It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale is considered one of the very best locations to go to in Florida, aka the beautiful Sunshine State. Fort Lauderdale’s popularity comes from many elements. One is its scenic canal system, which you’ll discover by gondola and shortly see why Fort Lauderdale is commonly nicknamed the ‘Venice of America’.
The canals all hyperlink as much as New River, a tidal estuary. They’re excellent for water sports activities or a guided tour by gondola. Better Fort Lauderdale is a complete metropolis, too, with a number of the greatest eating places in Florida and tons of extra formal points of interest. And that’s to not point out the seashores.
Visiting Fort Lauderdale is a complete deal with, and its heat Florida climate is simply the cherry on prime. Briefly, there are hundreds of thousands of wonderful issues to do in Fort Lauderdale.
Enjoyable Issues to Do in Fort Lauderdale
The Fort Lauderdale space is filled with issues to do, whether or not you wish to sit back on Fort Lauderdale Seaside, watch performing arts, or head to an outside science park. The choices are beneficiant, and that’s earlier than you even begin to consider day journeys (which we’ll squeeze just a few of into this information). So, let’s begin – what are the very best issues to do in Fort Lauderdale? Properly, these are the particular ones we managed to whittle it right down to.
1. Fort Lauderdale Seaside
Visiting the seashore is among the hottest issues to do in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Seaside is well one of many greatest seashores in Fort Lauderdale – spreading 7 miles down the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Fort Lauderdale Seaside is backed by an enormous promenade stuffed with eating places to eat at and bars to sip at, in addition to a mixture of unbiased and chain retailers. It has an upscale and typical ‘Florida vibe’. The spacious sands are perfect on a sunny day, with loads of room to discover a spot for a towel and sunbathe.
Fort Lauderdale Seaside is roughly 20 minutes by bus from town heart. It’s situated on a barrier island and ideally mixed with a go to to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which is close by.
2. Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas interprets as ‘the waves’ in Spanish, and this heaving thoroughfare makes waves. It’s the place you’ll discover the principle hive of motion in Fort Lauderdale, with buying, all the very best eating places, and cute cafes. Genuine and action-packed, Las Olas Boulevard is a superb place to move for café hopping and people-watching. It’s basically the guts of Fort Lauderdale. It stretches a – walkable – 2.5 miles and is lined with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
Las Olas Boulevard simply needed to be on this checklist. It’s excellent for unwinding and embracing the tradition of Fort Lauderdale.
3. Bonnet Home
Bonnet Home Museum and Gardens is a step again into Twentieth-century frontier America. The home is an ode to native household historical past, whereas open air, its gardens have been remodeled into a gorgeous botanical gardens advanced. If you wish to mix historical past and pure magnificence, Bonnet Home Museum and Gardens is the best alternative. Bonnet Home celebrates the Bartletts. The husband was an artist, and each have been artwork collectors, creating a stunning non-public artwork gallery that may now be seen inside the home immediately.
Bonnet Home Museum and Gardens is among the main issues to do in Fort Lauderdale if you would like a extra typical attraction, like a gallery or museum. It is usually perfect for a day of unhealthy climate – not lots of Fort Lauderdale’s points of interest are indoors, so preserve Bonnet Home in thoughts.
4. Dania Seaside
Dania Seaside is a coastal metropolis simply south of Fort Lauderdale. It has a quieter, extra pure vibe. Dania Seaside is a wonderful possibility to your Better Fort Lauderdale itinerary if you would like a simple half-day journey. The mangroves are gorgeous, with a number of alternatives to expertise them from the water – you possibly can even rent a kayak to serenely expertise the mangroves for your self.
Dania Seaside can be simply subsequent to Dr Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, so it’s the proper mixture. Dania Seaside is sort of a little coastal escape from busier Fort Lauderdale. We’d extremely suggest a detour when you’ve got greater than a few days within the metropolis.
5. Benefit from the Fort Lauderdale Spas
As nice as Fort Lauderdale’s seashores are, there’s one thing further particular about its spa scene. Nothing fairly looks like enjoyable in a sauna or getting a full physique therapeutic massage. Fort Lauderdale has loads of spa choices, and it’s a little cheaper than spa experiences in Miami or different main cities. You possibly can take a look at Attract Day Spa, Camilla Day Spa, or The Spa at Harbor Seaside. After a protracted flight or drive, and even in unhealthy climate or simply for self-care, Fort Lauderdale’s spa scene is fabulous.
6. Florida Everglades
Who has but to listen to of the Florida Everglades? This lovely nationwide park is famed for its underwater surroundings and, whereas it might not be one of many issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, it’s an absolute steal of a day journey. The pure park is famed for all the pieces crocs, manatee, and birdlife associated, and you may tour the Everglades by boat with rangers to get a extra immersive and academic expertise.
What are the Everglades precisely? Basically, they’re only a flooded grassland. Nonetheless, because the nationwide park covers over 2,300 sq. miles of land in southern Florida, it dramatically impacts the state’s atmosphere. It is usually the biggest Everglades on the earth. You possibly can even spot the Florida panther there, so preserve your eyes peeled and convey binoculars.
7. Flamingo Gardens
As you will have guessed, Flamingo Gardens are 60 acres of pure gardens. This attraction acts as a botanical backyard and wildlife sanctuary. You possibly can spot beautiful flowers and tropical flora and get face-to-face with some gorgeous animals. Most famously, you possibly can meet the attraction’s namesake flamingos. Lovable, proper?
Flamingo Gardens give a everlasting dwelling for wildlife which have both obtained long-term accidents that make them unattainable to ethically launch or different non-releasable traits. There’s all the pieces from hawks to otters. It’s the largest moral assortment of Florida’s native wildlife.
The common-or-garden attraction began out as a citrus orchard and simply stored rising. Founders Floyd and Jane Wray took benefit of getting a lot land to advocate for native wildlife. It’s a excellent spot to go to for anybody obsessed with nature and conservation. Seize your Skip-the-line ticket right here earlier than you go.
8. Stranahan Home
The historic Stranahan Home Museum is a former 1901 buying and selling publish transformed into a non-public residence – a house for a neighborhood businessman and his household. Due to its historical past, it affords a singular perception into its buying and selling publish and societal operate, in addition to a glance behind closed doorways into the household lifetime of the interval.
It’s the oldest standing construction in Broward County and an actual slice of perception for teenagers and adults alike. Its spectacular vary of everlasting displays is showcased on guided excursions from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and we’d actually suggest it for a little bit of historical past when visiting Better Fort Lauderdale.
9. Lauderdale By The Sea
It could be controversial, however top-of-the-line issues to do in Fort Lauderdale is to depart and go to Lauderdale by the ocean. This little seaside city is only a brief distance from town, round half-hour by bus or quarter-hour by automobile. Its successful issue is its completely totally different vibe, although.
The city has a a lot sleepier vibe, colourful seashore furnishings, and a surfer and scuba diving tradition. Lauderdale by the Sea is nicknamed the seashore diving capital of Florida, as there are so many scuba diving alternatives simply offshore. In actual fact, some reefs begin as shut as 100 yards off the beachfront.
After all, this additionally signifies that for those who don’t scuba dive however are a assured swimmer, snorkeling is on the playing cards, too. Lauderdale by the Sea affords a superb base to get nearer to Florida’s underwater world.
10. Butterfly World
Butterfly World is well some of the enjoyable issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, particularly when you’ve got children. It is usually the world’s largest butterfly park – so that you’ll get some severe bragging rights and an appropriate ‘wow’ expertise.
There are over 20,000 butterflies that decision Butterfly World dwelling, and you may wander by means of open enclosures to rise up near them in moral encounters. The enclosure options all the pieces from waterfalls to botanic gardens and is like moving into an entire new world. The size and high quality of the expertise means we simply needed to embody it.
11. Millionaires Row
Millionaire’s Row is a small stretch of opulence alongside the financial institution of the New River in Fort Lauderdale. It’s a common place to go to through boat journey, the place a information will inform you in regards to the homes and historical past whilst you take pleasure in waterfront views. The properties are critically gorgeous, and if you wish to re-enact your greatest Promoting Sundown impression, touring Millionaire’s Row is among the greatest Fort Lauderdale issues to do.
12. Hollywood Seaside
The golden sandy shores of Hollywood Seaside are identified for his or her ‘Previous Florida’ attraction. It has one of many solely boardwalks on this space, which is lined with skaters, cyclists, and pedestrians. The swaying palm timber and open sands are idyllic, and Hollywood Seaside’s neighborhood presence makes it much more interesting.
It’s lower than a 20-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale to Hollywood Seaside, so it makes an ideal half-day exercise to your itinerary.
13. Watch the Florida Panthers
Though the Florida Panthers could be a Miami workforce, their stadium is far additional inland and north, so you possibly can simply watch a sport. However first, for individuals who don’t know, who’re the Panthers? The Florida Panthers are a well-known ice hockey workforce that competes within the Nationwide Hockey League, which runs from early October to early April annually. Their dwelling stadium is Amerant Financial institution Enviornment, which is situated nearly parallel to Fort Lauderdale and only a 20-minute drive away.
In the event you’ve by no means watched an ice hockey sport earlier than or are already a die-hard sports activities fan, we’d suggest the expertise.
14. Pompano Seaside
Pompano Seaside is a top-tier day journey alternative for Fort Lauderdale issues to do. You possibly can simply go to this coastal metropolis, only a 12-minute trip on the Tri-Rail from Fort Lauderdale metropolis heart. Pompano Seaside is famed for its North Ocean Park and Pompano Seaside Fisher Household Pier. It’s a gorgeous place to go to, with an enormous seashore tradition and even offshore shipwrecks for snorkeling and diving excursions.
15. Take a Boat Tour
Better Fort Lauderdale is the place to be relating to boat excursions. You possibly can tour the canal system, go on fishing excursions, or take normal sightseeing excursions from the water. Our prime suggestion is reserving an all-day water taxi go. This will provide you with limitless entry to all of the Fort Lauderdale water programs and an opportunity to discover independently.
16. Broward Heart for the Performing Arts
The Broward Heart for the Performing Arts is a gorgeous theater and a spot to go for all of your leisure wants. The theater has musicals, comedians, and even visitor audio system – you possibly can simply take a look at their schedule on-line and see what coincides along with your journey.
It’s regularly ranked amongst the world’s greatest theaters and has over 700 performances yearly, so it’s protected to say you might be in good palms. It sits overlooking the New River in iconic Downtown Fort Lauderdale. It is a perfect factor to do within the night.
17. Tour the Inland Waterways by Kayak
If a ship tour appears too passive to your liking and also you particularly wish to see Fort Lauderdale’s inland waterways, we advise a kayaking or paddle boarding expertise. You possibly can rent your personal kayak or paddleboard a the Fort Lauderdale Marina or buy a guided tour. However you’ll have a extra genuine and sluggish expertise than you’ll on a – boat tour, plus you’ll get an lively expertise, which is unbelievable for out of doors exercise fanatics.
18. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which spans 180 acres, was named after a neighborhood legend, Hugh Taylor Birch, who initially owned the land and resided within the park till his loss of life in 1943. The pure state park is famed for its coastal surroundings. It has a gorgeous freshwater lagoon the place guests can take pleasure in fishing and a community of climbing trails. It’s simply one of many prime actions and locations to go to in Fort Lauderdale for nature and out of doors exercise lovers.
19. Museum of Discovery and Science
The Museum of Discovery and Science is a agency favourite within the Better Fort Lauderdale museum scene. It has tons of unbelievable amenities and options, together with an eco-center and IMAX theater. The museum emphasizes ‘immersion’ and affords hands-on experiences for nearly each exhibit. It’s appropriate for adults and interesting sufficient for teenagers. And with 300 displays on provide, it’s straightforward to see why we added it to this information.
20. Water Sports activities
Simply having water sports activities as a suggestion for issues to do in fabulous Fort Lauderdale may appear somewhat too normal. Nonetheless, Fort Lauderdale is an absolute treasure trove for water sports activities. Yow will discover distinctive actions, together with enjoying aqua flights. The entire expertise is simply wow relating to water actions in Fort Lauderdale. You need to carve out time in your itinerary to see what’s on provide – aqua flights, snorkeling, or diving excursions.
21. Nightlife
Fort Lauderdale has a vibrant nightlife that kicks off with out fail by early night, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. The principle nightlife hotspots are undoubtedly Central Seaside, the downtown space, and the close by hub of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Get your self down there for golf equipment and bar hopping.
If you would like a extra organized expertise or are touring alone or in a small group, think about a guided pub crawl. It’s a unbelievable strategy to meet new folks and ensures an important night time out.
22. Street Journey Intracoastal Waterway
Day journey alert: the Intracoastal Waterway is among the prettiest areas close to Fort Lauderdale. Once we say street journey to the Intracoastal Waterway, we aren’t speaking a few single street. What we are literally referencing is the massive channel of water that sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. In the event you fancy a road-tripping day, simply drive to the Dania Seaside space after which persist with the North Ocean Drive. This route takes round 1 hour and 20 minutes to go a technique. Finally, you find yourself in Miami Seaside – subsequent to the Intracoastal Waterway.
You possibly can cease off at seashores like Hollywood and Hallandale alongside the way in which. And, in fact, enable not less than a few hours for South Miami Seaside. It’s a full-day exercise, however completely unmissable, particularly when you’ve got a rental automobile. You’ll be experiencing the very best of Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the identical journey.
23. Sawgrass Mills
In the event you bag the only a few unhealthy days of climate Fort Lauderdale experiences annually, Sawgrass Mills is the place to move. That is additionally top-of-the-line locations to go to and issues to do for anybody who’s a self-claimed shopaholic – Sawgrass Mills is an outlet buying heart.
This implies you possibly can snag offers of not less than 70% off, bagging some actual bargains. Greater than 350 shops are within the heart, that means you will have tons to select from, together with Nike, Michael Kors, and Gucci. There are additionally a staggering 16 eating places on-site, so there’s no likelihood of you getting burned out from buying.
Finest Issues to Do in Fort Lauderdale: FAQs
It’s straightforward to see why so many individuals flock to Fort Lauderdale for superb Florida getaways. The town is a goldmine for something water-related, and its Venice-twinning canal system offers it a robust sense of character. Moreover its canals, Better Fort Lauderdale has a seashore tradition to impress even essentially the most reluctant of beachgoers and a wealthy array of museums and historical past.
Bear in mind these particulars earlier than reserving your excursions and planning an itinerary, although. These widespread FAQs will save the day when deciding on these remaining particulars.
What’s Fort Lauderdale greatest identified for?
In just a few phrases, Fort Lauderdale is thought for its canals, seashores, and historical past. Fort Lauderdale has over 4,000 years of indigenous and colonial historical past. Its canal system is so lovely that it earned town the nickname ‘Venice of America’. Lastly, it has easy accessibility to a protracted shoreline of various seashores. When heading to Fort Lauderdale, canals, seashores, and historical past are the vibe.
What’s the single greatest vacationer attraction in Fort Lauderdale?
The canal system is well Fort Lauderdale’s most well-known and common attraction. Probably the most sought-after strategy to expertise it’s by gondola, a conventional low-lying boat mostly related to Venice.
Tips on how to spend a day in Ft Lauderdale?
Begin your day with breakfast and a stroll alongside the long-lasting Olas Boulevard. Then, take a late morning boat tour by means of the canals earlier than heading for lunch at Louie Bossi. Spend a lazy afternoon on Fort Lauderdale Seaside. Both head out for a proper meal within the night or seize some takeaway dishes to arrange for an evening of partying in Fort Lauderdale.
Does Ft Lauderdale have a boardwalk?
One of many Fort Lauderdale seashores, Hollywood Seaside, has its personal boardwalk.
Why We Love Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale makes inspiration straightforward. There are lots of unbelievable issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, whether or not you head memento buying at locally-owned retailers, gamble on the Seminole Onerous Rock Resort, or take a water taxi by means of its canals. There’s additionally its botanical gardens, Butterfly Backyard, and a lot greenery and gorgeous seashores.
It could be often known as a storm heart, too, however its climate is elegant. Fort Lauderdale’s sunshine simply hits completely in another way. All of the pure magnificence and water actions make it the proper place to take pleasure in some Florida sunshine.