Fort Lauderdale has a lot going for it. This beautiful place has everything you might need to have a good time. The beaches are absolutely gorgeous, there is a thriving art scene, gondola rides are amazing, the list goes on and on. In our guide to Ford Lauderdale newcomers, we've covered a lot of what this city has to offer, but now we want to go a step further. We will show you some of our favorite things to do in Fort Lauderdale in the current season. We've tried to include something for everyone, and not all the awesome places are listed, but the list that we have should serve as an excellent beginning to your Fort Lauderdale exploration.
Best places to visit and things to do in Fort Lauderdale
There were many contenders for this list, but these are the ones that made it:
- Wonderful Fort Lauderdale beaches
- Beach Park of Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Boulevard
- BlueFoot Pirate Adventures
- Las Olas Food Tours
- Bonnet House
- Antique car museum
Wonderful Fort Lauderdale beaches
You simply have to start with the beaches; there's no other option. Fort Lauderdale features some of the world's finest sandy havens, many of which possess the "Blue Wave" certificate issued by the Clean Beaches Council of Washington, DC. Needless to say, all of these are safe, extremely clean, and have a variety of activities for all ages and dispositions. You can enjoy surfing, water skiing, harness horse racing, and much much more. Beaches are one of the top 5 reasons to become a Florida resident, after all. And Fort Lauderdale certainly does not disappoint! If you are more into diving, visit Lauderdale By The Sea, where you can enjoy snorkeling to your heart's content.
For some of us, though, fall is the time of the year for walking on the beach, not swimming or partaking in water activities. The best place to enjoy scenic walks is the Dania Beach Ocean Park, as well as Hollywood Beach. Both of these places are great for strolling about and taking in the sights.
Beach Park of Fort Lauderdale
Moving on, next up is the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Located just south of the Bahia Mar Resort, it is a place where you can enjoy a nice picnic, light up a grill, and let your kids play in exclusive playgrounds. Then there are the sports courts, featuring basketball and volleyball, as well as a boating ramp for old-fashioned boats. The single thing that might put a damper on the otherwise fantastic place is that it closes at midnight.
Fort Lauderdale is a great city for families, and there is a constant influx of new residents, eager to visit parks like these. If you are one of those looking to relocate to this area without any problems, you will be happy to hear that the place is quite welcoming to newcomers.
BlueFoot Pirate Adventures
Speaking of exploration, there is no better place for it than BlueFoot Pirate Adventures. Set sail on a pirate adventure aboard the mighty Bluefoot! This is a fun experience for all adventurers out there, as you can dress up as pirates and hunt for hidden treasures. Also included in the show is fending off attackers, in true pirate fashion. You don't have to worry about safety, as the crew of The Bluefoot is composed of Coast Guard certified professionals. There is even a water cannon battle!
Las Olas Boulevard
The heart of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard runs all the way through the city's center, from the Central Business District to Fort Lauderdale Beach. This is a modern thoroughfare that houses unique shops you can't find anywhere else, many peculiar galleries, busy restaurants and nightclubs, and much more. There is always some event or a festival going on, as well. Las Olas Boulevard does not hold the title of Florida's most famous street for no reason, after all! This is absolutely the best place to start your exploration of this gorgeous city.
However, if you are visiting for a single weekend, you can easily spend all of your time here. That would be a shame, though, as there are many more places that deserve your attention. By visiting as many places that you can, you will both support domestic tourism and have a lot of fun in the process! And if you've moved here, you will have plenty of time to explore all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer, so there is no need to rush.
Las Olas Food Tours
But if you are more into food adventures, check out Las Olas Food Tours. This is one of the most popular attractions in the city and for a good reason. The tour lasts for three hours, and you will visit six locations where you will be able to enjoy the superb mix of history, art, and some of the best food you've ever tasted. The tour ends with a cruise along the Millionaire's Row, with complimentary Mojitos and chocolates.
Bonnet House
For you history lovers, there is the Bonnet House. This historic house museum dedicates itself to preserving the history of the area, as well as the surrounding environs. You may already know it by the name "Bartlett Estate", as that was the name of the artist that built it, before naming it after his second wife, Bonnet Lily. It features an expansive art gallery where you can see Bartlett's collection of paintings and assorted works, as well as an amazing garden that displays five ecosystems.
Antique car museum
Finally, a place that you really should not miss even if you are not a huge automobile fan is the Antique car museum. Founded by Arthur O.Stone, this museum showcases the history of the world-famous Packard Motor Company. There are many pre-war Packard vehicles on display, as well as thousands of memorabilia. The collection includes 22 Packard automobiles from the 1900-1940 period, with their unique hood ornaments and rare carburetors. This is truly a place of historical wonder, and visiting it is definitely one of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale this fall.
