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5 Best Day Trips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The beaches of Fort Lauderdale are world-famous. There are many incredible beaches in this city, and a weekend away is many people’s idea of a perfect vacation. It is very easy to spend a weekend away at the beach with no further plans.

For visitors to Fort Lauderdale, a day trip or weekend trip gives you a little variety without all the hassle of organizing a long trip. Let’s look at the best day trips from Fort Lauderdale.

1. Palm Beach

You cannot talk about day trips from Fort Lauderdale without mentioning Palm Beach. This little town is a little over 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and well worth a visit. Palm Beach is home to the famous ‘Jolly Roger’ Hotel which is a landmark in its own right. Built-in 1930 it’s obvious when you look at it why it was an instant hit.

One of the things you must not miss in Palm Beach is taking a cruise on The Tall Ship America. The Tall Ship America was built in 1890 and is the second oldest working ship in the United States. She is a true relic of the sailing era and it is one of the most relaxing ways to see Palm Beach.

A trip to Palm Beach would be pretty dull without including a cocktail at one of the famous martini bars. 2 such bars you will want to visit are Blue Martini and The Breakers. Both of these bars are well known for their cocktails, particularly the ‘shaken not stirred’ cocktail.

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2. Gardens by the Bay


Less than 40 minutes from Fort Lauderdale you will find Gardens by the Bay. This is a magnificent park, its central feature is the Flower Dome. The Flower Dome is a giant greenhouse full of tropical flowers.

The park is set over 40 acres and it’s absolutely magical to see. Apart from the Flower Dome, there are many other beautiful attractions such as The Cloud Forest, the Climatron, and the Supertree Grove.

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3. Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach is a strip that runs along the beachfront of Fort Lauderdale. The beach of Fort Lauderdale is huge and after an afternoon on the beach, it is worth spending a night in Fort Lauderdale. This city has tons of accommodation. From hostels to hotels with ocean views to expensive hotels with the amenities you would expect from a 5-star resort.

Then, of course, there is the resort. The resorts of Fort Lauderdale are by far the biggest attractions for tourists. There are 3 resorts to choose from, Palm Island, Las Olas, and Bahia Mar.

Spending the night in one of the resorts is the best way to enjoy a night out in Fort Lauderdale. The resorts provide everything you need. Plenty of pool, and a good selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. For those wanting more of a party scene, Las Olas is a popular choice.

The nightlife here is exciting and everyone is dressed up. If you are looking for more of a relaxing night, Bahia Mar is perfect. They provide luxury condos and easy access to beachside resorts and restaurants.

Fort Lauderdale is a great place for a day trip and as long as you like spending an afternoon on the beach then there is no reason not to visit the city. You can spend a whole week in Fort Lauderdale and still not cover everything.

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