Locals Guide: Fort Lauderdale, FL
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South Florida is known for its celebrity sightings, fancy cars, boujee night life and partying until the sun comes up! Not only is South Florida, but in Fort Lauderdale and Miami in particular loved by the party animals, but it is also a favorite for couples, getaways, and family vacays. I am lucky enough to have called Florida home for 27 years!
YES, I lived where people vacation, especially my last four years when I was a local in Fort Lauderdale!!
Transportation in Fort Lauderdale
If you are staying in Fort Lauderdale Beach or Downtown you do not need to worry about renting a car or driving around. Because everything is walking or a quick Uber, Lyft, Water Taxi, whatever your preferred transportation is at your finger tips.
Destination: SFO -> FLL
I have been in Northern Cali for two years, so the end of February I flew into Fort Lauderdale, FL (on JetBlue). Luckily, I landed a round trip flight under $250. This is unheard of!
Side note: It’s been years since I have flown on JetBlue and they have really stepped up their game.
- EXTRA leg room, like a lot!
- Personal TVs that stream live TV, On Demand, Free recently released Movies, for example I went 2/26/19 and saw a Star is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- AND yummy snacks including, Cheeze-It’s, PopCorners, Belgian Boys Chocolate Chip Cookies and Terra Chips I don’t even think pretzels were an option.
Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn
If you are reading Tiffer Time for the first time, my husband and I moved from Fort Lauderdale in 2017 to live in San Francisco. Basically, South Florida feels like home. I was lucky to stay with a friend in our old building the New River Yacht Club that is in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Where to Stay:
HOTELS
I’m a HUGE FAN of Hotel Tonight! It is an app and you can find nice hotels in a good location at a great price.
Hilton on Fort Lauderdale Beach – beautiful hotel, amazing restaurant S3 and right on the beach.
Westin on the Beach – this is where we stayed for our wedding night! The pool is on the roof and ahhhmazing!
Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale/Downtown – we stayed here years ago, it is basic but a decent location to downtown restaurants and bars
RENTALS
Airbnb and VRBO have a ton of option in the Fort Lauderdale area. I recently stayed near the New River in an updated apartment. To be honest I was tricked a little by the appearance of the building. It was safe and clean just not what I was expecting.
Typically, VRBO and Airbnb have been very forth telling and no surprises.
When you visit Fort Lauderdale I recommend staying downtown or at the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Skip anything west of I-95 or in Dania Beach or Hollywood.
I spent a lot of time at the pool and beach soaking up the sun and catching up with friends! But, if you do not have a local to give you a tour around the city, don’t worry I got your back! Make sure to check out these spots!
If you are anything like me, when I travel I want to see the sights and eat all the yummy food. So, we will start with what you should taste!
Fort Lauderdale Foodies
Italian, Mexican, Seafood & More
For some inspo you should start following the Fort Lauderdale Foodie on Insta, she is a friend of mine and takes her meals very seriously! She’ll give you all the food inspo you need! BUT, here are my favs:
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: Paulies Pie, Chicken Wings, House Salad and a glass of vino! You will thank me later, there are a few locations, I recommend the one by the airport at: 2203 South Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Piazza: is new (since I left in 2017) to Las Olas. The ambiance is unbeatable, with the ceiling in the restaurant is graphic which creates a vibe I cannot describe and the outdoor area makes you feel like you are not even in Florida anymore. If you wanna time travel, this is your spot. They have a signature drink, ‘The Vatican’ it is like drinking gold and tastes like a melon. YUM! The Bolognese and Gnocchi in pesto sauce were to die for!
Louie Bossi: This is a classic, good for a family style dinner or brunch! The back area is whimsical and picturesque. Everything on the menu is delish, the cocktails are carefully crafted, and they are known for the authentic, homemade Italian.
El Camino: The hottest Mexican spot on Las Olas. Tacos and Guac! You cannot go wrong here! Mix and Match the Tacos. Grab a specialty Marg too! I am super basic when it comes to my cocktails but, the Spicy Cucumber Jalapeno Marg is no joke, one of the best margs that has ever hit these lips!
Coconuts: I did not make it here on my trip, but wish I did! For seafood on the water, this is your spot! They are connected a raw bar as well if that is your thing. I suggest going for sunset!
Sun, Sand Surf in the Hilton on the beach (S3): Another good sunset spot! The menu changes seasonally and never disappoints! They have sushi, seafood, and a twist on American. I always try the chicken salad, get a roll and the special. Oh and the mac and cheese is amazingly gooey!
Sushi Song: Save this for late night, after you hit the bars that are open till 4am, which means this will turn into an after hours party. You will want some food, and this is the spot! I went three times while I was in Florida!
YUM Are you hungry yet?
Drink, Drank, Drunk
Beach Bars: Elbo Room is one of the oldest bars in Fort Lauderdale on the corner of Las Olas and A1A. It is cash only, has live bands and a stripper pole upstairs!
Blondies is a few doors down with similar vibe, they have pool tables, arcade games and more.
Downtown Bars: Fort Lauderdale has really mastered turning a restaurant into a bar after hours. Just about every restaurant on 2nd Street (downtown) turns into a bar. This makes it super easy to keep the party going after dinner.
Don’t miss out on the dive bars: Original Fat Cats, my husbands personal fav. they have skateboards all over the walls and crazy live bands all the time. Dicey’s and Capones also, get pretty divey on the weekends.
For a SPRING BREAK feel any time of year America’s Backyard is your spot! They are connected to a music venue Revolution Live. Which always have great artists playing, I’ve seen Atmosphere and DMX on random nights.
Rooftop is a new bar that I have gotten mixed reviews about, but if you head down Las Olas toward the beach you will find a ton of restaurant to bar hot spots, El Camino, Louie Bossi, American Social, Piazzo, Big City Tavern and more.
Things to do besides PARTY in Fort Lauderdale!
Boats
Get on a boat! You can hop on a chartered boat or rent one. If the seas are calm head out to the ocean or go down to Miami for a nice long day cruise. Or, if the seas are rough hit the Fort Lauderdale sand bar near 15th Street Fisheries, there are always boats and rafts floating around out there.
Chartering a boat, is not in everyone’s budget. Trust me I am stoked to have a buddy with a boat. BUT, Fort Lauderdale has an alternative option hop on the water taxi! They have a free one and one under $30. Obviously, the one you pay for takes your further, ALL the way to Hollywood! Always check for a promo code online first!!!
Explore the Everglades on an airboat! It is not too far or too expensive. You will see the swampy side of Florida and hopefully see some alligators!
Head to the beach! There are bars, restaurants and warm water to play in!
Check out Trip Advisor for discounts and deals in Fort Lauderdale.
Feeling Sporty?
Florida is not known for having amazing teams, which can be a win for your wallet. We went to a Panthers Hockey Game with another couple for less than $20 a person. They lost, but they went into overtime and a shoot out! Oh, and you might catch a celebrity sighting, we saw Ric Flair! The BEST way to find tickets is with the GAMETIME APP!
Also, try to catch a Jai Alai game at the Dania Beach Casino. This is free minus the uber ride! If you know nothing about Jai Alai like I didn’t here’s the scoop. It is the FASTEST sport in the whole world, it originated in Spain four centuries ago. The ball is bounced off the wall to the opponent at speeds up to 200 mph, HOLY S*@! that’s fast!
Fort Lauderdale Round Up:
Growing up in Florida and spending 4 years in Fort Lauderdale I can appreciate the vacay vibes when I visit.
The weather is always great even on cloudy days or if it rains, it never gets too cold. You can always find a pool to jump or a cabana to grab drinks at. This is the perfect getaway for ALL (girls trip, guys trip, couples and families) no one leaves Florida sad!
Enjoy your stay!
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