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Winter Activities in Ft. Lauderdale

A snowman on the beach made out of sand | Gunther Kia
While Fort Lauderdale is best known as a summer destination, there is plenty to do in and around this gorgeous Florida city year round. Here is just a taste of all Fort Lauderdale has to offer in the offseason.

Pedal in Style

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a scenic bike tour of the historic Fort Lauderdale area. There are many companies that offer bike rental services, and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society offers one of the best tours you can sign up for. You can take a guided tour of the historic district, or arrange your own schedule and enjoy biking through smaller crowds in milder temperatures during the off season. Stop in the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Replica to see what life was like for early Florida settlers, or view the remnants of the three forts for which Fort Lauderdale was named along the New River. With so much history packed in a few square miles, Fort Lauderdale is a history buff's dream destination.

Party Responsibly

Located a few miles north of Fort Lauderdale, you'll find the deceptively quiet town of Coral Springs. During the day, this town is suburbia at its best, but come back and visit when the sun goes down and you'll see why many consider Coral Springs one of the best locations for Florida night life. The Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar should be stop number one on your list. You can enjoy one of over 40 unique brews at this upscale bar and lounge. Amble down to The Walk of Coral Springs on University Drive afterward. The Walk is an outdoor promenade with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues at your fingertips. You can finish up your night with a late-night snack at Cherry Smash, a 1920s-inspired ice cream parlor specializing in classic combinations like banana split sundaes and floats. Cherry Smash is open until 11 p.m. on weekends and is sure to charm you with its quirky interior and unique menu options.

Experience Butterfly World

About 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale you'll find Coconut Creek, a small Florida town whose claim to fame is Butterfly World, the world's largest butterfly park with over 20,000 live butterflies, set amid a stunning botanical backdrop. The park is also home to hummingbirds, lorikeets, and other bird species native to Florida. Butterfly World began as a hobby for the founder and owner, Ronald Boender, but quickly became an international destination and world-class migratory research center. Butterfly World is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are a bit pricey but worth the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ticket sales help support Boender's efforts to protect endangered butterfly species around the world and to further research on many migratory species at the University of Florida laboratory founded in his name. No matter what winter activities you choose to enjoy, the southern charm, ideal size, and proximity to other Florida jewels makes Fort Lauderdale the perfect winter retreat.
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Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination that's also a great place to call home thanks to its sunny subtropical climate, pristine beaches, and scenic canals. If you're craving ice cream or any other type of cool and creamy dessert, you should know that this coastal South Florida city is the ideal place to grab a delicious frozen treat. Drop by one, two, or all three of these scrumptious locations to access irresistible fare and warm, friendly service. Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream This exciting and ultra-modern ice cream shop is situated at 2422 N. Federal Highway. The shop is unique because it provides ice cream that's flash-frozen with liquid nitrogen. When you visit Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream, you'll get ice cream that's remarkably fresh, tasty, and smooth because your ice cream will be made right after you order it. You'll love the novelty of seeing science in action as your ice cream is prepared. You'll have tons of enticing flavors to choose from, from tried-and-true classics like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate to more innovative flavors, such as Pop Tarts, Coconut Milk, and Pumpkin. Yo Mama's Ice Cream If you're exploring Fort Lauderdale Beach and you want ice cream that helps you to beat the heat, be sure to visit Yo Mama's Ice Cream. This frozen treat shop is a favorite with the beach crowd and you'll find it at 901 Sunrise Lane. Ice cream at Yo Mama's is made from scratch each day right in front of customers. This shop is renowned for its homemade waffle cones, milkshakes, frozen lemonade, and ice cream sundaes. Sundae fans may select their preferred sundae toppings, which are sold by the ounce, including coconut shavings and gummy bears. There are lots of wonderful ice cream flavors to choose from, such as Orange Creamsicle, Buttered Rum, and Cotton Candy. Yo Mama's offers tons of fun and delectable ice cream flavors and menu choices, so there's truly something for everyone. Stefano Versace Gelato If you're into upscale shopping and also appreciate Italian gelato, head to Fort Lauderdale's elegant Galleria Mall located at 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. You'll find amazing boutiques, plus a very special frozen treat emporium called Stefano Versace Gelato. In Italy, gelato is part of the culture and the gelato specialists at this shop use traditional ingredients and processes to create authentic Italian gelato recipes. Many styles of gelato are available, including dazzling Gold Gelato, which features an outer layer of edible gold leaf, and Vegan Gelato. Along with its plethora of frozen treats, Stefano Versace Gelato now offers breakfast, lunch, and happy hour menus. You may want to grab an appetizer or entree from one of the new menus and then enjoy some cool and flavorful gelato for dessert. Creamy smoothies and fresh juices are also available. Now that you have a taste of the thriving frozen treat scene in Fort Lauderdale, why not sample your favorite frozen desserts today? This city is home to some stellar ice cream shops and gelato emporiums. Image via Flickr by thebittenword.com used under CC By

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Best Breweries in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Some days, a good drink is exactly what you need. Fortunately, there are plenty of good breweries in every state. Florida, especially around Ft. Lauderdale, has some of the best breweries in the state. If you are looking for something new and delicious, check out some of the best breweries that you can find in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. LauderAle LauderAle is a 1,500 square-foot craft beer brewery near the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. The tasting room has 30 craft beers on tap including several seasonal favorites. Plus, they also have several guest brews regularly available. If that is not enough, the brewery hosts live music events, and it is a regular hangout for food trucks. Invasive Species Brewing Another great option is Invasive Species Brewing. It is owned and operated by four well-known brewers and bar owners in the area. It has 10 beers in its rotation, one of which is made in collaboration with 26-degrees Brewing Company, another well-known brewery. Invasive Species Brewing is another example of a brewery focusing on its own craft option using the combined expertise of local brewers. You can enjoy the beer, and the taproom is a fun place to hang out. more Funky Buddha Brewery Funky Buddha Brewery is one of the largest craft breweries in the state and continues to grow in popularity. It has a massive 3,000 square-foot taproom that you can check out. There are 30 beers on tap too. One of the best options that they have is the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, which won the company several awards. However, there are plenty of other great options to try. It is a place that you will want to visit often. 26 Degree Brewing Company 26 Degree Brewing Company is located at 2600 E Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. It is consistently rated as one of the top breweries in Florida and works with other breweries to make unique craft beers. It is also Florida's largest microbrewery. You can tour the facility on a guided tour. Plus, it hosts pairing events to help you find the best foods to go along with its beers. It hosts an event every month, so there are always new things to try. American Icon Brewery American Icon Brewery is located at 911 NE 4TH Ave. It is on the smaller side but makes great brews. The list of available beers rotates based on seasons and holidays. That way, you always have something fresh and different to try. You can stop in for a meal any day of the week and there is also a Sunday brunch. There are many more breweries in the area worth checking out that make their own beer in unique and interesting flavors. It could be fun to keep a list of all of the beers that you have tried. That way, you can always point others toward your favorites and support your local breweries. Wherever you decide to go, make sure that you drink responsibly. Image via Flickr by Dark Dwarf used under CC By

Fort lauderdale cinnamon sticks

Best Bakeries in Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you are craving something sweet, you are in luck. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, might be known for its abundance of sunshine and sandy beaches, but it is also a great destination for sweets. Check out a few of the top bakeries in the area. Paris Morning Bakery The Paris Morning Bakery offers a Korean-French menu with fresh pastries and doughnuts. The dining area is comfortable and inviting, which is perfect for catching up with a friend over a hot Danish or a piece of the Red Bean Bread. Other great items at the bakery include the Cream Puff, the Mocha Cream Bun, or the Twisted Doughnut. In addition to the bakery items, visitors may also enjoy the coffee, fresh juice, green tea, and bubble tea available at the Paris Morning Bakery. more La Bonne Adresse This family-owned-and-operated bakery combines the culinary talents of a brother and sister team. The brother focuses on the French Pastries while the sister whips up the chocolates. You will also find unique bakery items on the menu like the Choux — small, bite-sized puffs which come in a variety of flavors including caramel, mango, lemon, and passion. Popular items on the bakery menu include the croissants, the chouquettes, and the tartlets. You can also order a slice of the cake of the day or order your favorite flavor of cake, freshly baked for your next special event. Joseph's Italian Pastry Shop What began as a home-run cake shop, Joseph's Italian Pastry Shop has turned into one of the most popular bakeries in the Fort Lauderdale area. The menu loosely follows Italian tradition, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Italian bakery items with a unique twist. Joseph's serves a large menu; watch out though, you won't be able to choose just one item from their offerings. Must-try items in the bakery include the mini pastry cakes and the Oreo cheesecake. Each of the desserts at this bakery is also affordable and you can get regular pizzas and sandwiches. You can also order your favorite bakery items online and have them shipped to you. 2000 Bakery If you prefer to pair your favorite bakery treats with a strong cup of coffee, then you will definitely want to check out 2000 Bakery. This bakery houses a cafe which serves authentic Brazilian coffee in addition to bakery items like cheese bread, flan, and dark chocolate cake. The cafe itself is welcoming and you will often find customers sitting around chatting, all while enjoying the delicious items that come out of the kitchen. 2000 Bakery is also known for its freshly baked bread. Many locals will come by the cafe to stock up on their bread needs for the week. Whether you are looking for a dessert doughnut or a pastry that you can pair with a good cup of coffee, you will find it at one of these local bakeries. Try each one out and see which one is truly the best bakery in the area. Some rights reserved by Theo Crazzol