We lived in Atlanta during, what I consider, my formidable years 11-16, and if you know anything about Atlanta when I say there\’s a shopping mall on practically every corner I\’m sure you\’d agree. I loved to shop and Christmas time when most people would rather have a root canal than go to a public shopping venue was my favorite time of the year. I loved the crowds, the deals, the packaging, the merchandise itself, pretty much everything about it. We moved to Florida in the summer of my sixteenth year and I was introduced to a whole new world of shops and shopping.

Around my last year of High School my family bought a place near Hilton Head Island and one of the things I loved about it immediately were the all the shopping opportunities. They have two types of venues that were new to me, the massive outlet malls and the pedestrian mall, these are like malls without walls where all the stores are lined up on either side of you and maybe be in several different clusters on the property. A couple of places spring to mind when I think of major outlet malls in Florida St. Augustine, Vero and of course Orlando. I\’ve been to all of these places and have done my share to stimulate the economy at each. What I love about an outlet mall is I always leave feeling like I\’ve not only gotten my money\’s worth but I\’ve gotten it on good, quality name brand items.

Another wonderful thing about shopping in Florida is the weather. The weather here is sunny and warm most of the year making it a great place for pedestrian malls and what are called shopping districts, which are basically parts of the town where many shops are centrally located. The Avenue Viera is one such place it has many great shops as well as various places to grab a bite and even see a movie. They have department stores like Belk and specialty stores like Cold Water Creek. Theses places are really great because you get a wonderful sense of the local flare. There are also several bars and theaters with historical significance throughout the area, it\’s a really cool place to spend the day.

We travel around the state a lot and one thing I always look for are flea markets. Now before you turn your nose up and think of it all as junk let me just say you can find some really unique eclectic things at a flea market, enjoy some funnel cake and even, at some, enjoy the local talent as they belt out their renditions of their favorite songs using a karaoke machine. You can find cell phone accessories, candles, buy jewelry or get it repaired, find siding or landscaping for your home, get some artwork or buy a rug and get some fantastic deals on designer sunglasses and purses. My family and I were at the Daytona Flea Market, one of the largest and best know in the state, and my aunt saw this adorable tea cup poodle, we named her Misty and she is with us to this day.

Florida is a big state containing many fabulous places to shop. So where do you go to find the best shopping in Florida? Just head out and keep and open mind, you\’re sure to find a mall or flea market and if you\’re really fortunate you have a pedestrian or outlet mall close by. So gather a gaggle of your best girl friends and head out into the warm, sunshine for a day of bargain hunting, after all in this economy it\’s your Patriotic duty.

Author Bio: Always a fun experience, shopping in Florida is the best. It doesn\’t matter if you\’re browsing a flea market for something unique and interesting for your house, looking for designer duds for less, shopping the nearest mall for brand names or making a day of it at one of our many pedestrian malls. Things to do in Florida has more information to help plan the perfect day.

Category: Travel
Keywords: florida,shopping,retail,flea markets,travel,vacation,stores,girlfriend getaway,daytona beach