I remember since I was about 14 years old visiting with my family, I would always ask my parents to explore this area, by day or night. Once I moved to South Florida for college, I used to live an hour from my school which was about 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale Beach. Every time I had a 1-2 hour break between classes, I enjoyed visiting and even just driving by Las Olas Beach to Fort Lauderdale Beach (Sunrise Blvd.).
(the link in the names takes you to the location on the map)
I haven’t visit the area in a while to enjoyed the entertainment there, but here I tell you what you can find, activities to do, and the impressive landscapes to admire.
Let’s start with Las Olas Blvd., it is a famous boulevard that takes you from the beach to US1 (one of the most popular roads on the east coast). If you go away from the beach you can reach a beautiful area covered with large trees between restaurants and shops.
Going back to the beach, on that corner of Las Olas Blvd. you will find one of the oldest bar in the area and it is always very active: Elbo Room. Right there, on that famous corner. While I was in college, I remember visiting a few times and it was always fun.
Obviously, it has an impressive gorgeous beach, wide and perfect for relaxing and enjoying a day of sun and sea. The sidewalk is also perfect for walking, jogging or stopping on the side for a few minutes to enjoy the view.
There is also a very nice small shopping center with some stores and restaurants with a great view of the beach like Lulu’s Bait Shack.
Another fascinating option to explore is Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. It is a historical and artistic refuge that combines wonderful gardens and architecture that takes you on a trip to the past. It is a charming oasis that invites you to explore and fall in love with the place.
And if we continue the trip with beautiful parks, do not hesitate to stop at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Price is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people), individual $4 or $2 if you visit by walking. There’s an entrance by the beach side. At any time of day it is worth entering the park, on my last visit (a Monday) we saw people enjoying a cookout on the grills, other people riding their bikes or simply walking/jogging.
Here you can enjoy an amazing day whether relaxing on the beach, kayaking or biking. If you need to rent, they offer kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and bicycles, they even offer chairs and umbrellas for the beach.
Fort Lauderdale beach is not only beautiful, but also very fun to go just for a stroll at the end of the day. Of course, keep in mind that during Spring Break (March) and summer it can get crowded and it may be more difficult to stroll around the area or relax on the beach.
