Need layover ideas in Ft. Lauderdale!

[ryan840]

My (then) six year old and I have a mom and me trip in August and our return flight leaves us with a five hour layover in Ft. Lauderdale. It's a budget trip (super budget!) and we aren't checking luggage so we'll have our carry-on's with us that I don't want to have to drag all over the place. I'm thinking we'll have a small stroller, one suitcase, and a large messenger bag, hopefully no more than that. I suppose it wouldn't kill us to take it around. Anyway, what the heck are we going to do?? I'm not sure how far the beach is but if that's a possibility I'd deal with dragging that stuff to take him, he's never seen the ocean. Other than that I have no ideas. Help!

 

[Carriemel]

FLL has a luggage storage area...From the Fort Lauderdale airport web site:

Public Baggage Storage
Public Baggage Storage is available in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. Enjoy exploring the airport or surrounding communities without the impediment of having to take your luggage with you.
Hours vary by location and season; however the Terminal 2 location is open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. For more information call 954-359-7610.

Southwest Airlines passengers, who will be embarking on a cruise, may arrange in advance for seaport check-in for the return flight. Please contact Bags-to-Go Enterprises, LLC at www.baggagecheckin.com or at (954) 359-5505.

 

[ryan840]

Great, thanks!!! Anyone have ideas for what to do while we wait?

 

[unionville]

The Fort Lauderdale airport is extremely busy on cruise ship days. If you leave the airport when lots of cruisers are arriving at the airport, be sure to allow ample time to check back in.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Lauderdale beach is not very far away. You can take a cab and there is a picnic/park(ish) area on the south end of the beach (By the Yankee Clipper) and you can walk to the stores to get some food. There is Boomers (arcade/go carts) close by where you could kill some time. T.Y. park http://www.broward.org/parks/ty.htm . If you don't think you have much time, but want to grab lunch out of the airport consider Ernie's (a Lauderdale "landmark") which has good food. Or consider Las Olas (Lauderdale's downtown) with cafes (and they have a Cheesecake Factory) and walk the riverfront.
HTH

 

[ryan840]

Thanks! I will be sure to arrive back at the airport in plenty of time, is the standard two hours enough on a cruise day? I'll be checking out the link in a little while!

 

[ryan840]

Can anyone tell me about the John U Lloyd State Park? It looks to be the closest to the airport which is great for our timeline... I'm wondering if taking a cab there we'll have a long wait to get in or what to expect. Our total layover is just under five hours and I want to be sure to be back at the airport two hours before take-off.

 

[ryan840]

Double post...

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Maps so you can relate to where the parks are from the airport.
http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTE...an Drive Dania Beach , FL 33004&gid2=24455495
http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTE...0 N Park RD Hollywood, FL 33021&gid2=14196126
http://www.floridastateparks.org/lloydbeach/

 

[ryan840]

Thank you!

 

[luvlumpy]

John U. Lloyd State Park is very close to the airport. You have to pay to get in and it is pretty much a nice beach area. There may be a playground there--not sure. Hollywood Beach is much closer to the airport than Ft. Lauderdale Beach if you just want to check out the beach.

 

[nuttypretzel]

From the airport catch the shuttle bus to the Tri-Rail station. From the station you take a short walk to the IGFA Hall of Fame http://www.igfa.org/mgi.asp and Bass Pro Shops. The entrance fee to IGFA is very nominal ($8 for adults and $5 for children). Inside you can feed fish, see live alligators, climb on boats, and catch a sailfish on the fishing simulator. They also have a small indoor play area. Bass Pro Shops has a very nice restaurant with several large aquariums. When you finish your meal you will be encouraged to take the scraps outside to feed the catfish. This would be a very budget friendly way to pass your time. All of this is ideal for a 6 year old and no taxi is required.

If your child likes trains, you can also do a round trip train ride on Tri-Rail either north to Palm Beach or south to Miami.

 

[disneyandme]

Just remember, if you take a cab somewhere, you have to be able to find transportation to get back to the airport.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

The cab co # is easy to remember 954-777-7777. There are other too, but all 7s are pretty easy to remember.