Saltwater Distancing: Four Ways to Soak Up the Sun in Greater Fort Lauderdale
By Paul Jebara
Photos by Anthony J. Rayburn
With more than 300 days of annual sunshine, it's no wonder outdoor enthusiasts flock to Greater Fort Lauderdale all four seasons of the year. But these days, spending time in the open air is more than just a pursuit of passions—it's a necessary component to ensuring a safe vacation in a fragile health ecosystem. Fort Lauderdale makes it possible to do both. This coastal paradise is blessed with an ideal climate for enjoying all kinds of outdoor recreation, and ample room for "saltwater distancing" at its sprawling beaches, vast nature reserves, scenic waterways, and alfresco cultural attractions.
Peace of mind is assured when you're indoors, too: throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale, hotels, attractions, and restaurants have signed up for an official "Safe + Clean Pledge," showing their commitment to enhanced safety measures and health protocols. So whether you're rescheduling your honeymoon, craving a last-minute weekend escape, or planning a multi-generational reunion (when the coast is clear for Grandma to attend), here are four reasons to do it all outdoors in sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Miles and Miles of Sun-Drenched Beaches
Twenty-three miles, to be exact! Even if you only had one week to spare, each day could be spent on a new stretch of sand. Work your way down the glistening coast, starting at Deerfield Beach on the northern edge of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Try your hand casting a line from its crowning jewel, the International Fishing Pier, before heading south to Hillsboro Beach for a 175-step climb up to the top of the historic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. Words do no justice for the panoramic vistas that await. At Pompano Beach, the newly reconstructed Fisher Family Pier is certainly worth an any-time-of-day stroll. Stretching nearly 900 feet into the Atlantic, the pier's tip was designed to resemble a pompano fish from a bird's (or drone's) eye view. From shipwreck sites to coral reef systems, the stretch between Pompano Beach and charming Lauderdale-By-The-Sea just below is a certifiable playground for scuba divers and snorkelers. If tranquility matches your vibe for the day, retreat to the low-key shores of Dania Beach and Hallandale Beach. When the time comes to dive back into the bustle, the buzzing promenades and ocean-view outdoor cafés at Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood are a surefire hit.
Sanctuaries, Gardens, and a UNESCO-Designated National Park
When it comes to outdoor adventure in Greater Fort Lauderdale, it's go big, or go home—and you're certainly not going to want to go home. Head over to Everglades National Park: a whopping 1.5 million acres of wilderness, recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage List as the largest subtropical wetlands in the United States. The Everglades is a unique ecosystem teeming with wildlife like wading birds, alligators, manatees, and even the rare Florida panther. Outside the park boundaries, the Everglades ecosystem extends to within 20 minutes of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Venture into the scenic terrain with an airboat ride, a thrilling journey through this ancient "River of Grass," the primal heart of South Florida.
In the nearby town of Davie, the sprawling Flamingo Gardens host thousands of native plants (including some of the largest and oldest in the state), as well as dozens of native Florida animals within its Everglades wildlife sanctuary. A tour of the working citrus grove and restored Wray Home, the 1930s residence of the Gardens' founders, Floyd L. and Jane Wray, is a great way to cap off the day. Tucked inside Hollywood's West Lake Park is the Anne Kolb Nature Center, a family-friendly attraction with free nature trails and a 68-foot observation tower. There's also a grand exhibition hall filled with interactive displays, a massive saltwater aquarium, and an EcoRoom for hands-on experiences with marine life. Looking to grow your outdoor greatest-hits list? Go ahead and bookmark the Coastal Hammock Trail at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the picturesque grounds of the Bonnet House Museum, and Butterfly World at Tradewinds Park, to name a few. You won't regret it.
The Pleasures of Boat Life, from Inland Waterways to the Deep Blue Sea
With nicknames like the "Venice of America" and "Yachting Capital of the World," visitors to Fort Lauderdale eagerly embrace all of its coastal attributes. Just like its Italian namesake, the region possesses an expansive network of scenic rivers, canals, inlets, and channels. It's no wonder why boating is the preferred method of transportation in this part of Florida. Greater Fort Lauderdale's cab-yellow Water Taxis are more than just ferries used by locals for daily commutes. Snag a seat aboard to navigate the Intracoastal Waterway with a fully narrated tour along 10 stops, from downtown to the beach and all the glitzy waterfront mansions in between. Hop-on, hop-off service grants passengers ultimate flexibility to stroll down Las Olas Boulevard; lunch at a legendary waterfront restaurant like 15th Street Fisheries; or step inside the Stranahan House, Broward County's oldest building. Water Taxis aren't your only option for a sightseeing cruise. There's also the Jungle Queen Riverboat, a historic vessel "making waves since 1932" that still entertains with one of the longest-running variety shows in the country. As a haven for seasonal jet-setters and home to the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show—the largest event of its kind—Greater Fort Lauderdale has world-class yachting facilities that make it ideal for charters. Whether you're hiring a private vessel for deep-sea fishing expeditions or jaunts to the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, there's no better place to kick off than Fort Lauderdale.
World-Class Arts and Culture Attractions in the Open Air
With a diverse population of residents and unmatched hospitality, Greater Fort Lauderdale is an innately creative place that invests heavily into its arts and culture scene. Thanks to perfect weather year-round, many of the local cultural attractions are set in the open air or offer opportunities for guests to participate remotely. This January, Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week hosted a hybrid agenda of both virtual and in-person experiences, ranging from provocative discourses, studio tours, exhibits, and more. The organization also debuted its ArtCation initiative this year, which paired artists-in-residence with boutique hotels to create artworks (to be displayed on-site) inspired by their stay. The City of Fort Lauderdale has teamed up with the MASS District to launch Art Equals Health, which spotlights the intersection of community health and art. Hosted in an outdoor pathway, guests can take a self-guided tour through an immersive collection of murals and installations, purposefully designed to encourage physical activity and positive mental health. In December, Cape Town artist Daniel Popper unveiled Thrive, a colossal 30-foot installation in Las Olas made out of 16 tons of concrete and steel. The cathartic sculpture shows a woman opening up her chest to reveal a tunnel framed in fern plants, allowing anyone to walk through—a fitting symbol of Great Fort Lauderdale's inclusive spirit.
Learn more about planning your outdoor getaway in Greater Fort Lauderdale at Sunny.org.