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Fort Lauderdale Attractions

Riverwalk

Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk - Florida's Most Beautiful Mile
400 SW 2 Street (along the New River from NE 6 Ave to SW 6 Ave.)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

One of the most memorable walks you can take in Fort Lauderdale is on the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk. This recently completed linear promenade along the New River in downtown is considered by many "Florida's Most Beautiful Mile," linking boutiques, restaurants, shops and museums with lush, tropical scenery.

From the Historic District, including the 1901 trading post now called the Stranahan House, to the exciting Arts & Science District with the Museum of Discovery and Science, Riverwalk reflects the many faces of Fort Lauderdale - past and present.

Riverwalk also encompasses Esplanade Park, with interactive navigational and meteorological exhibits, which is located at the foot of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Included along Riverwalk's path you'll find romantic gazebos, a picnic area, native plant exhibits and a butterfly garden.

Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk is a "must see" when you are in town. For a free brochure, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 954-828-7275.

• Johnny Weissmueller’s Olympic medals
• Annette Kellerman's scandalous 1908 swimsuit she was arrested for wearing,
• Stubby Kruger's clown diving costume worn when the "Aquacades" toured around the world, and
  Special exhibits on Greg Louganis and Mark Spitz.

MUSEUMS

Fort Lauderdale is a city rich in culture and history. There are many fine museums to include in your Fort Lauderdale itinerary:

Bonnet House | Historical Museum | Museum of Art | Museum of Discovery and Science and Blockbuster IMAX Theater | Old Dillard Cultural Arts Museum

Bonnet House
900 North Birch Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 563-5393

This 35-acre beachfront estate is a tribute to the history of old South Florida. Its architecture, artwork, and natural environment are truly memorable. Registered with the National Register of Historic Places, this house museum is open to the public with guided tours. The Bonnet House is open year round except for Mid August through September.

Closed - Mondays, Tuesdays and Holidays Closed

Admission: $9 adults, $8 senior citizens, $7 students under 18 and groups, and children under six are free.

Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum
219 SW 2 Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 463-4431

Learn about the history of Fort Lauderdale and the South Florida area at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum. The current special exhibit is "Panorama of the Past: A Chronological Look at the History of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County."

Also, see history as it still stands in three of Fort Lauderdale's oldest structures: the New River Inn, the Philomen Bryan House, and the King-Cromartie House. There is even a replica of the city's first schoolhouse!

Active educational programming provided by the Historical Society includes workshops and lectures, walking and boat tours of local historical sites, and children's camps. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Admission: $2 adults, $1 students, 6 and under free.

Museum of Art
One East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 525-5500

Recognized as one of the finest museums in the United States, you can view permanent collections of 19th and 20th century European and American art, as well as African and South Pacific wood carvings. Traveling exhibits such as the recent Botero sculptures attract residents and tourists year-round.

Tours are available throughout the week. For information on exhibitions, educational programs and special events, call the Museum’s 24-hour hotline at (954) 763-6464. The Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Admission: $3.25 adults, $2.75 senior citizens and groups, $1.25 students, and children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Museum of Discovery and Science and Blockbuster IMAX Theater
401 SW 2 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 467-6637 (Museum)
(954) 463-4629 (Theater)

Discover over 200 hands-on exhibits in this "playground for the mind." There are eight themed areas in this 85,000 square foot museum: Florida EcoScapes, KidScience, Gizmo City, Space Base, Sound, Choose Health, No Place Like Home and the Traveling Exhibit Hall showcasing changing exhibits from across the country.

Visitors can meet over 100 species of live animals face to face in Museum exhibits and programs including sharks, birds of prey, alligators, turtles and bats!

An exciting new permanent exhibit called "Gizmo City" opened in September! This 22,000 square-foot city unlocks the secrets to the way things work by introducing visitors to simple science, the key to technology. Gizmo City has four interactive areas: The Sports Arena, The Construction Zone, The Factory, and Time Squared - Information Central park. Here you can play virtual reality volleyball, access the information superhighway, lift a 500-pound weight with a giant lever, and program a robot. Wow!

And do not miss the spectacular films on the five-story-high movie screen and 42-speaker digital sound system at the Blockbuster IMAX Theater. It's South Florida's only IMAX theater offering a changing schedule of film adventures for all ages!

Only minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale, this interactive science museum is situated in the Arts & Sciences District in Riverwalk Park. Open Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 8:30pm; Sunday noon to 5pm.

Admission: $6 for adults, $5 children 3-12 and senior citizens (members are free). Blockbuster IMAX Theater admission is $5 for adults and members, $4 children 3-12 and senior citizens. Combination admission is $8 adults and $7 children 3-12 and senior citizens.

Old Dillard Cultural Arts Museum
1001 NW 4 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
(954) 765-6952

Include a visit to Fort Lauderdale's newest museum - it is one you will not want to miss. The Old Dillard Cultural Arts Museum is a cultural and educational center that was originally Old Dillard High School. Built in 1924 as the first school for blacks in Fort Lauderdale, this landmark was restored and exists today because of broad community efforts.

Current gallery exhibits include: the Old Dillard Heritage Gallery, Cycle of Life Gallery, Yoruba Heritage Gallery, and an Interactive Gallery. Open Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 4pm, open Wednesdays until 8pm. Mornings are reserved for local school tours.

Admission: Donation only.
Stranahan House
355 SE 6 Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 524-4736

Fort Lauderdale's history as a city began in this historic building. Once a trading post, residence to Frank and Ivy Stranahan, a restaurant, post office and town hall, the Stranahan House is now a historical museum.

Restored to its original configuration, it features early 1900 furnishings and paintings. It is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm.

Admission: $5.00 for adults, $2 for children.