Experience Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant cultural scene with an exploration of the city’s world-class museums, historical sites, and heritage venues. From a cruise on a famous river to a stroll in a tranquil garden filled with history, check out these four area museums, and get ready for an educational and happening summer.
African-American Cultural Center
Visit Fort Lauderdale’s African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, a 60,000 square foot building featuring literary collections of African-American authors. Permanent exhibits feature artifacts from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, as well as a 5,000-square-foot art gallery. A unique children’s library and auditorium provide opportunities to exchange ideas.
The center offers classes in technology and education and has displayed almost 40 major exhibits to over 895,000 guests. A thriving part of the community, the library, and cultural center promotes an appreciation of people with an African heritage.
Bonnet House and Gardens
Take a trip down memory lane and explore 20th-century southern living with a tour of the charming 1920s Bonnet House estate — the historic home of Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. Dedicated to Mr. Bartlett’s prolific and prosperous career, the house museum showcases his easel art, murals, and faux paintings, and still delights visitors today.
In addition to Mr. Bartlett’s magical works of art, the Bonnet House’s garden is an example of a rare, South Florida barrier island habitat. More than 35 acres of a varied ecosystem — from the beach to a freshwater slough, mangrove wetlands, and a maritime forest — offers guests an opportunity to experience tropical tranquility and one of Fort Lauderdale’s finest orchid collections.
Antique Car Museum
Founded by Arthur O. Stone, the 18,000-square-foot Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum ensures the preservation of history with its reproduction of a 1920s Packard Motor Car Company showroom. The exhibit showcases a collection of 22 pre-war Packard cars from the 1900s to the 1940s.
All the Packard automobiles on display are in working order, and this great American automotive history is home to thousands of pieces of memorabilia. The museum also features a building and gallery dedicated to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
New River Historic Boat Tour
Every Saturday morning you can set sail on a two-hour historic riverfront cruise and museum tour. The first part of the voyage starts at the iconic Bryan Homes dock and features a fully narrated 60-minute boat tour along the New River. Like the Venice of America, New River was the first “roadway” and the easiest way for pioneers to travel the area.
Following the New River ferry cruise, guests will come ashore and finish the tour at historic New River Inn, now Fort Lauderdale’s Historic Museum, and an 1899 replica schoolhouse guided by a volunteer in period dress. Don’t forget to explore the reportedly haunted 1907 King-Cromartie House where you might spot the translucent apparition of Louise, once the lady of the house.
Make your summer in Fort Lauderdale memorable with a glimpse into yesteryear at each of our four favorite museums. Find your inspiration with an exploration of art, culture, and the beauty of the South.
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