Sign in with Facebook435 S 16th St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33316, United States
of people enjoy staying here
6 Opinions
Lounge Chairs in the sun
Mudslide
Watch how they get you to Everglades port
Me and my Beer (before the smokers came in)
My parents are going on a cruise from Ft. Lauderdale in March. They are flying in 2 days early and wondering if there is anything for them to do before leaving on the cruise. They do not like to lay on the beach and are in their early sixties so I am looking for some attractions that might be of interest to them. They also love to eat out. Thank you for any help you can offer me.
The 3 primary "scenes" in Fort Lauderdale center around the beach (Las Olas Blvd. & A1A) area, the Las Olas Blvd. area (Las Olas Blvd. east of US1), and the downtown/Riverwalk/Arts District area (Las Olas Blvd. west of US1).
They are all within minutes of Port Everglades and the airport, and within minutes/cheap cab rides of each other so no need to rent a car etc.
My parents are at about the same age as yours and it sounds like they have some of the same interests. When they are in town they stay at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Blvd. There is a quiet pool right on the New River where you can sit in the shade and read or watch the yachts float by and nap. Las Olas is a quaint tree-lined street full of shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, a great jazz club (O'hara's), and it is centrally located (short walk, cab ride, - or water taxi ride if you're not in a rush) between the beach and downtown. Jackson's Steakhouse is a few steps from the Riverside Hotel, it's excellent for steak and seafood and has an extensive wine list. Or they can walk up and down the Blvd. and just pick a restaurant that looks good, there are plenty to choose from.
Downtown is another collection of restaurants and bars and it abuts the Arts District which has the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Musueum of Art, those can be checked out online to see if they have shows/exhibitions of interest around that time. Dining at the River House Restaurant first and then strolling the 100 yards or so up the river to the Broward Center or Museum puts in for a pleasant evening. A tiny spot (10-12 tables) called Creolinas serves up some very tasty Cajun/New Oreans fare.
Riverwalk is another collection of restaurants w/ a movie theatre, right on the New River in the downtown area. Hour long river cruises leave from there that point out all the famous millionaire's homes, Fort Lauderdale history and such, a little touristy but fun, that may be of interest to them as well.
The beach area is usually worth at least a stroll. Beach Place is a collection of restaurants and stores, movie theatre, similar to Riverwalk but located right on the beach. But if your parents only want to drop down there to dine with a nice beach view, Shula's on the Beach has excellent steak and seafood and never disappoints.
Hope this helps. I would think any combination of the above would give your parents a good idea of what Fort Lauderdale has to offer. The key for my parents is staying on Las Olas. It may be relatively more expensive, but at that time of year everything is expensive, so you might as well be in the heart of it all. Also, since mid-March is prime season, some advanced reservations wouldn't hurt.
Los Olas really is the best spot for someone their age. Plenty og great restaurants and shops, but without the wilder side that the beach may have.
The Muster Drill is the safety drill that is mandatory on all cruise ships. The Muster Drill was held at 4:30 pm on the sailing day. In each stateroom there are lifejackets and a sign telling you where to report for the drill. The drill is mandatory and attendance is taken. The drill takes about 10-15 minutes and isn't too bad. You never know when you might need to know some safety measures.
Plenty of flowers stands to buy nice arrangements.I had to pay $10.00 for this arrangement but she charge me another $1.00 for a plastic pot to hold water. They lasted a little over a week, including hotel room and a five hour drive back home. Cheaper than any Florist Shop that I know.
The best way to get there is by plane. It's also the fastest. It's easier to get out of the airport and find your way around; unlike MIA (miami airport), where it is easy to get lost and find yourself in the wrong area of town.
The best way to get around is renting a car. There is so many places to go and you need a car. There are a lot of close places to drive to; ie. south miami beach, florida keys, and even the everglades is interesting to see.
On Las Olas Blvd., please try Cheeburger, which is a cheap place to eat. I like the veggie burger.
You can also try Mangos for a good chicken sandwich.
On the Las Olas Riverfront Shopping Mall, you can find Ugly Tuna, which is a good place for fish.
Located in the center of Tradewinds Park in the western community of Coconut Creek, Butterfly World offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle found in Ft. Lauderdale's beach corridor. The complex includes a series of enclosed and outdoor walk-through aviaries containing lush flowering gardens, tranquil Koi ponds and hundreds of butterflies. Brightly colored butterflies flutter all around as you walk through, sometimes even landing on you for a second or two. A few aviaries also contain hummingbirds and small, brilliantly colored birds called lorikeets.
Relaxing music is piped throughout the complex, helping to set the mood. The peaceful sights and soft sounds are well integrated, soothing you to a very relaxed state of mind.
For fun, try to photograph the elusive blue winged butterfly species. They generally close their wings when they land, causing them to look an ugly shade of brown, yet, when they are fluttering, the insides of their wings reveal the most beautiful shade of blue. Another fun activity is to feed the giant Koi. When you drop a food pellet, you'll suddenly see tens of these giant fish swarm, flopping on top of one another in an epic battle to gulp the coveted treat.
Similar to Floyd's Youth Hostel/Crew House
Near Floyd's Youth Hostel/Crew House
Cheapest in Fort Lauderdale
Great Hotels for Less
Q: where to go in Fort Lauderdale?? "Going to visit Ft. Lauderdale next winter and want to find a good spot to spend a day. Looking for some area near the beach with..."
A: "One of the greatest ways to see Fort Lauderdale is to go downtown and take a ride on one of the water taxis. The ride will cost you about $10 but you will see a part of..."
Latest Fort Lauderdale hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
