Fort Lauderdale Florida

9 Attractions in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Northern America

According to A2zcamerablog, Fort Lauderdale is also known as the Venice of Florida. And that is certainly not unjustified! This chic seaside resort is best known for its canals through the city, lined with expensive yachts and large villas. Furthermore, the city is rich in good restaurants, trendy bars and miles of beach. In addition, Fort Lauderdale has no less than 300 sunny days a year! If that’s not reason for a Fort Lauderdale vacation.

9 Attractions in Ft. Lauderdale

Because of its enormous network of canals, Fort Lauderdale is ideal for boat excursions and snorkeling trips. But there’s more than that! In Fort Lauderdale there is entertainment for young and old. The city has a vibrant nightlife with many restaurants and bars, but there is also plenty to do for children; including swimming with dolphins! Experience Fort Lauderdale on a South Florida Explorer self-drive tour.

1.Riverwalk & Las Olas Riverfront

An ideal way to explore the city is to take a walk on Riverwalk and then Las Olas Boulevard. The red-bricked Riverwalk leads you along Tarpon River to the Broward Center in the Arts and Entertainment District. During your walk you might spot some incoming cruise ships. Las Olas Boulevard is also known as a ‘shoppers’ paradise’: here you will find dozens of shops, varying from small boutiques to bigger names. End your day with a snack and a drink in one of the many restaurants and bars.

2. Stranahan House

Stranahan House immediately stands out among all the villas in Fort Lauderdale. It may seem like a dilapidated house at first glance, but it is absolutely not! This home was built in 1901 by Ohio’s Frank Stranahan; and since then it has survived every tropical storm. This makes it the oldest house in the city. Today it serves as a museum. You can only visit the house accompanied by a guide. During this tour, which lasts about 45 minutes, you will learn more about the history of the house and the city of Fort Lauderdale. A ticket costs about $14.

3. Beach & Promenade

Those who want to see and be seen should definitely take a walk on The Promenade. This is a long way along the beach. Here you will find trendy shops, trendy bars and expensive hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Westin Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach and W Fort Lauderdale. Be sure to plan a day at the beach as Fort Lauderdale beach is known as one of the cleanest beaches in the country. You can enjoy the sun on your beach bed, but if you like to be active, you can also take a paddle course or surf lesson. If you prefer to go further out on the water, you can also go scuba diving, parasailing or fishing here.

4. Boat trips and excursions

A nice trip to get to know the city better is by taking a boat trip through the canals. One of the most famous shipping companies is Carrie B. Cruises. From a traditional riverboat you can peek in on the rich and famous and learn more about the history of the city at the same time. Do you want to eat something at the same time? There are also shipping companies that offer a Dinner Cruise: Jungle Queen Riverboats is an example of this. Or join a snorkeling tour, where you can discover the coral reef under supervision. Do you prefer to stay above water? No problem, many of these boats have a glass bottom, so you won’t miss anything.

5. International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum

Still haven’t gotten enough of the beach and the sea? Then visit International Swimming Hall of Fame. This is a museum entirely devoted to swimming. A true Valhalla for a real water rat! You will learn more about the history of the sport here. It is especially nice to see how swimwear has changed over the years. Be sure to take a tour of the Hall of Fame itself. Who knows, you might even spot a few Dutch heroes! A visit to the museum costs about $10.

6.Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is also referred to as the “Central Park” of Fort Lauderdale. This nickname is not entirely unjustified, because the park is sandwiched exactly between the city and the beach. The park mainly consists of freshwater lagoons and mangrove forests. The park can also be reached by boat, but from the city you walk through a tunnel under A1A. There are a number of walking and cycling routes in the park itself. During your trip you can encounter different species of birds and turtles. Picnic areas have been set up overlooking the canal. Every weekend a ranger gives a tour.

7. The “Elbo Room” Bar

Always wanted to star in a movie? A visit to Elbo Room Bar is a good start! This bar became world famous through the 1960s movie ‘Where The Boys Are’. This made this bar extremely popular among American youth, who flocked to Fort Lauderdale; because, like the two protagonists of the film, they hoped to find a Spring Break love. The bar is right on the sea (with only a narrow road in between), so that should definitely give you a holiday feeling. What makes the bar even more special is that they have built up a huge online community, placing live webcams all over the bar. This way people can experience the nightlife just as ‘real’ at home.

8. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum

Do you like (old) cars? Then be sure to take a look at Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum. This museum was founded by Arthur Stone, who at one point had collected so many pre-war cars that he decided to turn it into a museum. You will also find old-fashioned gas pumps and other vintage items here. There is also a special collection on Franklin D. Roosevelt. Because the cars are intensively maintained by the staff, they still look beautiful. The museum is located on Packard Avenue and admission costs about $10.

9. Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop

Do you like shopping, and preferably for a good price? Or do you just really like knick-knacks? Then you absolutely have to go to Swap Shop Fort Lauderdale. This immense property is home to one of Florida’s largest flea markets. From toys to TVs and from jewelry to suitcases: you can imagine it all and you will find it here. Don’t like shopping? No problem! In addition to a huge International Food Court, there is also a drive-in cinema here. This cinema has no less than fourteen screens, so there is a good chance that something will be played that you will like.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Lauderdale

What are the top attractions in Fort Lauderdale?

The water, be it the city canal or the sea, is by far the most popular attraction in Fort Lauderdale. On the canal you can take a boat trip with an old-fashioned river boat. If you like more action, it’s a nice idea to go out to sea with a snorkeling cruise. Fort Lauderdale also has an excellent nightlife, with trendy bars and hip restaurants.

What are the best outdoor activities in Fort Lauderdale?

So you can go on the water, but you can also go for a walk in one of the parks in the area. We mentioned it above as Hugh Taylor Birch Park, but there are others, including Mizzel-Johnson State Park. There is also an extreme sports complex, where you can go BMX and go karting.

What are the most popular activities for kids in Fort Lauderdale?

All the above activities are suitable for children! The Museum for Arts and Sciences is very educational, but Butterfly World is also very popular with children.

What are the best day trips from Fort Lauderdale?

It is very nice to drive from Fort Lauderdale to the Everglades. Here you can join an airboat tour. You can also go to nearby beaches; Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach are very popular.

Fort Lauderdale Florida