Top 5 Can\u2019t Miss
\nWide, clean, and sparkling, Fort Lauderdale\u2019s beaches are an integral part of any visit.Local restaurants, art galleries, curated shops, and more are found along the pedestrian-friendly Las Olas Boulevard.The city is home to stylish, five-star hotels like the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, where you’ll immediately feel at home as you\u2019re offered a glass of bubbly or chilled water in a sustainable aluminum bottle. This feeling extends throughout the property\u2019s common areas and in the private guest rooms.Fort Lauderdale\u2019s first Michelin-starred restaurant, Maas, offers both chef tastings with thoughtful wine pairings and a la carte options.Water taxi rides along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway make for a fun sightseeing experience.<\/p>\n
When I first started dating my now-husband, Steve, over a decade ago, I didn\u2019t expect Fort Lauderdale to become such a recurring character in my life. But Steve\u2019s family lived in the area, and when he invited me to join him for Thanksgiving to meet his family, I, of course, jumped at the opportunity.\n<\/p>\n
In addition to being excited about the relationship milestone, I was equally thrilled to escape New York City just as the weather was starting to turn chilly. Although Steve\u2019s family lived inland, he promised we could stay at one of the hotels lining Fort Lauderdale\u2019s A1A, the scenic coastal highway that runs along much of Florida<\/a>\u2019s Atlantic coastline. That first hotel has since closed, and in many ways, the city has transformed. Once the initial thrill of warm-weather holidays and meet-the-family nerves wore off\u2014and after I\u2019d spent plenty of time with my toes in the sand\u2014I began to see a more layered destination. The beachfront evolved, with sleek five-star hotels<\/a>\u00a0and upscale restaurants popping up. The arts district took on a new life as its own dedicated neighborhood. And somehow, a few old dive bars and beach shops managed to hang on. Slowly, I started to get excited about what a long weekend in Fort Lauderdale could hold.\n<\/p>\n Most notably, for me, a New Yorker who considers finding her next great meal an art, I found myself back home gushing to friends and family about all the great food we had experienced on our most recent trip to Fort Lauderdale. But don\u2019t just take my word for it. Local expert Jenni Morejon, president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, has strong opinions on this up-and-coming Florida city. Move over, Miami: There\u2019s a new sunshine scene-stealer in town.\n<\/p>\n Best Hotels & Resorts <\/p>\n A guest room inside the Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n Four Seasons Hotels<\/p>\n Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach <\/p>\n For an upscale suite stay, the Conrad<\/a> is a standout, where you\u2019ll wish you could stay longer. \u201cYou won\u2019t find softer hotel sheets in any other luxury hotel,\u201d writes Travel + Leisure contributor Lydia Mansel<\/a>\u2014and probably not a better ocean-view ping-pong table either.\n<\/p>\n Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale <\/p>\n Opened in 2023, this glamorous yet understated property<\/a> quickly became one of the hottest stays in town. Expect warm, five-star service, spacious rooms, and marble bathrooms, plus a stylish lobby.\n<\/p>\n The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale <\/p>\n This central beach property<\/a> delivers the kind of excellent service Ritz-Carlton loyalists have come to expect from the brand. Post up at one of the hotel\u2019s beach chairs if you\u2019re feeling a toes-in-sand day, and don\u2019t forget to inquire about the complimentary water taxi service.\n<\/p>\n W Fort Lauderdale <\/p>\n Fans of the W<\/a> know they\u2019re in for a good time when they stay at one of the hip brand\u2019s properties, and those lucky enough to spend the night at the Fort Laurderdale location beeline for the the WET Deck pool, where you can relax on a lounger with a frozen cocktail in hand.\n<\/p>\n Pier Sixty-Six <\/p>\n After a billion-dollar renovation earlier this year, this iconic property<\/a> opened its doors once again\u2013this time with a glow-up of the signature rotating rooftop lounge, the Pier Top.\n<\/p>\n Best Things to Do <\/p>\n The iconic white wave wall along Fort Lauderdale’s beach.<\/p>\n Wirestock\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Bonnet House Museum & Gardens <\/p>\n This \u201cbeautifully preserved slice of old Fort Lauderdale is a must-visit for travelers with a keen interest in culture and history,\u201d says Morejon of the historic 1920s home<\/a>, whimsical art estate, and tropical garden escape located just off the beachfront.\n<\/p>\n Historic Stranahan House Museum <\/p>\n The city\u2019s \u201coldest surviving structure serves as a gateway to our beginnings,\u201d notes Morejon. The house, dating back to 1901, belonged to Frank Stranahan\u2014considered Fort Lauderdale\u2019s founding father\u2014and visitors today can learn more through a guided tour of the home<\/a>, which contains many original furnishings.\n<\/p>\n Broward Center for the Performing Arts <\/p>\n \u201cAnyone with an appreciation for live performances should be sure to check the schedule,\u201d Morejon says of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts<\/a>. The downtown Fort Lauderdale venue hosts a full slate of Broadway tours, ballets, operas, comedy shows, concerts, and community performances across its two main theaters.\n<\/p>\n Beaches <\/p>\n \u201cThe pristine golden sands remain a draw for the city,\u201d Morejon admits. Even if the beaches<\/a> are just one part of the South Florida city\u2019s identity, you can\u2019t do wrong whiling away a couple of hours on the sand, whether that\u2019s going for a long stroll, swimming in the ocean, or working on your tan.\n<\/p>\n Best Restaurants <\/p>\n Interior dining room at Daniel’s: A Florida Steakhouse.<\/p>\n The Louis Collection<\/p>\n Maass <\/p>\n Deserving of its Michelin star, Maass<\/a>, located in the Four Seasons, is perhaps best known for its chef\u2019s counter tasting experience where guests get to choose their chopstick holders and steak knife. The cocktail program is excellent, but the wine pairing is the real move here.\n<\/p>\n Heritage <\/p>\n As a New Yorker, I take my pizza seriously, so when I stumbled into Heritage<\/a> last year and tasted their pizza (and stuffed peppers, pasta, chopped salad, and olive oil cake), I knew I\u2019d found something special. I\u2019ve been back to the Bib Gourmand spot on every visit since, and can\u2019t wait to return.\n<\/p>\n Daniel\u2019s: A Florida Steakhouse <\/p>\n