By Jennifer

We took three days to travel around South Florida last week because we were all starting to get a little antsy around the boat. We’ve never been to Miami, so we spent one night in South Beach, which is about a 25-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale. We stayed in the historic Art Deco District (boasting a high concentration of 1920s-1930s architecture) and stayed in the historic National Hotel that was built in 1936. In the slideshow you’ll see the breathe-taking pool area. Just beyond the pool area is private access to the beach. Pay attention to the slide that shows you a snapshot of the back of the hotel — all boarded up and broken down looking. The hotel is undergoing a major renovation and that’s how we got such a great rate! The stench in the room was distinctly moldy smelling. We could not have spent more than one night there! We also ate at a restaurant in the historic Spanish Village where Latin restaurants line a bustling alleyway. Hostesses stand in the alleyway in front of the eateries greeting passersby and waving menus in attempts to get your dinner business. We enjoyed some authentic Cuban cuisine at Havana 1957, a full-service restaurant open 24 hours a day — like many of the businesses in South Beach.