Fort Lauderdale is one of our favorite cities in Florida and all of the United States. It has beautiful beaches and so many different activities to enjoy regardless of your age and interests.
In Fort Lauderdale you will always find something to do from visiting museums, spending the day at a beautiful beach, taking a tour on the water, go shopping or even go fishing. In this travel guide we have created the perfect three day itinerary to get the best of Fort Lauderdale.
➳ Read More: What to do in Fort Lauderdale in a long layover
What to do and see in Fort Lauderdale in three days:
Fort Lauderdale is frequently called the Venice of the United States because of its 300 miles of intracoastal waterways, that will call you back time and time again to Fort Lauderdale.
Continue reading for the best locations and activities in Fort lauderdale:
Day 1: Enjoy the Las Olas Beach
Las Olas Boulevard and Beach
The first stop is enjoy the morning at the Fort Lauderdale beaches and stroll down the waterfront with its many shops and delicious restaurants.
We love going to Las Olas Beach as it is less crowded than other beaches like Miami Beach and it is situated in one the most beautiful parts of the city.
Recommended time: 2 to 3 hours.
➳ Tip: Parking can be hard to find depending on the season, but street parking is always cheaper than garage parking. Try to go a few blocks away from the beach in any direction and you more likely will find parking. Some people recommend taking a cab/uber or to bike.
Take a tour at the Water Taxi
It is not only a great way of transportation but it also is a perfect way to explore the area and ship along the canals.
Recommended time: 3 to 5 hours.
Visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame offers a glimpse into the history of swimming both for exercise and sport. It also houses memorabilia from famous swimmers and aquatic sports.
Recommended time: 1 to 2 hours.
Day 2: Fort Lauderdale is more than the beach
Take a tour along the River with Jungle Queen Riverboat
Start of your day by taking a nice relaxing boat tour with Jungle Queen Riverboat. It is one of the only sightseeing boat cruises along the New River.
What I like about this specific tour is that is has a stop at a secluded island, where the guests can enjoy an alligator show as well as to see other animals that were rescued. Depending on the tour you choose to go it can be from 1.5 to 3 hours.
Stroll down Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard is beautiful to walk down as it has many shops and delicious restaurants that will make it a nice scroll. You can find from Judaica, to vintage stores, to chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory. It is a beautiful area that cannot be missed.
Sunset tour with Tropical Sailing
Finish your day sailing in a catamaran. I recommend taking the sunset tour as you will enjoy a beautiful sunset from the water. In the tour you will learn about the history of Fort Lauderdale. The tour includes snacks for guests.
Recommended time: 1 to 3 hours.
Day 3: Relax in Fort Lauderdale
Visit the Secret Woods Nature Center or the Butterfly World
The Secret Woods Nature Center is a small park along the New River, with natural walking trails and a nature exhibit hall. This urban wilderness area protects 57 acres of cypress strand and mangroves, where you can spot giant land crabs.
Butterfly World is the world’s largest butterfly park and home to more than 20,000 butterflies representing the entire world. With a butterfly museum, Bug Zoo and countless exotic birds, it makes for an amazing immersive experience.
Walk along the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale
Head to the Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale along the banks of the New River. It is a relaxing stroll with many art galleries, restaurants, and museums, plus you can see many of the city resident’s yachts docked in the water.
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