KAYAK - Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel Guide

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Fort Lauderdale Travel

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Fort Lauderdale Airports

Fort Lauderdale Vacations

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is known for its sandy beaches and warm sunshine. Also called the “Venice of America,” it’s got a canal system and many other attractions that make it worth visiting for spring breakers and family vacationers alike. If you’re a shopper, you’ll enjoy the many boutiques and shops that are conveniently located near the beaches. If you’re more into rollerblading and sunbathing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for getting a tan and exercising during your vacation. You’ll also be able to visit plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs where you can munch on everything from simple appetizers to gourmet meals and enjoy a cocktail with your meal.

Popular Fort Lauderdale Hotels

Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel
1140 Seabreeze Boulevard (Downtown)

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
1881 Southeast 17th Street (Downtown)

Pelican Grand Beach Resort - A Noble House Resort
2000 North Ocean Boulevard

Lauderdale Beachside Hotel
4660 North Ocean Drive

Ocean Sky Hotel and Resort
4060 Galt Ocean Drive (Downtown)

Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hot
801 Seabreeze Boulevard (Downtown)

View more Fort Lauderdale hotel info »«

Top rated attractions in Fort Lauderdale

1.	Museum of Discovery & Science If you’re traveling with children, you might want to make a stop at the Museum of Discovery and Science. The Museum has over 200 exhibits and features live animals like snakes, bats, and sharks. It also features a nature trail and an exhibit that lets you explore the Florida Everglades without leaving Ft. Lauderdale. An additional feature of the Museum is that it has a 5-story IMAX theater that allows visitors to enjoy movies with excellent sound and picture. « hide
2.	Soak up the Sun at Ft. Lauderdale Beach Ft. Lauderdale is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Those who love the water can frolic along the shore and cool off in the water. Sunbathers will enjoy spreading a blanket on the sandy beaches and soaking up the sun’s rays while reading a book or people watching. For those who would prefer shopping and dining to sunbathing and frolicking, there are a number of boutiques, shops, bars, and restaurants you can enjoy while your friends hit up the beach. « hide
3.	Visit a Historic Plantation Home at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens If you’d prefer to stay away from the crowds of Ft. Lauderdale Beach and the shoppers on Las Olas Boulevard, you’ll enjoy a visit to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. The house is a plantation style home owned by two artists who have turned the inside into something of a museum exhibit itself. The gardens feature bonnet Waterlilies and tropical plants for a South Florida experience you won’t forget. The home also includes original paintings by Fred Bartlett, one of the owners, making this a trip that includes lush gardens, art exhibits, and a plantation home tour. « hide
4.	Museum of Art Anyone who’s a museum buff will enjoy at trip to the Museum of Art in Ft. Lauderdale. The Museum has an extensive collection, but many of the works are from artists who captured the spirit of South Florida and the Caribbean in their works. There are also a number of American and Cuban paintings on display. If you’re interested in learning how to be more creative, the Museum offers workshops and classes on art and the history of some of the exhibits. There are also a number of ways for children to get involved and take an interest in painting, sculpture, and other forms of art. This is an attraction that’s best for couples or families with older children who will not touch the paintings or run around the building. « hide
5.	Jungle Queen Take a walk on the wild side by visiting Jungle Queen, a river cruise that offers a full buffet and the opportunity to experience a tropical island. The captain of the cruise boat gives information on the sights along the way and explains the history of each place you visit on the tour. The buffet offers barbecue food prepared with tropical flair and is sure to fill you up before you reach the end of your cruise. Along the way, you’ll get to see downtown Ft. Lauderdale and other historic sights that make the cruise the perfect way to relax and learn more about the city. « hide
6.	Everglades Holiday Park Have you ever wanted to explore the Everglades? If you were too afraid to try exploring it on your own, you can visit Everglades Holiday Park. This airboat ride takes visitors through the Everglades, where you’ll encounter tropical birds, water lilies, and may even spot an alligator or two. If you’d rather enjoy the fishing and camping the Everglades offers, you can also participate in outdoor activities with your family or other Park visitors. « hide
7.	Get Back to Nature at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park While major attractions like river cruises and museums are heavily advertised, you may not have heard of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Sitting right in the middle of Ft. Lauderdale, the park gives you the chance to get back to nature with camping and other outdoor activities. If you prefer roughing it to staying in fancy hotels and shopping in expensive boutiques, you’ll love the park atmosphere and the opportunity to go swimming, canoeing, and fishing alone or with your family members. « hide
8.	Visit Ft. Lauderdale’s Oldest Building at Stranahan House History buffs will enjoy a visit to Stranahan House, the oldest building in Ft. Lauderdale. The home was built in a traditional Florida style and was used for several purposes in the past, including a post office, trading post, and a bank. It has been restored to what it looked like in 1913 and tours are now available. Near the Ft. Lauderdale Riverwalk, Stranahan House is conveniently located near major attractions and shops, but isn’t as crowded as some of the more popular attractions. « hide
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Top rated restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

1.	Island Palace Restaurant Island Palace Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale, has a full menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes, from freshly prepared seafood to more unusual entrees. Diners can enjoy a drink with dinner or sample the luscious food without any accompaniments. « hide	6.	East Coast Burrito Factory East Coast Burrito Factory, Ft. Lauderdale, is a Mexican restaurant featuring new takes on old favorites. Instead of refried beans, the burritos are filled with black beans and rice. You can also get a burrito filled with chicken, beef, or crab. Other dishes include tacos and fajitas. « hide
2.	The Hibiscus The Hibiscus, Ft. Lauderdale, offers Caribbean, Indian, and Chinese food, making it the perfect place for someone with an adventurous spirit and eagerness to try new foods. The restaurant offers dishes made with pork, beef, poultry, and seafood, making it a great choice for groups who have different tastes. « hide	7.	Sonny’s Real BBQ Pit Sonny’s BBQ offers real pit BBQ dishes like ribs and beef. The all you can eat special means your server will keep bringing plates of ribs until you absolutely can’t eat any more and you can choose from side dishes like baked potatoes, French fries, corn on the cob, and baked beans. « hide
3.	Natural Vibes Natural Vibes, Ft. Lauderdale, is a Caribbean-themed restaurant that offers vegan entrees, salads, and side dishes. Beverages include delicious juices and smoothies and a vegan with a sweet tooth can grab cookies and cakes made without using any animal products. « hide	8.	Blue Moon Fish Company Blue Moon Fish Company, Ft. Lauderdale, is an elegant restaurant offering gourmet cuisine and fabulous views of Ft. Lauderdale. It’s a bit pricy, so it’s better suited for a romantic date for two than a dinner with your spouse and four kids. « hide
4.	Cielito Lindo Cielito Lindo, Ft. Lauderdale, is a Mexican restaurant that serves lunch and dinner with Mexican and Spanish dishes. Happy hour offers a chance to take advantage of food and drink specials and gives travelers a great opportunity to relax after a long day of sightseeing. « hide	9.	4140 Bar & Grill 4140 Bar & Grill, Ft. Lauderdale, is an inexpensive bar and grill featuring tasty drinks and a full menu of American fare. There’s a full bar on site and banquet facilities for meetings and get togethers. « hide
5.	Canyon Canyon, Ft. Lauderdale, is a restaurant featuring food prepared in the Southwest tradition. Delicious entrees are accompanied by peppers, onions, and other spicy ingredients to heat things up. Canyon also has a reputation for good service, making it an all-around great stop on your trip. « hide

Fort Lauderdale Insider tips

Beach Safety in Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale Beach is one of South Florida’s most well-known attractions. The beach can be great fun, but you also need to follow proper safety precautions. Follow the instructions of any lifeguards on the beach and watch your children carefully in the water. Stay away from jellyfish and other sea creatures, as they can behave unpredictably and can harm you. If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t stray too far from the shore. « hide

Personal Safety at Night

Like any city, Ft. Lauderdale is home to a variety of people, some of whom may not have your best interests in mind. Avoid walking back to your hotel alone at night; take a cab instead. Don’t carry large amounts of money; if you do get pick pocketed, it’s a lot better to lose $20 than $200. Wear your purse close to your body so that pick pockets have a hard time reaching for your money. « hide

Fort Lauderdale nightlife

1.	Blue Martini Blue Martini is an upscale dance club that makes a better venue for professionals in their late 20s and beyond. The dress code is enforced, meaning you’ll be rubbing elbows with the well-dressed of Ft. Lauderdale. You can grab a bite to eat from their limited appetizer menu or dance the night away to live music. « hide
2.	China White China White has been voted one of the top 5 best clubs in South Florida. With the elegant chandelier and other classy décor, China White is an upscale club with beautiful accessories. Live music and delicious drinks make this the perfect hotspot for anyone looking to unwind. « hide
3.	Revolution Two stages make Revolution a dance club that everyone can enjoy. After a million dollar renovation, the club now has an excellent sound system and often features live music by some of the hottest local bones as well as nationally known artists. « hide

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