Fort Lauderdale is yet another wonderful city in the state known as "the Land of the Sun": Florida! It is often called the American Venice because it has rivers in between the city, making it even more beautiful! Being a coastal town, the beaches are a must see!
There's so much more to see in Fort Lauderdale than that, like its sights, museums, and restaurants! If you're considering a trip to the city or deciding where to travel to yet - stay with us and check out the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale!
What to see in Fort Lauderdale? Check out 8 sights
A coastal city, in the Land of the Sun, could not fail to present incredibly beautiful beaches, could it? But if you go to this city, you can also enjoy other places! Check out which are the beaches and the main places that you should definitely visit in Fort Lauderdale:
We know that traveling sometimes causes that jet lag discomfort, right? To help you out, we've put together a post to combat it! Check it out afterwards: Jet Lag: Why does it happen? Here are 5 tips to combat it!
1. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
If you want a quiet experience, head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Located on a barrier island, it offers a beautiful and very quiet beach where you can rent a canoe to paddle, rollerblade or bike along a rustic road, or hike the trails.
Look for the underground tunnel that leads from the park to a deserted section of Fort Lauderdale Beach.
2. Las Olas Beach
Another classic beach in Fort Lauderdale, you can spend a whole afternoon enjoying the sea breeze and sunbathing among the coconut trees. There you will also have the opportunity to visit Las Olas Boulevard, a kind of boardwalk, considered one of the city's main tourist attractions.
3. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beach is one of the city's main beaches. Very busy, full of hotels and a huge variety of restaurants and food courts by the sea. The place is ideal for those who like excitement. With an unforgettable sunset, you are sure to love visiting it and feel like you are in a video clip of famous artists from the USA!
4. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Compared to other beaches in the area, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, located north of Fort Lauderdale - is a quiet haven. Although it is close to hotels and restaurants, it is much less busy.
In addition, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is one of Fort Lauderdale's best beaches for snorkeling and has a reef just a short distance offshore.
5. Museum of Discovery and Science
Besides the beautiful beaches, Fort Lauderdale also deserves to be remembered for its other attractions, such as the museums. The Museum of Discovery and Science is one of the largest in Florida, with the largest number of museum visitors in the state.
7. Historical Center and Homes
A must-see is the Historical Center and Homes. This museum tells some of the history of the city, the oldest building in the county, and has served as a home, trading post, city hall, and post office.
8. NSU Art Museum
There is also the NSU Art Museum, one of the oldest in the city, founded in 1976. The museum has a permanent collection with 7,000 items, all important works by American, European, Latin American, African, and Asian artists.
9. Water Taxi
One way to get to know a good part of the city is to take a ride in a water cab, as the city has many rivers, you can get to the main buildings of the city! This tour may take about 3 hours - but it will definitely be worth it!
Another park that needs to be on your itinerary is nearby Fort Lauderdale's Anne Kolb Nature Center, a beautiful nature reserve with walking trails and mangroves, an aquarium and observation tower. It is a peaceful, green space that is home to turtles, crabs, herons, eagles, and other wildlife - plus it has a 3,500-gallon aquarium.
And, if you want to stroll a bit further on an outdoor tour, you can't miss Butterfly World, the first and largest butterfly garden in the United States, which is located in Coconut Creek. The exhibit also contains hummingbirds and other birds, as well as a botanical garden.
And, if you want to get a little out of the city, how about checking it out: Outlet in Orlando - Tips for shopaholics!
What to do in Fort Lauderdale at night?
Without a doubt, at dusk you need to visit its busiest point, Las Olas Boulevard - it is a street full of bars and restaurants, with special lighting, giving a more traditional touch to the city.
The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale is much less busy compared to its neighbor, Miami. It is a more daytime city, but you can find good places to have a drink or a nice cold beer! It makes for a great, quieter nightlife.
Another great place to enjoy is Las Ola Beach, which we mentioned above. It is also a very busy area, where many people gather to enjoy the sunset and enjoy the bars along the shore, having a cold drink and some snacks!
Where to eat in Fort Lauderdale?
Most of the food in Fort Lauderdale comes directly from the farm or the sea, with fresh ingredients and catch of the day! All of its cuisine is prepared with very typical Florida flavors.
What's more, you can still find 5-star restaurants to enjoy and have an incredible dining experience! And you can even find several places with "dock and dine" options. There are great restaurants for lunch with an incredible view of the New River and the Riverwalk, making the ride even more enjoyable.
Fort Lauderdale is all of this! If you had any doubts about going there, you have probably already been convinced that it is a truly amazing place. And to make the most of your trip, renting a car is the best alternative! You can visit all these places we have talked about with much more ease, safety and comfort.
Here, at Happy Tours, you reserve your car in advance and only pay at the time of pick up at the rental company. And to avoid any doubts when you arrive, why don't you check it out: Car rental in the USA: how does it work? See our tips!
