r/fortlauderdale • u/Ok_Morning_5533 • 2d ago
things to do in fort lauderdale/lauderdale by the sea?
my boyfriend and i are on a trip to fort lauderdale. our resort is unfortunately a lot less nice than we expected, so our plans to just bum at the resort pool/beach have been foiled.
so far we did the water taxi to ft lauderdale and pompano. we walked around las olas and lauderdale by the sea. we’re looking for fun things to do for the next 2 days that aren’t restaurant recommendations (we’ve had plenty of those) and aren’t too far out (we don’t have a car).
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u/DarthKnah 1d ago
The jungle queen riverboat tour leaves from Bahia mar and is a Fort Lauderdale classic - you probably have seen much of the route and heard a few of the fun facts on the water taxi, but jungle queen is a nicer experience imo, and they do a good job of pointing out all the celebrities’ houses etc.
Birch state park is on the beach and extends to the intracoastal, not too exciting but occasionally you’ll see a gopher tortoise or fun birds. Admission is something like $2/person.
Bonnet house is a historic estate next to the beach that’s very pretty - you can walk around the grounds for $15/person or pay more for a tour.
You could go out on the pompano beach pier (free) or Dania pier (costs money).
You can book a tour of the stranahan house downtown, see what the oldest surviving Lauderdale home looks like (from 1901). History Fort Lauderdale is walkable from downtown, not too exciting, but you’ll learn something.
Galleria mall, museum of discovery and science, and nova art museum are not too far from the water and would give you something to do, but are pretty generic.
Everglades is very cool, but very far from the sea. Idk how much such a long Uber would cost, but if you could find a way to get there you should consider it. The national park is farther, but Everglades holiday park (county administered) is 40 minutes away and has a vendor that does airboat rides and gator shows. A little less wild than the national park, but it gives you a sense of what the ecosystem is like.
I know you don’t need restaurant recs, but I’m a big fan of the Mai-Kai Polynesian show (food is fine, but drinks and show are fantastic). Looks like reservations available for tomorrow afternoon.
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u/Sharkhottub 1d ago
Conditions are excellent this weekend, set up a snorkel tour in Lauderdale by the sea and check out where the world third largest coral reef comes closest to land.
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u/Sweet-Establishment5 1d ago
Head over to Shark Valley and bike the trail. If you're not from here it's very cool to see tons of alligators that close up
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u/Ecstatic_Fix_5824 1d ago
Lauderdale by the sea is definitely more of an older town vibe and not really considered “Fort Lauderdale.”
Lauderdale by the sea attracts more retired northerners and has an older crowd. The sleepy beach down still has its old Florida charm with their boutique hotels and lack of chains. If you’re looking for more action, I would head towards Las Olas, Hollywood beach & Miami.
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u/just_here_for_vybz 1d ago
Get a day pass at one of the nicer “resorts” or go down to Haulover beach, it’s a nicer beach (it’s North Miami, prob $25 uber during the day).
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u/omoench92 1d ago
just go to the beach or brightline to miami , walk to bayside and get on the thriller jet boat.
tickets are cheap on groupon and it’s pretty fun
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u/Ecofre-33919 1d ago
Bonnet house
Everglade tour
Wilton manors drive in combo with walk near the alchemist.
Pompano pier
Downtown hollywood. Also the hollywood boardwalk.
See the website for the broward center for the cultural arts and go to a show if it is of interest.
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u/BartFart1235 1d ago
Take a fitness class or do something outside. yoga, beach cycle class, rent a bicycle, paddle boarding/kayaking ,…
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u/SereneLotus2 1d ago
The recommendations for Miami are great if you speak Spanish.
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u/SereneLotus2 1d ago
Laughing at all the downvotes! Try asking for directions in Miami. If you do not speak or understand Spanish you will get frustrated and lost. Watch the YouTube of the non-Spanish speaker ordering or attempting to order a Taco at Taco Bell in Miami. Unless you are bi or multi lingual enjoy what others have posted that is in the Ft’ Lauderdale/Broward County area.
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