01

Day 01

Las Olas, the New River & the Beach

Downtown boulevard strolling, an art museum, a canal cruise, and the beachfront.

1. Morning

   Las Olas Boulevard

   Start along Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale's signature street of galleries, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes, an easy orientation for a first morning downtown.

2. Late Morning

   NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

   Devote a couple of hours to the NSU Art Museum, strong in its CoBrA collection and its William Glackens holdings, a short walk from Las Olas.

3. Lunch

   Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk

   Lunch along the Riverwalk beside the New River, with tour boats and yachts drifting past, a scenic pause before the afternoon cruise.

4. Afternoon

   Water Taxi canal cruise

   Board the Water Taxi to glide through the Venice of America canals, passing waterfront mansions and megayachts along the Intracoastal.

5. Late Afternoon

   Fort Lauderdale Beach

   Walk the beachfront promenade beside its landmark wavy white wall along A1A, with the Atlantic on one side and palm-lined cafes on the other.

6. Evening

   Stone crab dinner

   Close the day with fresh Florida seafood, ordering stone crab claws in season at a classic spot like Rustic Inn or Southport Raw Bar.

02

Day 02

Downtown Science, Bonnet House & the Coast

A hands-on science museum, a historic beachfront estate, and a coastal state park.

1. Morning

   Museum of Discovery and Science

   Begin at the Museum of Discovery and Science with its living Everglades exhibit and AutoNation IMAX, arriving at opening to beat the school groups.

2. Late Morning

   Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

   Drive east to Bonnet House, a 1920s waterfront estate set among subtropical gardens where resident squirrel monkeys still roam the grounds.

3. Lunch

   Sunrise Boulevard cafes

   Grab a casual lunch near the beach along Sunrise Boulevard before spending the afternoon in the park.

4. Afternoon

   Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

   Explore Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a green refuge of coastal hammock, a freshwater lagoon, and shaded trails between the beach and the Intracoastal.

5. Late Afternoon

   Las Olas Beach

   Relax on the sand at Las Olas Beach, then stroll the promenade as the late light softens over the water.

6. Evening

   Beachside dinner

   Dine along the beachfront strip, whose restaurants range from raw bars to Italian and modern coastal cuisine.

03

Day 03

Wilton Manors & the Arts District

Murals, boutiques, breweries, and celebrated independent dining just north of downtown.

1. Morning

   MASS District murals

   Start in the MASS District around Flagler Village, where large-scale murals and studios have turned the warehouse blocks into an open-air gallery.

2. Late Morning

   Wilton Drive boutiques

   Head to Wilton Manors and browse the independent shops, cafes, and galleries along Wilton Drive, the lively heart of this welcoming community.

3. Lunch

   Wilton Manors eateries

   Settle in for lunch on one of Wilton Drive's patios, from Rosie's to the neighborhood's many easygoing casual spots.

4. Afternoon

   Local breweries

   Spend the afternoon among the area's craft breweries and taprooms, an unhurried stretch of tastings and easy conversation.

5. Evening

   Independent dinner

   Return south for dinner at one of Fort Lauderdale's acclaimed independent kitchens around Flagler Village and downtown.

6. Evening

   Himmarshee nightlife

   Finish with a drink along Himmarshee Village on SW 2nd Street, downtown's compact and energetic nightlife strip.

04

Day 04

Hollywood & the South

A coastal state park, a fishing museum, a mangrove nature center, and Hollywood's Broadwalk.

1. Morning

   Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park

   Spend the morning at this state park, formerly John U. Lloyd, with calm swimming beaches and jetty views of Port Everglades as cruise ships pass close by.

2. Late Morning

   IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame

   In Dania Beach, tour the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, celebrating sportfishing with aquariums, galleries, and interactive casting.

3. Lunch

   Dania Beach

   Grab lunch in nearby Dania Beach, home to casual seafood shacks and a well-known antique district.

4. Afternoon

   Anne Kolb Nature Center

   Visit the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, exploring mangrove boardwalks and climbing the observation tower for wide views over the estuary.

5. Late Afternoon

   Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

   Walk the brick-paved Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a two-and-a-half-mile oceanfront promenade lined with cafes, ice cream stands, and rental bikes.

6. Evening

   Hollywood dinner

   Have dinner along the Broadwalk or in downtown Hollywood's ArtsPark district before returning north for the evening.

05

Day 05

North Beaches, Butterflies & Shopping

Shore snorkeling, a tropical aviary, north-county beaches, and shopping to close the trip.

1. Morning

   Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

   Start at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, where a living coral reef lies just offshore for easy shore snorkeling beside the historic Anglin's Fishing Pier.

2. Lunch

   Lauderdale-by-the-Sea eats

   Lunch in the walkable village center, from beachfront grills to the casual spots along El Mar Drive and Commercial Boulevard.

3. Afternoon

   Butterfly World

   Head northwest to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, walking through screened aviaries alive with thousands of butterflies and tropical birds.

4. Late Afternoon

   Pompano Beach

   Relax on the wide sands of Pompano Beach and stroll its renovated pier and oceanfront park along the water.

5. Evening

   The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale

   Finish with shopping at The Galleria on Sunrise Boulevard or back along Las Olas Boulevard's boutiques near the beach.

6. Evening

   Las Olas farewell dinner

   End your trip with dinner along Las Olas, reserving ahead for the district's steakhouses and standout tables.