I’m blessed to live in an area about 20 minutes south of Miami, and 30 minutes north of Key Largo, called “Redland.” (The soil is actually red here, hence the name, or so I have been told.) On the weekends, my boys and I love to take a slow drive past the farm fields and barbeque stands to “Robert Is Here.” 

 

Robert Is Here is a fruit stand like no other. In addition to all kinds of exotic and rare fruits, you’ll find homemade fruit shakes in flavors like key lime, strawberry mango, and blueberry. Dustin, my ten-year old, and Devon, who’s nearly five, go crazy for the strawberry milkshakes. I go crazy for the homemade Cajun boiled peanuts, served warm out of a big crock pot.

 

Kids will also love the animal farm that’s right out back, with parrots that talk, goats, emus, turkeys, and geese. On the day we were there, a large bucket of fruit scraps was available so the boys could feed the goats. My little one loved that – and there were hand-sanitizer stations for cleaning up afterward.

 

If you like honey, you’ll find it here, in every flavor imaginable, with tester spoons for sampling (we bought cinnamon honey on this visit). Sampling is encouraged here so be ready to try of all kinds of fruits, including some you may never have heard of, like dragon fruit and sugar apples, which look nothing like your typical Golden Delicious. And if you’re lucky enough to be here during mango season (June – August), be sure to take a few home; they are the sweetest and juiciest on the planet. I am actually allergic to mango skin so the nice folks behind the counter peel and slice them into little baggies for me. They’ll do the same for you.

 

On the way home, we stopped by Shiver’s BBQ for their crunchy hush puppies and beef sandwiches. They just added several new menu items that my kids love, including sweet potato soufflé and Brunswick stew (ok, so they don’t eat the Brunswick).

Shiver's has been there since 1950 and its rustic charm adds to the overall experience. No tables for two here, it’s all family style with long picnic-style benches and tables. You’ll feel right at home. Tonight you’ll find me walking on my treadmill a lot longer than usual, but it was all worth it.

 

Jill Martin, Family Travel Expert, VISIT FLORIDA