Sign of the beach.
Ft. Lauderdale has long been a popular destination. While its spring break heyday has long past, the grown up version of the city is quite nice, thank you. But as with any place, some things are more worth your time and money than others. I’ve lived here for a long time and I’ve learned a few things along the way. Benefit from my experience. Here are FIVE THINGS NOT TO DO IN FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA:
- Don’t book an oceanview room. Unless you like the sound of traffic. Most beachfront hotels in Ft. Lauderdale aren’t actually on the beach; they’re across the street from it. I don’t know about you, but when I pay extra for an ocean view, I want to be able to open my windows and listen to the sound of the ocean and smell ocean breezes, not hear traffic and smell exhaust fumes. There are one or two properties that are actually on the beach, so make sure to check a map first to make sure you know exactly what you’ll be getting.
- Don’t waste money on the Jungle Queen. This boat tour has been around forever, but I’m here to tell you there is a better way. Take the Water Taxi. You’ll get the same tour, and it’s much cheaper. Plus the boats are much smaller, so you won’t get stuck in a seat in the middle and not be able to see all the sights you paid to see. And the Water Taxi makes stops at various points so you can get off and explore on your own, then come back and catch another taxi later.
- Don’t bother with Riverwalk. This shopping and restaurant complex was once a hot spot, but now it’s just rather depressing. Many of the shops are vacant and what’s left is nothing to write home about. You’re better off heading over to Las Olas Boulevard for shopping and dining or over to the Himmarshee (him-ar-she) district for a party.
- Don’t go to the Elbo Room. This landmark bar has lived at the corner of Ft. Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (A1A) and Las Olas Boulevard since 1938, and I don’t think it’s been cleaned or redecorated since. The Elbo Room was made famous in the 1960 movie, “Where The Boys Are” and seems to be featured on a lot of must-see lists. If you’ve ever been to a fraternity house after a big party, you’ve already been to the Elbo Room. Walk on by, wave to the kids drinking their beers from plastic cups and tick it off of your list. There are many other bars and restaurants that are worth your time.
- Don’t forget the rental car. Cars are a must in South Florida. You’ll need it if you want to go to dinner somewhere outside of your hotel or if it rains (which it has been known to do) and you want to see a movie. And you might want to go exploring: the mansions of Palm Beach are about an hour away as are the pleasures of South Beach.
And a bonus: Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Photo by Finn
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6 Responses
[...] Ft. Lauderdale, Florida [...]
i love stuff like this, information from people who know what’s up b/c are familiar with that area… seriously, this would be a great benefit to folks who travel a lot, whether for business or pleasure. in fact, as a former frequent business traveler, this would’ve come in as handy as the GPS in the rental cars, like a pocket size directory (unless there already is and i don’t know about it).
What great not-to tips! I especially appreciated #1.
With everything available on the internet these days, it’s awesome to be able to get a ‘local’s’ view. So many tourists are clueless and fall into the traps – this is awesome, thanks!
Great tips – and the Jungle Queen sounds EXACTLY like something I would have gone for, too!
Thanks, everyone.
Spencer: I got the idea because I stayed in a new hotel on Ft. Lauderdale beach and for whatever reason, got an oceanfront room. It was SO not worth the money, so I thought about other things in town that weren’t worth the time or money but might attract someone who isn’t local.