Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdales visitor attractions are predominantly based around the natural environment and the plethora of fascinating sights that it affords. Trips out to the ocean, safaris and garden tours offer visitors the chance to appreciate the natural beauty of Fort Lauderdale. Museums and historic sights give interesting insights into the Seminole Indians, who frequented the area prior to the establishment of white settlers.

Billie Swamp Safari

Take a Billie Swamp Safari and youll get the chance to visit an interesting selection of natural and historically significant sites located across the 2,200-acres that comprise the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Airboats and swamp buggies provide transportation to those sites that cant be reached by regular vehicle. Sights on offer for visitors include an exciting collection of animals indigenous to the area such as deer, bison, ostrich, water buffalo and alligators. Visitors looking for a leisurely trip should insist on a swamp buggy ride while those wanting something faster-paced and more thrilling, would be wise to take the airboats.

Flamingo Gardens

60 acres of lush green botanical gardens comprise Fort Lauderdales Flamingo Gardens, a nature-based attraction located on South Flamingo Road. Visitors with an interest in the citys indigenous flora and fauna; will find plenty to keep them occupied at the gardens. Highlights include the Bird of Prey Centre and the wildlife sanctuary, the latter offering views of Floridian Champion trees, citrus groves and a variety of interesting native plants. Animal enclosures offer views of alligators, bobcats and flamingos.

Glassbottom Boat Tours

Visitors are invited to board the 60ft long glassbottom boats before heading out into some of Fort Lauderdales stunning coral reefs. Once out among the reefs, opportunities for viewing sea creatures through the bottom of the boat are plentiful and further opportunities are presented when the boats stop to allow visitors to participate in a spot of snorkelling. These 2-hour long trips are the perfect way to get to see some of the fascinating marine-life resident around the Florida coastline.

Jungle Queen Riverboat Tours

Tours are named after the vessel which sails on them, and visitors taking the trips are treated to transportation on what is a classically styled riverboat constructed in a traditional old Mississippi style. There are two tours to choose between with the Sightseeing Cruise being the more extensive, taking in the Jungle Queen Indian Village, the Downtown district, the New River and the Everglades. The Indian Village is the highlight of the trip for many visitors, offering them views of rare birds, alligator wrestling and sites that once housed Indian residences.

Ghost Tours

Visitors with a penchant for the spooky and the spectral will love the Fort Lauderdale ghost tours which set off from Las Olas Boulevard and during their 90-minute duration, take in an interesting selection of areas and venues believed to be haunted or reported to have been witness to ghostly sightings and apparitions. Visitors are not guaranteed to witness anything supernatural during the tours but the well versed guides will keep them on their toes with tales of alleged sightings and the stories behind the more famous ghosts purported to haunt the area.

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

This fascinating facility is a worthy tribute to the memory of those members of the Seminole tribe that originally resided in the area we now know as Fort Lauderdale. Artefacts at the museum present visitors with an insight into aspects of the lives of those who once settled here with a focus on folklore, spiritualism and marriage rites as well as cooking, hunting and travelling. Tools, jewellery, footwear and clothing are among the items on display.

Museums

Besides the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the city of Fort Lauderdale has a small selection of museums dedicated to providing visitors with information relating to the more interesting aspects of its history. The Antique Car Museum is ideal for motor enthusiasts, focusing on the history of the Packard Motor Company while the Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum takes a general look at the citys history with some emphasis on the Seminole period. The Museum of Science and Discovery looks at nature and technology in a fun and educational manner through its numerous, fascinating exhibits.