Best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

11 Best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

March 19, 2023
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Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a great place to spend your vacation especially if you love sun, sand, and surf. The city has a year-round average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though the most attractive place in Fort Lauderdale is its beautiful beaches, there are plenty of other things to do in here. There are plenty of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as well.

Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast, 23 miles north of Miami and now it has become a sophisticated urban destination. The city offers wide boardwalks,  endless restaurants, and shops as well. If you have an idea to visit there, this guide will help you to find the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will help you to make your vacation exciting.

1. Fort Lauderdale Beaches

11 Best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If we talk about the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it cannot be fulfilled without Fort Lauderdale beaches. It is one of the best beaches in Florida and it lies at the heart of the tourist area in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale beach area is now more sedate and you can access it from Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. The park is situated just south of Florida State Road A1A’s iconic Las Olas Boulevard intersection.

The beach offers many facilities to the visitors such as restrooms, changerooms, showers, volleyball courts, basketball courts, a playground, BBQ grills, and picnic tables. Also, it’s not hard to find a spot here. There are some other beach areas like Sebastian Street Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach. You can find many condo towers, hotels, restaurants, and shops just across the street from the beach. You can also find smaller, more economical hotels and motels in the streets leading away from the beach.

2. Las Olas Boulevard

11 Best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Las Olas Boulevard is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It stretches from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the ocean. You can find many tourist attractions and things to do in this area. You can find some of Fort Lauderdale’s best stores such as high-end clothing shops, art galleries, and jewelry stores.

Las Olas Boulevard is a popular place among tourists because of its variety of dining options. The street is packed with bistros and cafés. You can find most shops and restaurants in the area that runs from South Andrews Avenue to SE 15th Avenue. You can easily find paid parking on Las Olas Boulevard,  in commercial parking lots, or on one of the side streets at meters. 

3. Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

11 Best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This 2.5-mile-long trail follows the New River towards the ocean while passing historical homes and condos. Also, it passes by 10 parks along its route. Each park has its attractions like beautiful gardens, workout stations, and playgrounds. You can walk the route and see these beautiful attractions or go to the free Riverwalk Water Trolley to ply the waters.

You can also go to any restaurants that line the river to enjoy a leisurely lunch or pleasant evening dinner. The Riverwalk has been in existence for more than 30 years and if you like to know the latest events that happen in Riverwalk, pick up the Go Riverwalk magazine. From any of the cross streets, such as SE 3rd Avenue, South Andrews Avenue, or South Avenue of the Arts, access to the Riverwalk is simple. The Broward Judicial Center, off SE 3rd Avenue, is one of the biggest parking lots.

4. Bonnet House Museum

Bonnet House Museum

Bonnet House Museum & Garden is a Fort Lauderdale landmark and one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The museum is included in the National Register of Historic Places as well. The historic house and garden are a mix of art, architecture, history, and ecology. It was designed by Frederic Clay Bartlett and built-in 1920. The building was once the winter retreat of the Birch/Bartlett family. As well as the estate covers 36 acres. The formal gardens feature an orchid display house, a desert garden, and a hibiscus garden. A beach, dunes, maritime forest, freshwater slough, and sensitive mangrove wetlands are all featured on the property, which serves as a barrier island ecosystem.

5. Stranahan House Museum

Stranahan House Museum

This beautiful mansion was built by Ohio businessman and trader Frank Stranahan in 1901. The area used to be the place where he operated his barge ferry business. The building was expanded several times over the years and now you can see wide verandas, bay windows, a Victorian parlor, and tropical gardens. Stranahan House post office, community center, town hall, restaurant, and boarding house. You can take a guided tour to see the interior and  Victorian furniture. Don’t forget to get handmade items crafted by local artists in the museum’s gift shop.

6. Museum of Discovery

Museum of Discovery

The Museum of Discovery and Science is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is home to many permanent and rotating exhibits. Also, the museum hosts entertaining and educational programs for the whole family. There are many things to see in the museum such as real fossils in the Prehistoric Florida exhibit and the largest living coral.

The museum’s Storm Center and the Wall of Wind tell visitors about hurricanes and their effect on all aspects of life. The Everglades Airboat Adventure will give you an amazing experience. If you like to watch films, go to the museum’s IMAX theater. The museum has a dedicated Discovery Center for children under seven years old to play and learn. The eco-conscious singing robot Harry the Heap, and the Keller Science Theater are some other highlights of the museum.

  • Visit: 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Official website: https://mods.org/

7. Johnson State Park

Johnson State Park

2.5 miles of the Atlantic Ocean’s coastline can be found in Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson Park. If you visit there, you will be able to get an amazing beach experience. If you have your boat, you can get it in the water as well.

You can easily access the Atlantic Ocean because the park is located near Port Everglades Inlet. Scuba diving is popular here. There are three reef systems offshore and one is reachable by swimming 300 yards. Another one is half a mile and the third is two miles out. Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is also a great place to see birds. You can see birds like warblers, sparrows, pelicans, and various shorebirds.

8. Hugh Taylor Birch Park

Hugh Taylor Birch Park

This state park was a gift from Hugh Taylor Birch and now it is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This green space is an ideal place for afternoon picnics and walking on the trails. You can go onto the freshwater lagoon to fish or view the wildlife. Canoes rentals are available on the site. If not, you can bring your stand-up paddleboard. The park has beach access and paved trails for rollerblading and cycling. If you like to learn about the history of the park and its benefactor, go to the Birch House Museum. You can also learn about the ecological significance of the park.

9. NSU Art Museum

NSU Art Museum

The NSU Art Museum is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This modern and unique three-story building is located in the city’s upscale Las Olas neighborhood. The museum features more than 7,000 works of art in its permanent collections. Some significant exhibits focusing on the work of multicultural and female artists, African and Oceanic Tribal Arts, and Latin American, and Cuban art are included in the collection. The David Horvitz and Francie Bishop Good collection recently donated more than 100 artifacts to the NSU Art Museum. You can also see the artworks by Cecily Brown, Catherine Opie, and Kiki Smith. NSU Art Museum hosts educational programs, special events, and traveling exhibits year-round.

10. Everglades Holiday Park

Everglades Holiday Park

Everglades Holiday Park is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The park gained fame because of the frequent set of Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” during the past years. Currently, the park offers cast member-hosted daily live gator shows. The shows educate the visitors about the habitat and lives of the alligators and introduce them to the world of the Everglades’ most notorious residents. The park runs airboat tours of the surrounding wetlands as well. You can learn about the ecosystem’s plants and animals as well.

11. Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens is the best place to learn about what kind of plants and animals populate the wilderness areas of Florida. The gardens spread out over 60 acres and it is one of the best places to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The park has historical components, flora, and fauna. The fauna component is a botanical garden with more than 3,000 plants from the tropics and subtropics and the arboretum, home of Florida’s largest trees is the most popular spot of the garden.

If you have time, don’t forget to walk through the 11 different gardens, ranging from beautiful orchids to a live oak hammock. The flora component consists of a wildlife sanctuary and you can see Florida’s largest native species like bobcats, eagles, bears, and alligators. There is a Flamingo Pond and you can see these colorful birds go about their daily lives. You have a chance to feed them by hand. But it will charge some additional fee.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the biggest attraction of Fort Lauderdale?

Beaches, arts, entertainment, and events are among Fort Lauderdale’s most well-known attractions. The “Venice of America” offers everything from gondola rides on the canals to shopping on Las Olas Avenue to a beautiful riverbank. Shopping, restaurants, and historic districts are all located along Las Olas Boulevard.

What part of Fort Lauderdale is the best for nightlife?

Las Olas Boulevard and A1A are two of Fort Lauderdale’s most well-known neighborhoods. The famous Elbo Room is located where these two locations meet. Historically, this has been among the city’s busiest nightclubs. Here is where you should go if you want the best nightlife in Fort Lauderdale.

Is it a good idea to visit Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale, which is well-known for its gorgeous beaches, thrilling water sports, and luxurious yacht excursions, offers an amazing experience that you won’t find anywhere else. It is a well-liked tourist destination thanks to the number of good restaurants, rich history, and lively art scene shows.

Is a trip to Fort Lauderdale expensive?

Fort Lauderdale typically costs more than other well-known beach locations in Florida because of its gorgeous beaches, warm average temperature, lavish lifestyle, and beachfront resorts.

When is the ideal time of year to visit Fort Lauderdale?

When families return from summer vacation in late July, Fort Lauderdale’s high season finishes. The high season starts in early spring. The area experiences its hottest weather, the most beautiful beach days, and the most tourists during this time.

Is Fort Lauderdale a romantic destination?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the United States since it is home to exciting attractions, interesting events, and gorgeous scenery. Couples may enjoy a wide range of activities in this exciting city, from discovering the parks and beaches to experiencing the local cuisine and nightlife.