How To Spend The Perfect 3 Days In Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of the Americas because of the network of canals that run through the city! The city is right by the ocean too, so you can enjoy Florida’s coolest beaches right on your doorstep. We’ve put together the best Fort Lauderdale itinerary so you can leave the research to us and start packing for your awesome holiday in the Sunshine State.

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Learn about the city’s history from its iconic houses, stroll through the Hugh Taylor Birch State, spend a lively evening in downtown’s coolest street, and get up close with Florida’s epic wildlife on this 3-day itinerary!

3-Day Itinerary For Fort Lauderdale

Image via Unsplash by Estera

Get ready to do it all in Fort Lauderdale! From lazing on the beach to meeting alligators – there’s not a dull moment in this vibrant city. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Fort Lauderdale Day One – Get Outdoors, Visit A Museum And Laze On The Beach!

Image via Flickr by VisitFloridaLive

For your first day in Fort Lauderdale, we’ve planned a well-rounded day packed with a variety of activities that will keep you on your toes! We recommend flying into Fort Lauderdale as early as possible, so you can make the most of your first day there and fit in some sightseeing. 

The nearest airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, is just a 15-minute drive from the city center and just over 20 minutes’ drive from the amazing beachside hotel we’ve picked out for your stay, Coconut Bay Resort. 

Check into your gorgeous hotel apartment, take a moment to freshen up and drop your bags off, then get ready to start exploring the city! 

Start your day with breakfast at Archibald’s Village Bakery, just a 3-minute drive. You can also walk there if you’ve decided not to rent a car. It’s just 15 minutes away on foot. We love this breakfast spot because there’s a little outdoor patio with tables and chairs where you can enjoy your morning coffee and breakfast in the sun. They make great scones and quiches at the cafe that are super delicious. 

Once you’re full up, make your way to the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, which is a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk if you’re going there on foot. 

The quirky period house and stunning gardens were the former home of Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Barlett. It was built in 1920 and was the winter home of his third wife, Evelyn Barlett. 

Colorful and bright, the home has many features of a 20th-century home, but with a splash of color as you’d expect from an artist’s home! Inside the house, there are displays of many of their art pieces, most notably some of Evelyn’s animal sculptures. 

You can visit on a guided or self-guided tour, depending on how much you want to learn about the estate and whether you’d rather go at your own pace or not.

Whilst the house is awesome, the best part is definitely the gardens and estate. Picturesque and well-tended, the gardens that surround the house are well worth having a stroll around.

The gardens are home to five different ecosystems and are a great example of a native barrier island habitat. You’ll find mangrove wetlands and a maritime forest amongst them!

Image via Flick by Eloise Varin

Next, head to the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which is just around the corner from the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. This expansive state park was gifted to the residents of Florida by Hugh Taylor Birch, who wanted it to be preserved as a park. Its position between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway makes it super unique and fun to explore!

Unsurprisingly, Hugh Taylor was enthusiastic about protecting the wildlife and natural habitats of southern Florida, and today the park is a place that locals and tourists come to when they need to get away from the city and submerge themselves in the tranquility of nature. 

There are loads of things you can do at the park. We think one of the coolest is renting a kayak or canoe and paddling along the park’s freshwater lagoon! You can also cycle or hike along the park’s network of nature trails. You can rent bikes and kayaks at the park’s shop, so you don’t need to worry about bringing any heavy sports equipment with you. Find out more about what’s available to rent at The Grove rentals and their prices here.

If you’d rather hike around the park, we recommend taking the Coastal Hammock Trail. It’s a short loop that weaves through the native maritime hardwood hammocks (which are closed-canopy forests). 

After exploring the park, you’re probably starting to feel pretty tired and hungry! So head back to your car and drive to Shooters Waterfront, which is less than 10 minutes away. They have an awesome selection of fresh seafood on their menu, like their crab and shrimp omelet and seafood salad options. 

Reckon you’d enjoy seeing the city and state park on wheels? Then join this Fort Lauderdale electric bike guided tour that goes through the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

After lunch, hop back in your car and drive to Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s just down the road, so you’ll reach it in less than 10 minutes. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach and working on your tan! 

The beach stretches along the edge of the city, but the white sand and palm-tree-lined shore are much more picturesque than most city beaches. Find a spot for your towel, stretch out in the sun, and finish reading that book you never have time to pick up! 

Not one to watch the hours pass you by? For travelers who get itchy feet and love an adventure, the beach is also popular for snorkeling and scuba diving! There are several rental shops along the edge of the beach where you can rent out some gear or book a scuba diving trip with an instructor. The colorful corals and vibrant marine life under the water’s surface won’t disappoint! 

Not up for braving the water alone? Then join this epic snorkeling and seabob underwater reef tour! Or do something new and go on this wild parasailing adventure tour!

Once you’re done at the beach and the sun is starting to go down, head to Steak 954 for dinner and recuperate after a long day of sightseeing over a beer and a steak! 

If you or someone else in your group doesn’t eat meat, don’t worry! The SoBe Vegan restaurant is right next door. Just 5 minutes’ drive from Fort Lauderdale Beach, they are our top dinner spot pick for today.

That brings us to the end of your awesome first day in Fort Lauderdale! Head back to your hotel and get some rest before tomorrow’s adventure starts.

Fort Lauderdale Day 2 – Spend A Day Exploring The Lively City Center

Image via Flickr by Rob Olivera

Wake up and get ready for an epic day exploring Fort Lauderdale’s city center! Kickstart your day at Cafe Bastille, a popular brunch spot that has a tasty French-inspired menu of brunch classics. Another thing we love about this cafe is that they often have live music too! If you fancy doing something extra special, opt for one of their bottomless brunches.

After, head straight to the Historic Stranahan House Museum, which is just over 10 minutes’ drive from your hotel and just a few blocks from Cafe Bastille. The old house is the oldest surviving structure in Fort Lauderdale. It was built in 1901 and hasn’t changed one bit since.

It was owned by Frank Stranahan, a tradesman who moved to the area in 1893 and traded with the local native Seminole Indians. He became a prominent businessman and was known as one of the city’s most important figures.

His wife, Ivy, was also an important figure in the local community. She was the area’s first school teacher. The home wasn’t just their house, it was also a town hall, a post office, a trading post, a community center, and a bank! 

Sadly, Frank committed suicide in the New River outside the home in 1929 after falling into financial ruin. When you’re at the museum, you can take a self-guided audio tour, which will tell you all about Frank and Ivy, as well as the history of the house and the city.

If you want to see the house from the water, then book this Fort Lauderdale boat cruise that takes off from the Downtown Fort Lauderdale dock just a stone’s throw away from Stranahan House and cruises right past it!

Image via Flickr by lezumbalaberenjena

Afterwards, head to Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar for lunch. Leave your car parked in the parking lot and walk 20 minutes along East Las Olas Boulevard, one of the liveliest areas of Fort Lauderdale, to get there. Rocco’s serves mouth-watering tacos, and you can even spice your lunch up with a shot from their tequila menu! Having a bowl of tortilla chips with smashed guacamole and a margarita is a must while you’re there.

Next, walk off your lunch strolling along Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk. The area is a scenic development in downtown Fort Lauderdale that has a mile-long linear park that straddles the New River on both the south and north riverbanks. 

The path running along the river is a great place to go for an afternoon stroll with scenic views. There are bridges that connect the two sides of the Riverwalk, so you can hop between the north and south of the New River. 

Another thing we love about Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is the local iguanas that roam freely around the park! They’re not shy and they’re quite curious, so you’re very likely to spot a fair few of them whilst you’re there. We think they’re a cool addition to the list of local wildlife you’ll spot on your trip. 

The park also runs a few events and seasonal celebrations, which you can check ahead of time on their website. One Sunday a month, for example, the Riverwalk hosts Sunday Jazz Brunch, where local jazz bands perform at various stages set up along the river’s length. People bring their picnic gear, enjoy al fresco dining, and get up for a dance! 

Along its length, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale has 10 parks, loads of art galleries, shops, and restaurants that you can stop and explore as you go. Another way to explore the area, if you’d rather not do it on foot is to get a day pass for one of the city’s water taxis. The taxis have lots of different stops along the Riverwalk, and you can use them like a hop-on, hop-off bus.

Check out the route and stops the taxis make on this handy map. You can also buy your water taxi all-day pass here.

Image via Flickr by Steve Sutherland

After you’ve explored the Riverwalk and possibly caught the sunset over the New River, head to Las Olas Boulevard. Riddled with boutique shops, lively bars, and the best restaurants in town – the street really comes to life at night!

You’ll straight away notice the difference between the atmosphere when you were here for tacos at lunchtime at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar and later in the evening. The boulevard’s dazzling lights, neon restaurant signs, and jolly crowd add a lively buzz. 

Stop for dinner at Casa Sensei, where they serve delicious Japanese dishes as well as American burgers for anyone with a less adventurous palate. Once you’re done, walk along the boulevard and hop in and out of the coolest bars. You might even get lucky and find somewhere with live music. If you’re the designated driver, it’ll be non-alcoholic beers for you, but you’ll still have loads of fun!

After that, walk up to the car park where you left the car for the day and head back to your hotel. Tomorrow will be just as busy so get a good night’s sleep in!

Fort Lauderdale Day 3 – Get Out Of The City And Into The Untamed Landscape Of The Everglades

Image via Flickr by ap0013

Today’s itinerary is going to take you out of Fort Lauderdale and into Florida’s famous wetlands, the Everglades. You’ll get to meet the scariest and most colorful local wildlife and explore the network of flooded grasslands on an airboat!

But before heading out of the city, fuel up on a hearty breakfast at Village Cafe! The cafe is just a 3-minute drive away from your hotel, or you can leave the car parked where it is and stroll along the beachfront and reach it in 15 minutes on foot. We loved their fluffy pancakes and French toast, but if that doesn’t grab your interest, don’t worry – they serve every breakfast classic you can think of!

Once you’ve finished, hop in your car and drive about 35 minutes to the Everglades Holiday Park. They have awesome Everglades airboat tours that take you out into the sawgrass prairies! Apart from the thrill of riding a speeding airboat through this expansive landscape, you’ll also get to meet some of Florida’s scariest wildlife – alligators! 

Keep your eyes peeled for them when you’re out in the airboat, but don’t worry if you don’t spot one in the wild. There’re loads of other wildlife out there, like wading birds, that will keep you entertained.

Once you finish the tour, get up close with alligators at their live alligator show where they work with the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue team. You’ll even get the opportunity to hold a baby alligator if you’re brave enough! 

Fancy braving the alligators at night? Glide through the Everglades wetland at night in search of alligators! The tour is sure to get your adrenaline pumping! For those that aren’t night owls, this daytime airboat tour will do the trick!

Image via Flickr by Yith Sreylin _Davie FL Florida

After a big day out in the sun exploring the Everglades, your belly is probably starting to rumble! Head to Nando Grill Carne en Vara, which is just around the corner from the next attraction on today’s itinerary in the town of Davies. Their woodfire-grilled meats and Venezuelan dishes are so tasty you won’t want to leave. 

Once you’ve had lunch, make your way to the Flamingo Gardens just around the corner. This 60-acre not-for-profit has stunning botanical gardens and a wildlife sanctuary with loads of native animals. 

We love the colorful flamingos that capture everyone’s attention, the playful and shy otters that are always diving underwater just out of eyeshot, and the sly bobcats. There are also more alligators at the park! 

Hike through the shaded trails in the park and enjoy the tranquility of being out of the city. The park is home to some of the largest trees in Florida, which is pretty awesome! There are more than 3,000 species of native plants in the botanical gardens, so there’s always something new that will catch your eye.

If you want to skip the line, get your admission ticket in advance here!

If you’re not a big fan of walking, you can take the garden’s tram that tours through the sanctuary. The great thing is that the Flamingo Garden is just 15 minutes drive from Everglades Holiday Park, and 25 minutes back to your hotel, so you won’t need to go out of your way to reach it.

To finish off the day, dine at the luxurious Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab restaurant. You can leave your car parked at the hotel and stroll about 10 minutes down Fort Lauderdale Beach to get there. Their crab is out of this world! But do be prepared to pay more than usual, this is really high-quality food. It is also a great place to come if you’re celebrating a special occasion. 

That brings us to the end of our Fort Lauderdale itinerary! If you have another day in the city before your flight home, you should check out the Galleria Mall and do some last-minute retail therapy before leaving Florida or hop on a water taxi tour through the city’s extensive network of waterways. 

The water taxis are cool because you can hop on and off wherever you like, so it’s a great way to tick off any attractions you haven’t seen yet. You can check out the route and stops the taxis make here. It’s a great way to kill a few hours if you’ve got a flight out of Florida the next day, but not until the afternoon. You can buy your all-day water taxi pass here.

Map Of Fort Lauderdale

We’ve designed this handy interactive map, which has all of the restaurants and attractions highlighted in this itinerary pinned for you! Download it ahead of your trip so you can get around Fort Lauderdale easily:

About The History And Geography Of Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of America because of the waterways that run through the city and separate the different areas and streets of the city. Did you know there are 165 miles of inland waterways running through the city overall? 

The city is also by the coast, so there are long white sand beaches lining the borders of the city. Combine this with Florida’s famously sunny, semi-tropical weather, and you’ve got yourself the perfect holiday destination! 

Fort Lauderdale was named after a Second Seminole War fortification that was built on the banks of the New River in 1838. The forts were named after Major William Lauderdale, who was a prominent figure in the second Seminole War, one of the three wars that took place in Florida between the native Seminole Indians and the United States between 1816 and 1858.

Fort Lauderdale Packing Guide

This trusty packing guide includes everything you need to think about bringing on your trip:

• Casual clothes: Most of the top things to do in Fort Lauderdale involve getting outdoors into nature or walking around the city’s downtown area! Make sure you bring comfortable and casual clothes on your trip. Because of how hot it tends to be in Florida, we recommend packing a few pairs of shorts too!
• Pack a sunhat: Florida isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing! Fort Lauderdale is blessed with sunny days year-round and hot weather. When you’re out all day exploring, you’ll need a good hat to protect you from the sun. 
• Bring plenty of sunblock: Make sure you have a bottle of sunblock with you at all times. Add it to your daypack when you’re out and about sightseeing and reapply it throughout the day to avoid getting a nasty sunburn! 
• Your best camara: You’ll want to snap some pictures of your adventures in Fort Lauderdale to show everyone back home! To get the coolest holiday pictures, consider accessories like selfie sticks too. For reflection-free photos, look into getting a lens hood. 
• Comfy walking shoes: Your trip to Fort Lauderdale will involve a lot of walking, so make sure you pack some comfortable trainers. You might also want to consider bringing a pair of walking sandals to wear those on extra hot days.
• If you’re visiting from another country, remember you’ll need a travel adapter and a voltage converter. In the US, they use plug types A and B, so maybe bring one of each just in case! 
• As the US runs on 120V electricity outlets, if you have electronics that run off 240V, it’s worth investing in a voltage converter. They’ll save your electronics from getting destroyed!
• Anyone who isn’t a US national should also be up to date with VISA requirements before organizing a trip to Orlando. You can find out more and check if you need a VISA or ESTA here.

Make Unforgettable Memories In The Everglades And Live It Up In Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s sunny weather, sandy beaches, and Venice-like waterways make it one of the coolest cities in Florida! While its neighboring cities like Hollywood and Miami are more famous destinations, we think a trip to Fort Lauderdale has loads to offer!

Explore the city’s lively downtown, chill on the beach for an afternoon, and eat the tastiest seafood dishes. Next, get out into the Everglades on an airboat tour and meet Florida’s native alligators! We’ve put the best Fort Lauderdale itinerary together so you can leave the research to us and start planning your trip!

Fort Lauderdale Frequently Asked Questions