Are you looking to take a vacation soon? Are you hoping to visit a place where you can soak up the sun for almost 365 days a year? Are you planning to relax on the beach, enjoy shopping and dining, go clubbing at night, and meet friendly locals and tourists who you vibe with?
Well then, you’ve got to head on over to Fort Lauderdale, Florida! It’s a fabulous city that attracts tourists, business travelers, digital nomads, and settlers. It’s perfect for solo travelers, couples, and groups.
It’s often overlooked due to cities like Orlando and Miami being the most popular destinations in the state. But if you want the full Florida experience while enjoying the creature comforts of a great city, you’ll find it in Fort Lauderdale.
Let’s look at the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
NUMBER ONE – Head on Over to The Fort Lauderdale Beach and Beachfront Promenade
Once you reach Fort Lauderdale and have settled into your room, one of the first things you should do is head on over to the Fort Lauderdale beach.
Part of the Florida experience is to enjoy the sunny beaches, and Fort Lauderdale beach is an exceptional place for solo travelers, couples, and groups to relax and have fun. You can go during the day and soak up the rays – though you want to make sure you find a spot to set up your beach towels or beach chairs – and don’t forget the sunscreen! In the evening, Fort Lauderdale Beach is a pretty stellar place to watch the sunset.
You can also walk or bike along the Beachfront Promenade. Here you’ll find many great shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore.
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NUMBER TWO – Explore Las Olas Boulevard
The famous Las Olas Boulevard attracts locals and tourists alike. From daybreak to sunset, it’s a great place to go shopping, grab a bite to eat, or enjoy a coffee. If you’re a fan of art galleries, this is also the place to visit.
If you’re a history buff, you should stop by the Stranahan House. This is a historic house from the early 1900s that showcases antiques from that time. It’s also a great place if you like guided tours. You can take a foodie tour or even a cycling tour where you can learn about the history of Las Olas and Fort Lauderdale.
And, of course, we can’t not mention the nightlife. South Florida is known for its nightlife, and while Miami often gets the spotlight, Fort Lauderdale also packs a punch when it comes to clubbing.
There are many great nightclubs and bars to enjoy at night. You should check out Sway Nightclub, The Wharf, Booze Garden, Escape Lounge, and much more. The nightlife in Fort Lauderdale is so popular that you’ll find locals and tourists frequenting Las Olas every weekend!
NUMBER THREE – Hop on a Boat to traverse the Intracoastal Waterway and Millionaire’s Row
You can’t come down to Fort Lauderdale and not spend a few hours on a boat! You should get on a ferry or water taxi to do a tour of the city. You’ll learn about Fort Lauderdale’s rich history and can also kick back and realx in the sunny weather and cool breeze.
You can also take a tour of Millionaire’s Row. This is an area where many celebrities and other wealthy people have their homes. You can look upon the homes of some of the most famous personalities in American culture from Burt Reynolds to Nick Nolte to Lucille Ball to Ray Kroc and even Al Capone!
This is a great excursion for anyone traveling to Fort Lauderdale. If you’re traveling as a couple, this is a must-do! You can even find some companies that’ll let you book private boat tours for you and your fellow travelers.
NUMBER FOUR – Spend Your Evening at the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District
This district spans over 20 city blocks, and you’ll come across some of the most popular attractions in the city.
You can pay a visit to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, the Nova Southeastern University Art Museum, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, the Florida Grand Opera, and the Broward Center for Performing Arts.
It’s a magnificent place to also go for a long walk, jog, run, or bike ride. You can also jump on the trolley to explore the district. Part of the district includes Las Olas, so if you want to take multiple trips to the boulevard, you’ll get your chance when exploring the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District.
NUMBER FIVE – Watch the horses gallop at full speed at Gulfstream Park!
One of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale is to spend an afternoon exploring Gulfstream Park. This is a racetrack where you can watch horse racing and place your bets. It’s a great place to visit for both newcomers to horse racing as well as experienced bettors.
Best of all, it’s FREE to visit, but you can also enjoy luxury rooms if you’re a serious horse racing enthusiast. You’ll also find shops and great dining options at the park. There’s even a casino if horse racing isn’t your choice of game!
Toward the end of March or sometimes in early April, Gulfstream Park holds the annual Florida Derby which is the biggest racing event in South Florida.
NUMBER SIX – Get lost in nature at the Everglades
The Everglades is the pride and joy of Florida. It’s great for enjoying unspoiled nature and seeing animals in their natural habitat.
You should take an airboat tour where you can explore the Everglades through its swamps. You can also take guided tours where you’ll learn about the history of the Everglades. You’ll also learn about the animals that inhabit the ecosystem.
You’ll come across rare fish, birds, snakes, and the American Alligator! While Florida has many great cities, such as Fort Lauderdale, you’ve also got to enjoy the incredible nature that the Sunshine State has to offer!
Make sure you book these tours in advance, especially if you’re traveling with a large group.
NUMBER SEVEN – Go Shopping at Sawgrass Mills
One of the best things to do when you’re on vacation is to go shopping! Fort Lauderdale has one of America’s largest outlet malls called Sawgrass Mills.
It’s got over 300 stores with a variety of familiar brands, including Marshalls, J. Crew Factory Store, and the Nike Factory Store. You’ll also find Jimmy Choo, Prada, and other luxury brands. It’s also a great place for dining as you’ll find a great set of restaurants from The Cheesecake Factory to Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar.
This is a popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists. In fact, don’t be surprised if you see tourists carrying large suitcases to fill up with their shopping!
NUMBER EIGHT – Enjoy the day at Xtreme Action Park
Xtreme Action Park is Florida’s biggest indoor entertainment venue. There are a lot of fun activities here for you and your family to enjoy.
For example, you can enjoy different virtual reality games. It’s also a decent space for watching videos and short films in the park’s 3D theatre.
You can also play laser tag and challenge your friends to a go-kart race. If traveling with a big group, you can partake in an escape room challenge.
You’ll also enjoy one of the largest ice skating rinks that you’ve probably ever come across. This is a place that you’ll want to spend the entire day at so make sure you plan accordingly.
Xtreme Action Park is also a fabulous place to grab food and drinks. There’s a bar where you can enjoy draft beer, and there are also several restaurants to enjoy casual dining.
NUMBER NINE – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
If you liked the casino at Gulfstream, you’ll love going to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. This is one of South Florida’s most popular casinos, so don’t be surprised if you meet other Floridians visiting from Miami or the Keys.
You’ll also find many tourists at the casino. There are various tabletop games such as poker and blackjack. Of course, you’ll also get to enjoy Roulette and Slot Machines. If you’re a serious gambler you can suit-up and play at the high-limit table room.
But if you’re not that into gambling, you should also visit the Hard Rock Hotel. This is one of Fort Lauderdale’s most popular nightclubs. If you’re looking to dance and let your hair down until the early hours, then you’ve got to head to the hotel!
Of course, this is also another great place to enjoy a delicious meal. If you’ve ever eaten at a Hard Rock Café, you can expect a fantastic meal. Stop by for lunch or dinner to order a la carte. It’s also great if you want to enjoy a breakfast buffet.
NUMBER TEN – Take a Segway Tour
One of the most interesting things to do in Fort Lauderdale is to explore the city via Segway. You can rent a Segway for the day and roam around.
This is an especially great activity for solo travelers and couples visiting the city. If you’re a solo traveler and looking to meet others, you can find a Segway guided tour. This is a guided tour where your guide and fellow travelers will explore Fort Lauderdale’s incredible sights while strolling on your Segways.
You want to take this tour during the morning or afternoon. If you visit Fort Lauderdale during almost any time of year, the weather will typically be sunny, likely with a cool coastal breeze. These are almost perfect conditions for when you want to ride on your Segway.
Fort Lauderdale is perhaps one of the more underrated cities in the USA. But after you visit the city, you’ll know why it’s a great place to visit. Make sure you partake in some of these fun activities when you visit! We know you’ll have a great time!
So, are you ready to book your trip to Fort Lauderdale? In fact, what are you looking forward to the most?
Are you looking forward to spending a day relaxing on the beach? Or are you looking forward to the exciting nightlife that comes alive at Las Olas?
Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
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We’ll see you in the next video!