free time in ft lauderdalt

[RayinIllinois]

we are sailing out of ft Lauderdale mid feb 2016 from Chicago. we would like to fly down 3 or 4 day early and relax and see stuff. any suggestion on hotels and sight seeing near the port?

[DaveOKC]

we are sailing out of ft Lauderdale mid feb 2016 from Chicago. we would like to fly down 3 or 4 day early and relax and see stuff. any suggestion on hotels and sight seeing near the port?

 

You might want to look at the Florida Departures Cruise Critic board for better response and information:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed many times at the Embassy Suites on 17th Street both pre and post cruise over the years.

They are handy to the Harbor Shops -- Publix for anything your forgot, restaurants, other shops, Total Wine if you wish to take your own wine onto the ship. It is right behind the Embassy Suites.

There is a concierge on duty all day who can help you plan tours. The airboat ride through the Everglades is great. Sawgrass Mills Shopping Mall -- tons of stores and restaurants -- concierge can make arrangements to get you there and back.

[cruz chic]

While I'm particularly fond of the embassy suites I find it's convenient to many things I like. I'm not fond of their free breakfast. There is a place in the Harbor shops called joes Cafe. The food is really good and the price is great for breakfast. I'd rather pay for a meal then line up like cattle. They didn't even have any coffee ready at the embassy. That's just wrong.

[blizzardboy]

We're only going down a day early and staying a day on return, but we've found that staying in Plantation, 7-8 miles away from port, saves quite a bit of money and has decent restaurants and great shopping. All the hotels have flat rate transportation providers, which beats a cab when going to the port because there's always a line and the meter's running. Hotel to port was $30 or 35 flat rate for my wife and I the last time. Leaving port is quicker so I don't know how much difference it would make cab versus flat rate to the hotel.

We've stayed at the Plantation Marriott Residence Inn several times in the past but are staying at the Marriott North this time upon arrival. Hotel rates at the port are ridiculous compared to what we're paying, even with the added transportation cost. We ended up booking the Renaissance in Plantation for the return on a Friday. We have a favorite restaurant in Plantation called the Mustard Seed that's closed Sundays, so we had to stay Friday night on the way home. Local movers and shakers wait in line for a great lunch, then they switch to white-linen fine dining for dinner. Husband (chef) and his wife run it. They are also renowned for their baked goods, especially the cup cakes are to die for.

[Editor Gina]

Hi, RayinIllinois. We have an article with some quick tips for one day in Fort Lauderdale -- which includes tips for where to grab a bite, some fun outdoor activities, bars and more. Hope this helps!

[taxmantoo]

... I'm not fond of their free breakfast. There is a place in the Harbor shops called Joe's Cafe. The food is really good and the price is great for breakfast. ...

 

Totally agree that Joe's Café is one of the best diners in Ft Lauderdale for breakfast or quick lunch. Have seen quite a few HAL officers and entertainers there over the years.

[POA1]

Totally agree that Joe's Café is one of the best diners in Ft Lauderdale for breakfast or quick lunch. Have seen quite a few HAL officers and entertainers there over the years.

It really is a great breakfast spot, but it doesn't look like a diner at all.

[serendipity1499]

Hi, RayinIllinois. We have an article with some quick tips for one day in Fort Lauderdale -- which includes tips for where to grab a bite, some fun outdoor activities, bars and more. Hope this helps!

 

That is a terrific article CCGina! Could not figure out how to print it so copied & pasted to my WORD program to send to Friends who asked me about what to do in Ft. Lauderdale.. Didn't have a clue what to tell them to do except to take the water taxi or go out the Flamingo Gardens, which I did many years ago..

 

Your article has me wanting to drive to Ft. Lauderdale a day or two before a cruise, just to do some sightseeing if I can convince DH..

 

Thanks for posting about it..

[tooalto]

We are also devotees of the Embassy Duites. We've gotten a day ticket for the water tax8. We got a fun tour of the area and even went on to Hollywood . The stop is just down the street from the Embassy Suites .

[atog254]

Being from Chicago, if you love Blues, look up "The Funky Bisket". Not sure where it is as I've only been there once to hear Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito play together.

 

Worth the driv

[LMaxwell]

You can't beat the water taxi. Fantastic way to spend a day seeing sights and hopping on and off.

 

 

Watertaxi.com

[jtl513]

Our last time out of FLL we took a "canal cruise tour" (not just a HOHO water taxi) that started just off Las Olas Blvd and went as far south as about PEG pier 4 before returning. Very interesting to see the houses and yachts of the very rich! $23 pp and about 90 minutes.

 

http://www.carriebcruises.com/

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Edited September 4, 2015 by jtl513

[jtl513]

Metered (I think) street parking if you get there early enough or a pay city lot a few blocks away, which we used because we spent time in the area before and after the cruise.

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Edited September 4, 2015 by jtl513

[LMaxwell]

Our last time out of FLL we took a "canal cruise tour" (not just a HOHO water taxi) that started just off Las Olas Blvd and went as far south as about PEG pier 4 before returning. Very interesting to see the houses and yachts of the very rich! $23 pp and about 90 minutes.

 

http://www.carriebcruises.com/

.

Fwiw the water taxi is not just point to point. It has a dozen, maybe more, stops hop on hop off style and they do a narrated tour of the mansions and yachts.

 

Either way though a tour of Ft Lauderdale by water is interesting and relaxing and you will see things you can't possibly see by driving around

[OlsSalt]

we are sailing out of ft Lauderdale mid feb 2016 from Chicago. we would like to fly down 3 or 4 day early and relax and see stuff. any suggestion on hotels and sight seeing near the port?

 

We liked the fake paddle wheel host tour of the "millionaires row" homes on the water ways. The downtown redevelopment area was interesting, museums, history . .there was far more to FLL than we first thought just going from airport to cruise ship several times.

 

I think you will find plenty to in enjoy in a few extra days - I personally would make it 3 days, not four however. There was a historic resort right in the middle of things you may want to looks at for a place to stay, can't remember its name but if was one of the first ones in this area and I think it has now been refurbished. Riverside Hotel? Low slung, very Florida.

Edited September 5, 2015 by OlsSalt

[78232]

We stay at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas. It is surrounded by lots of interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants. The staff at the hotel is very nice.

 

Marcia

[Bowie MeMe]

We stay in Plantation because our daughter lives there. We always rent a car so we are free to come and go and often stay in a hotel for extra space. I like the Doubletree in Plantation -- right next to Sawgrass Mill shopping center and has free parking and there are lots of restaurants available at all levels of price. Lots of favorites but mostly family style or chain. The beach at the Ft. Lauderdale city park is great! Changing house/ shade if picnic tables are placed where they usually are/ small fee to park. Easy to get to Everglades National Park from Plantation and there are several air boat rides that are very reasonable and better than some of the more highly touted ones. Casinos are fun but really smoky. Can drift on down to Miami Beach for lunch and a look around for not much more than to eat lunch in home city. With car lots to do.

You do not have to go to the dog park, the twirling practice, or to Michael's craft store like I do.:p

 

Now last cruise I was really pleased with Hertz rental car -- when we returned the car the day of our cruise (airport location which is about 1 mile from port but pretty crowded and complicated if not local) we were offered a drop-off at the port with our luggage and then the Hertz employee took the car back to the airport car return :D Easy Peasye. I use Hertz because as a AAA member I get a competitive rate and 2 drivers (spouse) without extra cost. When renting a car, make sure there is no drop off fee, extra cost for additional drivers.

[Roz]

Have always been able to get coffee at breakfast at Embassy Suites. Tried Joe's for lunch and dinner; was not impressed.

 

Roz

[cruz chic]

Have always been able to get coffee at breakfast at Embassy Suites. Tried Joe's for lunch and dinner; was not impressed.

 

Roz

 

Yes, I'm sure is is usually available. It wasn't the morning I was there until I asked. I know a lot of people like free things. It's not worth it to me if it isn't good.

[kazu]

Have always been able to get coffee at breakfast at Embassy Suites. Tried Joe's for lunch and dinner; was not impressed.

 

Roz

 

I am an early riser Roz (especially on the first couple of days) and, like you, I have found that the coffee is always ready. I'm talking 5:30 or 6:00 a.m.

 

I like breakfast at ES. I am VERY fussy on my eggs and they always seem to do a good job for me :)

 

Staying there again on our way back from our next cruise and we are looking forward to it.

Edited September 5, 2015 by kazu