Tours & Attractions - Area Overview
Greater Fort Lauderdale—Broward County—has 31 cities, ranging from big ones (like Fort Lauderdale) to small ones (like Lazy Lake). From beachside (Dania, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea) to right next to the Everglades (Weston, Coral Springs). From south (in the Fort Lauderdale–Miami “orbit”) to north (in the Fort Lauderdale–Boca Raton orbit). From urban/suburban development (Pompano Beach) to farmland and equestrian grounds (Parkland). This book will give you an “insider” view of everything you need to know about Greater Fort Lauderdale, whether you’re moving here or just vacationing.
In this 1,205 square miles, too, you’ll find some 1.75 million people (second-largest county in Florida, population-wise), representing every ethnic and national background in existence. Every religion practiced on Earth. Every conceivable political stripe. Every type of lifestyle. Every type of cuisine you’ve ever heard of, and some you haven’t.
Our diversity—in all matters—is our strength. Because no matter your political beliefs or lifestyle inclinations, you can feel at home here.
One thing to remember: The Greater Fort Lauderdale area has witnessed tremendous—and exciting—change over the past few decades. And that change is still taking place. We’re very much a work in progress, in many ways. And that’s one of the reasons it’s so great to visit or live here.
Tours & Attractions - Attractions
While Greater Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and waterways should be at the top of your list of places to visit and experience, these are far from the only activities and sites to include on your must-see list. The area is also home to two exceptional historical houses, the Stranahan House and the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, a magnificent museum of discovery and science, one of the Florida’s top art museums. And that’s just a few of the highlights.
In this chapter, you’ll learn about some other places you must visit in order to get the real Greater Fort Lauderdale experience and, as it happens, places that don’t fit neatly into other chapters. Several of the sights and experiences—Las Olas Boulevard, the Riverwalk, the Stranahan House, and the Museum of Art—are located downtown or just adjacent to downtown. Others like the Hollywood Broadwalk and the Bonnet House are further afield—in the northern reaches of Fort Lauderdale Beach or part of Hollywood Beach, respectively, but they are among the most definitive area attractions. Nevertheless, all of these attractions are worth a visit and offer a unique Greater Fort Lauderdale experience. You’ll find nothing quite like them, even elsewhere in Florida. For that reason, among others, the attractions in this chapter are the places you shouldn’t miss if you want to get a real taste of Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Overview
A few of the attractions in Greater Fort Lauderdale are free, but most cost somewhere between $5 and $15, although these prices are subject to change and do not include sales tax. Typically there are discounts for children and guests over 65. Most of the attractions listed here are open seven days a week, although hours often vary depending on the season. To be on the safe side, call ahead to make sure your attraction of choice will be open when you plan to visit.
Free parking is typically available on-site for attractions that aren’t located downtown. A couple of downtown attractions have their own parking lots; others do not. For these attractions, the easiest place to park is typically in one of the municipal parking garages.
These garages are spread out around the downtown. The parking fee ranges from free for 10 minutes up to $15 for three hours or more. Parking for special events and on weekends and holidays is $7, payable upon entry.
Tours & Attractions - Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
One of the best things about Greater Fort Lauderdale is that you’re within a few hours of most places in Florida, as well as most places in the Caribbean. True, Florida does have the biggest tourist attractions in the world—within a few hours of Greater Fort Lauderdale—but it’s also got so much more than just the major theme parks. In fact, when you’re in the area, you’d probably be delighted to learn just how close you are to so many incredible things to do and see. So let’s start exploring!
1. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (877) 902-1113
Description: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki means “a place to learn, to remember” and that precisely wraps up what this museum does. Located within the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Tribe Reservation, the museum presents the culture and traditions of the Seminole Indians in Florida through carefully constructed exhibits of artifacts and reenactments of rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, the site includes a living Seminole village and nature trails. The museum is located in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 17 miles north of I-75 off exit 49, follow signs to park entrance. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 30000 Gator Tail Trail
3. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (954) 563-5393
Address: 900 North Birch Rd.
Description: This is far more than a historic attraction. Built between the sea and a small lake by the late Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett, two artists, as a winter residence in the 1920s, the 35-acre estate holds lush grounds beautified by swans, orchids, and some rather rambunctious monkeys—it’s a real ode to Old Florida. Named for the bonnet lily that grows on the grounds, the striking house is filled with exceptional art collected by the Bartletts during their wide travels. Visitors can only see the house on a 75-minute tour but can walk the nature trail on their own. In April, the property is the site of Bonnet House Jazzfest on the Green. The museum is closed Mon.
4. Boomer’s
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (954) 921-1411
Address: 1801 NW 1st St., west of US 1
Description: From the Sky Coaster ride (which simulates a bungee jump) to tamer rides like bumper cars, a roller coaster, go-karts, and “Naskart” racing (go-kart racing on a mile-and-a-half-long track), this small amusement-fun park has something for everyone. There’s also miniature golf, batting cages, laser tag, bowling, a rock wall, and video arcades. The park is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun through Thurs, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fri and Sat. Miniature golf admission is $9; kids five and under get in for free. Go-kart rides cost $8.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 3600 W. Sample Rd.
6. Coconut Creek Seminole Casino
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (954) 977-6700
Address: 5550 NW 40th St.
Description: Open 24 hours, seven days a week, this down-to-earth casino features over 1,500 Vegas-style and bingo-style slot machines. Betting levels start at two cents per play on up to $50 per play, and the poker room offers Seven-Card Stud, Texas Hold’em, and Omaha Hi-Lo with betting levels starting at $1. Three different restaurants and the Nectar Lounge offer live entertainment six days a week—this casino is a fantastic alternative for those who want to try their hand at gambling without the glitz and glamour of the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
8. Everglades Holiday Park Airboat Tours
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (954) 434-8111
Address: 21940 Griffin Rd.
Description: This is another prime spot to book an airboat ride or see an alligator show. Set among Everglades Holiday Park (a campground), the center also offers rides and a show. Airboat rides last about one hour and offer the chance to see alligators, exotic birds, and native fish while smoothly gliding over the “River of Grass,” a term for the Everglades made popular by the 1947 book by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. Tours depart every 20 minutes or so between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily and include alligator shows after the tour, which use an educational approach to demonstrate the power and voracity of Florida’s ubiquitous reptiles.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 3750 S. Flamingo Rd. (3 miles south of I
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1527 SW 1st Ave.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 219 SW 2nd Ave.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 300 Gulf Stream Way
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1 Hall of Fame Dr.
15. Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (954) 462-5596
Address: 801 Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
Description: This traditional Mississippi riverboat is best-known and most famous for its perennially popular dinner cruise that takes guests on a fun-filled sail for an “All You Can Eat” dinner of ribs, chicken, and shrimp with all the trimmings, followed by an entertaining variety show. If you’re not keen to eat while on board, try the daily three-hour fully narrated sightseeing cruises of the historic New River and “Millionaire’s Row”, an exclusive residential strip in Boca Raton, which includes a stop-off at the Tropical Isle on the New River to see rare birds, monkeys, and an alligator exhibition.