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Fort Lauderdale
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3 Days · in Fort Lauderdale

Three Days in Fort Lauderdale: Downtown, Beaches & Neighborhoods

Three days let you move beyond downtown into Fort Lauderdale's beaches, waterways, and creative neighborhoods. Day one covers downtown, the New River, and Las Olas, the strip that orients any first visit. Day two devotes itself to the oceanfront, where Bonnet House, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and the beach promenade cluster along a single coastal ribbon with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal on the other. Day three trades the tourist core for Flagler Village, FAT Village, and Wilton Manors, with independent galleries, murals, and dining, then returns for a final night out. The pace stays comfortable, each day is geographically focused, and the mix balances big-ticket attractions with the local texture that makes Fort Lauderdale memorable.

3 days
Things to DoRestaurantsHotelsPhoto SpotsTravel TipsItinerariesLandmarks

Day 01

Downtown, the New River & Las Olas

The Riverwalk, the NSU Art Museum, a narrated waterway cruise, and Las Olas Boulevard.

  1. Morning

    Riverwalk & the New River

    Open your visit along the Riverwalk, the shaded brick path tracing the New River through downtown. Early light keeps crowds down as you pass moored yachts, banyan trees, and Esplanade Park before the day heats up.

  2. Late Morning

    NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

    Spend two hours with the museum's CoBrA collection, its deep holdings of William Glackens, and rotating contemporary shows. The downtown location makes it an easy walk straight from the Riverwalk.

  3. Lunch

    The Wharf Fort Lauderdale

    Lunch downtown at The Wharf, an open-air riverfront spot where local vendors serve everything from tacos to poke and wood-fired pizza right beside the New River.

  4. Afternoon

    Jungle Queen Riverboat cruise

    Board the Jungle Queen Riverboat or a Water Taxi from downtown. The narration turns the canals into a story, the best crash course in the mansions and megayachts that earned the nickname Venice of America.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Las Olas Boulevard

    Stroll Las Olas Boulevard, the palm-lined heart of the city, where boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafes fill the blocks between downtown and the beach. Late-afternoon light is ideal for unhurried window-shopping.

  6. Evening

    Local stone crab & seafood

    Cap day one with fresh Florida stone crab, in season October through May. Settle in at a raw bar or a waterfront table, then toast the city you spent all day exploring.

Day 02

The Oceanfront, Gardens & the Beach

Bonnet House, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and the promenade along one oceanfront strip.

  1. Morning

    Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

    Tour this 1920s waterfront estate with its whimsical art, orchid house, and 35 acres of subtropical gardens. Arrive at opening to explore the grounds before the midday heat and to spot the resident monkeys and swans.

  2. Late Morning

    Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

    Next door, this rare pocket of coastal hammock offers shaded trails, a freshwater lagoon, and a tunnel under A1A straight to the sand, a green oasis wedged between the beach and the Intracoastal.

  3. Lunch

    Las Olas Oceanside Park

    Grab a casual lunch or pack a picnic to enjoy at Las Olas Oceanside Park, with the Atlantic on one side and the palm-lined promenade on the other.

  4. Afternoon

    Fort Lauderdale Beach

    Spend the afternoon on Fort Lauderdale Beach, miles of soft sand and calm surf. The signature white wave-wall promenade makes for easy strolling and some of the best people-watching in the city.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Beach promenade & Bahia Mar

    Walk the promenade south toward Bahia Mar and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, or simply linger as the light softens over the Atlantic and the sailboats offshore.

  6. Evening

    Intracoastal dinner

    Finish along the Intracoastal, where waterfront restaurants like Coconuts and 15th Street Fisheries serve fresh catch and dockside views a short hop from your beach day.

Day 03

Flagler Village, FAT Village & Wilton Manors

Independent galleries, street murals, and standout dining across the creative districts north of downtown.

  1. Morning

    FAT Village & the MASS District

    Start with a walk through FAT Village and the MASS District, warehouse arts quarters north of downtown lined with studios, galleries, and some of South Florida's boldest murals.

  2. Late Morning

    Flagler Village shops & murals

    Browse the independent shops, coffee roasters, and breweries around Flagler Village, and hunt for the ever-changing murals down side streets and along NE 4th Avenue.

  3. Lunch

    Flagler Village taqueria or taproom

    Grab tacos and a patio seat at a neighborhood favorite, or pick from the many acclaimed casual spots and taprooms clustered through the district.

  4. Afternoon

    MASS District browsing

    Continue through the district's design shops, record stores, and cafes, a relaxed afternoon of window-shopping in one of the city's most creative corners.

  5. Evening

    Wilton Manors dining

    Head one neighborhood over to Wilton Manors for dinner along Wilton Drive, home to some of the area's most celebrated independent restaurants and lively patios.

  6. Evening

    Cocktails on Wilton Drive

    End with a nightcap at a Wilton Drive bar. The neighborhood's welcoming, creative energy is a fitting finale to your local Fort Lauderdale day.