I’ve Spent 13 Years Visiting Fort Lauderdale, Florida—The right way to Plan the Excellent Journey

Once I first began relationship my now-husband, Steve, over a decade in the past, I didn’t anticipate Fort Lauderdale to develop into such a recurring character in my life. However Steve’s household lived within the space, and when he invited me to hitch him for Thanksgiving to satisfy his household, I, after all, jumped on the alternative.

Along with being excited in regards to the relationship milestone, I used to be equally thrilled to flee New York Metropolis simply because the climate was beginning to flip chilly. Though Steve’s household lived inland, he promised we may keep at one of many inns lining Fort Lauderdale’s A1A, the scenic coastal freeway that runs alongside a lot of Florida’s Atlantic shoreline. That first lodge has since closed, and in some ways, the town has reworked. As soon as the preliminary thrill of warm-weather holidays and meet-the-family nerves wore off—and after I’d spent loads of time with my toes within the sand—I started to see a extra layered vacation spot. The beachfront advanced, with modern five-star hotels and upscale eating places popping up. The humanities district took on a brand new life as its personal devoted neighborhood. And in some way, a number of outdated dive bars and seaside retailers managed to hold on. Slowly, I began to get enthusiastic about what an extended weekend in Fort Lauderdale may maintain.

Most notably, for me, a New Yorker who considers discovering her subsequent nice meal an artwork, I discovered myself again residence gushing to family and friends about all the nice meals we had skilled on our most up-to-date journey to Fort Lauderdale. However don’t simply take my phrase for it. Native skilled Jenni Morejon, president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale Downtown Growth Authority, has robust opinions on this up-and-coming Florida metropolis. Transfer over, Miami: There’s a brand new sunshine scene-stealer on the town.

Finest Accommodations & Resorts

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Seashore

For an upscale suite keep, the Conrad is a standout, the place you’ll want you possibly can keep longer. “You gained’t discover softer lodge sheets in every other luxurious lodge,” writes Travel + Leisure contributor Lydia Mansel—and doubtless not a greater ocean-view ping-pong desk both.

4 Seasons Resort and Residences Fort Lauderdale

Opened in 2023, this glamorous yet understated property rapidly turned one of many hottest stays on the town. Count on heat, five-star service, spacious rooms, and marble loos, plus a classy foyer.

The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

This central beach property delivers the type of glorious service Ritz-Carlton loyalists have come to anticipate from the model. Put up up at one of many lodge’s seaside chairs in the event you’re feeling a toes-in-sand day, and don’t overlook to inquire in regards to the complimentary water taxi service.

W Fort Lauderdale

Followers of the W know they’re in for a great time after they keep at one of many hip model’s properties, and people fortunate sufficient to spend the evening on the Fort Laurderdale location beeline for the the WET Deck pool, the place you’ll be able to calm down on a lounger with a frozen cocktail in hand.

Pier Sixty-Six

After a billion-dollar renovation earlier this 12 months, this iconic property opened its doorways as soon as once more–this time with a glow-up of the signature rotating rooftop lounge, the Pier High.

Finest Issues to Do

Bonnet Home Museum & Gardens

This “superbly preserved slice of outdated Fort Lauderdale is a must-visit for vacationers with a eager curiosity in tradition and historical past,” says Morejon of the historic 1920s home, whimsical artwork property, and tropical backyard escape situated simply off the beachfront. You would possibly even glimpse a monkey amid the mangroves —.

Historic Stranahan Home Museum

The town’s “oldest surviving construction serves as a gateway to our beginnings,” notes Morejon. The home, relationship again to 1901, belonged to Frank Stranahan—thought-about Fort Lauderdale’s founding father—and guests in the present day can be taught extra via a guided tour of the home, which accommodates many authentic furnishings.

Broward Middle for the Performing Arts

“Anybody with an appreciation for stay performances ought to be sure you verify the schedule,” Morejon says of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The downtown Fort Lauderdale venue hosts a full slate of Broadway excursions, ballets, operas, comedy reveals, live shows, and group performances throughout its two primary theaters.

Seashores

“The pristine golden sands stay a draw for the town,” Morejon admits. Even when the seashores are only one a part of the South Florida metropolis’s id, you’ll be able to’t do mistaken whiling away a few hours on the sand, whether or not that’s going for an extended stroll, swimming within the ocean, or working in your tan.

Finest Eating places

Maass

Deserving of its Michelin star, Maass, situated within the 4 Seasons, is maybe finest recognized for its chef’s counter tasting expertise the place visitors get to decide on their chopstick holders and steak knife. The cocktail program is superb, however the wine pairing is the actual transfer right here.

Heritage

As a New Yorker, I take my pizza critically, so once I stumbled into Heritage final 12 months and tasted their pizza (and stuffed peppers, pasta, chopped salad, and olive oil cake), I knew I’d discovered one thing particular. I’ve been again to the Bib Gourmand spot on each go to since, and might’t wait to return.

Daniel’s: A Florida Steakhouse

Morejon says Daniel’s “helped elevate the eating scene in downtown.” The complete dinner expertise is price it, however in the event you solely have time to go to throughout blissful hour, you merely should order the wagyu smash burger and maybe a paloma.

Finest Time to Go to

The very best time to go to Fort Lauderdale is from October to Might when the climate is about as wonderful because it will get: sunny skies, heat temperatures, and (comparatively) low humidity. Summer time is taken into account off-season as a result of warmth (and the beginning of hurricane season), however that additionally means fewer crowds and higher lodge offers.

That stated, Fort Lauderdale is constructed to deal with the warmth. Most eating places, bars, and retailers have robust air-con, and between dips within the ocean (or your lodge pool) and time spent exploring the town’s scene past the seaside, you would possibly discover the summer season climate surprisingly manageable.

In the event you’re visiting round Thanksgiving, take into account signing up for the Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot, a scenic 5K that winds alongside A1A with ocean views the entire method. Whether or not you run, jog, or stroll it, the reward is identical—a beachside brunch or a chilly drink after crossing the end line.

The right way to Get There

Fort Lauderdale is straightforward to achieve, with loads of direct flights from main cities throughout the U.S. You possibly can drive, however needless to say Florida is an enormous state, so in the event you’re coming from out of state, particularly the north, anticipate an extended haul to achieve South Florida.

Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Worldwide Airport (FLL) is essentially the most handy possibility; it’s compact, straightforward to navigate, and only a brief drive from the seaside and downtown. Miami Worldwide (MIA) and Palm Seashore Worldwide (PBI) are options, however they’re farther from the town heart and often much less excellent, except you discover a considerably higher fare or flight time out of your departure metropolis.

Neighborhoods to Go to

Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Las Olas

“Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Las Olas stay on the heart of the motion, continually evolving with new residential towers, workplace areas, and public areas that foster real human connection,” says Morejon.

Sailboat Bend

A historic neighborhood west of downtown, close to the Broward Middle for the Performing Arts and the New River, Sailboat Bend “gives tree-lined streets, historic structure, and a extra relaxed tempo,” says Morejon. It’s handy location “simply past the city core,” makes it a straightforward add to any Fort Lauderdale itinerary.

FAT Village

Morejon calls the the Flagler Arts and Know-how space the “coronary heart of the town’s inventive artists, teeming with murals, artwork galleries, and common artwork walks that spotlight the town’s rising function as a cultural vacation spot.”

The right way to Get Round

Journey-shares and automotive providers like Uber and Lyft function all through the Fort Lauderdale space. They’re each plentiful and cheap.

You don’t want a automotive in the event you’re flying in from out of city, however in the event you favor being behind the wheel, you’ll be able to definitely hire one. Remember that parking close to the seaside is tough, and a lot of the inns alongside the strip cost considerably steep each day valet charges.

There’s additionally a water taxi that takes passengers throughout three interconnectable routes in Pompano Seashore, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale. It’s a enjoyable vacationer exercise, and a cool strategy to see a few of South Florida’s finest locations, however it’s additionally a practical technique of transport, “connecting many common neighborhoods, eating places, and inns,” notes Morejon.