Things to do in Fort Lauderdale
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Ski Rixen
Deerfield’s Quiet Waters Park is home to Ski Rixen, South Florida’s only cable water-ski system. Using an innovative cabling system suspended from towers surrounding a half-mile course, water-skiers (and wake-boarders) are pulled over a wake-free watercourse. Obstacles are available for advanced tricksters; otherwise, riders can perfect their water-skiing techniques without the hassle of a boat. Skiers under 18 must have a waiver form notarized and signed by their parents.
reviewed
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Wannado City
It’s worth a short day trip to the nearby City of Sunrise for this kids’ theme park, which asks children, ‘Whatchya wanna do?’ Get it? Never mind. Kids get to experience our crushing day-to-day as something fun and exciting in a series of little villages, costumes and games that lets them act as circus ringmaster, perform surgery, investigate a crime scene and, of course, have mom and dad buy plenty of souvenirs. Daily hours vary by season; call for more info.
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Mai-Kai
This old-school Polynesian joint is pure kitsch – with some good food and amusing entertainment thrown in for grins. Las Vegas–style shows (additional $10.95) follow the meals, which range from Hawaiian chicken and seafood with noodles to the massive oak-roasted filet mignon Madagascar for two ($60). Don’t miss the froofy cocktails, including the potent ‘mystery drink.’
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Lester’s Diner
Hailed endearingly as a greasy spoon, campy Lester’s Diner has been keeping folks happy since the late 1960s. Everyone makes their way here at some point, from business types on cell phones to clubbers to blue-haired ladies with third husbands.
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Chima
Gaucho-costumed servers herd a never-ending cavalcade of meats from table to table in this Brazilian churrasco -style steakhouse. And while that may sound campy, it's not: Chima's upscale locale is one of the nicest on Las Olas.
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Casablanca Cafe
Try to score a seat on the upstairs balcony of this Moroccan-style home where they serve Mediterranean-inspired food and Florida-style ocean views. For just a taste of the ambience, drop by for happy hour.
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Museum of Discovery & Science
A 52ft kinetic-energy sculpture greets you at the Museum of Discovery & Science. Fun exhibits include Gizmo City and Runways to Rockets - where it actually is rocket science.
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Creolina's
Get transported to the backwaters of Louisiana for some serious Cajun, Creole and jambalaya at this Riverwalk hotspot. The Sunday New Orleans brunch is a wonderful choice.
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Gay Bars & Clubs
What Cherry Grove is to its neighbor the Fire Island Pines, Fort Lauderdale is to South Beach - a little more rainbow-flag-oriented and a little less exclusive. And for the hordes of gay boys who flock here, either to party or to settle down, therein lies the charm. You don't need to be A-list to feel at home at any of the many gay bars, clubs or restaurants, and you won't have any trouble finding 'the scene'.
Fort Lauderdale is home to more than 25 gay bars and clubs, about a dozen gay guesthouses, and a couple of way-gay residential hubs including Victoria Park, which is the established gay ghetto, and Wilton Manors, more recently gay-gentrified and boasting endless nig…
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Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
Discover a Florida of colonial villas and bougainvillea, rather than Mickey Mouse and Miami, at this organization, which maintains the Hoch Heritage Center, a historic research facility; the century-old New River Inn, Philemon Bryan House and King-Cromartie House, open for tours; and the 1899 Replica Schoolhouse. The museum mounts exhibits on Fort Lauderdale and Broward County history and Seminole folk art and also offers guided walking tours of historic downtown. Call for details.
reviewed
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Butterfly World
The first indoor butterfly park in the US, Butterfly World today is one of the largest butterfly exhibits anywhere, featuring thousands of live, exotic species, such as the bright blue morphos or camouflaged owl butterfly. Various exhibits, each highlighting different creatures – from butterflies to hummingbirds – make Butterfly World an excellent place to spend the better part of a day, especially with wide-eyed children or trigger-happy shutterbugs. Coming from I-95, exit at Sample Rd; head west.
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Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area
This state park, which recently enjoyed a major renovation of its trails, contains one of the last significant maritime hammocks in Broward County. There are mangroves and a freshwater-lagoon system (great for birding) and several endangered plants and animals (including the gopher tortoise and golden leather fern). You can fish, picnic, stroll the short Coastal Hammock Trail or bike the 1.9-mile park drive. Canoe rentals, to be used on the half-mile trail, cost about $6 per hour.
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Stranahan House
A fine example of Florida ‘vernacular’ design is also one of Florida’s oldest homes, the landmark Stranahan House. Constructed from Dade County pine, the house has wide porches, tall windows and many original furnishings. It served as both home and store for Ohio transplant Frank Stranahan, who built a small empire trading with the Seminoles before committing suicide by jumping into the New River after real-estate and stock-market losses in the late 1920s.
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Johnny V’s
Chef Johnny Vinczenz is a darling of the South Florida foodie scene, as this restaurant unceasingly lets you know, but the marketing tack doesn’t detract from excellent American cuisine united by a subtle Southwestern thread; corn sauce, blue corn chips, etc. Johnny V’s also plain spoils you, with specials such as a triple-duck extravaganza that ends with duck liver stuffed with wild mushrooms. The shee-shee fish tacos are our favorite lunch on Las Olas.
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Canoeing, Fishing, Walking & Picnicking
The Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area has recently undergone a major renovation of trails and landscaping and contains one of the last significant maritime hammocks left in Broward County. There are also mangroves, a freshwater lagoon system and several endangered plant and animal species (including the gopher tortoise and golden leather fern). You can fish, picnic, hike, canoe or bike. Canoe rentals, to be used on the half-mile trail, cost about US$6 per hour.
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Rustic Inn
Don’t wear your Sunday best here – or bring a date you want to whisper sweet nothings to. Hungry locals at this messy, noisy crabhouse use wooden mallets at long, newspaper-covered tables to get at the good stuff served here. The house specialty is crabs – choose from Dungeness, blue or golden – drenched in garlic and a secret family recipe (think: butter). Not in a crabby mood? This hearty, happy family-style restaurant has schools of seafood and pasta options.
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Primanti Brothers
Don’t come here if you’re (a) a prissy eater or (b) only sorta hungry. Primanti serves traditional Italian dishes, but what really makes famished diners salivate is the sandwiches. Served on Italian bread piled high with slaw, cheese, your choice of meat and a mountain of steaming fries, the whole thing’s smashed flat and wrapped in butcher paper. This greasy double-fister is the perfect antidote to the hangover you’re about to start nursing.
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Jungle Queen Riverboat Dinner Cruise
4 hours (Departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
by Viator
Take an old fashioned riverboat cruise on the New River in Fort Lauderdale, where you'll be treated to an all-you-can-eat shrimp and barbecue dinner followed by…Not LP reviewed
from USD$39.89 -
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Kitchenetta
The interior is sleek-industrial - stainless-steel tables, high ceilings and cement floors - but the food at this new Italian delight is warm and delicious, with portions offered in either single or family servings. Start with made-to-order flatbread and a choice from the extensive wine list, then move on to linger over options such as tomato salad, risotto balls or macaroni with peas and prosciutto.
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Key West Sail and Snorkel Day Trip from Fort Lauderdale
15 hours (Departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
by Viator
Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or you want to try something new and exciting, you’ll find Key West to the perfect destination for fun in the ocean. On …Not LP reviewed
from USD$158.99 Advertisement
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Blue Moon Fish Co
Seafood lovers flock to Blue Moon for its excellent and eclectic menu, solid service and spectacular waterside setting. The Sunday brunch, frequently with live jazz, provides a particularly bountiful meal of all-you-can-peel-and-eat shrimp, Louisiana crawfish, shucked oysters, a seafood buffet, mains like seafood gumbo or salmon strudel, dessert and either a Bloody Mary, mimosa or champagne.
reviewed
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Mai-Kai Polynesian Dinner Show
Flexible (Departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
by Viator
Travel back in time and halfway around the world with the Mai Kai Polynesian Revue Dinner Show in Fort Lauderdale. A throwback to the classic tiki bars of the 5…
Not LP reviewed
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Seasons 52
This sophisticated grill prepares market-fresh, seasonal meals – like sea scallops with roasted asparagus or grilled boneless trout with new potatoes – using natural cooking techniques to provide the best taste and the least guilt. In fact, every nutritionally balanced menu item has no more than 475 calories – including dessert. Plus, they have 140 kinds of wine. Wow.
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Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter Ticket
2 - 4 hours (Departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
by Viator
Hold on tight for the most popular Florida Everglades airboat ride, at Sawgrass Recreation Park! An exhilarating airboat tour is the perfect introduction to the…Not LP reviewed
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Sublime: World Vegetarian Cuisine
Frustrated vegans will rejoice over Sublime’s massive menu, take-out café and a shopping boutique brimming with cruelty-free products. The menu here changes daily, but always reflects global cuisines, with options such as ancho-orange glazed soy steak, pueblo corn enchiladas and red lentil-quinoa loaf and mushroom burgers.
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