Fort Lauderdale falls somewhere in between — geographically and stylistically — the ever-partying, Latin-infused, place-to-be-seen bubble of energy that is Miami and the timeless, beachy elegance of Palm Beach. For decades, “the Venice of America” had the unescapable reputation of being spring break central and a retiree locale, but in reality, it’s a burgeoning South Florida city that has emerged as a foodie, artsy and cultural destination all its own.
Yes, its miles upon miles of renowned canals (165 miles to be exact) with docked mega yachts and 24 miles of white sand beaches remain, but there is so much more to take in these days, spanning a hip, graffiti-draped neighborhood to the world’s first guitar-shaped hotel. With so much going for it, Fort Lauderdale is a must-stop for any South Florida itinerary, if not worth being the sole destination.
Day One
Fort Lauderdale Beach is lined with soaring resort-meets-residential towers, vintage inns and sprinklings of laid-back restaurants and boutiques. Stay at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale to be at the center of it all. Its 8,500-square-foot spa has ocean sea salt treatments, and each room is equipped with a balcony for taking in the aqua waters across the street. Book a room with Club Level access, where you’ll find turtle cookies, a Fort Lauderdale favorite. The treats pay homage to the sea turtles that nest on the beach each year and are a sweet, salty and caramel-y delight.
If you don’t want cookies for breakfast, venture to the hippest bagel shop in town, Mitch’s, and order the BECTA sandwich (a bagel topped with thick-cut bacon, two scrambled eggs, cheddar, white truffle oil and fresh avocado). Snap a picture with its “Bagels Don’t Count As Carbs” sign and enjoy some Seinfeld reruns while you nosh.
Spend the rest of your morning aboard the Water Taxi. An all-day pass runs $40 and takes you, via a bright yellow boat, up and down the Intracoastal, through Downtown Fort Lauderdale and down to Hollywood. For lunch, stop at 15th Street Fisheries, just north of the city’s cruise ship haven, Port Everglades. At the restaurant, nosh on tacos loaded with fresh-caught mahi and feed the tarpon, which splash under a nearby dock.
If you need a post-lunch nap, do so back at The Ritz-Carlton on the beach — your amenity fee includes two beach loungers and an umbrella daily. If you prefer more active pursuits, hit the water with a kayak or standup paddleboard.
For dinner, Vitolo is the hottest Italian restaurant on the beach. The eatery, which sits inside Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, just three minutes from The Ritz-Carlton, comes from chef Anthony Vitolo, the New York City-based mastermind behind the popular Emilio’s Ballato in Manhattan. Count on massive portions, be it a pounded-thin-yet-expansive chicken Parmesan or the Vitello Antonio, a panko-crusted center-cut veal chop.
End your evening with a stroll on the sand. And if you’re really feeling the beach-party spirit, Elbo Room is the town’s iconic dive bar nestled where Las Olas Boulevard meets A1A. The spot has live music through the wee hours, and its upper balcony is a good place for people-watching.
Day Two
Get ready to explore Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s undeniable heart and elegant, strollable promenade — Las Olas Boulevard. Start at Gran Forno, the city’s beloved bakery with housemade croissants, quiches, sourdough and more. From there, saunter west toward the city’s towering financial district — en route, you can pop into a few mega-brand shops (Lululemon) and cute boutiques (Zola Keller for evening gowns).
If an extra dose of caffeine is needed, try Ann’s Florist. The coffee shop-meets-florist has a champagne bottle vending machine and serves java concoctions from Miami roaster Panther Coffee. Wrap up your stroll at NSU Art Museum, which has a world-class, ever-rotating selection of international and locally inspired work.
For lunch, head back to the beach for a modern Mediterranean spread at Evelyn’s within Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. Snag a table overlooking the property’s poolscape as you indulge in a chicken shawarma wrap, saffron aioli-doused Maine lobster roll or an edible beef tallow candle that melts before your eyes and is served with pita.
Afterward, take a walk to the nearby Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. This 1920s estate, wedged between the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean, is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Today, it includes lavish gardens with mangrove wetlands, a maritime forest to tour and an art studio and gallery.
Keeping the historical energy going, head to The House on the River for dinner. Nestled along the town’s Riverwalk and a bend in the New River downtown, the restaurant is housed in a 1903 estate (quite historic for South Florida) that has been beautifully morphed into an elegant dining destination with outdoor seating, coastal fare and romantic nooks for a date night. If you can, snag a reservation for the table upstairs with swing seating and an oversized window overlooking the river.
For a nightcap, explore Flagler Village, Fort Lauderdale’s graffiti-draped, edgy alternative to Miami’s Wynwood. Flagler Village is nestled across Federal Highway from action-packed Holiday Park, which is home to the Florida Panthers’ practice facility and entertainment venues The Parker and War Memorial Auditorium. Keep an eye out for big-name acts regularly performing at these spots.
Pre- or post-show, grab a drink at Invasive Species Brewing. One of the best craft breweries in South Florida, it specializes in funky sours and fun taxidermy critters donning its walls.
Stay tuned for our 2025 Star Awards announcement on February 12.
