Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite things to do and see while traveling in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With miles of beautiful beaches, a vibrant art scene, and cuisine from around the world, the city truly has something for everyone no matter what time of year you visit. When it comes to accommodation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida you will have a myriad of options to choose from, such as family-friendly boutique hotels to luxurious beachfront resorts. Every price point can be found throughout the city. If you are thinking that you want to head down south, the following are the five best things for you and your family to experience while there:
Fort Lauderdale Beaches
Fort Lauderdale is blessed with 23 miles of pristine sun-kissed beaches, many of which have been certified as “Blue Wave Beaches” by the Clean Beaches Council of Washington, DC. The beaches are clean, visitor-friendly, and offer something for everyone, from surfing and swimming to water skiing and sun worshipping. One of the best ways to experience the city’s coastal beauty is by renting a yacht. Private yacht charter in Fort Lauderdale offers a luxurious and memorable experience, allowing visitors to explore the city’s coastline in style. You could easily spend your entire vacation by the ocean. Having wagon & carts for soft sand is necessary.
Museum of Discovery And Science
However, everyone needs a beach-break from time-to-time and you can easily enjoy a full day of fun at the fascinating Museum of Discovery and Science. This museum attracts kids of all ages with its two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits. Travel through simulation to the Moon or Mars or test your pilot skills in a simulated cock-pit. You can also visit the new EcoDiscovery Center to take the Everglades Airboat Adventure, catch a live animal show, or dig for fossils beside dinosaurs from Prehistoric Florida. AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater offers a variety of films on the biggest screen in South Florida.
Everglades Holiday Park
Another family friendly destination is that Southern Florida’s Everglades Holiday Park, which is a park in the heart of the Everglades. Zip across the Everglades’ miles of wetlands at top speed in an airboat, as you take in the vast River of Grass that stretches for miles and come face-to-face with alligators and other wild creatures that call the glades their home. This is the ultimate adventure!
The Galleria At Fort Lauderdale
Everyone needs a souvenir from their travels and there is no better place to find one than at The Galleria. This upscale shopping and fine dining complex is just minutes from the airport, hotels, and convention center and more importantly steps away from the beaches. The Galleria offers some of South Florida’s best shopping options in over 100 specialty stores and eateries, plus the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. It is accessible by bus or water taxi and offers valet parking.
Bonnet House Museum And Gardens
The Bonnet House, a historic house museum, is dedicated to the preservation of the area’s history and surrounding environment. There you will discover spectacular gardens that display five distinct ecosystems, ranging from mangrove wetlands to maritime forests. These gardens include an arid Desert Garden, a hibiscus garden, and a lovely courtyard filled with lush tropical vegetation. The Bonnet House also presents one of the largest collections of orchids in the Southeast United States. Visitors can enjoy an Orchid Greenhouse Tour or a Private Living Quarters Tour, both of which are led by expert guides and need to be booked in advance.
Please keep in mind that traveling in this moment remains uncertain, thus always make sure your safety and the safety of others is your #1 priority. If you are indeed comfortable with traveling, ensure you travel responsibly and within regulation. You travel at your own risk.
Here are some recommendations should you travel:
- Wear a face mask.
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands on a regular basis.
- Check official websites before your trip for the latest updates on policies, closures, and status of local businesses. Be aware you might have to self-quarantine upon arrival.
- Book a hotel with free cancellation in case you need to change your plans at the last minute.
- Be patient and calm. Remember we are all trying to do our best and are in this together.
There are some places you visit that surprise you in ways you did not think were possible. They leave you wanting more. Fort Lauderdale is one of those places. I hope you enjoy your trip there!
