As a long-time fan of Jimmy Buffett‘s music and the chill Margaritaville lifestyle he sings about, I‘ve always dreamed of visiting one of his famous resorts. That dream recently became a reality when I embarked on an epic road trip to all 22 Margaritaville locations across the continental US and Canada!
From restaurants to hotels to retail stores, I experienced everything the Margaritaville brand has to offer. It was an amazing 10,000 mile journey filled with delicious food, tropical drinks, beach vibes, new friendships and lots of surprises along the way.
Come join me on my escapade to the Margaritaviiles…
The Iconic Buffett Brand – By the Numbers
Before diving into the locations, let‘s quantify Jimmy Buffett‘s profound cultural and business influence. He essentially created an entire lifestyle brand and empire around escapism that generates over $1 billion per year!
Since 1977 when his song "Margaritaville" off the Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes album catapulted him to fame, Buffett has:
- Sold over 20 million albums worldwide
- 5 of which went multi-platinum
- Had 14 songs on Billboard‘s Hot 100 Singles charts
- Scored #1 hits on Country Music Television
- Toured for over 40 years starring in front of millions annually
- His 2022 tour grossed $64 million
- Been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
In commercializing the fictional utopia from his music into a hospitality brand, Margaritaville Holdings now boasts:
- Over 20 hotel resorts & casinos
- 6,000 total guest rooms
- 24 restaurants & bars
- 2 retirement village communities
- Dozens of retail stores selling its trademark apparel/merch
- Raking in $2 billion in licensing deals
The company also houses food & beverage products like margarita mixers, signature hot sauces and LandShark Lager beer.
As the Wall Street Journal reported in 2017, the cult-like following amongst Parrothead fans translates into serious profits, with the average guest spending $500-600 on food, drinks and activities per visit.
40 years since he coined the term Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett continues finding new ways to expand this billion-dollar brand and its loyal audience can‘t wait to eat it up…along with cheeseburgers, margaritas and more tropical fare!
Now let‘s jump into my full experience getting an inside look at what makes this iconic lifestyle brand tick by visiting every location.
How My Epic Journey Unfolded
Wanting the true road warrior experience, I took my 15-year old Pontiac sedan on this grand tour. Budgeting approximately $5,000 for all lodging, food, entertainment and gas, I mapped out my route to hit all 22 spots efficiently.
My trusty ride logged over 10,000 miles through 16 states and 1 Canadian province in the 3 week journey. I bunked every night in roadside hotels and motels along the route which helped keep costs low.
I allotted myself 1-2 days at each Margaritaville to fully immerse in everything offered, from restaurants to dance parties to sunrise dolphin watching excursions. No two properties felt the same.
There were definite highs and lows peppered with hilarious mishaps, touching human connections and utter shocks that caught me off guard…aka “tales from the Margaritaville!”
Let’s explore what I uncovered.
Margaritaville Key West – The Chill Original
Kicking off my trip by kissing the ground at the birthplace of Margaritaville in Key West, Florida just felt right. As I pulled in blasting “Margaritaville” on the car stereo, the laidback staff in tropical print shirts warmly welcomed me inside.
The dive bar interior stays true to its past with tributes to Jimmy including his white Panama hat and gold/platinum records. I sat at the bar and ordered his go-to Cheeseburger in Paradise with fries plus a strong signature margarita.
Venturing upstairs to the outdoor deck at sunset, I gazed out at colorful waterfront views while a live guitarist played Buffett classics transporting us to those dreamy lyrics.
It embodied the chill escapism Parrotheads crave with no gimmicks needed. Overall an awesome experience though I wish they‘d bring back the animatronic band! 🍔🍹🎸
Margaritaville Orlando – The Bizarre Spectacle
Driving up to Orlando, massive loudspeakers blasted “Margaritaville” so loudly my car vibrated. People excitedly shuffled inside wearing crazy tropical shirts. I entered the lobby and it was pure sensory overload with neon lights everywhere.
An animatronic Jimmy Buffett figure stood frozen mid-strum on the stage. The eccentric décor looked like a unicorn threw up rainbows on Miami Vice. Definitely not the laidback escapism I pictured! 😵💫
The $500 million resort houses:
- 800 rooms across cottage homes
- 30,000 foot pool with waterslides
- Outdoor beach, volleyball and dining
- Nightly entertainment like DJ parties
Making my way out back, it felt oddly like being trapped in a dystopian paradise reality! Bananaman the primate mascot hovering from the ceiling added a final twist.
Sitting by the pool with a Banana Banshee cocktail, an energetic guitarist belting out tunes brought comfort I hadn‘t lost all sense of place and time. But Orlando’s definitely an alternate fantasy universe!
Margaritaville Atlanta – Sophisticated Surprise
Arriving in Atlanta, its swanky cosmopolitan restaurant interior boasted white-washed wood accents, sailboat models and steel drum music. The menu highlighted elegant dishes like seared scallops and rum glazed duck.
I noticed private dining rooms for events and ceremonies. This wasn’t a typical themed eatery but a legit special occasion venue updated with island flair.
Capping the night, the kitchen‘s 10pm closing time passed but the helpful manager whip up delicioso tacos, wings and margaritas to feed two weary wanderers! Their hospitality deserves major kudos. 🙏🌮🍗
Margaritaville NYC – Lady Liberty‘s Cocktail Hour
Inside the Times Square location stood a towering replica Statue of Liberty, only instead of a torch she raised a massive margarita! I danced the afternoon away fueled by mojitos, watching stingrays glide overhead. 🗽🧜♀️
The three story emporium also housed bars, dining areas and airy rooftop patio each with live entertainment from solo steel drummers to rock bands energizing Buffett hits.
This high-octane Margaritaville embodied NYC showmanship with eye-popping spectacle. A delight even for this small town guy dazzled by the twinkling lights. 🌃
Margaritaville Niagara Falls, USA
This location fully embraced over-the-top excess with its meters of margaritas and 20 foot walls stacked high with tequila. Patrons walked around with three-foot syringe drinks and did booze luges. No wonder people were stumbling out by noon! 🍸
I‘ll admit the party vibe was fun for a night. But ultimately lacked the genuineness I now realized makes Margaritaville special. Thankfully my last hurrah up North in Canada provided that soulful friendly comfort I craved.
Margaritaville Niagara Falls, Canada
The Canadian side exuded quaint warmth from the layout to the people. Low key acoustic music played as patrons dined by a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling waterfall inside.
Staff fondly described it feeling “like the TV bar Cheers only with beach bums.” The menu highlighted regional tastes like maple BBQ and Suzie’s blueberry lemonade margarita.
Samantha, a server since its 2018 opening, spoke affectionately about customers becoming “family” and her kids loving it as a second home. Her devotion represented the tight-knit community pillars crucial to Margaritaville‘s foundation. 👨👩👧👦🍻
This last stop encompassed the intangible soulfulness the best locations share…fostering escapism bringing people together to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. 🥰
Key Takeaways From a Parrothead Mega-Fan
Stepping back after my binge tour of discovery, I better recognize why Margaritaville as a brand profoundly resonates.
On the surface it sells tropical escapism with beachy locales, steel drums and bars flowing with margaritas, beer and seafood. Visitors can temporarily shed real-world worries for island-style fun.
But at its core Margaritaville fosters meaningful human connections, community and comfort. Under the umbrella of Jimmy‘s music and lyricism, Parrotheads unite in fellowship sharing life’s simple joys together.
The brand has undeniably commercialized and commodified that lifestyle. While some locations embraced cheap gimmicks absent of soul, others like Key West and Niagara Falls Canada evoked genuine camaraderie.
As an über fan, I’ll still happily return to either end of the spectrum because mixed bag or not, put together they authentically capture the essence that is Margaritaville! 🌴🍹😎
So next time you need to unplug from chaotic reality and bask in island vibes, you know where to find me…wasting away again with new friends in Margaritaville. 🥰