The holidays are in full swing! All over Miami, palm trees are covered in lights and Santas are sipping mojitos in the warm sun.
We know there are just two shopping weekends left before the big day -- but there are so many other things to do. So reserve some mall time and then take a few moments to make merry, howl at the moon, or eat a fried Snickers bar.
Howl at the Full Moon
The Florida Keys are a short road trip from Miami, but they sure seem like a world away. The minute Florida's Turnpike ends, we switch from Pitbull to Jimmy Buffett and fantasize about our first margarita. The problem, of course, is getting back to Miami after all those margaritas.
Now there's a solution. Morada Bay's full moon party offers limo service from Miami. That means once a month you can dance, drink, and howl at the moon -- and have a ride waiting for you when you're done partying. And this full moon party comes with a full-service restaurant, fireworks, stilt walkers, a junkanoo parade, fire dancers, and live music.
Morada Bay is located in Islamorada -- about two hours from downtown Miami -- and the limo will pick you up at your choice of location around 6 p.m.
Packages that include VIP admission to the full moon party, round-trip limo, tax, and gratuity start at $150 per person for groups of five to ten people. There are also packages for couples starting at $250 per person. The next full moon party happens to be this Saturday, December 14, so get cracking. Email [email protected] to book.
Reindeer, Fried Food, and Santa: Only in Miami
Orlando has giant dancing mice, but Miami has Santa at this seasonal, kitschy, more-than-tacky tribute to Christmas. But that's kind of the charm.
Santa's Enchanted Forest is soooo Miami -- covered with tinsel, slightly askew, and filled with delicious fried food. So take that judgmental puss off your face and stuff it with fried Snickers, funnel cake, candy apples, and giant turkey legs. Santa's Enchanted Forest is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, and a one-day admission for adults costs $28.97.
Here's Where You Should Take Your Lunch Break From Shopping
Between Thanksgiving and Art Basel, you're way behind on your Christmas shopping, and now it's penance time at the mall. Halfway through searching for the perfect gift, you'll need a break. A milkshake break. Made with 11 ounces of ice cream. From a celebrity chef.
We're talking, of course, about Bobby's Burger Palace. The fast-casual burger joint opened last week at Dadeland Mall's new wing, and the shakes are rich, thick, and just what you need to reward yourself after you got an extra 20 percent off that Lacoste shirt for dad at Macy's. Best part: The shakes are only five bucks (including whipped cream)! It's cheaper than a Starbucks Frappuccino, and it's not mostly ice at the bottom. Take that, you java-hawking mermaid!
South Beach Charity Santa Crawl
You just know Santa likes his booze. His cheeks are a tad rosy, he laughs a little too loudly, and he hangs out with all those elves. And you know what? We think it's awesome that jolly old Saint Nick likes a bit of the Christmas cheer -- especially if it benefits Neighbors 4 Neighbors and Toys for Tots. We suggest making like Kris Kringle and joining the South Beach Charity Santa Crawl this Saturday, December 14.
It begins at 2:30 at the Clevelander and travels to four other watering holes, including Zen Sai, Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant, Ocean's Ten, and Mango's Tropical Café. So grab your Santa hat and an unwrapped toy for a kid in need and make merry. Tickets cost $40 to $50 and include a drink at each bar. RSVP here so the crawl can get an accurate elf count.
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