The 12 Best Things to do in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is the finest city in South Florida, home to the nicest beaches and fanciest homes on the coast. In this article we’re going to discuss the 12 best things to do in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Perhaps Fort Lauderdale is most famous for its 1980’s “Spring Break” reputation. No offense to South Padre, Virginia Beach, Lake Havasu, and other spring break destinations, but this highfalutin city has no business being uttered in the same breath as those towns.
There is nothing juvenile about Fort Lauderdale. This is one of the most beautiful and expensive cities in the entire United States.
As wealthy and exquisite as Fort Lauderdale is, we didn’t see any signs saying we could not partake. It appears there is room here for bank accounts of all shapes and sizes.
If you’re looking for where to stay on your South Florida vacation, look no further. It gets no better than here. We can hardly wait to talk about all the things to see and do in Fort Lauderdale, so let us begin. We hope you enjoy! And here’s a MAP!
Must Do: Things to do in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton
Must-Do attractions are typically the reason we’ve decided to visit.
1. Las Olas Beach
Any trip to Fort Lauderdale requires extensive hours logged on Las Olas Beach. Also known as Lago Mar Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach, these are all just stops along the same stretch of sand. Las Olas is the best beach in South Florida. The sand is soft, the ocean is brilliant, and the backdrop is fancy and fun.
2. Las Olas Boulevard
Every city has a street where the shopping, dining, and nightlife congregates. Las Olas Boulevard is Fort Lauderdale’s Main Street and it is a good one. Fancy towns too often feel overpriced, plastic and uptight, but this posh and lively hot spot is the right combination of elegance and action.
3. Flamingo Gardens
If you’re looking for something other than beaches, stores, and restaurants, and you like animals, we strongly recommend Flamingo Gardens. This is a small historical zoo with gators, turtles, and a generous allotment of tropical birds. It’s a little rundown, but who cares? The flamingos alone are worth the admission.
Related Article: 10 Best Things to Do in West Palm Beach
Should Do: Things to do in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton
Should-Do attractions receive a strong recommend.
4. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
Chicago artist Fred Bartlett wanted a winter home for his family where they could pursue their artistic talents. The home was built in a Caribbean plantation-style architecture which fits well in the surroundings. Tour the Bonnet House family compound with a tour guide or just walk around the property. Found right across the street from Fort Lauderdale Beach.
5. Red Reef Beach & Park
We’re kind of cheating here because Boca Raton is the town just north of Fort Lauderdale and we’re including a few of their highlights. Red Reef Beach is one of our favorite beaches in South Florida. It is similar to Las Olas Beach in sand and water, yet it is smaller and secluded from commerce.
6. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
On the north end of Fort Lauderdale Beach is the Hugh Birch State Park. This is a fine place to park when you visit the beach. On the west side of the park is a stretch of picnic tables along a waterway where you can enjoy the boats and mansions. There are also some nice walking trails, a meditation garden, and of course, Fort Lauderdale Beach.
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7. Mizner Park
Mizner Park is Boca Raton’s version of Las Olas Boulevard — a delightful park surrounded by shopping and restaurants. The Boca Raton Museum of Art is here, as well as a cultural center, an amphitheater, and an assortment of Ferraris, Bugattis, and miscellaneous trappings of immense wealth.
8. The Isles, or “Venice Canals”
If you truly want to experience Fort Lauderdale, you have to admire the yachts and mansions along the Venice Canals known as the Isles. Here is a MAP. This is one of the more beautiful places in the United States. You might find a home for sale. Look it up on Zillow. See how much they’re asking.
Could Do: Things to do in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton
Could-Do attractions are worthwhile, but we don’t strongly recommend them for one reason or another.
9. Boca Raton Museum of Art
The Boca Raton Museum of Art was founded in 1950. Before becoming a museum it was an art school, an art guild, and a library. The collection includes many beautiful pieces on the inside, and an outdoor sculpture garden behind the facility.
Related Article: The 25 Best Things to Do in South Florida.
10. Louis Bossi
Everybody eats at Louis Bossi. If you walk along Las Olas Boulevard the energy coming off the place is fantastic. Inside the restaurant the ambience is fun and the food is good. We opted to sit outside in front for people watching. Here’s the MENU to plan ahead — they offer a robust selection!
11. South Inlet Park
If you’re looking to mix it up with a different beach, South Inlet Park is a nice little place to spend some hours in the sun. You’ll find it on the south end of Boca Raton.
12. Fort Lauderdale Boardwalk / A1A
Located just across the street from Las Olas Beach is the tourism hub of Fort Lauderdale. Famous haunts like the Elbo Room, Senior Frogs, The Drunken Taco, and a multitude of other booze joints and surf shops line this classic beach strip. At Las Olas Oceanside Park you can enjoy farmer markets and free concerts on certain days. Here’s a LINK.
And Two More for Next Time
Morikami Japanese Gardens
This is a Japanese museum with 6 different gardens. We’re total suckers for botanical gardens, as well as garage sales, pool parties, and Indian food. TMI?
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
We saw so many animal rescues while we lived in South Florida that this one sorta slipped through the cracks. Next time we’ll complete the animal rescue circuit.
An Honest Conclusion
South Florida is crowded with people and traffic and hardly feels like a tropical getaway if you’re not on the beach. West Palm Beach and Miami, and to an extent Boca Raton, give off the impression they don’t really want tourists hanging around. There isn’t much to do, and beach access isn’t all that great.
Fort Lauderdale is not only the fanciest place on the coast, but it also accommodates visitors better than the other towns. Clearly Fort Lauderdale wants you there. The public beaches are long and wide. There are multiple zones for tourists to eat, drink, and be merry. And the general vibe is fun and breezy. This is your best chance at a good time in South Florida.
Now, honestly speaking, if you’re looking for a relaxing beach getaway, the Florida Panhandle is far superior on many levels. The beaches and vibe at the Emerald Coast (great link) are as good as it gets. But we’re not really talking about that, so pardon my digression.
The only two towns in South Florida that I would consider for a vacation are Fort Lauderdale and Jupiter. The rest of them are probably fine places to live, and certainly have interesting components to explore, but their tourism effort is generally lackluster.
Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!