The Caribbean yachting season is almost ready to kick off, which means a large number of yacht crew will be cruising into Fort Lauderdale if not already docked. As one of the most popular yachting hubs around the globe, there’s a lot to discover in and around the Marina, and it can feel a little overwhelming for new crew.
Fear not, for we at FunAir know more than just inflatable yacht toys. As seasoned Ft Lauderdale visitors, we know a thing or two about the area, so this month, we’re bringing you the low down on everything in this guide to Fort Lauderdale. Read on and discover the most popular yacht crew hangouts, must-see attractions, and unmissable events. You’ll feel like a Fort Lauderdale regular before you even arrive.
Yachtie Hotspots
Whether you’re out with your crew mates or heading out alone and hoping to bump into fellow yachties, these yacht crew hotspots are a great place to start your night.
Tap 42 on St Andrews Avenue is always a popular spot with yacht crew and land dwellers alike. This trendy gastro pub has stuff going on every day of the week with Half-Price Burger Mondays, Half Price Wine Bottles Wednesdays, Girl’s Night half-price drinks on Thursdays, Bottomless Brunch Saturdays and Sundays, and don’t forget Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4 pm till 7 pm.
Waxy’s Irish Pub on SE 17th Street is another super popular yacht crew hangout. Close to several crew agencies and accommodation, it’s a great place to grab a cold drink, a bite to eat or catch up with friends. If you’re a sports fan, particularly football, you’ll be pleased to know they show almost every live UK and European match. There’s also regular live music, daily specials and Happy Hour every day from 4 pm to 7 pm.
We couldn’t miss Boatyard off our list. With its waterside location, nautical décor and laid-back atmosphere, this place attracts yacht crew, yacht owners and guests. Known for its fresh seafood, steak and marina views, Boatyard has recently re-opened after a remodel, so now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a delicious lunch or dinner and admire the brand-new décor.
In the mood for coffee? Head to Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar and mix work with pleasure (or just admire the picture-perfect blooms). Sip your coffee or wine and get inspired by the vibrant floral displays, then shop for flowers on your way out. There’s also the vintage haven of Magnolia Coffee on NE 4th Avenue and Nanou, the French Bakery on E Las Olas Boulevard, for those missing their European pastries.
Must Do’s
Known as the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale offers a wealth of activities for first-time and seasoned visitors alike. For those who love the beach life, you’re spoilt for choice! Ft Lauderdale has over 24 miles of golden sandy shore in and around the city, so finding somewhere to park your butt and soak up the sun shouldn’t be too difficult. The most popular beach has to be Fort Lauderdale Beach, located just over a mile away from Las Olas Boulevard. Stroll the promenade, passing upscale hotels, restaurants and bars, then explore the area by paddle board.
Pompano Beach is a must-visit spot for adventure seekers, keen snorkelers and scuba divers. A twenty-minute drive north from the Marina, Pompano Beach is an underwater paradise with plenty to see that’s reachable by shore. If you do have use of the yacht’s tender, even better. You’ll find 18 shipwrecks in the area and Shipwreck Park (artificial reefs and art installations). It’s also a popular spot for sport fishing.
With its rainbow flag flying high, Sabastian Street Beach is a favourite Fort Lauderdale hangout with the LGBTIQ community and was named “Hottest U.S. Gay Beach” by Out Traveler. This vibrant public space has a lively atmosphere and is super close to all the bars, cafes and shops of Las Olas Boulevard.
There are still plenty of ways to get out on the water if you don’t have use of the yacht’s tender. Boat tours are one of the best ways to see the entirety of the Venice of America. There are plenty of boat tour operators where you can buy tickets and jump straight on for anything from area tours to fishing trips to themed party boats. Alternatively, purchase a day pass and hop on and off a Water Taxi at your leisure. The service has 20 stops and runs from 10 am to 10 pm, making it easy to explore the city at your own pace.
Las Olas Boulevard runs all the way from Downtown Fort Lauderdale to Las Olas Beach at A1A. It’s the beating heart of Fort Lauderdale and features an expanse of fashion boutiques, art galleries, cafes, bars, and restaurants lining its palm tree-decorated street. It’s a great place to start when exploring the city, taking in its vibrant atmosphere while shopping and dining.
Just off the Boulevard is the beautiful Riverwalk. Stroll Florida’s “most beautiful mile” and pass ten lush parks that dot the downtown waterfront, tropical landscapes, winding walkways, and cute shops. There are regular events held on the Riverwalk, including the Sunday Jazz Brunch held on the first Sunday of every month, the Riverwalk Fall Festival on October 12th, and the annual Day of the Dead Celebration taking place on November 2nd.
If the weather’s bad or you’re feeling artsy, the NSU Art Museum in Downtown Fort Lauderdale offers the perfect sanctuary to become inspired. Housing over 7,500 artworks, the collection spans from the 19th century to the modern day and features Cuban, Latin American, and avant-garde work. Handy tip – Visits on the first Thursday of every month are free.
If you have access to a vehicle or a decent amount of time off, the Everglades National Park is well worth a visit. It’s a few hour’s drive from the Marina, depending on where in the park you head, as the park spans over 6000 km. The Everglades is a nature lover’s dream and is best explored by airboat if you’re short on time. Explore diverse landscapes like mangrove forests and swamp land and spot creatures like flamingos, crocodiles, alligators, ospreys and Florida cougars.
Food & Drink
Foodies will love Fort Lauderdale as it’s so diverse, and its restaurants and bars serve up flavours from all across the globe. But even with its fast development, remnants of its salty South Florida spirit remain. If you’re in the mood for Thai, there’s no better option than Larb Thai-Isan. If you’re super hungry or part of a big group, the Greek Islands Taverna is the perfect place. They serve up big, delicious platters that are perfect for sharing. Be aware that it’s super popular, and they don’t take reservations, so try to come early.
For seafood by the water, check out Southport Raw Bar. This casual old-school seafood joint has served locals and tourists for over 50 years and features live music and waterfront patio dining seven days a week. Another FL institution is the Rustic Inn Crabhouse, where you’ll wear plastic bibs and use wooden mallets to smash your crabs. One of the best steak houses in the city is Steak 954, a hotel restaurant on A1A. Its famous 18oz dry-aged ribeye is sure to please any meat lover.
Looking to impress? Maass is one of Fort Lauderdale’s fanciest restaurants, with each dish looking and tasting like a work of art. Takato, with its beautiful beach views, is another upscale choice that specialises in Japanese and Korean food.
Spuds Coffee, a beachside café, offers a mouth-watering choice of baked goods, breakfast dishes and sandwiches. Top Hat Deli in downtown has great brunch and lunch offerings like bagels with lox, challah french toast, pastrami sandwiches, and even cocktails if you’re looking to turn it into a boozy brunch.
The downtown Riverside Market is one of the best bars for beer drinkers. Browse the wall of refrigerators, where you’ll find hundreds of different beers, ales, craft beers and more. Sidecar Speak Easy is a 1920s Prohibition Style Bar on Las Olas that’s Known for its crafty cocktails and period atmosphere. Escape Rooftop Bar is Fort Lauderdale’s premier rooftop bar for daytime drinking. Enjoy signature cocktails and vibey music with views of the Intercoastal Waterway. Lastly, Rhythm & Vine is an outdoor venue featuring lush foliage, speciality cocktails, an airstream bar, food trucks, and live DJS.
Events
Fort Lauderdale prides itself on offering a full calendar of events and happenings throughout the city throughout the year. Fast approaching is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, taking place from October 30th to November 3rd. As the largest in-water boat show in the world, chances are you may be attending. If not, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially as this year FLIBS celebrates its 65th year. The show spans over 90 acres and attracts over 100,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors, with more than 1,300 boats on display, so there’s plenty to see. Be sure to drop by the FunAir stand and say hello. We’ll be in our usual spot in Baia Mar, right by the entrance.
Halloween is a big deal around here, and so there’s plenty happening around town in the week or two leading up to the big night. On the Saturday before, get dressed up and join hundreds of revellers for an epic Halloween Bar Crawl around 2nd Street. On All Hallow’s Eve (31st October), join the largest costume-themed block party in the Southeast. Wicked Manors host a bloc party at Wilton Manor’s every year and features multiple stages, dozens of vendors and costume contests.
Don’t miss the Winterfest Boat Parade on December 14th. Join over a million people to watch as beautifully decorated boats float along the 12-mile parade route to kick off the holiday season.
If love to wander the isles at farmer’s and artisan markets, check out Sunny Side Market. They host numerous markets throughout each month, including their monthly Farmers and Artisan Market and weekly Ladies Night market. Check out their Instagram for all the details.
There’s plenty going on for New Year’s Eve, with establishments across the city planning special events and midnight countdowns. The big city event, Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown, takes place in Huizenga Park from 4.30 pm to 1 am and will feature live music, food trucks and vendors. Check out Visit Lauderdale’s New Year’s Eve page for more details on what’s happening throughout the city.
In January, from the 13th to the 19th, the Food and Wine Festival takes over the city with a wealth of food and wine events to suit every taste. Attend classes and seminars on food and drink or attend events like Wok and Roll, an Asian Street Food & Music Experience, BBQ at the Beach, The Grand Tasting, or Picnic in the Park.
Area Tips
If you’re a newbie to the area or even the USA in general, we have a few cultural tips that could come in handy. For example, tipping is the norm here in the United States, and many workers rely on it as a significant part of their income. In sit-down restaurants, around 20% is considered the standard, and in self-serve restaurants, such as buffets, around 10% is still customary. In fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, tipping is generally not expected. For bartenders, the norm is around $1-$2 or 15-20% of the overall tab. Taxis are anywhere from 10-20%. If in doubt about how much to tip for any service you receive, a safe bet is 15-20%.
Getting around Fort Lauderdale couldn’t be easier as there are plenty of options. As mentioned earlier, the Water Taxi stops at 15 stops along the Intracoastal Waterway, starting from 32nd Street in Fort Lauderdale to the Las Olas shopping area downtown, all the way down to Hollywood, with the last stop at Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach.
On land, the Sun Trolley covers seven routes, including the beach road, several neighbourhoods, downtown and an airport link. The airport link is free, while the others are just $1 a ride or $3 for an all-day pass.
Fancy cruising the city by bike? The public bike share system is $5 for half an hour, $25 for a seven-day pass, or $45 for an annual pass. Bikes are comfortable and easy to find in tourist zones, and the process is very simple.
Taxi and rideshare apps are one of the easiest and fastest ways to get around the city, with Uber and Lyft being the most popular. If you run out of battery or mobile service, a local taxi company can be reached at (954) 777-7777.
Fort Lauderdale is considered a relatively safe city, but like any city, it is still recommended to be on your guard after dark and avoid walking around alone.
There’s so much to do and see in Fort Lauderdale that we’ve barely scratched the surface. Let us know if you visit any of our recommendations or have suggestions of your own to add to our list. We hope to see you at this year’s FLIBS, but if you can’t attend, check out our range of superyacht inflatables and yacht toys over on our website.
