Best things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Punctuated by shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues, Fort Lauderdale Beach stretches for over 11 km (7 mi) along the Atlantic Ocean. You can boat, windsurf, jet ski, snorkel, scuba dive, and fish, or simply pick a private spot on the golden sand and spend the day relaxing in and out of the turquoise waves. The popular beachfront contains over 3 km (2 mi) of continuous public beach, featuring staffed lifeguard towers. Near the beachfront you can also visit the city's renowned aquatics center, which notably contains two large swimming pools and a diving pool. Take a walk along the pedestrian beachfront promenade to see the famous wave wall, the area's signature attraction.

Built in 1920, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens centers around a plantation-style building featured on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Once the winter home of Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Helen, it is now the residence of two American artists, but it remains open to the public. Inside you'll find the art collection and personal items from the original owners. The gardens feature five different ecosystems. Look for exotic parrots, cockatiels, and swans in the aviary, while the grounds showcase wild squirrel monkeys, gopher tortoises, and manatees.

Stranahan House is the home of Fort Lauderdale pioneers Frank and Ivy Stranahan. Built in 1901 as a trading post and converted into a residence for the Stranahans in 1906, the house is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and today operates as a historic house museum. The House is open for guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. some days, and hosts special events throughout the year.

Don’t miss a minute of the buzzing street life and vibrant night scene on Las Olas Boulevard. Stretching from the city’s central business district to the oceanfront, the 1.6 km (1 mi) long boulevard is home to an alluring mix of trendy restaurants, art galleries, museums, and shops. Marked by its unique sub-tropical breezeways and old-world architecture, the street serves as the city’s hub for culture and entertainment. Browse the upscale boutiques for a special souvenir or sip wine and listen to live music at one of the street’s quaint bistros. Plan to walk to take public transit to the area. Parking is expensive and hard to find.

Fort Lauderdale private charters and fishing tours allow you to cruise the canals of the "American Venice" and the backwaters of Indian River Lagoon in search of a hard-fighting catch, such as the colorful peacock bass or the local king of the shallows, "the snook." In addition to fishing rods, reels, baits, and safety equipment, you will be given casting lessons and fishing instructions. These fishing trips provide a great way to do some sightseeing from the water. Tours usually last 4 or 12 hours.

A navigable inland waterway that runs 4,800 km (3,000 mi) along the Gulf and Atlantic coast, Intracoastal Waterway plays host to commercial and recreational vessels. Consider a boat tour--you can find excursions through the canals or swamp areas where ecosystems thrive. The waterway serves as a popular alternate when the seas are too rough for travel and also as a go-between for vessels on major U.S. rivers, like the Mississippi.

Enjoy a quiet stretch of sand at Las Olas Beach, which is also known for its restaurants. The beach is rarely crowded. Biking along the promenade is a popular pastime; you can rent a bike at one of a few shops near the beach. For authentic home cooking and fresh seafood, head to one of the restaurants on promenade. Consider a short water-taxi ride from the shore to visit some of the nearby sites along the coast.

Shark Valley Visitor Center offers an opportunity to explore America's marshlands using a paved road, a limestone trail, and a boardwalk. Take a self-guided tour through the sawgrass slough and tropical hardwood forests. As a part of Everglades National Park, the 24 km (15 mi) trail winds through alligator territory and is also home to turtles, deer, and other wildlife. Halfway along the path, climb the observation tower to view the valley's panorama. You'll find bicycles for rent and tram tours available at the site as well.

A taste of Europe in Miami, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens once served as the home of businessman James Deering. Begun in 1910, with architecture and gardens modeled on the Mediterranean Revival style, the estate was Deering's winter residence from 1916 until his death in 1925. Today, the museum and gardens attract visitors who are drawn by the villa's collection of antique furniture, tapestries, paintings, and decorative arts. The seaside gardens brim with fountains, sculptures, gazebos, trails, and pools. The estate frequently hosts dignitaries from around the world. Check online for thematic tours and upcoming special events.