Nov 06

The Best Beaches in South Florida

By Ocean Lodge | Beaches, Family Friendly, Things to Do | No Comments

The Best South Florida Beaches: Four Must-See Spots

Florida is world-famous for its beautiful and bountiful array of beaches. As many a Florida native knows, these beaches are especially prominent in the southern part of the state…but exactly which beaches can beat out all the others to be considered the “very best beaches in South Florida”?

We’re glad you asked!

In this blog, we’ll dive headfirst into the best beaches in South Florida, giving you a helpful overview of where to go and what to do once you arrive in the Sunshine State!

Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is one of the largest public beaches in all of Key West. While most of the beaches in the area are largely made of ground coral or pebbles, Smathers boasts a surprisingly sandy and smooth shoreline. Being a public beach, it’s free to all as far as the fun-in-the-sun part is concerned, but do be prepared to pay a bit to park if you show up on a particularly crowded day.

While beachside, you’ll find numerous stalls all along the coastline. These stalls and stands sell all sorts of beachside essentials: food, drink, chairs, rafts, and so on. Also, the water’s currents typically don’t get too strong, making this a popular option for families with younger children. You can also enjoy any number of beach-related activities while visiting Smathers, including snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, volleyball, and more.

Smathers Beach is located at 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040.
Hours are 7 am to 11 pm every day.

Higgs Beach

Higgs Beach is within close proximity of Smathers, offering a nice yet slightly more tropical alternative complete with a palm tree-lined shore, vast stretches of sand, and ideal ocean breezes. While Smathers is arguably a bit more popular than Higgs, Higgs does have a clear advantage when it comes to free parking aspect – indeed, the concept of paying to park at Higgs is nonexistent! After parking, you’ll find plenty of things to do and ocean-ready items to buy or rent, such as beach chairs, kayaks, snorkeling gear, volleyball nets…the list goes on and on!

Also, across the street from Higgs Beach is West Martello Tower, also known as the Key West Garden Club. This historic garden is teeming with beautiful flora and fauna, an expansive playground for the little ones, and even a dog park right across from the beach! And one last thing: don’t let the “Club” part throw you off, as the Key West Garden Club is free to all. No membership required!

Higgs Beach is located at 1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040.
Hours are 6 am to 11 pm every day.

Red Reef Park

There’s a lot to do within the 67-acre Red Reef Park. For starters, you can visit the man-made reef located just 10 feet from the shore for some hassle-free snorkeling. While swimming past the rock formations, you’ll get an up-close view of all manner of wildlife, from turtles to eels to countless types of tropical fish.

Afterwards, you can take a break at any of the park’s grills, tables, or restrooms before checking out the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s aquariums, butterfly gardens, and Nature Center. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone at Red Reef Park!

Red Reef Park is located at 1400 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432.
Hours are 8 am to 10 pm every day.

Spanish River Park

Looking for a relatively low-key place to picnic, take your pets for a walk, go fishing, or hike along wildlife-filled nature trails? Spanish River Park has what you’re looking for! Named after the fresh water stream that once flowed alongside the park, this delightful destination features a beach that’s perfect for sunbathing or swimming, plus a full lagoon on the park’s west side!

Regardless, no matter which side of the park you’re on, you’re sure to find a great number of things to do coupled with all the necessary amenities for a great day out: clean restrooms, playgrounds, grills – the list could go on and on. And, as if that weren’t enough, there’s also the 40-foot observation tower to go up for a panoramic view of the park’s many beaches, lagoons, and bordering ocean waters in all their majestic beauty.

Spanish River Park is located at 3001 N. State Road A-1-A, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
Hours are 8 am to 6 pm every day.

The Best Beaches in South Florida are Just a Click Away!

As an added bonus for our customers, all of these beaches are located within very close proximity to the Ocean Lodge hotel, offering a comfortable and convenient place to stay between your seaside excursions. So, if you’re interested in visiting any of these breathtaking destinations while staying at our boutique bed and breakfast, contact us today to make that reservation!

Oct 02

The Best Golf Courses in Boca Raton

By Ocean Lodge | Family Friendly, Things to Do | No Comments

Play While You Stay: The Best Golf Courses in Boca Raton!

There’s no shortage of Palm Beach County golf courses to choose from, so finding a place in Boca Raton to hit the links is rarely an issue. With so many options, the only real “problem” you’ll run into is figuring out which golf course to spend the day at!

To help you make your decision, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Boca Raton golf courses located within driving distance of the Ocean Lodge hotel. Take a look at some of our picks, which encompass everything from public courses to semi-private and private ones. There really is something for everybody!

The Best Public & Semi-Private Boca Raton Golf Courses

Osprey Point Golf Course

The folks at Osprey Point Golf Course aren’t afraid to talk about the many awards they’ve won since opening up in 2010, and we can’t blame them! After all, we definitely agree that they’re one of the top public golf courses in Boca Raton, offering visitors year-round access to 27 holes spread across three nine-hole courses.

Southwinds Golf Course

At Southwinds Golf Course, you’ll spot exciting wildlife ranging from geese to iguanas to otters scattered throughout the lush vegetation and placid bodies of water. The golfing itself can prove challenging, with the water frequently presenting itself as a fun obstacle across many of the course’s 18 holes. The mix of relaxing tranquility, interesting animals, and strategic difficulty make for a truly memorable day of golfing.

Boca Greens Country Club

Boca Greens Country Club offers a 175-acre golfing experience where “private club quality meets public golf value.” Boca Greens was originally opened as an extremely exclusive private club, but it now offers select public tee times for everybody! Plus, much like Southwinds, bodies of water are prevalent all throughout the course, making for yet another enticingly challenging experience for all skill levels. Finally, it’s worth noting that the course was designed by the late “Gentleman” Joe Lee, arguably the greatest golf-course architect to have ever lived. Truly a sight worth seeing!

The Best Private Boca Raton Golf Courses

Boca Country Club

Established in 1985 but renovated in 2018, the Boca Country Club offers breathtaking views and a variety of challenges to keep visitors of all skill levels engaged. In addition, a well-informed staff is always on hand to provide tips on each of the 18 holes, while the 6,714-yard course is incredibly well-tended to all year-round. As if that weren’t enough, the club also features ten tennis courts, a full basketball court, an outdoor pool, and a Health Club that offers fitnesses classes, yoga, and pilates. What else could you ask for in a Country Club?

Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club

Thanks to non-resident memberships that are available for select applicants, you don’t have to actually live at Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club to enjoy their expansive golf, tennis, and fitness amenities. With this non-resident membership, you’ll gain access to an 18-hole golf course, which, much like the Boca Country Club, is also full of knowledgeable and friendly staff members.

Broken Sound Club

Another one of the most popular Boca Raton private golf courses, the Broken Sound Club’s “Golf Membership” comes with bonus social and tennis privileges, while the club’s ongoing commitment to eco-friendly initiatives have made it the second-ever US-based golf facility to receive a GEO certification! As you can imagine, this commitment to environmental sustainability makes for some seriously beautiful courses full of flora-covered fairways, beautifully aged stone bridges, and a wide variety of lakes, lagoons, and wildlife to admire throughout the club’s newer course and its even more tranquil 18-hole old course.

Ready to Visit These Famous Boca Raton Golf Courses?

So there you have it – several of the very best golf courses in Boca Raton, all of which are within driving distance of our family-friendly Ocean Lodge Bed & Breakfast in Boca Raton.

Man in blue shirt playing golf

If you’re interested in hitting any one of these premium South Florida courses, contact us today to book your stay at Ocean Lodge and speak with our concierge. We look forward to hearing from you!

Aug 28

4 Mizner Park Bars to Visit During Your Stay

By Ocean Lodge | Food & Drink, Night Out, Things to Do | No Comments

Looking for the Best Bars in Mizner Park?

Whether you want to visit one of Florida’s finest golf courses or discover some of the most exciting shopping areas in the state, there’s never a shortage of options in Boca Raton. Or, if you’re looking for something more nightlife-oriented, you can always visit the popular Mizner Park, a bustling lifestyle center chock full of stores, restaurants, and some of the most mouth-watering bars in the region.

Due to Ocean Lodge’s closeness to Mizner Park (we’re just minutes away!), many of our guests end up visiting this famous lifestyle center at least once during their stay. Therefore, we thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of some of the best bars in Mizner Park, ranging from the more high-end establishments to the more laid-back pubs and dives.

So, no matter what sort of drink-and-dine experience you’re looking for on your evening out, you can be sure Mizner Park has something in store for you!

Dubliner Irish Pub

With a welcoming atmosphere that’s evocative of authentic Irish pubs, the Dubliner’s known as the place “where strangers become friends” for good reason. You’ll always find great service and plate-filling portions no matter what you order, but what about the drinks? Well, staying true to the establishment’s authentic Irish aesthetic, the Dubliner certainly doesn’t disappoint in the refreshment department!

From their trademark Dubliner Cocktails to over 60(!) types of Irish, Scottish, and North American whiskeys, the options truly seem endless. And what would an Irish pub be without an equally large assortment of beers? Fortunately, the Dubliner’s menu menu also contains nearly 50 different types of beer from all over the world, giving guests from every corner of the globe a variety of options to choose from, from the familiar to the foreign.

As if all this weren’t enough, the Dubliner also has a daily Happy Hour featuring half-off drinks every Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 pm. But that’s still not all! There’s also their “Late Night Happy Hour” where you can get half-off drinks from 10 to 2 am every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

The Dubliner Irish Pub is located at 435 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Their number is (561) 620-2540.

Loch Bar

The spacious Loch Bar offers high-quality seafood, upscale beverages, and live music every single night, at relatively affordable prices designed to draw in a slightly younger crowd than some of the other establishments in the area. So far, it seems to be working!

From French whisky to Japanese whisky to Scotch, Irish, American, and Canadian selections, this whiskey list is sure to accommodate any palate with its selection of 350+ varietals. And for the non-whiskey drinkers, Loch Bar also has an extensive mix of champagne, wine, and beer offerings, as well. Add in nightly live music from artists spanning a wide variety of genres, and you’ve got everything you need for a fun and unforgettable night out!

Loch Bar is located at 346 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. Their number is (561) 939-6600.

Yard House

Looking for something more laid back? Let us suggest the Yard House, a popular American sports chain – but don’t let the fact that it’s not exclusive to Boca Raton stop you from going. After all, it’s certainly never stopped it from being one of the most consistently popular bars in Mizner Park!

The Yard House currently serves up an impressive 125+ varietals of global beer and ciders. From German wheat beers and fruit-flavored brews to malty ambers and crispy pilsners (and beyond), if you’re a fan of any type of beer, the Yard House is sure to offer a veritable bounty of options. You could spend a whole evening just reading through their beer and cider list! Meanwhile, mules, mojitos, margaritas, martinis, and more fill out the rest of the Yard House’s equally impressive drink menu!

Daily Happy Hour spans from 3 to 6 pm Monday to Friday, while nightly Happy Hours span 10 pm till close (12 am) on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Yard House is located at 201 Plaza Real Suite 1201, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Their number is (561) 417-6124.

Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern

Racks has become another Mizner Park must-visit thanks to the tavern’s welcoming atmosphere and super-friendly staff. Of course, the diversity of their menu definitely hasn’t hurt, either. Whether you’re looking for classic American comfort food or a surprisingly diverse assortment of sushi selections, Racks sets out to please any taste palette, food or drink!

…and speaking of drink, Racks is the perfect place for a laidback evening with your friends or family. From signature cocktails with attention-grabbing names lSalted Cucumber, Tailgate Lemonade, and Antioxidant Mojito to their satisfying martini, wine, and beer selection, you’re sure to find whatever it is you’re looking for at Racks, as well.

Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern is located at 402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Their number is (561) 395-1662.

Ready to Pay an Intoxicatingly Fun Visit to Famous Mizner Park?

beer on tap

When you stay at Ocean Lodge, you’re only minutes away from Mizner Park and all the exciting bars, pubs, and taverns located there. It’s just one more reason why Ocean Lodge is the ideal home-away-from-home vacation destination for travelers from all over!

If you’re interested in staying with us, we’d be thrilled to have you! And if you’re interested in learning more about the fun and exciting things to do in Mizner Park, check out their official website for a complete overview!