what to do after cruise in FLL before a 9pm flight?

Hi all! I am racking my brain trying to figure out what to do with the family after our Freedom of the Seas cruise in a few weeks. To save about $1500 on airfare we booked a 9pm from FLL back to ORD on Sunday, May 6th. I will have my wife and three kids to keep entertained all day. Renting a car is an option but I am thinking hotel/beach day might prove more relaxing. Any tips or suggestions?

This question comes up fairly frequently. Check out these threads:

• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2597844
  
• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2586660
  
• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2575697
  
• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2598589
  
• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2595083
  
• https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2580930
  

We booked a day pass at the Rodeway Inn. Never stayed there, but it will allow us to go store our stuff somewhere and Uber to a beach or shopping or something to kill the day before our 7pm flight.

The Miami Zoo is always something I enjoy. You could easily spend a whole day there, grab dinner, then head to the airport.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The Miami Zoo is always something I enjoy. You could easily spend a whole day there, grab dinner, then head to the airport.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I love Zoo Miami! We get the little bikes you can get and ride around. The last time we went it was drizzling and in the middle of the week. The bike had a canopy over it so we just stayed on the bike the entire time riding around looking at the animals and stayed dry.

Fort Lauderdale:

1. The Sunday Jazz Brunch takes place the 1st Sunday each month at Esplanade Park along the Riverfront from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. You could pick up the Water Taxi and get off at the Esplanade Park stop. Pack a picnic brunch / lunch and enjoy a leisurely day at the park. Across the street from the park is the Museum of Discovery & Science, as well as the IMAX theater.

http://watertaxi.com/

http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/jazz-brunch

2. Fort Lauderdale Air & Sea Show (NOTE: this event brings A LOT of traffic to the Fort Lauderdale area). Pack up for a day at the beach!

http://fortlauderdaleairshow.com/

Boca / Delray:

Morikami Japanese Museum & Gardens

https://morikami.org/

West Palm Beach:

1. The annual SunFest music festival is May 3 - 6. If you decide not to rent a car, you can take either the Tri-Rail or the Brightline to West Palm Beach.

https://www.sunfest.com/

2. Palm Beach Zoo:

https://www.palmbeachzoo.org/