At least, that's what I would be saying if I lived in any of the other lower 48 states not named Florida.Beach season is measured more by the days you can't go rather than the days you can, and those no-go's are few and far between.SUMMER TRAVEL PSA: IF YOU COME TO FLORIDA LOOKING FOR GREAT BEACHES, STAY AWAY FROM THE KEYSLabor Day just so happens to be one of the most popular beach days in the state, as it is in other locales across the country, and this year will be no different.Folks from all over the world will be enjoying the sandy white shores of the Sunshine State, and that means if you want to partake in some beach action, you might have to go off the beaten path, lest you want to rub elbows with the unwashed masses.AMERICANS CHOOSING TO VISIT SMALLER TOWNS OVER BIG CITIES AS TRAVEL COSTS RISELuckily for you, I grew up in Florida and spent my entire life trying to find strips of sand that weren't overrun with fraternity chapters and New Jerseyans - since their beaches apparently will be underwater soon - and now I want to share my findings with you.Here are three beaches in my home state that you MUST check out as alternatives to some of the more well-known spots.People enjoy the Atlantic Ocean waters during a day at the beach in Dania Beach, Fla., on Oct.2, 2025.
(Getty Images)When you think of beaches in South Florida, there's a good chance your mind immediately jumps to South Beach or perhaps Fort Lauderdale Beach.Well, odds are both of those places will be overrun with tourists this weekend (and every weekend), so skip those and head to Dania Beach.Situated just on the other side of Port Everglades, Dania Beach is a quiet strip of land smack dab in between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and while everyone else is partying it up in those two cities, you'll enjoy the relaxing side of SoFlo living here.The north end of the beach features Whiskey Creek, a quiet brackish river that is great for kayaking and occasionally spotting some manatees (though highly unli...