How do I spend a day in Fort Lauderdale?
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On our latest journey to South Florida (you’ll be able to test all of the protection on my Instagram Tales right here, or some posts right here), we primarily based ourselves in Bal Harbour however had been eager to discover a bit extra with out staying in a single day (as to not disturb our daughter’s routine).
The concept of day journeys appeared significantly interesting particularly as there’s a lot to do within the space – and provides a little bit of curiosity within the (uncommon however doable) case that the solar fails to shine.
So the primary day journey from Miami vacation spot was crystal clear: Fort Lauderdale.
How do I get from Miami to Fort Lauderdale?
Situated underneath an hour north of Miami Seaside, it’s simple to get from one place to the opposite.
The primary possibility is, in fact to drive (in case you have rented a automobile). An uber would set you again round $70-90 every method.
However there’s additionally a prepare, which appears to be an important various. Referred to as Brightline, the prepare service begins in Miami, Aventura (nice for buying), Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Palm Seaside. Sooner or later, it can go all the best way to Orlando.
As we had been travelling with our 2 yr previous (who nonetheless requires numerous tools – day bag, potty, stroller and automobile seat for any taxis), we selected to not strive it this time, however I can see us doing so in our future and excellent for a lot of different travellers.
How do I spend a day in Fort Lauderdale?
There may be fairly a bit to do in Fort Lauderdale – and we had no concept. If now we have been to the Miami space 15+ occasions, it was solely on my final go to (which occurred to be pre Covid) {that a} good friend took me to dinner there. I had a little bit glimpse of it (a bit totally different than what I anticipated), so I used to be curious to see a bit extra. And I used to be not disillusioned.
So here’s what we did in our day journey from Miami to Fort Lauderdale:
Everglades airboat tour at Sawgrass Recreation Park
We had heard about these for years however truthfully thought the placement was hours away and all the time thought ‘oh, we’ll do it sooner or later’.
Seems that the ‘sooner or later’ got here and went and we actually loved it. We had the straightforward admission ticket which features a 30-40 minute boat journey the place chances are you’ll or might not see alligators. We did handle to identify 3, and exquisite wildlife and the period was good for us as a household. Infant (2 on the time) was very welcome and the entire expertise felt very secure.
Driving time from Bal Harbour was 45 minutes and you might be informed to reach half-hour earlier than your departure window. This element is essential: in case your ticket says 10am, it’s an approximate time. So we really arrived at 9am and had been on a ship at 9.45am as there have been sufficient folks for two boats and the third one stuffed up forward of schedule. We discovered all of it very effectively run and completely loved this expertise.
Tickets purchased direct from Everglades Excursions value from $27 and price each penny.
PS. It’s price noting that Sawgrass Mills (the good retailers) are situated quarter-hour from Sawgrass Recreation Park, in case you fancy filling up some suitcases.
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
Having by no means been to Fort Lauderdale ‘correctly’, I used to be unaware of its geography, i.e. all of the canals and waterways, residence to a few of the most stunning properties in South Florida.
So we determined that we ‘best’ method of exploring town (while retaining it easy as we had been travelling with a toddler) was to benefit from the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.
The idea is straightforward: 10 stops round city (+1 one in close by Hollywood) and you’ll hop on and hop off like a bus.
We had some bother understanding the place the stops had been precisely, and likewise the place to park, however fear not: I’ve bought your again.
The loop takes round 3 hours, however as we had lunch reservations, we opted to get out at one of many seaside stops, cease 6, situated proper subsequent to the Hearth Station.
We then referred to as an Uber again to the automobile, which turned up in precisely a minute and took underneath 10 to drive again to the automobile park.
We actually loved the commentary of the tour – half of it was made up however the information was very humorous and it was fairly extraordinary to see all of the unimaginable homes.
The place to park for the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi?
Lookup on Google Maps the Riverside Resort (situated at 620 E Las Olas Boulevard, FL 33301). Drive there after which park on the public parking zone closest to the lodge entrance. If you’re going through the waterfront, it might be the one on the fitting, simply earlier than the lodge constructing. It’s a pay and show automobile park.
Then make your technique to the waterfront and you will notice a restaurant referred to as the Boathouse on the Riverside. Stroll by the water to your left, and after a little bit bridge, you will notice a little bit signal which says Water Cease 1.
Tickers value $35 for adults (youngsters 5-15 pay $15) and you might want to pre ebook them with the Water Taxi.
Have an exquisite European-style lunch at Fort Lauderdale seaside
I discussed sooner than I had been to Fort Lauderdale as soon as earlier than, and it was for dinner. Truly on that day it included an exquisite spa therapy as effectively on the Auberge Seaside Residences & Spa. Sadly not a lodge (or we undoubtedly keep there on a future keep), however the spa is open to guests, as is the restaurant.
The restaurant, referred to as Dune by Laurent Tourundel is gorgeous and is true on the seaside (which is one thing not as frequent as you’d suppose). The menu affords nice selection (from grilled fish, to sushi and nice flatbreads and salads). And fairly good wines by the glass (in actual glass, not plastic).
It’s also possible to hire solar loungers and umbrellas on the seaside and purchase a day cross with Resort Cross.
Get pleasure from Fort Lauderdale Seaside
Fort Lauderdale Seaside is fantastic and excellent for a time out and about. There’s loads of parking and you’ll get pleasure from a stunning stroll on the promenade or simply deliver your seaside sneakers and swimming costume and hire some correct solar loungers and umbrellas.
Store for homewares on the Gulfstream Park
Nearer to Miami (and Hollywood and Hallandale), and on the return from Fort Lauderdale, there’s a growth referred to as Gulfstream Park, which affords a on line casino, a race observe and a few eating, but it surely affords one thing fairly fabulous: the highest USA residence retailers very shut to one another, with simple parking. I’m speaking Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn and The Container Retailer all throughout the street from one another. (You want to drive a couple of blocks for Williams Sonoma – I do know, life just isn’t truthful!).
Jokes apart, now we have been visiting for I’d say 10 years and it simply makes it so easy (we additionally begin putting click on and gather orders every week earlier than we journey.. so issues are simply there ready for us).
Is Fort Lauderdale price visiting?
We had been actually happy with our day journey to the Fort Lauderdale space and completely loved ourselves. I actually loved the range it supplied and as we stated, it’s price us returning (and we’ll for the eating and buying – and possibly sooner or later repeat the opposite experiences as they actually had been glorious!).
xo
Mrs. O
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