It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale is one in all the very best locations to go to in Florida, aka the beautiful Sunshine State. Fort Lauderdale’s repute comes from many elements. One is its scenic canal system, which you’ll discover by gondola and shortly see why Fort Lauderdale is usually 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. Higher Fort Lauderdale is a complete metropolis, too, with a few of the finest eating places in Florida and tons of extra formal sights. 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 high. Briefly, there are tens of millions of wonderful issues to do in Fort Lauderdale.
Enjoyable Issues to Do in Fort Lauderdale
The Fort Lauderdale space is full of issues to do, whether or not you need to chill 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 think about day journeys (which we’ll squeeze a couple of of into this information). So, let’s begin – what are the very best issues to do in Fort Lauderdale? Nicely, these are the particular ones we managed to whittle it right down to.
1. Fort Lauderdale Seaside
Visiting the seashore is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Seaside is definitely one of many finest seashores in Fort Lauderdale – spreading 7 miles down the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Fort Lauderdale Seaside is backed by an unlimited promenade filled with eating places to eat at and bars to sip at, in addition to a mixture of impartial and chain retailers. It has an upscale and typical ‘Florida vibe’. The spacious sands are ultimate 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 middle. 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 primary 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 good 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 record. 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 outdoor, its gardens have been remodeled into a phenomenal botanical gardens complicated. 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 beautiful non-public artwork gallery that may now be seen inside the home right now.
Bonnet Home Museum and Gardens is likely one of the main issues to do in Fort Lauderdale if you’d like a extra typical attraction, like a gallery or museum. Additionally it is ultimate for a day of dangerous climate – not a lot of Fort Lauderdale’s sights are indoors, so hold 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 choice to your Higher Fort Lauderdale itinerary if you’d like an easy half-day journey. The mangroves are gorgeous, with numerous alternatives to expertise them from the water – you can even rent a kayak to serenely expertise the mangroves for your self.
Dania Seaside can also be simply subsequent to Dr Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, so it’s the right mixture. Dania Seaside is sort of a little coastal escape from busier Fort Lauderdale. We’d extremely suggest a detour when you have 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 additional particular about its spa scene. Nothing fairly appears 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 can try Attract Day Spa, Camilla Day Spa, or The Spa at Harbor Seaside. After a protracted flight or drive, and even in dangerous 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 stunning nationwide park is famed for its underwater surroundings and, whereas it is probably not 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 things 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. Nevertheless, because the nationwide park covers over 2,300 sq. miles of land in southern Florida, it dramatically impacts the state’s setting. Additionally it is the biggest Everglades on the earth. You’ll be able to even spot the Florida panther there, so hold your eyes peeled and produce binoculars.
7. Flamingo Gardens
As you could have guessed, Flamingo Gardens are 60 acres of pure gardens. This attraction acts as a botanical backyard and wildlife sanctuary. You’ll be able to spot beautiful plants and tropical flora and get face-to-face with some gorgeous animals. Most famously, you possibly can meet the attraction’s namesake flamingos. Cute, 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 things 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 saved rising. Founders Floyd and Jane Wray took benefit of getting a lot land to advocate for native wildlife. It’s a excellent place to go to for anybody captivated 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 gives a singular perception into its buying and selling publish and societal perform, 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 youths and adults alike. Its spectacular vary of everlasting reveals is showcased on guided excursions from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and we’d actually suggest it for a little bit of historical past when visiting Higher Fort Lauderdale.
9. Lauderdale By The Sea
It might be controversial, however among the best issues to do in Fort Lauderdale is to depart and go to Lauderdale by the ocean. This little seaside city is only a quick distance from town, round half-hour by bus or quarter-hour by automobile. Its profitable issue is its completely completely 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 such a lot of scuba diving alternatives simply offshore. In reality, some reefs begin as shut as 100 yards off the beachfront.
After all, this additionally implies that should you don’t scuba dive however are a assured swimmer, snorkeling is on the playing cards, too. Lauderdale by the Sea gives a superb base to get nearer to Florida’s underwater world.
10. Butterfly World
Butterfly World is definitely some of the enjoyable issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, particularly when you have children. Additionally it is the world’s largest butterfly park – so that you’ll get some severe bragging rights and an acceptable ‘wow’ expertise.
There are over 20,000 butterflies that decision Butterfly World dwelling, and you may wander by way of open enclosures to rise up near them in moral encounters. The enclosure options all the things from waterfalls to botanic gardens and is like moving into a complete 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 fashionable place to go to through boat journey, the place a information will inform you concerning the homes and historical past whilst you get pleasure from waterfront views. The properties are severely gorgeous, and if you wish to re-enact your finest Promoting Sundown impression, touring Millionaire’s Row is likely one of the finest Fort Lauderdale issues to do.
12. Hollywood Seaside
The golden sandy shores of Hollywood Seaside are identified for his or her ‘Outdated Florida’ enchantment. It has one of many solely boardwalks on this space, which is lined with skaters, cyclists, and pedestrians. The swaying palm bushes 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 every year. Their dwelling stadium is Amerant Financial institution Enviornment, which is situated nearly parallel to Fort Lauderdale and only a 20-minute drive away.
For those who’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’ll be able to simply go to this coastal metropolis, only a 12-minute experience on the Tri-Rail from Fort Lauderdale metropolis middle. Pompano Seaside is famed for its North Ocean Park and Pompano Seaside Fisher Household Pier. It’s a phenomenal place to go to, with an enormous seashore tradition and even offshore shipwrecks for snorkeling and diving excursions.
15. Take a Boat Tour
Higher Fort Lauderdale is the place to be on the subject of boat excursions. You’ll be able to tour the canal system, go on fishing excursions, or take common sightseeing excursions from the water. Our high advice is reserving an all-day water taxi cross. This provides 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 phenomenal 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 try their schedule on-line and see what coincides together with your journey.
It’s continuously ranked amongst the world’s finest theaters and has over 700 performances yearly, so it’s secure 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 need to see Fort Lauderdale’s inland waterways, we propose a kayaking or paddle boarding expertise. You’ll be able to rent your individual 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’d on a – boat tour, plus you’ll get an energetic expertise, which is unbelievable for outside 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 demise in 1943. The pure state park is famed for its coastal surroundings. It has a phenomenal freshwater lagoon the place guests can get pleasure from fishing and a community of mountain climbing trails. It’s simply one of many high actions and locations to go to in Fort Lauderdale for nature and outside exercise lovers.
19. Museum of Discovery and Science
The Museum of Discovery and Science is a agency favourite within the Higher Fort Lauderdale museum scene. It has tons of unimaginable services and options, together with an eco-center and IMAX theater. The museum emphasizes ‘immersion’ and gives hands-on experiences for nearly each exhibit. It’s appropriate for adults and fascinating sufficient for youths. And with 300 reveals on supply, it’s straightforward to see why we added it to this information.
20. Water Sports activities
Simply having water sports activities as a advice for issues to do in fabulous Fort Lauderdale may appear a bit of too common. Nevertheless, Fort Lauderdale is an absolute treasure trove for water sports activities. Yow will discover distinctive actions, together with having fun with aqua flights. The entire expertise is simply wow on the subject of water actions in Fort Lauderdale. It is best to carve out time in your itinerary to see what’s on supply – 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 primary 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’d like a extra organized expertise or are touring alone or in a small group, think about a guided pub crawl. It’s a unbelievable method to meet new folks and ensures an excellent evening out.
22. Highway Journey Intracoastal Waterway
Day journey alert: the Intracoastal Waterway is likely one of the prettiest areas close to Fort Lauderdale. After we say street journey to the Intracoastal Waterway, we aren’t speaking a couple of single street. What we are literally referencing is the large channel of water that sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. For those who fancy a road-tripping day, simply drive to the Dania Seaside space after which keep on with the North Ocean Drive. This route takes round 1 hour and 20 minutes to go a method. Ultimately, you find yourself in Miami Seaside – subsequent to the Intracoastal Waterway.
You’ll be able to cease off at seashores like Hollywood and Hallandale alongside the best way. And, in fact, permit at the very least a few hours for South Miami Seaside. It’s a full-day exercise, however completely unmissable, particularly when you have a rental automobile. You’ll be experiencing the very best of Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the identical journey.
23. Sawgrass Mills
For those who bag the only a few dangerous days of climate Fort Lauderdale experiences every year, Sawgrass Mills is the place to move. That is additionally among the best locations to go to and issues to do for anybody who’s a self-claimed shopaholic – Sawgrass Mills is an outlet buying middle.
This implies you possibly can snag offers of at the very least 70% off, bagging some actual bargains. Greater than 350 shops are within the middle, 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 probability of you getting burned out from buying.
Greatest 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, Higher Fort Lauderdale has a seashore tradition to impress even essentially the most reluctant of beachgoers and a wealthy array of museums and historical past.
Keep in mind these particulars earlier than reserving your excursions and planning an itinerary, although. These frequent FAQs will save the day when deciding on these remaining particulars.
What’s Fort Lauderdale finest identified for?
In a couple of 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 stunning 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 largest vacationer attraction in Fort Lauderdale?
The canal system is definitely Fort Lauderdale’s most well-known and fashionable attraction. Probably the most sought-after method to expertise it’s by gondola, a conventional low-lying boat mostly related to Venice.
Find out how to spend a day in Ft Lauderdale?
Begin your day with breakfast and a stroll alongside the enduring Olas Boulevard. Then, take a late morning boat tour by way 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 organize 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 various unimaginable issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, whether or not you head memento buying at locally-owned retailers, gamble on the Seminole Laborious Rock Lodge, or take a water taxi by way of its canals. There’s additionally its botanical gardens, Butterfly Backyard, and a lot greenery and gorgeous seashores.
It might be often called a storm middle, 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 right place to get pleasure from some Florida sunshine.