Fort Lauderdale surprised me...not just with its sunshine and shoreline, but with its layers. One moment I was wandering through a historic home steeped in early 1900s charm, and the next I was speeding across the Everglades with wind in my face and gators on the horizon. It’s a place where art lives on Las Olas, where stories echo from museum walls, and where the beach is more than just a place to tan...it’s a way to breathe a little deeper.
There’s something special about the pace here. It invites you to linger, to notice, and to feel just a bit lighter. I kept thinking, “Fort Lauderdale doesn’t just entertain...it connects.” Whether you’re chasing creativity, craving calm, or just need a dose of sunshine and salty air, you’ll find it here, in your own rhythm.
Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stepping Into Serenity at Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
The Bonnet House didn’t just tell a story—it whispered one. I wandered beneath palms and orchids, past the swan pond and whimsical sculptures, feeling like I’d stumbled into a painter’s daydream. The artist's touch is everywhere, from the frescoed ceilings to the hidden hummingbirds. I remember thinking, "This isn’t just a home—it’s a sanctuary for the soul."
What I Loved Most: The blend of art, architecture, and tropical nature made me slow down and soak it all in. There was peace in every corner.
My highlight? A light lunch afterward at a nearby café—grilled mahi mahi tacos with mango salsa and a side of coconut rice. The flavors matched the setting: vibrant and calm all at once.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 900 N Birch Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
- Vibe: Peaceful, artistic, tropical
- Highlights: Art-filled historic home, gardens, wildlife
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or early afternoon
- Cost: ~$25 per adult
- Hours: Wed–Sun, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Strolling the Soul of the City: Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas felt like Fort Lauderdale's open-air living room—lively, stylish, and always buzzing. I meandered past art galleries, boutiques, and gelato shops, pausing often just to people-watch. At some point I thought, "This isn’t just shopping. It’s how a city flirts with you—slowly, charmingly, one window at a time."
What I Loved Most: The way locals and travelers mingled, with a musician playing softly on the corner and the scent of espresso drifting down the sidewalk.
My highlight? Dinner at a tucked-away Italian bistro: creamy burrata with roasted tomatoes, followed by lemony linguine with shrimp. It felt indulgent, in the best way.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Downtown Fort Lauderdale
- Vibe: Trendy, walkable, artistic
- Highlights: Shopping, dining, galleries, riverwalk
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon into evening
- Cost: Free to stroll; dining and shopping vary
- Hours: Most shops open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Modern Reflections at NSU Art Museum
I walked into the NSU Art Museum expecting air-conditioned relief—and stayed because I was pulled into its quiet power. Bold modern works lined the walls, but it was the moody lighting and thoughtful curation that gave each piece a sense of presence. I stood in front of one abstract canvas and thought, "I don’t need to understand it to feel something real."
What I Loved Most: The focus on contemporary Latin American and Cuban artists added depth and surprise. It felt rooted in place and globally connected at the same time.
My highlight? A stop at the café inside: a rich cortado and warm guava pastry that echoed the museum’s creative flavor.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 1 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Vibe: Sleek, reflective, modern
- Highlights: Contemporary art exhibits, café, gift shop
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for a quiet walkthrough
- Cost: ~$16 adults
- Hours: Wed–Sun, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Echoes of Valor at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
The Naval Air Station Museum pulled me in with more than just history—it had heart. Inside, time seemed to slow. I wandered past WWII artifacts, flight simulators, and photos of the young men who trained here—including George H.W. Bush. It wasn’t flashy, but it was deeply moving. I paused at a display and thought, “So many stories began here—and so many never made it home.”
What I Loved Most: The volunteer docents who shared stories like they lived them. Their passion turned each exhibit into something personal.
My highlight? Chatting with a veteran guide who told me about the mystery of Flight 19. The history felt alive in that moment—and left me thinking long after I left.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 4000 W Perimeter Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
- Vibe: Humble, historic, reverent
- Highlights: WWII exhibits, flight simulators, memorials
- Best Time to Visit: Weekends; call ahead for tours
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
- Hours: Sat & Sun, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sun-Kissed Simplicity at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park
There’s something about beach air that clears your mind in seconds. As I kicked off my sandals and walked barefoot through soft sand, the sound of crashing waves and laughter washed over me. I found a quiet spot beneath a palm and thought, “This is the rhythm I didn’t know I needed.” Simple, sunny, perfect.
What I Loved Most: It wasn’t just a beach—it was a full pause from the world. Families picnicked, volleyballs flew, and the ocean was this endless canvas of calm.
My highlight? An icy lime popsicle from a nearby cart, melting too fast in the heat and making me laugh. It was summer in a bite.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 1100 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
- Vibe: Relaxed, cheerful, classic beach day
- Highlights: Swimming, picnic areas, playground, volleyball
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for smaller crowds
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Curiosity Unleashed at the Museum of Discovery and Science
I walked in expecting it to be all about kids—but I left with a grin as wide as theirs. From the otters gliding through water to the space simulator shaking me like a launchpad rookie, the Museum of Discovery and Science turned learning into joy. “When was the last time I felt this curious?” I wondered, watching a butterfly land near my arm.
What I Loved Most: The immersive exhibits—from Florida’s ecosystems to fossil digs—had something for every kind of explorer, young or old.
My highlight? Grabbing a seat at the in-museum café for a panini and fresh lemonade while the IMAX theater let out. You could feel the buzz of excitement in the air.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 401 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
- Vibe: Energetic, interactive, family-friendly
- Highlights: Otters, flight simulators, IMAX, planetarium
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for quieter exhibits
- Cost: ~$27 per adult
- Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Echoes of Excellence at the Old Dillard Museum
Tucked away in a quiet part of town, the Old Dillard Museum held a kind of hush that made you listen closer. This former school-turned-museum honored African American history and culture in Fort Lauderdale, and as I wandered through stories of educators, artists, and activists, I thought, “This isn’t just about the past—it’s about honoring how we got here.”
What I Loved Most: The focus on local history, music, and education gave this museum soul. It wasn’t flashy, but it was powerful.
My highlight? A display on jazz legend Julian “Cannonball” Adderley made me pause, then pull out my phone and stream his music right there. Suddenly, the room had a soundtrack.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 1009 NW 4th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
- Vibe: Reflective, cultural, community-focused
- Highlights: African American heritage, jazz, education history
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays, mid-morning
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wild and Wide-Open at Everglades Holiday Park
A fan boat ride through the Everglades was something I didn’t know I needed—until I was flying over reeds with wind in my hair and gators lurking below. At Everglades Holiday Park, the wild felt personal. “So this is what untouched Florida feels like,” I thought as I watched herons skim the surface and a croc blinked from a distance.
What I Loved Most: The adrenaline rush of the boat ride mixed with the stillness of nature. It was raw and grounding at once.
My highlight? Watching a live gator show with conservationists who clearly loved what they do—followed by a quick bite at the park café: gator bites with tangy remoulade and fries. It was a first... and delicious.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332
- Vibe: Adventurous, wild, scenic
- Highlights: Airboat tours, gator shows, Everglades ecosystem
- Best Time to Visit: Morning to avoid afternoon heat
- Cost: ~$35–50 depending on tour
- Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A Night to Remember at Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The lights dimmed, and the hush in the crowd felt electric. I was in the plush red seats of the Broward Center, watching a Broadway-style production that could’ve easily been in NYC. “This is Fort Lauderdale’s heart beating loud,” I thought as the orchestra swelled and the performers swept me away.
What I Loved Most: The mix of elegance and intimacy. It’s a grand space, but it still feels close, personal.
My highlight? A glass of bubbly on the balcony at intermission, watching the river shimmer in the distance. Magic, plain and simple.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 201 SW 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
- Vibe: Sophisticated, vibrant, inspiring
- Highlights: Theater, concerts, comedy, family shows
- Best Time to Visit: Evening performances
- Cost: Varies; tickets typically $40+
- Hours: Showtimes vary by event
Time Travel by the River: Stranahan House Museum
Stepping into the Stranahan House felt like opening a time capsule. With its wide front porch and creaky floorboards, this 1901 home whispered of old Fort Lauderdale—river trades, family dinners, and a slower pace. “They built lives here with care,” I thought as I passed family photos and antique furniture warmed by the light.
What I Loved Most: The guided tour was personal and full of character—stories of love, loss, and the early days of the city.
My highlight? Sitting on the back porch, watching the New River float by. It was still, peaceful, and somehow timeless.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 335 SE 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Vibe: Historic, charming, thoughtful
- Highlights: Guided tours, historic home, riverside view
- Best Time to Visit: Midday for best lighting and views
- Cost: ~$12 per adult
- Hours: Daily tours; check online for times
Conclusion: Leaving with More Than Just Sun-Kissed Skin
I left Fort Lauderdale with more than tan lines—I left with stories. From jazz echoes in old schoolhouses to riverfront theaters that gave me chills, the city wrapped me in experiences I didn’t expect. I thought I came for the beach, but I stayed for the texture: the contrast between stillness and sparkle, past and present.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on my last evening, I realized I hadn’t just visited Fort Lauderdale—I’d felt it. And I know I’ll be back, not to check off attractions, but to relive that feeling of effortless joy.
More to explore...
Jump to a Spot...
- • Stepping Into Serenity at Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
- • Strolling the Soul of the City: Las Olas Boulevard
- • Modern Reflections at NSU Art Museum
- • Echoes of Valor at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum
- • Sun-Kissed Simplicity at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park
- • Curiosity Unleashed at the Museum of Discovery and Science
- • Echoes of Excellence at the Old Dillard Museum
- • Wild and Wide-Open at Everglades Holiday Park
- • A Night to Remember at Broward Center for the Performing Arts
- • Time Travel by the River: Stranahan House Museum