular, but got seats at the bar right away. 

Southside Junction Tap House

• Address: 101 South Court Street Fayetteville, WV 25840
• One more drink before heading back to the Airbnb. Mostly bc I want to go as many places as possible when I'm in a new town, even if its just to sit at the bar for 5 minutes lol

Wanderlust Creativefoods

• Address: 105 W Maple Ave , Fayetteville, WV, United States, West Virginia
• Sat Hours: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Creative menu featuring organic, locally sourced ingredients with a mix of vegan and gluten-free options. 
• We didn't get to make it here

The Stach

• Ice Cream! 

• Address:  139 South Court St. in Fayetteville, WV

• Saturday Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

• Sunday Hours: 11a-8p

Sunday:

Drive Fayette Station Road: 

We couldn't do this Saturday, bc it’s closed bc of Bridge Day. From the Visitor Center, drive Fayette Station Road. This road starts on the rim and drops down to the New River. 

From the shore of the New River, you get unbeatable views of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Fayette Station road then winds up the opposite side of the rim, ending near Fayetteville. 

Note: Fayette Station Road is one-way only, starting near the Visitor Center and ending near Fayetteville. 

During this drive, we downloaded the audio-tour to learn what was what during and the history of the bridge. I am not a history person, as I usually could care less hahah, but this was pretty neat!

Long Point Trail

Drive 9 minutes to Long Point Trailhead; however, this is on the southern side of the bridge…One of the best views of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge

• Length: 3.2 miles round trip (1.6 miles each way)
• Estimated Time: About 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and time spent at the viewpoint.
• Trailhead: Long Point Trailhead off Gatewood Road, just outside of Fayetteville.
• Parking: The parking lot at the trailhead is medium-sized but can fill up, especially on weekends. Arrive early if you want to avoid crowds.
• Remember when I said there was 2 big hikes in the park? This is the 2nd one. Easy with a closer view of the bridge than Endless Wall Trail.

Headed back to Airbnb to officially check out.

We put our names in for brunch, and shopped around downtown for 30 min while we waited. 

• The Hoot and Howl – A vibrant shop full of handmade items, art, jewelry, clothing, and crafts made by local artisans. The shop supports small businesses and offers one-of-a-kind West Virginia-made products.
• Thread – A boutique that focuses on contemporary women’s fashion and accessories. They feature trendy, stylish clothing and accessories, perfect for anyone looking for a fashion-forward shopping experience in a quaint town.
• Epic Escape Game Shop – If you're into puzzles and brain games, they have an escape room experience as well as puzzle games for sale. It's a fun stop for interactive experiences and to pick up something challenging to take home.
• Water Stone Outdoors – If you’re into outdoor activities, this shop is a must-visit. It’s a well-known gear shop for rock climbing, hiking, and camping supplies, with a knowledgeable staff who can offer local recommendations.

Cathedral Café

• Location: 134 S Court St, Fayetteville, WV

• Hours: Sat & Sun 7:30-3p

• Distance: Also about 10-15 minutes from the trailheads.

• What to Get: This cozy café serves up sandwiches, wraps, and coffee. They also offer vegan and vegetarian options. Their BLT wrap or turkey avocado sandwich are popular choices.
• GORG! The stained glass. The vegan options (I am lactose-intolerant). LOVED IT!

Thank you to Earth Trekkers for helping us plan our trip. Their blogs are amazing and have so much helpful info. Highly rec!