Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Fort Lauderdale?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Fort Lauderdale?
Most visitors spend three to seven days in Fort Lauderdale when visiting. The high energy coastal city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Fort Lauderdale, on the southeastern side of Florida, has beautiful beaches and charming boat canals. This is one of the most walkable beach communities in Florida and there's a promenade that runs along the coastline. The city also has many ritzy hotels and it attracts its share of luxury vacationers. Couples, families, and anyone looking for a relaxing holiday will appreciate this beach area.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Fort Lauderdale? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Fort Lauderdale?
Three days is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Fort Lauderdale. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling. To genuinely appreciate the high energy coastal city, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, As a popular and famous coastal city, Fort Lauderdale offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 3 days in Fort Lauderdale
When visiting Fort Lauderdale, you can't miss the Local Beaches as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
This coastal city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale ($74)
Fort Lauderdale is a very walkable city. With only a day in the coastal city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.
The beautiful beaches await you in Fort Lauderdale, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster ($150)
- Seven Isles of Fort Lauderdale Kayak Tour ($75)
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour ($114)
Fort Lauderdale is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Seven miles of scenic coastline with a boardwalk to explore make this a beautiful Florida beach destination.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster ($150)
- Mini Powerboat Rental ($99)
- Airboat Rides Florida Everglades Captain Wayne ($99)
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Snorkel Experience in Fort Lauderdale ($55)
- Atlantic Ocean Snorkeling Experience ($79)
- 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale ($161)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour ($114)
- Chocolate and Dessert Tasting Tour in Fort Lauderdale Florida ($40)
Is 4 days enough time in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. Given only four days, you will likely be rushed to lounge on the beach, enjoy the evening activities, admire the wonderful scenery, and explore the underwater world. To truly savor all that the coastal city offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for three to seven days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
How to spend 4 days in Fort Lauderdale
If you have more than 4 days in Fort Lauderdale, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal city has to offer.
Shopping in Fort Lauderdale is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Fort Lauderdale?
Many visitors spend five days in Fort Lauderdale, as this is a good amount of time to see the high energy coastal city's major attractions such as the beaches, the nightlife, and the beautiful scenery. If you have five days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
How to spend 5 days in Fort Lauderdale
Having 5 days in Fort Lauderdale will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the coastal city.
After you've explored most of Fort Lauderdale, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
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