One day and one night in FLL. What is a MUST do?

[Sue's Mom]

So little time, so much to do. What is your recommendation of something not to be missed?

[jhannah]

The ship! :D
But seriously, an airboat ride through the Everglades is a unique experience.

[Tatka]

I liked Las Olas blvd. :)

[DB469]

I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area....there are things to do depending upon what you like. To name a few......you can do the airboat ride but my kids and I were not very excited about that day trip. What time of the year are we talking about?


Things you can do:

If you have a car you can drive down to Miami (not sure if you have kids with you) and go to the Miami Seaquarium, Metro Zoo, Parrot Jungle, Monkey Junge to name a few places. If you only want to stay in the Ft. Lauderdale area there are a few things:

Take the Jungle Queen dinner cruise
Go to Riverwalk/ Las Olas Riverfront and dine at Shirt-tail Charlies (they have two types of dining, one informal downstairs the other formal upstairs) then after dinner they provide you with a boat tour of the Riverfront which is free if you eat dinner at their restaurant and its a narrated boat tour of the area.
Las Olas Blvd. has many stores, boutiquest, restaurants and cafe's. The IMAX theatre is there and the Broward Center of Performing Arts (check the time you will be here according to the time of year they have comedy, plays, concerts, etc).
Go to Gulfstream Horse Track
Hollywood Greyhound Track
Dania Jai Alai
Spend an evening at Mai Kai which is dinner with a Polynesian Show
Seminole Hard Rock Cafe and Casino
Stratton House (only hour tour)
Guess my head isn't thinking that hard, but that gives you some other options.

[WindyCity]

DB469,

Is the Seminole Hard Rock Casino far away from Port Everglades? How is the area around Hard Rock Casino? Is it easy to get a cab there for a trip to the airport - we are thinking of going there post cruise/pre flight home.
Thanks

[DB469]

Hello,

The area around the Hard Rock Casino is ok but very old area, nothing really around there....the grounds and the Hard Rock Casino itself are very nice and parking is abundant. It is very easy to take a taxi from the airport to the Hard Rock and hotel to the port of everglades. Taxi will range from a 10-20 minute drive depending upon how the cab driver gets you to the pier, highway (595) will be the fastest as the end goes right into the Port of Everglades.
There really isn't anything else to do around that area....YOu will find it easy to get a cab at that hotel.

[jcike1980]

olas blvd. the cheese cake factory or mangos. Enjoy, jcike

[sail7seas]

Have a drink at the top of Hyatt Pier 66 in their revolving lounge. You will see 360 degree views of FLL and it is magnificent to view. If you are there at 'sailing' time, you will see all of the ships leaving Port Everglades for their cruises. (As you know, that is 5 P.M. for most You will see the most ships on Saturdays and Sundays.

[mountainmare]

DB469--
Hi!! We are going to be in Fort Lauderdale precruise also. My father lived in Coral Gables so I've been to Miami but have only ever driven past the Ft L exit on I95. I love Vizcaya in Miami, how does the Bonnet house compare? Also I'm looking into staying at Lauderdale by the Sea. Is this really an old time Fla beach town? (I may be aging myself but I remember Kissimmee the year Epcot opened, sort of sleepy and laid back). Looking forward to some bonus warm weather in Jan!!!

[DB469]

Hello,

Lauderdale by the Sea still is a decent area, just more condo's and hotels built there, but nice still. The other person talked about Pier 66 the rooftop lounge, I have to agree its a nice place to go at night. There are nearby restaurants on the waterway there such as the Bimini Boatyard, Shooters, Yesterday's to name a few and hotels are all decent. Depending upon what you want to spend on a hotel you have all choices. My favorite is the Marriott Harbor Beach but that is at the very start of the strip....not walking distance to everything. A1A is still nice to see.
I cannot recall the Bonnet house been there a long long time ago but loved the Vizcaya....hope this helps.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Ft Lauderdale

Air-boat ride - have done it - loved it.

Jungle Queen - dinner cruise - have done it -loved it.

Take the water taxi - did it.

Bimini Boatyard - for either lunch or dinner - have done both and love their food. Don't forget to order their special Bimini Boatyard Bread!!

[Sue's Mom]

Some great suggestions there. Thanks to everyone for their input.

We arrive in FLL next Tuesday evening and sail on Friday morning. :D

[watchdiva]

Have dinner at the Blue Moon Fish Company - it's on the intercoastal (sorry, I can't remember the exact address) and the food is terrific. Sit on the covered patio and watch the mega yachts cruise by. We live in the Boca/FLL area and its a family tradition to eat there on New Year's Day. Not an inexpensive experience but well worth the $$.

[mjmagee]

This is a little bit further out of town, but not as far as the Everglades. It is a very nice tropical garden, peacocks and orchids included. There is an old home to tour also. The property was once one of the original citrus farms in the area. Educational and in a beautiful setting at the same time. Marilyn

[CaptData]

A second vote for Mia Kia. The show is good and if you are celebrating an anniversary or Birthday they can do the Hawiian Wedding song.

[KCat]

Hi. We'll be in FLL from Dec. 17 - 19 (pre-cruise). When I booked our hotel, I was told that is the weekend of the water boat parade :confused: Does anyone know what this is? Is it worth seeing? Most importantly, is it difficult to get into restaurants on that weekend?

Thanks for the tip on Blue Moon Fish Company, I definitely want to go there.

Any other resaurants? What about SeaWatch, Mark's on Las Olas, Sunfish Grill, or Cap's Place? Has anyone been to these restaurants, what did you think of them.

Thanks for the help!