Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, time to barbecue, hang out around the pool, eat and drink! But there’s so much going on this weekend, so many options it’s hard to decide how or where to spend the year’s most anticipated long weekend. In South Beach, we have the Hyundai Air & Sea Show Kicking off Memorial Day Weekend with a street party on Española. Participating restaurants will have special offers for discounted food items and specialty cocktails made with Heroes Veteran Owned Vodka throughout the streets. Find the “Salute to Heroes Cocktail Guide” and participating restaurants here. Moxy on Washington has an Air & Sea Show Rooftop Cookout & Watch Party with DJs as the Memorial Day Weekend Air & Sea Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

If you don’t want to stay on the beach, you can always go “over the bridge” and try some of the fabulous eateries for brunch or dinner, just a short drive away. Hotels also offer amazing deals for locals this weekend, a good option for those with children looking to relax and spend quality time with their loved ones. We also included some of our favorite spots in Fort Lauderdale, which are worth the drive! Whether you stay in or go out, please be safe.

InterContinental Miami

Those looking to enjoy a special Memorial Day Weekend need to look no further than the pool deck at the InterContinental in downtown Miami. Liquid Lounge is the perfect destination for hotel guests or those booking through Resort Pass to beat the heat and enjoy views of Biscayne Bay. On Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, from Noon to 4 PM, guests can sip signature cocktails poolside and access a pop-up bar. A live DJ will be spinning all afternoon long. InterContinental Miami is located at 100 Chopin Plaza in Downtown Miami. For more information, visit www.icmiamihotel.com/play.

Tidal Cove - Cabana + Lazy River — Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

Spend the holiday weekend soaking up the sun at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. Tidal Cove, the resort’s award-winning water park, Kids of all ages will love the 60-foot tower with seven water slides, while younger families can spend time at the 4,000-square-foot kid’s pool with an aquatic play structure. There is also the first-ever FlowRider® Triple surf simulation pool in the nation and an additional VIP pool area for adults. While the kids play, adults are invited to a Miami Cocktails pop-up. Enjoy a low-calorie twist on the classic spritz cocktail. Flavors including Bellini, Mimosa, Paloma, and Limonata are available from 1-4 PM on Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30. JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is located at 19999 W Country Club Drive in Aventura. For resort day passes and more information, visit www.tidalcovemiami.com.

SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill

Located in the heart of Midtown Miami, SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill is one of Miami’s favorite brasserie-style restaurants, and raw bars serving up sushi, open fire-grilled fare, and globally inspired small plates. This Memorial Day, SUGARCANE will open and offer their delicious brunch menu from 11 AM to 4:30 PM. A great way to end Memorial Day weekend is at SUGARCANE’s outdoor patio while enjoying a selection of brunch classics. Some brunch highlights include SUGARCANE’s famed Duck & Waffle dish, Le Classic Double Burger, Truffle Toad in the Hole, Cuban Benedict, and a selection of SUGARCANE Rolls, Raw Bar offerings, and more. Find SUGARCANE’S full brunch menu here. SUGARCANE Raw Bar Grill is located at 3252 NE 1st Ave, in Midtown.

Matchbox – Las Olas

On Memorial Day weekend, from 10 AM to 3 PM, brunch lovers can indulge in the Chef’s Table Bottomless Brunch Buffet, available for $34.95 per person, $10 per child (6-12-year-olds), and complimentary for kids under the age of 6. There is a variety of categories to choose from on the menu, such as the Hot Spot; including options like the hangover burrito and French toast; Green Spot, featuring lighter fare such as cobb salad and vegetable crudites; Sweet Spot showcasing cheesecakes and yogurt parfaits and Sip Spot, featuring coffee and beverages. Alcoholic brunch beverages, such as $25 Bottomless Mimosas, will also be available. Matchbox is located at 221 SW 1st Avenue, CU-1 in Fort Lauderdale, below the Society Las Olas building facing the water. Matchbox will be open; Saturday from 10 AM to 1:30 AM, Sunday from 10 AM to 11 PM, and on Monday, May 30 from 4 PM-11 PM. www.matchboxrestaurants.com/las-olas.

Morea 701 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd CU-3, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 — Photo courtesy of Moréa

Moréa

During Memorial Day Weekend, guests can enjoy brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 3:30 PM. Diners can expect dishes like Shakshuka ($16); prepared with three poached eggs, crushed tomatoes, capers, onions, grill bread, and parsley; Avocado Toast ($12); made on sourdough Texas toast, shaved radishes, crumbled feta cheese available with add-ons including cured salmon ($7) and a poached egg ($3); and Eggs Florentine ($15); a toasted English muffin topped with sautéed spinach, aji Amarillo hollandaise, and crispy prosciutto. For those looking for something sweet, indulge in the Waffles with Berry Compoté ($17), prepared with Belgian-style waffles, Nutella syrup, and house-made fresh berry compoté. Brunch-goers can imbibe in specialty brunch cocktails, including Mimosas ($10), available with orange, peach, or cranberry juice; Moet Spritz ($10), and Morea Spicy Spritz ($14), prepared with jalapeño, lime juice, agave, Ketel One Botanical, and club soda. Build yourself the perfect Bloody Mary with Tito’s Bloody Mary Bar ($16), offering guests a variety of olives, vegetable garnish, cheese garnish, meat garnish, flavorings, and sauces to choose from. Moréa is located at 701 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard at the Paramount Condominiums. Valet and street parking are available. For more information, visit www.MoreaDining.com.

Wild Fork

Have yourself the perfect Memorial Day Weekend alongside friends and family with Wild Fork’s Memorial Day Cookout Collection. The cookout collection offers over 28 products from Angus Beef Chef Styled Burgers, Beyond Beef Sausages, Bison or Beef Hot Dogs, Chicken Wings, Uncured Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, and an array of seasoned and unseasoned prime cuts of meats, including Bone-in Cowboy Steaks, Home Style Beef Brisket, Beef Picanha, Port Saint Louis Spare Ribs, Prime Bone-In Tomahawk Steaks and more. The collection also offers delicious ready to make sides dishes, including fried cheese sticks, french fries, garlic baguettes, and Key Lime Pie from the infamous Keys Fisheries. If you are looking for recipes to create the perfect meal, Wild Fork has a variety of them on its website to match any of the products from its collection. Same-day delivery or in-store pick-up is available for those who order online; or shop in-store at one of South Florida’s eight (8) locations – Boynton Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Doral, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and West Kendall. Please visit www.wildforkfoods.com for more information and recipe ideas.