Fort Lauderdale

[disneyred]

have looked at their touristy websites and more..

but asking the experts here.... what are places to visit and eats when staying in Fort lauderdale,,, but will rent a car for a few days also , to see nearby sites..

any suggestions ?? will be first timers around this area for a group of 6, kids ages from 11-19, visiting in August.

 

[SandrA9810]

Jaxson's ice cream in dania beach. It's a quick trip out to the everglades from there too. The Hard Rock casino is down in Hollywood. They usually have events going on and can find out if there's anything you'd like to do. I like to go to beach area around Sunrise BLVD and A1A. There's some restaurants in there too.

There's also Boomers! I used to go to it when it was Grand Prix and that was the huge teenage hangout place. Something for every age group. They have a lot of thrill ride stuff too and that costs extra.

 

[snowy76]

If you're coming all the way from Canada, don't forget you're really not that far from Miami Beach - if you're at all interested in seeing the old art deco hotels and whatnot. I was surprised at how many families I saw out and about on a Saturday morning (I guess I was expecting all the South Beach models - they were probably sleeping in!)

Also, you're just a couple hours from the Keys. You could make a day trip of it if you have time. You might not want to go as far as Key West, but there are some spectacular views even going from Key Largo to Marathon. DH and I make a point to stop at the Sunset Grille - fantastic view of 7 Mile Bridge and the open water. They even have a pool for customers to use! Very family-friendly. Lots of big screen TVs if there are any sports fans in the family too.

 

[lucas]

Boat cruise of Ft. Lauderdale: http://www.carriebcruises.com/

Then shopping on nearby Las Olas Blvd: http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

More shopping at Sawgrass Mills Outlet mall - don't miss the Disney Character Warehouse outlet store: http://www.simon.com/mall/MallDirectory.aspx?id=1262

General Info: http://www.sunny.org/


And, check out these 2 threads on Fort Lauderdale:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2853389

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2845508

 

[Caribbean Pirates]

Water taxis should be a great hit.

Nancy

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Well, I work in Fort Lauderdale, so I don't quite have the "vacation" perspective. I don't really think of it as being a very kid friendly vacation spot (compared with, say, Orlando), but there are definitely things to do.

I have never been but heard good things about airboat rides in the Everglades. You can see a lot of wildlife (alligators!), and I think kids would be into it. The Miami Zoo is nice, very large and spread out though (bring comfy shoes and a lot of water). Lots of nice beaches, of course. I think Miami Beach is nicer, and you're not that far away. It's not family friendly there at night, but during the day it's fun to walk around and see all the hotels and everything.

There are a lot of seedy parts of Fort Lauderdale, so just have your wits about you.

Las Olas is a nice place to walk around in the evening, nice restaurants ($$) for a night out, boring for kids, I'd think.

Sawgrass Mills (west of the city) is a HUGE outlet mall if you are interested in shopping.

Whoever recommended Boomers in Dania Beach - I would skip it. It's kind of sketchy and the big roller coaster has been closed for a long time now.

The Ft Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is supposed to be excellent, I have not been.

Traffic can be heavy and kind of crazy, so give yourself plenty of time to get wherever you're going... it will probably take twice as long as you think it will. And wear a lot of sunscreen!! The sun really is brighter down here since we are so far south, and this time of year it is so easy to just torch yourself without really thinking about it.

 

[Mom21]

Subscribe to Livingsocial.com and Groupon.com for Ft Lauderdale and Miami. I often see good deals on cabana rentals, jetskis (for the older teens), paddleboards, etc.

My dd used to love the Discovery museum, but was less interested over age of 10. The do have an IMAX theater that the kids may enjoy going to. Hollywood beach has a broadwalk that is fun will walk around, rollerblade, or bike on.

Personally I don't recommend the everglades rides, but from what I understand people must like it as the business thrives down here. Take good earplugs and tons of bug spray if you go.

As someone said, a little west of the beach can be very very very bad areas. Once you get west of turnpike it is much nicer. I no longer consider Sawgrass Mall an outlet really. It is huge, but they do cater to tourist. They have a lot of high end stores. If you go I recommend the Asian Nachos at Grand Lux. Oh so good and I crave them, but only go maybe once every year or so.

I'll try and keep thinking of things. if I see something advertized that looks like fun, I try to remember to come back and post it. When are you coming down?

 

[disneyred]

Subscribe to Livingsocial.com and Groupon.com for Ft Lauderdale and Miami. I often see good deals on cabana rentals, jetskis (for the older teens), paddleboards, etc.

My dd used to love the Discovery museum, but was less interested over age of 10. The do have an IMAX theater that the kids may enjoy going to. Hollywood beach has a broadwalk that is fun will walk around, rollerblade, or bike on.

Personally I don't recommend the everglades rides, but from what I understand people must like it as the business thrives down here. Take good earplugs and tons of bug spray if you go.

As someone said, a little west of the beach can be very very very bad areas. Once you get west of turnpike it is much nicer. I no longer consider Sawgrass Mall an outlet really. It is huge, but they do cater to tourist. They have a lot of high end stores. If you go I recommend the Asian Nachos at Grand Lux. Oh so good and I crave them, but only go maybe once every year or so.

I'll try and keep thinking of things. if I see something advertized that looks like fun, I try to remember to come back and post it. When are you coming down?

Thanks to all that chimed in here...I always know it a wealth of info here...I hope mom21 will come across the more ideas... Travel dates are not set as this trip combines business and visiting friends so have to cater for that...generally now,,its about mid august...

 

[joviroxx]

Another south Floridian chiming in:

Sawgrass outlet is HUGE, enormous. I don't know if you will be travelling with girls or if this is too young for them but they just recently opened the Barbie Dreamhouse Experience there. I don't know much about it but have heard mothers talk about talking their girls there. Here is a link http://barbiedreamhouse.com/

My beach of preference is Hollywood Beach and the boardwalk, just south of Sheridan. The beach is wide there and not as crowded as a bit more south. Ft Lauderdale beach is nice but its lost a lot of beach recently.

You can take the water taxi's and other tours as well as the Museum of Discovery.

The time of year you are planning to come might make a difference as well.

 

[Skippy918]

My kids are younger, but they liked Butterfly World. We also took at day trip to Miami to visit the Gold Coast railroad museum and the zoo. The beach was a big hit too. We went in early December so the crowds weren't very big.

 

[jodifla]

I can't believe no one has mentioned this:

http://www.junglequeen.com/index.html


The Jungle Queen was our go-to attraction in Fort Lauderdale when people came from out of town. Great -- if cheesy -- tour of the Intracoastal.

Also, http://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/. Touristy trappy, but fun airboat ride.

 

[ChristineNic]

If you plan to hit Sawgrass Mills, I'd suggest avoiding the weekends. It's a mad house. Be prepared to WALK a lot. The mall is huge and overwhelming.

Quiet Rivers Park would be fun day. In the same area, Butterfly World is a fun excursion.

 

[SandrA9810]

Wow, kind of sad to think of Boomers falling apart like that. It was a great spot for teens and tweens. I spent a lot of time and money there growing up. Then again I don't thonk anyone was happy with the sale of it.

 

[disneyred]

Another south Floridian chiming in:

Sawgrass outlet is HUGE, enormous. I don't know if you will be travelling with girls or if this is too young for them but they just recently opened the Barbie Dreamhouse Experience there. I don't know much about it but have heard mothers talk about talking their girls there. Here is a link http://barbiedreamhouse.com/

My beach of preference is Hollywood Beach and the boardwalk, just south of Sheridan. The beach is wide there and not as crowded as a bit more south. Ft Lauderdale beach is nice but its lost a lot of beach recently.

You can take the water taxi's and other tours as well as the Museum of Discoveitnoury.

The time of year you are planning to come might make a difference as well.

Is parking easy and plentiful around the boardwalk?
Its probably not free? Any tips on where to park without paying an arm and leg?