Fort Lauderdale is a year-round destination with a variety of cultural, historical and entertainment places to explore. History, art, nature, fashion, cuisine, culture and outdoor activities abound. There are plenty of things that keep the visitors returning back for more. We’ve compiled a 24-hour itinerary guide that will take you through the “Venice of America” and offer you a taste of everything it has to offer. All you have to do is pack your stuff, throw on your shades and fly to Fort Lauderdale.
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8:00am- Morning Stroll at the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park!
Start your day with a refreshing morning walk at the famous Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The park features several miles of trails that go through native vegetation. Also, it is a perfect place for biking, jogging and running. Other outdoor activities include cruising through the waterways, fishing, skating, cycling and more. Nature trails allow the visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty and also see more than 200 species of plants, along the way. For kayaking and canoeing, there is a freshwater lagoon. Do not forget to carry your camera, as the park is home to a diverse wildlife, like squirrel, butterflies, marsh rabbits, turtles, opossums, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise and more than 250 bird species. There is an entry fee!
Address: 3109 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States
Phone: 1 954-564-4521
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00am-8:00pm
10:00am- Seaside nosh at Steak 954!
Refuel your body for the day ahead at Steak 954. It is one of the most popular steakhouse restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Boasting a welcoming vibe, oceanfront setting, and delicious seafood and steak dishes makes it a perfect spot for breakfast. Grab scrumptious breakfast with pretty views at this restaurant. Enjoy the fresh seafood, dry-aged beef, Tajima Kobe, and a wide selection of yummy desserts like Heirloom Apple Bread Pudding and pumpkin souffle. Lively and bustling, Steak 954!
Address: W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States
Phone: 1 954-414-8333
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:00am-10:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 7:00am-11:00pm; Sunday: 7:00am-10:00pm
Distance from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: 2.5miles or 1minutes drive via N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
11:00am- Art, nature and history under one roof at Bonnet House Museum and Gardens!
Now that you’re filled with energy from breakfast, head to the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens that features art, architecture, ecology and history of the place. It is a plantation-style house that features artworks by Bartlett couple- Evelyn and Frederic Bartlett, both were artists. It also has original furniture, personal trasures and memorabilia that reflect how life was in Fort Lauderdale in the 1930s and 40s. Surrounding the museum is a lush tropical garden, a lily pond, wetlands, boathouse, a fruit grove, a theatre and a shell museum. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife while touring the property. Watch out for the Brazilian squirrel monkeys jumping from tree to tree. A beautiful estate that just can’t be miss!
Address: 900 N Birch Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States
Phone: 1 954-563-5393
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Distance from Steak 954: 1.4miles or 6minutes drive
12:00pm-Shopping at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale!
Just a 5-minute drive from the Bonnet House lies the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale that features top brands like Ann Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, the Apple Store, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many more. Shop in style at this chic spot!
Address: 2414 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States
Phone: 1 954-564-1015
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Distance from Bonnet House Museum and Garden: 0.9miles or 5minutes drive via E Sunrise Blvd
1:00pm- Lunch!
Enjoy steak and seafood at Truluck's Restaurant (The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, 2584 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States). For American cuisine, make your way over to the Seasons 52 (The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, 2428 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States). Enjoy Mexican fare at Mexican Cantina (2870 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States).
2:00pm- Peek into the city’s past at the Stranahan House!
Next, head off to the Stranahan House that was built in 1901 by trader Frank Stranahan. The house was expended multiple times over the past few years and now features tropical gardens, a Victorian parlor, bay windows and verandahs. Original Victorian furnishings, artifacts and historical photographs are on display in the house. The house has served as a trading post, a post office, town hall, a restaurant, a store and now, a museum.
Address: 335 SE 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 954-524-4736
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm-4:00pm
3:00pm- Explore your Creativity at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale!
A short walk from the Stranahan House, the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale features an extensive permanent collection of about 6,000 works of art. Several traveling exhibitions are also on display. The pieces showcases here reflect the artistic creation and expression of the Caribbean, South Floridian, Latin-American, Asian, American, African and Oceanic Tribal cultures. Highlights include works by the CoBrA artists, Pablo Picasso ceramics collection, Cuban artists and American artists William Glackens. It also hosts several events weekly.
Address: 1 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 954-525-5500
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from Stranahan House: 0.4miles or 2 minutes drive via E Las Olas Blvd
4:00pm- Discover Scientific Exhibits at Museum of Discovery and Science!
Next, head to Museum of Discovery and Science that features many interactive exhibits on outer space, health, ecology and local environment. It is geared toward all ages. Plus, it also houses an IMAX theatre that showcases movies and documentaries, in all genres. Marvel at the largest captive living Atlantic coral reef; get up-close with sharks, iguanas, 12-foot snake and bats; explore Mars; check out the interactive cockpit simulator exhibit; feel the hurricane winds in the onsite Storm Center, take a ride on the Everglades Airboat Adventure; fly high through the sky in an FA-18 cockpit simulator or see interesting science demos and presentations by the experts. It offers an educational and exciting experience for all ages! Let your imagination and creativity soar as you discover the scientific exhibits here!
Address: 401 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, United States
Phone: 1 954-467-6637
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Distance from NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale: 0.4miles or 3minutes drive SW 2nd Street
5:00pm- Catch a performance at Broward Center for the Performing Arts!
Time for some entertainment! Head to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts featuring Broadway musicals, dance, opera, ballet and theatrical performances. An impressive array of shows are held year-round.
Address: 201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, United States
Phone: 1 954-462-0222
Distance from Museum of Discovery and Science: 0.1miles or 1minute drive
6:00pm- Glide down the waterways with Riverfront Gondola Tours!
Want to experience Fort Lauderdale in the best way possible? Go for Gondola ride. Riverfront Gondola Tours offers an authentic Gondola experience. The tour ferries the guests through the New River or the Intracoastal Waterway. See the stunning mansions and estates on the Intracoastal Waterway or enjoy the spectacular views of the New River. Private tours at sunset are available.
Address: 1200 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 754-206-5950
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00am-10:00pm
Distance from Broward Center for the Performing Arts: 1.5miles or 6minutes drive
8:00pm- Dinner at E Las Olas Boulevard!
Head to East Las Olas Boulevard for supper. It is flanked by many restaurants, shops and nightspots. Take a romantic walk along the street and savor on a delicious and elegant supper at one of many restaurants lining the street.
Dinner options include:
YOLO (You Only Live Once): It is an elegant and popular restaurant in Fort Lauderdale where you can enjoy New American fare by the outdoor fire pit. Along with the delicious and vast food menu, it also boasts an extensive cocktail list.
Address: 333 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 954-523-1000
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:30am-11:00pm; Friday: 11:30am-12:00pm; Saturday: 12:00pm-12:00am; Sunday: 10:00am-10:00pm
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse: Savor the juicy steak at the Chima Brazilian Steakhouse. The food menu includes chicken wings, sirloin, ribs, smoked salmon, beef cuts and lamb. Wash it all down with a drink from the fully-stocked outdoor bar.
Address: 2400 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 954-712-0580
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 5:30pm-9:30pm; Friday: 5:30pm-10:00pm; Saturday: 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sunday: 4:00pm-9:00pm
10:00pm- Party until the wee hours!
Tap 42 Fort Lauderdale is a perfect spot for beer lovers. It boasts an extensive selection of craft brews on tap, along with creative juicy burgers and healthy bites bursting with flavor. Whiskey, bourbon and other spirits are also on the drink menu. Sip on a brew while chowing down on a burger!
Address: 1411 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States
Phone: 1 954-463-4900
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 11:30am-12:00am; Saturday: 11:00am-12:00am; Sunday: 11:00am-11:00pm
Or
Tucked away in the lively downtown Fort Lauderdale, America’s Backyard is a modern nightspot where the party goes on until 4 in the morning. DJs spin the high energy remixes and mash-ups. Live bands perform occasionally. It has 99 cent drink specials that attract many folks. The good music will keep your feet moving.
Address: 100 SW 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, United States
Phone: 1 954-449-1025
Opening hours: Thursday: 10:00am-4:00am; Friday & Saturday: 8:00pm-4:00am
Or
For a wilder experience, step into Cyn Nightclub that oozes an energetic vibe. It features belly dancers, DJs and a terrific list of cocktails. There are scheduled events, too, such as Ladies Night on Thursday, Confession Fridays on Friday when drinks are free of charge from 10:00pm until midnight; and Envy: Top 40 Sounds on Saturday. Whether you want to dance the night away or simply unwind with a few drinks, whatever your pick, Cyn Nightclub offers a good time.
Address: 111 SW 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States
Phone: 1 954-761-8686
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday: 10:00pm-4:00am
And just like that, 24 hours in Fort Lauderdale are flown away!
24 Hours in Fort Lauderdale Map Guide
