Attractions in Fort Lauderdale
For most tourists, most things happen in Fort Lauderdale in and around the beach. It’s easy to forget that the city has several historic buildings and museums that are worth a visit. Also, one can successfully take a look at the scenery in and around Fort Lauderdale (and Florida). You will definitely see an alligator too!
- See AbbreviationFinder for commonly used abbreviation of city Fort Lauderdale, United States. Also includes meanings of the same acronym.
Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale
This is a landmark museum with works by Picasso, Dalí, Moore, Warhol and more. One of the museum’s gems is the West’s largest collection of cobra art (abstract art). There are also several exhibitions featuring works by contemporary artists. The Museum of Art is located on East Las Olas Boulevard.
Old Fort Lauderdale
Here you’ll find plenty of historic buildings, including the New River Inn and King Cromartie, which have been assembled into a museum complex. This is an exciting journey through the history of Fort Lauderdale. The address is 219 SW 2nd Street
Stranahan House
On Las Olas Boulevard is Stranahan House, Ft. Lauderdale’s oldest house of 1901.
Today, this is an interesting museum of turn of the century and an exciting history of the Seminole Indians.
Jungle Queen
For 65 years, the Jungle Queen River Boat has been touring the canals of Ft Lauderdale. 14 million guests have had the pleasure of taking the tour as a daytime sightseeing or evening cruise. This is an excellent way to get to know the area. The boat departs from 801 Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
Las Olas Riverfront
Located on Las Olas Boulevard in Ft Lauderdale, this impressive entertainment complex offers year-round entertainment, car shows, children’s days, exhibitions and festivals.
Museum of Discovery & Science
This is an impressive facility in Downtown Fort Lauderdale with exhibits (including interactive ones), movies about the mysteries of the world and much more. The Museum of Discovery & Gardens is an experience for both adults and children.
Bonnett House Museum & Gardens The
Bonnett House Museum [see photo first in the article] is a luxury property with a jungle-like garden, created in its time by the married couple Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett. In more than 30 rooms you can see a wonderful collection of art and antiques. NB! The garden is an experience in itself. The address is 900 N. Birch Road in Ft Lauderdale
Butterfly World
Learn all about butterflies in Butterfly World, located in Tradewinds Park at Coconut Creek. This is the largest park of its kind in the world, and there are at least 5,000 different butterflies to see, all in a tropical setting. The address is 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek.
Tourist in Fort Lauderdale
Most of us who have arrived by plane from Norway wake up early the day after arriving in Florida and Fort Lauderdale. The advice on how to handle “jet lag” is as many as it is incomplete. If you can’t sleep, you should enjoy morning time instead.
Getting up early also gives you more time to explore your new destination. The best place to enjoy the sunrise in Fort Lauderdale is the beach or Ocean Boulevard. On Ocean Boulevard you will probably meet someone who is going to work early, joggers or people on roller skates who are speeding past.
Day 1 in Fort Lauderdale
After enjoying the sunrise, you will need a hearty breakfast. Most hotels in Fort Lauderdale serve breakfast in pleasant surroundings. But you don’t have to eat at the hotel. You can dine at one of the many beachfront restaurants or choose from a rich shelf just inside the town. An American example is Egg & You, located at 2621 N Federal Highway, offering affordable and tasty pancakes with blueberries, hash browns and wonderful egg omelettes.
When morning dawns, we suggest you start softly and spend the morning at the beach. Enjoy the sun, bath and why not rent jet ski or water ski for half an hour?
Next stop is Evelyn and Fredric Bartlett’s house. This house is also called Bonnett House and is located on the boardwalk at the bottom of Sunrise Boulevard. The house itself is worth a visit, but the most interesting thing is the art collection and antiques that the couple Evelyn and Bartlett collected during their lifetime. NB Closed on Mondays.
It might be appropriate to have a late lunch at the Sea Beach Plaza amusement complex ? There it is as lively in the daytime as in the evening. Menus from all over the world are served. Here you will find traditional American food as well as food from Spain, Mexico, France or Brazil.
The day is towards late afternoon and evening. Maybe some shopping is needed? In Fort Lauderdale there are many mini shopping malls, where you will find Wall Mart, post offices and banks, liquor stores, etc. The prices are nice.
For dinner we suggest a visit to the iconic Pier Sixty-Six Hotel. The hotel is strategically located near the Port Everglades cruise port. Alternatively, just take an evening drink here before taking a water taxi to experience a typical American-style evening. Restaurant Shooter’s is American at its best. Here it is lively, and the food of the server that suits most: from delicious burgers to salads and fajitas. Open from 1100 to 2300 every day of the week.
If the hotel room does not close properly yet, we recommend a return visit to Sun Beach Plaza, which has changed character since lunch. Fort Lauderdale rocker!
Day 2 in Fort Lauderdale
After hopefully a good night’s sleep, you start the day with another good breakfast. The world’s largest outlet mall is less than one mile from the hotel. It’s called Sawgrass Mills and is open seven days a week. Can shopping be an all-day excursion? The answer is yes! Here you will find approx. 350 stores with nice brands and at very low prices. Sports equipment, clothing, sunglasses, yes, most of it is arranged for purchases to finance part of the journey.
In addition to shopping, you can enjoy what it is like to have lunch. The Food Court is a huge collection of simple restaurants and is located in the center of Sawgrass Mills. You will soon discover that the scheduled time at Sawgrass Mills is quickly turning into several hours.
When everyone is satisfied and the purchases are done, it may be appropriate to spend the rest of the afternoon on the alligators and marshes (Florida is known for its alligators and marshes). Not far from Sawgrass Mills is Sawgrass Recreation Park. Here you will see the alligators up close. You can also take an airboat tour and see the animals in their original environment.
After a full day of adventures and maybe a little too much shopping, it’s time to plan your dinner. What is better than Las Olas Boulevard, perhaps the nicest street in Fort Lauderdale?
If the weather and temperature allow, it is best to enjoy dinner outside, and of course on Las Olas Boulevard you will find it, too. Here are restaurants and cafes that are equally suitable for Sunday brunch as for lunch or dinner.
End the evening near the Las Olas Riverside Hotel where you will find great variety in nightlife and music offerings.