SAWGRASS MILL, CHEESECAKE FACTORY, AND TRAFFIC!

Wyndham Garden Ft Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port
Dania Beach, Florida
January 26, 2023
70F

The drive is only 2 ½ hours from the Space Coast to Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the United States.  From the website, “With more than 350 stores, including outlet locations from Nike and Ralph Lauren, plus value retailers OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Target, Marshalls and electronics superstore, BrandsMart USA, Sawgrass Mills has everything from fashion and jewelry to electronics, sporting equipment, beauty products, home accessories, toys and more.  There is something for everyone in this enclosed, air conditioned and climate controlled mall located just 30 minutes from Miami International Airport and 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.  

"Fashionistas will delight in luxury-brand outlet shopping at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills with over 70 exclusive outlets not found anywhere else in South Florida including Burberry, GUCCI, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo Company Store, Tory Burch and Versace.”

Map of Sawgrass Mills

https://www.simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills

 

Obviously, I do like shopping at this mall. That said, we did not really buy much—sunscreen and batteries for my new travel alarm clock (forgot my favorite one).  Since this is a really big mall, it is a good place to do some walking! By 2:30 p.m., we were ready to eat at Cheesecake Factory. Their pizza is especially good, as well as the cheese quesadillas. We did not have any cheesecake this visit.

 

The half hour drive to our hotel was challenging—cars darting in and out of six lane traffic going one direction, motorcycles traveling faster than the speed of light with no worries as they weaved between cars and trucks.  Life in the almost big city. 

We have stayed at this Wyndham before, but we forgot how narrow and treacherous the parking garage is—despite driving fire pumper trucks, it was still a challenge. We also forgot that the hotel only provides one chair in a guest room—and right now I am in the bar writing during happy hour.  I sure did not want to fight my hero and trip planner over one chair.  I think this hotel accommodates a lot of airline personnel, pilots and flight attendants, as well as people arriving by plane preparing to cruise. 

I forgot to mention that TK was able to get all of these hotels along the way at  no cost because of points—that does count for something! The hotels we have booked for going home are also at no cost.

And, TK  received an email this morning that the ship will not begin boarding until 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon because they are going to do a deep cleaning, not because of Covid, but norovirus.  We will get through this!

It was nice talking with friends Julie, Mary, and Ann today while TK drove. The calls weren’t long, but I enjoyed the company.  The weather has been warm and comfortable!

TK’s Takes:  He has seen boar, turkeys, and monarch butterflies as we travel.