On the Atlantic coast between Miami and Palm Beach, the palm trees sway to a gentle breeze. Welcome to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sun, golden-sand beaches, lush tropical gardens, millionaire mansions, entertainment, and your choice of delicious restaurants make this the perfect weekend getaway. Gone are the rowdy spring break student drunk fests with mud wrestling, pole dancing, and wet t-shirt contests. Fort Lauderdale has re-defined itself into a respectable travel destination. Many folks compare the city to Venice, Italy with its 300-plus miles of inland waterways. I just prefer to call it Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Breakfast at The Floridian (10 AM)

Remember that diner in your hometown where you could always count on getting a meal any time of day? Well, folks have been dining for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at The legendary “Flo” since 1937. It isn’t fancy, but the place has character, and the hearty food portions are good and plentiful. It’s open 24 hours a day and serves up generous portions of comfort food and diner classics. I savored the 222 Special which was two eggs, two pancakes (or toast), sausage or bacon, coffee, and small juice. If you love nostalgia, grab a seat inside under the collection of framed photographs of Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities on the silver screen.

If your style is more al-fresco and you love people-watching, seat yourself outside on a patio table overlooking Las Olas Boulevard.

Tip: The parking behind the restaurant is FREE for customers of the Floridian. 

The Floridian Restaurant: 1410 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens – Saturday 11 AM

Entering the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was like taking a step in time to the 20th century. A tropical oasis planted among the surrounding concrete jungle of South Florida. Lush landscaping surrounded us while lizards darted into cover clearing the way for our intrusion.

This picturesque plantation-style property was once the home of artists and collectors Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. It is now open to guided tours that include its art-filled rooms and studios. This museum house gets its name from the Bonnet Lily plant which grew in the wetlands of the property.

The main house is built around a beautifully landscaped courtyard with a fountain as its centerpiece. The estate includes a music studio, an art studio, and a guest house.

The estate features a hibiscus garden, an arid Desert Garden, a tropical courtyard, and an extensive orchid collection.

At one time the estate was home to 30-40 monkeys. At this time, only one monkey is remaining on the property which we did not see.

Adult House and Grounds $25, Grounds Only $10

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: 900 N Birch Rd, Fort Lauderdale

The Historic Stranahan House (2 PM)

The Stranahan House Museum is a historic building and is the oldest still-standing structure in Broward County. It is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places. In 1893, a fellow from Ohio named Frank Stranahan arrived and built a house that developed into the area’s first trading post, bank, post office, and town hall, then later their private residence. The house has been beautifully restored to be a museum that educates individuals on its significance to Fort Lauderdale’s history.

Historic Stranahan House & Museum: 335 SE 6th Ave, Fort Lauderdale

The Jungle Queen Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise (Departs 2:30 PM)

You’ll be singing “Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river” when you hitch a ride on the Jungle Queen. She has been sailing the waterways of Fort Lauderdale since 1935. Take a ride along Fort Lauderdale’s New River as the crew treats you with an entertaining atmosphere. Besides all of its history, it is also one of the best-looking tour boats on the water.

The narrated 90-Minute Sightseeing cruise took us down the “Venice of America.” We sailed past the homes and yachts of the rich and famous on “Millionaire’s Row”.

Jungle Queen Riverboat: 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

Where we Stayed:

Hyatt Centric Las Olas (Check-in 4 PM)

Most folks prefer to check in at the beach for their stay, but since we were visiting Fort Lauderdale to see a concert, we wanted to stay close to the Broward Center. We found our escape at the stunning Hyatt Centric boutique hotel. This put us close to the venue in the Las Olas neighborhood. The hotel is also close to the city’s top restaurants, nightlife, shopping districts, and unique attractions. 

You are in the center of all the action when you stay at the Hyatt, downtown Fort Lauderdale’s tallest building. The stylish 238 rooms here are sleek with custom artwork, nautical influences, and floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning skyline views. Take a dip in the outdoor pool, surrounded by colorful murals.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale:  100 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

Riverside Hotel

Another hotel that we have stayed at before was the Riverside Hotel. This hotel is loaded with “Old Florida” charm and is located on Las Olas Boulevard. The Riverside is the oldest hotel in Fort Lauderdale. It is a bit further down the Boulevard from the Broward Center so we stayed at the Hyatt Centric instead but the Riverside is another top choice if staying in the city.

Dinner at Rivertale (5:30 PM)

Located on the Riverwalk in Downtown Fort Lauderdale between Las Olas and the water, Rivertail is a seafood-inspired, waterfront restaurant. Rivertale focuses on a seafood menu curated by five-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Jose Mendin. Rivertail’s dishes combine creativity and bold flavors to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. 

To start, I picked the Passion Fruit Ceviche, this popular dish with wahoo, bay scallops, shrimp, and passion fruit is delicious. Try the Crab Donuts which are drizzled with honey and sea salt and filled with tasty crab meat. 

Rivertale has a fun Caribbean décor, with blue and yellow accents – Rivertail is classy, yet very inviting and trendy. The food is top-notch, fresh, and absolute seafood heaven.

Rivertale: 4 W Las Olas Blvd Ste. 120, Fort Lauderdale

Attend a Performance at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (8 PM)

The Broward Center presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons. Overlooking the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, this performing arts venue hosts Broadway musicals, operas, ballets, concerts, and plays. We had tickets to see Lady Antebellum ( Or Lady A:) and the Request Line Tour.

If planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale, see what’s on the schedule at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts: 201 SW 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale

Sunday

Dawn on the east side of the state means that you can wake up to the most beautiful sunrises. Be sure to set your alarm so you don’t miss it!

Fort Lauderdale Beaches (8 AM)

I believe it’s a law that you have to spend some time at the beach when you’re in Fort Lauderdale. If it’s not, it should be. One of the distinctive features of Fort Lauderdale Beach is the white-wave wall. The curvy wave wall on Ft. Lauderdale’s beach promenade follows the beach for miles. 

Breakfast at Ocean 2000 at the Pelican Beach Resort (9 AM)

Ocean 2000 in the charming Pelican Beach Resort offers regionally influenced cuisine, blending local produce and character into a refined menu. For our morning breakfast, I had the cinnamon-challah french toast. Brenda enjoyed two farm-fresh eggs with thyme-roasted potatoes and bacon which she says was a winner. We enjoyed breakfast for two with an outstanding ocean view.

After breakfast, chill out in a rocking chair on the porch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Ocean2000 in The Pelican Beach Resort: 2000 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

Experience Las Olas Boulevard (11 AM)

We couldn’t leave Fort Lauderdale without doing some shopping. One of the best places to do that is to make a visit to Las Olas Boulevard. Browse through the many shops, boutiques, and art galleries along the boulevard. Not only is this a great place to shop but also to grab a cup of coffee and people-watch. No trip to Fort Lauderdale is complete without a little window shopping on Las Olas.

Coffee and Danish at Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar (11:30 PM)

As we strolled down Olas Boulevard, we stopped at Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar. We ordered a coffee and sat on the patio and watched people stroll by. Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar is also the perfect spot to enjoy the beauty and aroma of fresh flowers while sipping your favorite cup of coffee or relaxing with a glass of wine.

Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar: 1001 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale

Flamingo Gardens (12:30 PM)

At over 60 acres, there’s plenty to explore at Flamingo Gardens. Along with the cute flamingos, you’ll find peacocks, alligators, bobcats, eagles, panthers, and all sorts of tropical plants. Open every day except Christmas Day, it’s the perfect place to spend the day! Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida.

Flamingo Gardens: 3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL

Gamble at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (2 PM)

Better known as “The Guitar Hotel,” the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel is a fun-filled place with high energy.

The casino is loaded with thousands of slot machines, table games, and poker, and if you are lucky, you can catch a concert from headliner entertainment. As an added plus, the hotel is like a museum with plenty of rock and roll memorabilia.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood: 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL

That wraps up our Ultimate Weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am sure there is plenty of great places that we did not have time to go see, but we are planning a return trip soon. What should we see next visit? Leave me a comment and let me know.

If you like the area and want to stay a few more days, I invite you to check out my trip to Pompano Beach: Oh the Places You’ll Go in Pompano.

Pompano Beach go its name from the abundance of pompano, a tropical game fish drawn to warmer waters. There are many places to go in Pompano but visiting the Hillsboro Lighthouse is what drew me to the area.