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.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.