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It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale is certainly one of one of the best locations to go to in Florida, aka the attractive Sunshine State. Fort Lauderdale’s status comes from many elements. One is its scenic canal system, which you’ll be able to 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 good for water sports activities or a guided tour by gondola. Larger Fort Lauderdale is a complete metropolis, too, with a number of the finest 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 tens of millions of fantastic 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 wish to sit back on Fort Lauderdale Seaside, watch performing arts, or head to an out of doors science park. The choices are beneficiant, and that’s earlier than you even begin to consider day journeys (which we’ll squeeze a couple of of into this information). So, let’s begin – what are one of the best issues to do in Fort Lauderdale? Effectively, these are the particular ones we managed to whittle it all the way down to.

1. Fort Lauderdale Seaside

Visiting the seaside is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Seaside is well one of many finest 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 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 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 primary hive of motion in Fort Lauderdale, with procuring, all one of the 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 primarily 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 good 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 ravishing 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 stunning non-public artwork gallery that may now be seen inside the home immediately.

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. It is usually ultimate for a day of dangerous climate – not a lot of Fort Lauderdale’s points of interest 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 in your Larger Fort Lauderdale itinerary if you’d like a simple half-day journey. The mangroves are gorgeous, with plenty of alternatives to expertise them from the water – you would 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 advocate 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 additional 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 could possibly 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 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 every little thing crocs, manatee, and birdlife associated, and you’ll 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 surroundings. It is usually the most important Everglades on the planet. You possibly can even spot the Florida panther there, so hold your eyes peeled and produce binoculars.

7. Flamingo Gardens

As you’ll have guessed, Flamingo Gardens are 60 acres of pure gardens. This attraction acts as a botanical backyard and wildlife sanctuary. You possibly can spot attractive plants and tropical flora and get face-to-face with some gorgeous animals. Most famously, you’ll be able to meet the attraction’s namesake flamingos. Lovable, proper?

Flamingo Gardens give a everlasting residence for wildlife which have both obtained long-term accidents that make them unimaginable to ethically launch or different non-releasable traits. There’s every little thing from hawks to otters. It’s the largest moral assortment of Florida’s native wildlife.

The standard 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 good spot to go to for anybody keen about 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 put up transformed into a non-public residence – a house for an area businessman and his household. Due to its historical past, it affords a novel perception into its buying and selling put up 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 displays is showcased on guided excursions from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and we’d actually advocate it for a little bit of historical past when visiting Larger Fort Lauderdale.

9. Lauderdale By The Sea

It could be controversial, however probably the greatest issues to do in Fort Lauderdale is to go away 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 automotive. Its profitable issue is its completely completely different vibe, although.

The city has a a lot sleepier vibe, colourful seaside furnishings, and a surfer and scuba diving tradition. Lauderdale by the Sea is nicknamed the seaside diving capital of Florida, as there are so many scuba diving alternatives simply offshore. Actually, some reefs begin as shut as 100 yards off the beachfront.

In fact, 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 probably the most 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 critical bragging rights and an acceptable ‘wow’ expertise.

There are over 20,000 butterflies that decision Butterfly World residence, and you’ll wander by open enclosures to rise up near them in moral encounters. The enclosure options every little thing from waterfalls to botanic gardens and is like entering 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 fashionable place to go to through boat journey, the place a information will inform you in regards to 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 recognized for his or her ‘Previous 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 in your itinerary.

13. Watch the Florida Panthers

Though the Florida Panthers may be a Miami staff, their stadium is way additional inland and north, so you’ll be able to simply watch a recreation. However first, for individuals who don’t know, who’re the Panthers? The Florida Panthers are a well-known ice hockey staff that competes within the Nationwide Hockey League, which runs from early October to early April annually. Their residence stadium is Amerant Financial institution Area, which is situated virtually parallel to Fort Lauderdale and only a 20-minute drive away.

In case you’ve by no means watched an ice hockey recreation earlier than or are already a die-hard sports activities fan, we’d advocate 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 journey 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 ravishing place to go to, with a large seaside tradition and even offshore shipwrecks for snorkeling and diving excursions.

15. Take a Boat Tour

Larger Fort Lauderdale is the place to be with regards 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 move. This provides you with limitless entry to all of the Fort Lauderdale water methods and an opportunity to discover independently.

16. Broward Middle for the Performing Arts

The Broward Middle for the Performing Arts is a ravishing theater and a spot to go for all of your leisure wants. The theater has musicals, comedians, and even visitor audio system – you’ll be able to simply try their schedule on-line and see what coincides together with your journey.

It’s often ranked amongst the world’s finest 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 in your liking and also you particularly wish to see Fort Lauderdale’s inland waterways, we propose 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 gradual expertise than you’d on a – boat tour, plus you’ll get an lively expertise, which is improbable for outside exercise lovers.

18. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which spans 180 acres, was named after an area 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 ravishing freshwater lagoon the place guests can get pleasure from 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 outside exercise lovers.

19. Museum of Discovery and Science

The Museum of Discovery and Science is a agency favourite within the Larger 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 fascinating sufficient for youths. 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 might sound a little bit too normal. Nevertheless, 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 with regards to water actions in Fort Lauderdale. You must 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 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 need a extra organized expertise or are touring alone or in a small group, contemplate a guided pub crawl. It’s a improbable strategy to meet new individuals and ensures an ideal night time out.

22. Highway Journey Intracoastal Waterway

Day journey alert: the Intracoastal Waterway is likely one of the prettiest areas close to Fort Lauderdale. Once we say highway journey to the Intracoastal Waterway, we aren’t speaking a couple of single highway. What we are literally referencing is the large channel of water that sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. In case you fancy a road-tripping day, simply drive to the Dania Seaside space after which follow 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 possibly can cease off at seashores like Hollywood and Hallandale alongside the way in which. And, after all, permit at the least a few hours for South Miami Seaside. It’s a full-day exercise, however completely unmissable, particularly when you’ve got a rental automotive. You’ll be experiencing one of the best of Miami and Fort Lauderdale on the identical journey.

23. Sawgrass Mills

In case you bag the only a few dangerous days of climate Fort Lauderdale experiences annually, Sawgrass Mills is the place to move. That is additionally probably the greatest locations to go to and issues to do for anybody who’s a self-claimed shopaholic – Sawgrass Mills is an outlet procuring heart.

This implies you’ll be able to snag offers of at the least 70% off, bagging some actual bargains. Greater than 350 shops are within the heart, that means you’ve got 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 procuring.

Greatest Issues to Do in Fort Lauderdale: FAQs

It’s straightforward to see why so many individuals flock to Fort Lauderdale for wonderful Florida getaways. The town is a goldmine for something water-related, and its Venice-twinning canal system provides it a robust sense of character. In addition to its canals, Larger Fort Lauderdale has a seaside 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 widespread FAQs will save the day when deciding on these last particulars.

What’s Fort Lauderdale finest recognized for?

In a couple of phrases, Fort Lauderdale is understood 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 fashionable attraction. Probably the most sought-after strategy to expertise it’s by gondola, a conventional low-lying boat mostly related to Venice.

Learn 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 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 a lot of unbelievable issues to do in Fort Lauderdale, whether or not you head memento procuring at locally-owned retailers, gamble on the Seminole Exhausting Rock Lodge, or take a water taxi by its canals. There’s additionally its botanical gardens, Butterfly Backyard, and a lot greenery and gorgeous seashores.

It could be referred to 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 right place to get pleasure from some Florida sunshine.