I lived in Delray Beach, FL for nearly three years. Fort Lauderdale was only about a 45-minute drive away, and yet I barely explored. So when I was invited to Visit Florida with the tourism board, I was super excited to see Fort Lauderdale on the itinerary. And the best part about it was that I hadn’t done most of the things that were on it. We spent 48 hours in Greater Fort Lauderdale. We experienced some awesome wildlife, did a ton of activities, shopped around, and ate some super delicious food. So if you’re thinking about heading to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, take a look at this itinerary and start planning your trip!
48 Hours in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Check Into A Great Hotel!
First things first! You have to check into your hotel! We stayed at CIRC Hotel which is located in Hollywood. This hotel is only about a year old, and you can tell! It’s really beautiful. The rooms are gorgeous and come equipped with a balcony. There is a great rooftop area that has a bar and swimming pool. Plus, there is a gym, conference rooms, and a cafe. There is also a wonderful restaurant called Olivia that serves up delicious Italian food. I suggest dining here before your first full day in Fort Lauderdale. Order from the mozzarella bar for your appetizer and get the lobster raviolli for your main course.
Day 1 – Morning
Start off your 48 hours in Greater Fort Lauderdale with the ultimate South Florida adventure. Hop in your car and drive out to Sawgrass Recreation Park. Once you arrive, you’ll board an airboat and explore the Everglades. Watch out for Alligators and other wildlife! Tickets start from $22.95.
Day 1 – Afternoon
After you’ve spent some time with nature, head to Sawgrass Mills. This is one of the largest malls in the US, so you could easily spend several hours browsing the shops. Saks Off 5th is my personal favorite store to check out there. (*Thanks to Sawgrass Mills I now have two new pairs of shoes from there*).
Grab lunch at the food court or at one of the restaurants when you start to feel peckish!
And when you’re all shopped out, head back to CIRC Hotel to relax by the pool for a few hours before getting ready for dinner.
Day 1 – Evening
Grab dinner at One Door East. The restaurant features a selection of tapa style dishes. I was able to try most of them and I didn’t have a bad plate of food throughout the entire meal. One Door East is a cool, artsy spot and serves up some delicious cocktails too!
After dinner, it’s time to check out some more of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. If you’re lucky enough to plan your visit with the FATVillage Art Walk, head there. It starts at 8 PM and goes on throughout the night. You can walk around different galleries, enjoy some food from food trucks, grab a drink, and just enjoy the epic block party. Art Walk takes place on the last Saturday of the month.
Day 2 – Morning
Grab some breakfast at the hotel! You’ll need your energy! I enjoyed eggs, bacon, toast, and fresh fruit! Their orange juice is delicious too.
The second morning of your 48 hours in Greater Fort Lauderdale will start off with a little bit of kayaking at West Lake Park and Marina. You can rent Stand Up Paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Prices start from $14-$33 depending on how long you rent for. There are a few different trails that you can check out. During your paddle, you’ll be able to see the mangroves and some wildlife.
Day 2 – Afternoon
It’s lunchtime! Head over to Las Olas for a bite to eat. There are several restaurant options here. My two favorites are El Camino, which serves up delicious Mexican food (their pulled-pork quesadilla is my favorite), and Louie Bossi’s. Louie Bossi’s has great Italian food. Definitely try one of their pizzas!
After lunch, head down to Hollywood to explore the murals. There are gorgeous murals lining the town’s walls. The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project has done a great job of commissioning artists to add some vibrancy to the streets!
Day 2 – Evening
Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner at GG’s Waterfront Bar and Grille. Plan your dinner reservation with sunset and request a table with a waterfront view. You don’t usually have the opportunity to see a great sunset on the East coast of Florida, but this restaurant faces west, so it’s perfect. I enjoyed the tuna poke crostinis and they were delicious! All of the fish is caught fresh. Finish off your meal with some of their deserts!
Thank you to Visit Florida and Greater Fort Lauderdale for inviting me on this trip! This post is sponsored by Visit Florida.
As always, all opinions are my own.
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