Planning a trip to Ft. Lauderdale? My husband and I have been going there the past few years to get away from the Minnesota cold. Ft. Lauderdale has a delicious food scene and fun atmosphere. I’d recommend spending 3 – 5 days there to experience what the city has to offer. Continue reading to learn about best things to do, where to eat, and more in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
THINGS TO DO
Day 1
Key highlights:
- Walk around Las Olas Blvd
- Spend the day at the beach
Start the day by getting breakfast at Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar on Las Olas Blvd. It’s a cozy spot with coffee, pastries, and savory breakfast options.
After breakfast, you can walk up and down Las Olas Blvd and do some shopping at the stores and boutiques along the way. If you’re craving a sweet treat, stop by Gelato and Co. for some unique flavors and creamy gelato.
Then head over to the beach and enjoy the day by the ocean. Check with your hotel to see if they have beach chairs available for you. Otherwise, you can rent them from one of the hotels.
Once you’re done, head back to where you’re staying to relax and get ready for dinner.
For dinner, head to Takato for Japanese and Korean Fusion food. We’ve gone back each year, because we’ve enjoyed the variety of food options to choose from and flavorful food profile. The sushi rolls are really good. FYI – They also offer happy hour so you can stop back some other day during your stay to get drinks or appetizers.
Day 2
Key highlights:
- Ride the Water Taxi
- Enjoy the nightlife
Get started with breakfast or brunch at Java & Jam. They’ve got omelets, benedicts, coffee, and more. It’s located on Las Olas Blvd.
After breakfast, you can buy a ticket for the Water Taxi. There are approximately 20 stops around Ft. Lauderdale, so you have some flexibility in where you want to jump on the boat. Spend the day on and off the boat, exploring different areas and stops in Ft. Lauderdale. The captains and crew are well-versed on the city and the many attractions that can be viewed from the water, so you get to learn fun facts about Ft. Lauderdale and which celebrities have mansions on those channels as you enjoy the ride on the boat.
Once you’re done, head back to your hotel or Airbnb for a little break before dinner.
For dinner, go to Coconuts. It’s a popular spot so you’ll need to get there early to put your name on the list and wait for a table. They have a big patio that looks out on the Intercoastal. Enjoy a variety of seafood options, such as fish tacos or a mahi sandwich.
Once you’re done with dinner, enjoy the nightlife on Las Olas Blvd. There are many restaurants and patios you can stop by that’ll have music so you grab a drink or go dancing.
Day 3
Key highlights:
- Shop at The Galleria
- Head to the beach
Start the day by grabbing coffee and a bite to eat at Archibalds Village Bakery. It’s a quaint coffee shop near the beach.
After breakfast, head over to The Galleria to do some shopping and cool off at this indoor mall.
Then, head back to the beach to enjoy the day tanning, swimming, and relaxing by the ocean. Need lunch? Pick a restaurant near the beach to get something to eat.
For dinner, head to Caffe Europa for Italian food and a lively atmosphere. Grab some pasta or pizza, and end the night with a slice of dessert, such as their tiramisu.
WHERE TO STAY
We’ve stayed both on Las Olas Blvd and by the beach when we’ve travelled to Ft. Lauderdale. There are many hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. Read about the pros and cons below.
- Las Olas Blvd: You’ll be near many shops and restaurants and can easily walk around in that area. You’ll also be closer to the nightlife scene if you’re interested in that.
- Ft. Lauderdale beach area: You can easily walk to the beach and restaurants around there. It’s a quieter area because it’s further from the nightlife on Las Olas Blvd.
I searched on Airbnb and hotels.com to find affordable places to stay depending on what you’re looking for.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW AS YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP
- You can easily walk around Ft. Lauderdale and don’t need a car. You can use Lyft or Uber to catch a ride to the beach or Las Olas Blvd depending on where you’re staying, or you can rent a car. If you rent a car, check with your hotel or Airbnb to see if there’s parking included with your stay. There are several public parking lots available in the Las Olas Blvd area.
- If you have more time, here are some other restaurants and food spots to check out:
- Village Café
- Wine + Garden
- Louie Bossi
- The Wilder
- Sparrow – rooftop
- Sistrunk Marketplace – food hall
Hope you enjoy visiting Ft. Lauderdale!
For more itineraries and destination ideas, check out my Travel page.