9/04

Last year in late July some of my girlfriends and I took an extended weekend getaway to Florida. On Saturday they wanted to go to a popular spa some of them had heard about. I have a thing about strangers touching me, so I decided to go to the nearby South Beach instead.

I got to the beach at about 10 a.m. and laid down on the beach. When I reached over for my drink cup a few minutes later, I was absolutely shocked to notice that the women about twenty feet to my right was not wearing a top and lying on her back. Laugh at me all you want, but I had never heard that South Beach was top optional for women. I was about to move when two girls in their late teens laid down about five feet from me. I was just a few years older than them so I decided to stay and chat with them for some company. To my horror, as soon as they were settled, off came their tops. I timidly asked one them, "Is this normal?"

They said yes and that I should try it if I never have before. The shock was wearing off now that I realized that this was a regular custom with many people. I committed myself to taking off my top for at least ten seconds, just to see if I would like it. After several unsuccessful reaches in which my nerve failed me, I finally undid my strings and my top fell into my lap. I was afraid that someone would start yelling at me, but no one did. Ten seconds came and went, and my top stayed in its place in the sand. The feeling was amazing. My breasts had never seen a signal ray of sun. I laid on the beach for about an hour, then realized my cup was empty. I started to put my top back on for the walk to the concession stand but, deciding to take my experience a step further, dropped it into my bag, and walked to the stand, chest bared to the world. Again no one complained. At about 4 p.m. when I finally decided to leave, I left my top in my bag and walked to my car. I told my self I would have to return the next day.

The next day was just as enjoyable. I brought the rest of my group the next day. They were just as nervous as I had been, but with my encouragement, a line of bare-breasted women was added to the beach. I went swimming topless, and no one complained to my walking to and from the water topless. I’d say an average of 30% of the women were topless over the two days I was at the beach. I can’t wait to come back and encourage everyone who reads this to try the top free experience.

-- Elizabeth, Ohio

7/03

In mid July I took a trip with my husband to Miami. South Beach is a great destination with lots of outdoor restaurants, unique shops, and a mixing bowl of European, South American, Hispanic, White and Black American people all enjoying the accepting ambiance evident there.

On the beach, it was clear that being topless was not a problem at all. Several ladies around us were topless. I had been to Miami before and had experienced the liberating feeling of freeing my breasts and soaking up the sun, so without thought, unease or hesitation, I untied my bikini strings and took off my top. I rented one of the chaise lounges and laid back. It was a great feeling to feel the sun on my chest again and sense the pleasant breeze blow against my skin. It was so natural.

No one was weirding out. No one was shocked that the ladies were not wearing tops. There were families with children playing in the sand, grandmas and grandpas, teens and middle age couples on the beach, in the water, under beach umbrellas. It was a regular beach with some of us being topfree and there was nobody freaking out. I felt very comfortable.

I did put my top back on when walking to the water and back, but in the water I took it off again. I don't always do this, but since the majority (85%) of ladies at the time we were there kept their tops on, I didn't want to appear as if I was flaunting or showing off in any way, not that anyone around would have cared, but I believe sensitivity is the key to topfreedom being able to be accepted on a wider scale. It is the perception that those removing their tops have little modesty and would act in loose ways and what that behavior could incite that keeps lawmakers from relaxing some of the laws on the books.

The 4 days we went to the beach were totally energizing. I was topless the whole time except as I mentioned, and came back with a great line-free tan. It’s hard to beat the relaxed attitude of Miami!

--Mary, Ohio

12/02

Two hotels in South Beach that are topfree friendly are the modern Continental Riande, at about 18th street, and the art-deco South Seas, at about 16th street. Both are on the beach. The South Seas has a patio over the fitness center that overlooks the pool, great for first-timers or those who want a little more privacy. The Continental Riande has a large poolside patio area and also a large grassy area between the pool and the beach with plenty of lounges. Both will negotiate rates. Find the lowest Internet rate for a standard room, then call the hotel that interests you, ask for that rate and for an upgrade. South Beach has become much more affordable since 9/11, so you can easily get a very good room on the beach for $89 in the off-season and $109 in-season. My wife and I have gone to South Beach for over twenty years, and it is still one of our favorites, and with prices way down, it's even better.

--Bill

10/02

My wife and I went to South Beach in April. While the beach was great, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel we stayed out (the Tides) allowed topless bathing at its pool. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and highly recommend the hotel to couples looking for a romantic getaway.

--Jeff, Tennessee

8/02

We vacationed at South Beach from 8/1/02 to 8/5/02. It was our first time there. Hotels and restaurants and people watching were fabulous. Great bargain this time of year. First day (Friday) my wife kept her top on - we were on the beach between 8th and 9th - no a topless woman in sight (she has been to nude beaches before and is Ok going topless/nude - just did not want to be the only one). Second day (Saturday) the beach was more crowded and she noticed a few others so off her top went. I would estimate that maybe 5% of the women were topless. We did have two obvious gawkers. One guy was a 70ish year old guy - who simply stood in the middle of the crowd and scanned with his video camera for topless women - very crude. He left after about 10 minutes in our area. Another was a young guy, maybe 25, sitting next to us with his girlfriend - again very obvious just filming any topless woman he saw (my wife turned away so he could not film her). Can you believe the nerve he had - doing it in front of his girlfriend! Sunday and Monday again just a few topless women. All in all very few gawkers which was a pleasant surprise for my wife. I assume "in season" there is a greater amount of topless going on. We loved SoBe - cannot wait to return!

--Ray, Baltimore, Maryland

4/02

My wife and I have been visiting South Beach in Miami 4 or 5 times a year for the past 5 years. We usually frequent the area around 5th Street. My wife always enjoys going topless and always has company. Since we often arrive early (9:00 - 9:30 am), she is often the first to shed her top. This act often inspires several others to follow her lead. I guess nobody really wants to be the first. We have also noticed that girls planning to go topless will usually gravitate toward others who are like-minded. Toplessness usually ranges from a low of 10% to a high of 40%. My wife will often swim topless as do many others. We have observed many playing frisbee, taking long walks and collecting seashells while top free. We have never had any problems. The local police patrol the beach regularly. Have observed women from 18 to 80 enjoying Miami's top freedom. We are going back for more Memorial Day weekend!

--John, Bradenton, Florida

1/02

My wife and I have spent a couple of weekends in South Beach this year, once alone, the other with another couple. For those who say they had problems being topless in South Beach, I cannot understand it. My wife, and the other lady with us, remained topless the entire time. My wife didn't bother even taking her top to the beach. We laid out, swam, ate, drank, and walked the beach, and she never put a top on. She was by no stretch alone in this, as many women were topless (10-20% of the crowded beach), and otherwise, no one seemed to care. Each day, we would walk the stretch from around 9th street all the way up to 17th or so, with her wearing only her thong. No problems with anyone, and she was completely comfortable. Our friends behaved similarly and we all had a great time. I've never visited a beach more topfree friendly than South Beach.

--Jeff, Richmond, Virginia

12/01

Visit to the legendary South Beach, the U.S. version of the French Riviera!

Weather good, economy not too good and not as many overseas travelers but still a reasonable crowd on the beach. I, of course, spend the entire visit in my usual way, topfree.

No problems, no hassles and a reasonable amount of other ladies topfree in my area which for the record was the area of 17th Street and Collins Avenue, the north end of South Beach.

Keep being topfree forever and watch those "sunburned nipples"!

--Viola, Miami Beach, Florida

3/01

Dear Topfree!,

I spent spring break in Miami Beach last week and was glad to find that top freedom was still alive and well there. My favorite spot on the beach was around 12th Street by the center of the Deco district. I sun bathed and swam in the (by the way lovely warm) water topfree without any problems. And there were always other women doing the same.

There were tons of people there for spring break and mostly they didn't put a damper on the top freedom. I overheard one guy, when entering the beach for the first time and seeing someone without a top exclaim, "that girl is naked!" But there were plenty of groups of women friends all sunning topless together and it was nice to see some who, even when talking to a jewelry vendor who was making the rounds, unabashedly continued to apply sunblock to their breasts while they bargained with him.

The only strange occurrence was a man holding a digital camera at his side as if he were just carrying it from place to place, but who I think was secretly snapping pictures of women. So if you don't want to end up on the internet, you might want to watch out for such types.

Other than that, it's definitely the most comfortable topfree atmosphere I've found in a beach and I'd recommend it highly!

--Becca, Brooklyn, New York

3/01

Those who say they do not see many women topless in South Beach are simply there at the wrong time of year. Most topless occurs in the summer when the Europeans arrive. But it is perfectly legal at any time. I walk along the beach or along the "road" topless quite frequently. There is no hassle.

--Carol

1/01

I went with my husband down to South Beach in Miami last September. I had been told that topfree sunbathing was common. I was hoping that I would get an opportunity to sunbathe naturally. Unfortunately, we only saw one woman topless the entire length we walked. When we sat down I decided to test the waters by laying on my stomach with my top off. After a while I would lean over to one side exposing one breast or another. Each time I got a dirty look from women on the beach. I couldn't even lift up on my elbows without a reaction. Finally, when we were about to leave, I sat up and brushed the sand off my breasts before I put my top on (I wasn't going to walk around with sand scratching my nipples for the day because of a bunch of prudes). The two college boys next to us stared and reached for a camera. I know others have had better and different experiences. I will try again at some point.

--Marie, Larchmont, New York

1/01

In South Beach, Florida it is officially O.K. to go topfree (actually, it is legal along the whole coast of Dade County). Only a small proportion of women doing it however. My wife did not participate because of other family members present, but might not have anyway due to the large amount of people around and the small amount of topfree participants.

--Bert, West Palm Beach, Florida

6/00

Just got back from a trip to South Beach. I always go topless whenever I'm there, but there were only a couple of other women doing the same. I couldn't even talk my friend into it and she even seemed uncomfortable that I was topless -- most of these women obviously haven't been out of the U.S. before -- travel, see, and be free!

--Dawn, Virginia

1/00

My wife and I have lived in Miami for more than a dozen years. We spend most weekends on the sand at South Beach. For about 25 city blocks the beach is topfree. Although some visiting US tourists tend to remain fully covered, for most of the beach the women are all topfree - in the water, walking the beach or just sunbathing. In addition, the thong is the most popular form of beach attire particularly popular with the many S. American and European visitors. I travel all over the world on a regular basis and would vote South Beach as the world's topfree capital.

--Pat, Miami, Florida