If you’re thinking about visiting South Florida, you might want to consider signing up for a Fort Lauderdale tour. Doing so is one of the best ways to find things to do in Fort Lauderdale. And luckily, you have no shortage of tour options to choose from.
From diving into nature to exploring the many cultural and historical sites in the city, it’s not hard to find fun things to do in the area. Plus, the city also offers connections to nearby areas, even making it possible to embark on a Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas day trip.
We’ve highlighted some of the top things to do in Fort Lauderdale below. Once you finish reading, you’ll have the knowledge you need to ensure that your Florida vacation goes off without a hitch.
Read on to get started!
Fort Lauderdale is one of the most colorful cities in Florida.
What to See on a Fort Lauderdale Tour
Flamingo Gardens
Many people traveling to the Sunshine State are traveling from colder climates and are therefore looking for reminders that they’re in subtropical Florida. When you’re touring Fort Lauderdale, there’s no better place to remind you that you’re at the tip of the country than Flamingo Gardens.
Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre tropical menagerie of tropical plants and animals. It’s home to over 3,000 species of plants, including more than 300 types of palms. It also houses 200-year-old Southern live oaks, as well as hundreds of different types of flowers.
If you’re looking for tropical flora and fauna, you’ll find it at Flamingo Gardens.
In terms of animals, Flamingo Gardens features dozens of different types. Panthers, alligators, turtles, and otters all reside at the gardens, as do many types of birds.
Have your camera on hand, as you’re going to want to snap pictures of everything around you!
Bonnet House
If you’re looking for a Fort Lauderdale tour that will let you learn more about the city’s rich history, consider stopping by Bonnet House. Located right alongside Fort Lauderdale Beach, the designers of this home wanted it to be a winter home for snowbirds from the North. And when you step onto the grounds, you’ll know that they succeeded in creating a place that gushes warmth and tropical energy.
Bonnet House has acre after acre of lush, tropical grounds.
Besides offering stunning ocean views, Bonnet House also houses acres worth of gardens. Combined with its plantation-style architecture, Bonnet House is one of the best places to explore in the city.
As the owners of the home were passionate about art, history, and the environment, the house is also a good place to learn about all of those subjects.
The Auto Museum at the Dezer Collection
The Auto Museum at the Dezer Collection was a collection of cars owned by a car enthusiast and private collector named Michael Dezer. It featured cars from all across the United States and Europe, as well as vehicles from famous film series, such as James Bond and Batman.
As of 2022, the museum has closed down. However, you may soon be able to see the cars on display again, as the owner is in the process of relocating his collection to Orlando. Next time you’re making your way through the state capital, keep an eye out for the museum!
Keep an eye out for the Deezer car collection in Orlando!
The Exuma Pigs
While there’s a lot to see on a Fort Lauderdale tour, remember that the south of Florida also gives you access to other nearby areas, like the Bahamas. By traveling on a private-class plane with Bahamas Air Tours, you can even enjoy a Fort Lauderdale Bahamas day trip to the Exumas.
On a Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas day trip, you’ll fly out to the Exumas in the morning, giving you the entirety of the morning and afternoon to explore. And believe us when we say that you’ll want to explore!
On your Staniel Cay day tour, you’ll get to stop at Pig Beach, home of the famous Exuma pigs. These friendly, outgoing creatures inhabit an island devoid of people. While visiting them, you’ll get to hang out with them on the beach and even paddle along in the water alongside them.
A Fort Lauderdale Bahamas day trip gives you the opportunity to visit Pig Beach.
In addition to the pigs, you can also look forward to a number of other sites while on your Fort Lauderdale Bahamas day trips. You’ll also stop at Compass Cay to see (and swim alongside) nurse sharks, see Bahamian rock iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay, snorkel around an underwater plane wreck, and do so much more.
The best part about these tours is that you get to return back to Fort Lauderdale and the United States that evening. You don’t have to worry about accommodations or anything else besides having a fantastic time!
Museum of Discovery and Science
Science lovers will want to stop by the Museum of Discovery and Science while exploring the city. Although people of all ages can have fun, some exhibits are meant for kids. If you’re traveling with the family, expect to spend a good chunk of time there, as the museum features all sorts of interactive exhibits.
No Fort Lauderdale tour is complete without a stop at the Museum of Discovery and Science.
From a dig site that lets you dig up fossils to a simulation that lets you experience hurricane-force winds, there’s a lot to learn and even more to enjoy. Animal lovers can also have fun since the museum even features an Everglades exhibit and a two-story river otter house.
The Fort Lauderdale Rivers
Fort Lauderdale is nicknamed “the Venice of America”, and once you visit, it won’t take you long to figure out why. The city features over 3,000 miles of rivers, canals, inlets, and bays – all of which are worth exploring on a Fort Lauderdale tour.
Water taxis make it easy to traverse the “Venice of America.”
If you’re looking to get out on the water, one of the best ways to do so is by hopping on a water taxi. As their name implies, these are boats that carry passengers from one point of the city to the next. However, they aren’t just practical – the experience is also informative. While on the boat, guides explain all about what the sites around them are. It’s a great way to get out on the water, learn more about the city, and have fun while doing so.
If you feel like sticking to land that day, consider hopping on a segway to traverse the waterside areas. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants and shops to explore as well.
Take Fort Lauderdale Tour along the Riverwalk by Segway!
The Stranahan House Museum
Another historical site in the city, Stranahan House, is one of the oldest attractions to see in the city. That makes it another one of the best things to see on a Fort Lauderdale tour!
Built by Frank Stranahan, the “founding father” of the city, the house is today a museum that allows visitors to learn more about Fort Lauderdale’s history. Since its construction, the site has also been everything from a house and a town hall to a trading post and a post office.
Fort Lauderdale tours that stop at the Stranahan House Museum allow visitors to appreciate a slice of history nestled among modern attractions and amenities.
If you like history, don’t miss out on visiting the Stranahan House Museum.
Fort Lauderdale Tours: Know What to See
Signing up for a Fort Lauderdale tour is always a good idea, as the city offers travelers so much to see. From arts and history to tropical flora and fauna, Fort Lauderdale has a little something for everyone.
While you’re there, you might also want to sign up for a day trip to the Bahamas. Doing so lets you see the Exuma pigs on Pig Island, as well as myriad other sites and attractions.
Start planning your dream Florida and Bahamas vacation today!
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