Florida has the best beach in the country, Tripadvisor says — but it’s not in Miami
The best beach in the country is in Florida, but it’s not near Miami.
It’s not in Fort Lauderdale, either. In fact, it’s not even on the East Coast.
The best beach in the United States, according to Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for Beaches, is St. Pete Beach, which is also the fifth best beach in the entire world.
Why? “It’s a great walking beach with white quartz sand, clear calm water, and seashells by the truckload,” Tripadvisor writes. “The most perfect place to watch the sun set over the ocean.”
The awards are based on reviews and ratings from Tripadvisor travelers gathered over the course of a year. Also taken into consideration are travelers’ “saves,” meaning beaches that visitors wished they could visit even though the COVID-19 pandemic meant they couldn’t (or shouldn’t).
The No. 1 beach in the world belongs to Whitehaven Beach, on Whitsunday Island in Australia, which we have to admit is breathtaking. Also there does not seem to be a Wet Willie’s on it.
Seven other Florida beaches made the top 25 in the U.S., not a one in South Florida:
9: Madeira Beach (near St. Pete Beach)
12: Ormond Beach
13: Henderson Beach
State Park in Destin
15: Pensacola Beach
16: Treasure Island Beach (near St. Pete Beach)
17: Siesta Beach on Siesta Key in Sarasota
18: Clearwater Beach So what explains Miami Beach’s absence from the list? They’re not saying. Whatever the reason, you better get to Miami Beach quickly: Bill Gates just warned us Miami’s beaches will all be gone soon.
Dear Carolyn: My husband and I miss the daughter, now a parent, we knew and loved before the baby came. Every conversation is wholly about the child, no adult conversation can be had without our daughter or, more often, her husband interrupting with, “[Child’s name]! Count to ive! Let’s show them how you can sing this song! Do you want another snack? Want to play a game? Show PopPop how you can X or Y!!!” We are devoted grandparents, but it’s gotten ridiculous, and feels out of balance. Any advice?
— L.
L.: I can think of a few advicelets, which maybe will cover this once you’ve stitched them together.
1. Be patient. It might get worse before it gets better, but counting to ive is not the Mona Lisa. Its dazzle moment will pass. Worst possible case, this child as a tween will shut down any lingering “show PopPops” faster than ... well, everything. Nothing shuts anything down as ruthlessly as a middle-schooler.
2. Be patient on a slightly more optimistic schedule. If a new sibling is forthcoming, then that typically halves, not doubles, such stage-parenthood.
3. Frame your forbearance as a gift only grands can give, or close to it. Rational new parents (not an oxymoron) understand it is a big, cold world full of utter indifference to their baby’s irst digits. But grandparents! They have to care! Right?! So you get all of it, every micro-brag. The more ways you can muster to enjoy it while it lasts (see No. 1), the better.
4. When you can’t change the conversational rut — “Is this baby freaking Sea World?” is best left unsaid — change the conditions that formed the rut. So, if you’re all just draped around the family room with no agenda except to watch the baby do baby things, then try something else: Bundle up the nugget, grab the stroller and go strolling. Split the adults off into pairs, to do ... whatever pretext you can think of to get out of the family room. Go to the kitchen to cook ahead for the coming week. Etc. If you’re just Zooming, then reduce those sessions and increase direct phone calls to your daughter.
Kids grow too slowly and then too fast — so, congrats, deep breaths and enjoy the show.