Ft. Lauderdale - Any experts out there

[dthogue]

We will be spending 10 days at WDW then driving to Ft. Lauderdale for a soccer tournament.

Any tips on the best way to get from WDW Property to Ft. Lauderdale? Also any tips on what to see/do while we are in the area. Any great places to eat (especailly with a large group)? Best beach to visit? Any help would be appreciated - never been to this area.

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[kennancat]

For directions, I get on Osceola Parkway (the road that leads into Animal Kingdom) and head east. There's a direct interchange to the Turnpike that you can get on to head south to Ft. L. You'll have to pay tolls for both of these roads, but it's an easy route IMHO.

It's been a long time since I've been down there (so no good restuarants or such to pass along), but I would recommend the King Tut exhibit if you're down there while it's still going on. They had a neat science museum and IMAX theater from what I remember too.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

A long time seen we have been although we are going back next year.

Florida Turnpike all the way there pretty much, the A1A is the coastal road that links the likes of Boca Raton/Palm Beach/Ft L/Miami - there are plenty of nice beaches down there and the one at FL is nice too.

There are some good restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard which is a trendy part of FL.

Sawgrass Mills also, the biggest discount shopping mall in Florida.

Try - http://info.ci.ftlaud.fl.us/
www.introweb.com/fortlauderdale/mainmenu.htm

 

[katallo]

We just returned from Ft. Lauderdale. Los Olas has La Bonne Crepe and also Mancini's. They are both on Los Olas Blvd. Hollywood is a nice area and very close. We had a great meal at Billy's Stone Crab House. It's on A1A. The entire area suffered damage from the hurricane but it's recovering slowly. From Orlando, definitely take the Turnpike. Have fun.

 

[TRUFFLES13]

I am thinking of doing this drive also. FIL lives there and I was thinking after WDW me & DS driving to visit.

Is it an easy drive? I hate driving where I am not sure of the area.

 

[geffric]

There used to be an ice cream place called Jaxons in Ft Lauderdale. They made big and delicious sundaes. I am not sure of the address. Wait I looked it up... here is is..

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor Restaurant & Country Store
Address: 128 S Federal Hwy, Dania, FL 33004 P hone:(954) 923-4445

and it has a website too..




http://www.jaxsonsicecream.com/

 

[Goofy's girl]

My brother lives in Ft.Lauderdale and has taken me to a great place called Old Florida Seafood House.

Old Florida Seafood House
Phone: 954-566-1044
1414 NE 26th St
Wilton Manors FL
Map It

The food was great and tons of it and the prices were good also. Linda

 

[webray]

Definately take the Osceola parkway off disney property to the Florida Turnpike. It is the only way to go...tolls approx $14 give or take a bit (we have the sunpass prepaid tolls because we make trip often so we get a bit of a discount).

Depending on where you are staying the exits are easy and clearly marked.

Fort Lauderdale beach is beautiful and easy to get to.

The restaurants mentioned in a previous post in Las Olas are mediocre at best, they are tourist traps, over priced. I would try to stay away from them, and yes, we did try them, lol, about six months ago as a matter of fact.
Even the fort lauderdale paper ran an article on how poor the restaurants in las olas were..lol.

There is plenty of great shopping no matter where you are staying and if you let me know the area you will be in I can recommend some of our favorite restaurants, all price ranges.

 

[firemanx]

I liveint he ft lauderdale area, and if theres one place to go to for a fun group atmosphere Jaxsons is the place. An old fashioned Ice cream parlor w/ the best ice cream i've ever had. Other then that all the food is pretty much the same.

 

[anniebell]

Lion Country Safari is a lot of fun...it's in West Palm Beach which is north and west of Fort Lauderdale, but you could stop there on your way down.

You drive your own vehicle thru a safari adventure...it's pretty cool. The animals come right up to your car! We have had giraffes lick our windows and stand right next to the van! We were at their knee level!

We also had two rhinos charging each other right in front of us.

You will drive right next to lions in their pride also...but they are kept separate from all the other safari animals, for obvious reasons!

At the end of your safari you can park and walk through the zoo they have there...it's really neat especially for the kids!

I am sure you can find a link to the site...or I will post back with one!

 

[anniebell]

Here is the link....

http://lioncountrysafari.com/

Sorry if it's not highlighted, I don't know how to do that! Enjoy!

Edited to add: (Guess it highlighted on it's own!!)

 

[Billmel]

There used to be an ice cream place called Jaxons in Ft Lauderdale. They made big and delicious sundaes. I am not sure of the address. Wait I looked it up... here is is..

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor Restaurant & Country Store
Address: 128 S Federal Hwy, Dania, FL 33004 P hone:(954) 923-4445

and it has a website too..




http://www.jaxsonsicecream.com/

This place is awesome!!!! We have lived in NC for 12 years, and we were Christmas shopping Saturday night and mentioned that I wish they had a Jaxson's icecream here.

 

[dthogue]

Thanks everyone for the tips. Out hotel is in the Dania Beach area, but the soccer fields are in the Weston area.

We would also like to take a airboat ride - any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[lookingforward]

Weston is a great place. You can arrange an airboat ride in the Everglades, they are a lot of fun. I live in Boca Raton which is not far at all from Ft. Lauderdale. If you have time, Mizner Park is a great place to shop and dine, and is off Federal highway in Boca. Have fun in south Florida!