First time at Palm-Aire, in July looking for advice

[Travelingman1]

I am going for 7 nights in July to Palm-Aire. I am traveling with my 18 year old daughter.

I know there is a shuttle to the Pompano Beach area. What else is there that we need to see or do.

Anyone have any actives that are absolutely "must do"?

I have been to Fort Lauderdale but never Pompano Beach, and when I have gone it has been for the in water boat show, I have never had several days.

Should we rent a car for a couple days?

Thanks for the advice and guidance

 

[Floridaman76]

If you are staying at Palm Aire and don't have a car, I can tell you there is nothing walkable from the resort. There are a fair amount of activities to do ON the resort grounds, but nothing to walk to.

I can't imagine being in South Florida without a car.

 

[moonstone]

I can tell you there is nothing walkable from the resort

I wouldnt say nothing ,just not too much. There is a casino (Harrah's?) about a 10 minute walk almost across the street (south east of the resort) and a Super Walmart north of RaceTrac Rd. which is north east of the resort. There is also a small plaza just north of the resort (close if walking out the side/back entrance onto N. Course Drive) that has a grocery store in it. It was a major chain one when we were there, but I see it has now changed hands. We didnt take the beach shuttle as times were not convenient for us. We did find trying to find addresses, stores and restaurants in that whole area very frustrating when driving around due to all the trees between the roads and the stores and local ordinances prohibiting any large signs -so no big M for McDonalds...

It was at that resort that we had the biggest balcony we have ever had anywhere. We were in a 2 bedroom deluxe in the curved building (Areca Palm?) on the outer side of the curvature in the middle of the building. That balcony was probably close to 50 ft long!

~Diane

 

[Floridaman76]

I meant nothing of relevance. Yeah there's the grocery store and also a CVS right next to that plaza. A couple restaraunts (the italian and lebanese ones are good), and obviously the casino, but OP was travelling with a kid, and I don't think they let 18 year olds into the casino. Maybe they do.

The area immediately around that part of the Palm Aire development isn't the best too. I have walked to the store and CVS but woudn't go much else. I wouldn't walk to Walmart, definitely not in the summer.

I'm going to be there in 2 weeks, for what it's worth. Allegedly in Areca Palm, but we will see what happens.

 

[LDBEH]

Great Italian restaurant in the strip mall north of the resort!
Rotelli’s

 

[vail]

it is quite humid in July--kind of disgusting if you hit it just right...

 

[Floridaman76]

Great Italian restaurant in the strip mall north of the resort!
Rotelli’s

The Lebanese restaurant near there is good too

 

[Travelingman1]

I meant nothing of relevance. Yeah there's the grocery store and also a CVS right next to that plaza. A couple restaraunts (the italian and lebanese ones are good), and obviously the casino, but OP was travelling with a kid, and I don't think they let 18 year olds into the casino. Maybe they do.

The area immediately around that part of the Palm Aire development isn't the best too. I have walked to the store and CVS but woudn't go much else. I wouldn't walk to Walmart, definitely not in the summer.

I'm going to be there in 2 weeks, for what it's worth. Allegedly in Areca Palm, but we will see what happens.

Thanks, yes this was exactly what I needed to know!

 

[Travelingman1]

Thank you everyone, my daughter and I are looking forward to our trip, and are now renting a car. I really appreciate everyone and the quick replies!

 

[Jan M.]

The Morikami Gardens in Boca Raton and the Flamingo Gardens in Davie are worth visiting. The Fort Lauderdale water taxi is discounted after 5pm. You can get on and off and bring drinks and snacks on except on the fully enclosed boat. The Jungle Queen cruise and dinner show is popular.

 

[Floridaman76]

The Morikami Gardens in Boca Raton and the Flamingo Gardens in Davie are worth visiting. The Fort Lauderdale water taxi is discounted after 5pm. You can get on and off and bring drinks and snacks on except on the fully enclosed boat. The Jungle Queen cruise and dinner show is popular.

I've done the Jungle Queen, in addition to the dinner cruise they offer a "millionaires row" mid-day cruise that is cheaper and does not offer a meal, but it does a good job of showing the oppulant homes that some people live in. It was nice.

As far as things to do in addition to what's been mentioned, if you have not done it before, there's lots of airboat tours nearby in the everglades within a 30 minute drive which you can see lots of alligators and other things.

Also Key West is a ~3.5 hour drive each way from Palm Aire. Almost every time we stay in Pompano we drive down to spend a day in Key West. It's a great place, lots of fun. The drive isn't that bad and there's lots to see on the way to/from.

Also in Miami (45 minute drive) I recommend the Viscaya Estate (self guided) tour. Think of it as a scaled down version of the Biltmore Estate, right on the water.

There's lots to do in South Florida. It's VERY hot this time of year.