This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 
The trip was hosted by Greater Fort Lauderdale Tourism, which did not review or approve the story.

The lesser-known parts of Greater Fort Lauderdale (GFL) are home to the new diamond-rated Hard Rock hotel, brand new open-air entertainment complex, an array of established cocktail bars and speakeasies, and a thriving arts and culture scene, all woven into the growing fabric of the Ale Trail.

I’ve had the pleasure of exploring these lesser-known characteristics of Fort Lauderdale while on assignment attending the Riptide Music Festival in November and it was a great way to spend a weekend. Based on that experience, here’s the 3-day itinerary for all of you weekend adventurers looking for a warm escape.

Day one

Early afternoon 

Start the day with a cup of coffee and a muffin at the Brew Urban Cafe before exploring FAT Village, an urban art district occupied by artist studios, galleries, live theatre, and special events like the monthly ArtWalk. The coffee shop has a well-seasoned artist vibe to it: the back wall is a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf while the rest of the decor is made up of acquired vintage pieces which makes it immediately feel like home. FAT Village district is not a particularly large area but has a lot to offer between cool spaces like the Girls’ Club, a contemporary art gallery for women by women, and the stunning variety of street murals.

It is also worth noting that with the growing art scene FAT Village is scheduled for re-development next year, the kind that would take a couple of years and open up an entirely new, elevated art community in the city. But don’t wait for these new developments to be completed, today’s FAT Village is a very special place filled with warm, kind people extremely passionate about the local art community, and the current murals have an expiration date. 

For lunch grab a seat at Henry’s Sandwich Station, a family-owned cafe and the only restaurant in FAT Village. The space opens up on the street, letting the fresh air and sunshine into a fairly small room. The menu is a hearty selection packed with overwhelmingly delicious options like artisanal toast, pancakes, speciality sandwiches, and various poutines.

Evening 

I’ve done some research on the nightlife prior to arriving but was more interested in where the locals like to go, the options for this evening are all based on the suggestions of local mixologists and one sea captain.

To start the evening take a quick Uber from FAT Village to Las Olas Boulevard, the area most known for its bar and restaurant scene. Soak in the sunset views from The Balcony, a Cajun eats and crafts cocktails spot, with an open interior and plenty of balcony space, as the name might suggest.

For dinner and cocktails stroll over to North Federal Highway and head up to the Sparrow, a classy rooftop bar located on the top floor of the hotel Dalmar. Late-night cocktails and dancing can also continue at Unit B, Fort Lauderdale’s very own speakeasy. And for all of those looking to have a more casual evening, there is Rhythm & Vine beer garden with rotating food trucks, a bar set inside a vintage Airstream, and local DJs on the turntables.

Day two

Morning 

Grab a bite at your hotel (I’m a fan of breakfast room service) and spend some time catching up on the much-needed rest on the beach. Fort Lauderdale has 3,000 hours of annual sunshine which pretty much guarantees sunshine year-round. The average temperature changes seasonally. In November you might catch a cool breeze in the summer months the sand gets so hot you can’t walk on it barefoot.

Afternoon 

Fort Lauderdale has 300+ miles of navigable waterways which is why people sometimes refer to it as the “Venice of America”. The best way to see these wonderful canals is naturally by being on a boat. There are plenty of people who can take you out on the water but we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with The Yacht Chick crew. Onboard guests are treated to cold drinks and champagne while a local guide fills the time with stories about the region and celebrity villas.

Our guide for this outing was Ernest Vasquez, one of the founders of 1000 Mermaids, an artificial reef project, and eco-art gallery. He was by joined by Evan Snow, founder of Choose954, a social movement focused on promoting and fostering art and culture in the GFL. The two hosts shared a ton of insight into the local scene and coral preservation.

Eco sun tip: After applying sunblock wait 15-20 minutes for it to absorb. Otherwise, it washes right off your body and settles on the reefs, preventing them from breathing.

Evening 

Request to dock the boat at the Wharf. This is a new open-air hangout spot serving up cold drinks and gourmet dishes from South Florida’s most notable vendors.

The Wharf opened in November 2019 and immediately become the hottest spot downtown. There are shaded bar areas, picnic tables, bistro-style sitting, games, cocktails, beer, and any kind of food your heart might desire. It’s the kind of place you can spend an entire day in, relaxing in the shade, and sipping watermelon mojitos. I strongly recommend trying the truffle brie crab grilled cheese.

Day three

Morning 

Rejuvenate at one of the local luxury hotel spas. The top two are the W’s Away Spa and the Ritz Carlton Spa.

Afternoon 

Explore Fort Lauderdale’s 15 local microbreweries and 32 craft brew pubs that compose the GFL Ale Trail. The trail had originally started by beer enthusiasts but quickly grew with consumer demand. Today the trail includes over 500 different beers, from a Hefeweizen made with Florida-grown mangos, to sour IPAs and malty stouts.

Make sure to add Invasive Species Brewing to your list of stops and try one of their flights. The brewery is a really cool spot with unique decor (to say the least), and a great selection of rotating beers only available in the taproom. The owner of the brewery is a hunter so from the start taxidermy was a part of the decor. The community really connected with that bit and began to bring their undesirables to the brewery. “My wife says it’s me or them so please take them” type of thing. Today there are supposedly over 200 pieces, from crocodiles to geckos. 

Not too far is another fun family-run brewery called Gulf Stream Brewing. This is a larger tap room with a hot food selection, occasional live music and comedy, and of course, various beer community gatherings. During our visit, the brewery opened its doors to a shelter for a dog adoption event. Lucky us got to spend a few hours sipping lagers and playing with puppies. 

Evening 

If you’re not catching the evening flight home try to get a taste of fresh seafood at Rivertail. This James Beard-nominated chef José Mendin’s first Fort Lauderdale restaurant is located on the historic Riverwalk. The space is light and open, offering global fusion cuisine like seafood ceviches, grilled prawns, and lobster allemande.

Where to stay

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

A luxury beachfront, all-suite property. The Conrad is located close to the city center and across the street from the beach. The hotel offers a taste of high-end cruise life through nautically-inspired decor with clean white lines. Guests can take advantage of the hotel spa, restaurant, cocktails bar, and rooftop bar with pool-friendly lunch selections. This hotel is a Hilton property, full review here.

Note: Make sure to collect your Hilton Honors Rewards when visiting.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Another new property on the Fort Lauderdale scene. The hotel is shaped like a guitar and is impossible to miss when driving in from the airport. As AAA Four Diamond-rated property this Hard Rock is on par with high-end Vegas hotels offering celebrity entertainment, live theatre, and of course, a casino. There are 600+ luxury guest rooms some of which are swim-up suites in the adjacent Oasis Tower.

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This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here.
The trip was hosted by Greater Fort Lauderdale Tourism, which did not review or approve the story.

The Vibe & Amenities 

Conrad Fort Lauderdale is a 290-suite oceanfront resort located on Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach, steps away from the water. The hotel, shaped like a boat, was designed by Michael Graves for “today’s luxury traveler” with a nod to the city’s waterways and yachting industry. Upon entry you are greeted with a gentle scent of yuzu, a hint of lavender, warm wood, and soft patchouli – the hotel’s signature aroma. The scented air is a nice touch and creates a relaxing atmosphere, matched by the friendly hotel staff all of whom proved to be incredibly helpful and accommodating.

The main draw of the hotel is its 20,000-square-foot Sky Deck with a heated freshwater pool, plenty of seating, and lounging areas with daybeds and cabanas overlooking the ocean. In the centre of the deck is Spinnaker Pool Grill, one of the 5 dining options available to the guests. Having arrived fairly early in the day I had a quick snack and a glass of champagne while enjoying the view and soaking in the sun before my meetings.

On the ground floor of the hotel is the Cornucopia Gourmet Market. The shop sells fresh baked goods and snacks, and a full-service Terra Mare restaurant with a view of the ocean. My favourite spot, however, is the Atlas Cocktail Lounge. The cocktail selection is as impressive as its quality. My nightly routine became a smoked old-fashioned and a glass of champagne as a nightcap.

Among other amenities and services available to the guests are:

• The Conrad Spa
• State-of-the-art fitness centre
• Sunrise Yoga
• Customized beach cruisers
• 1-, 3- and 5-hour itinerary recommendations for immersive cultural activities across Fort Lauderdale

Inside the Suite 

For this weekend I stayed in the Junior suite.  The room is an incredibly spacious room with a full-galley kitchen, a separate sitting area, a double vanity, a shower, and an impressive tub. The boating influence is visible throughout the rooms and resorts in subtle nodule decor and wood panelling. Each room has an individual balcony, a sub-zero refrigerator, and a spacious closet. Being on a pretty late schedule I took the avenge of pre-arranging my breakfast room service nightly. This allowed me to sleep in a little and wake up to a hearty breakfast in bed.

I slept like a child and ate like a queen. Would absolutely love to return during the warmer season to be able to enjoy the rooftop deck to its fullest.

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
Rooms starting at $698 for the Junior Suite with a partial ocean view
551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, United States
Book directly with hilton.com or with your favourite booking site: Expedia | booking.com | TripAdvisor

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Here in this little corner of Florida, everything was perfectly suited to what I was looking for: a relaxing weekend in the sun and some great seafood. Outside of Fort Lauderdale by the Sea, things seemed to be different. The resorts are bigger, the streets are busier, there are way more cars on the roads, and the restaurants are way emptier. But here, the sand was soft and buttery, a gentle breeze was a welcome break from the heat, and the nights were dark and quiet. Perfect for a quick solo getaway.

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Some of my favourite things from that weekend

Plunge Hotel Lauderdale by the Sea

In full transparency, I did very little research on the hotel or the area. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision and this place seemed nice. It turned out to be wonderful and in a great location which really made the weekend an amazing one. Read more about the hotel here.

Anglins Fishing Pier:

At the entrance, it’s a divey outdoor bar with live music (the singer takes requests  ) and a basic drink selection. Past the bar is the entrance to the fisherman’s boardwalk which you can explore at the low cost of $2. The boardwalk is very colourful and offers a great view of the beach. There is a shaded sitting area at the top where you can spend quite a bit of time enjoying the view.

Aruba Beach Cafe

Surrounded by a mix of bars and restaurants this area is also an entrance to a public beach. The beach amenities are cheerfully decorated with all sorts of sea-themed items from benches to lighting. Aruba Cafe, set a few steps from the Pier, seems to be a popular destination. With its wide selection of seafood items and mixed cocktails, it draws in a lot of locals and tourists alike. I spent a solid couple of hours on their patio enjoying the sun, people-watching, and splurging on a Cold Seafood Sampler Platter. Worth every penny.

Sea Watch On the Ocean

As a couple sitting next to me at a bar the night before called it, this restaurant is a “real fancy place”. Open for dinner and lunch it feels a bit like a private club. The restaurant is quite beautiful in the traditional upscale way. There is a well it enclosed patio, surrounded by oversized tropical plants from the outside. You can catch a glimpse of the water through the shade of the plants. The staff is friendly and the menu is fantastic. There are cold water oysters, fresh crab and lobster, and every other staple seafood dish you might be in the mood for.

Stargazing

An area is a popular place for turtles to nest so the beach gets really dark at night. With the sand being at a bearable temperature after sunset this is a perfect environment to lie down and look up at the starry sky. Call me corny but it’s a great way to end the day.

Note: August sun in Florida is not kind, you will need sunblock. Let’s just say I went from eggshell white to a trendy burgundy in less than 4 hours, with SPF on and all. In the sun’s defence, I did fall asleep on my belly in the peak afternoon sun.

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Rumor has it, the hotel that used to reside on this property was a spring break destination. Which is probably why Plunge Hotel at the time of my visit was only attributed 3 stars. Since the renovation, however, the resort has taken on a new life that breathes cleanliness and adult/family-friendly fun. Everything in the hotel is thoughtfully designed, from chair covers to barstools, and decorative paint on the walls. 

This article might contain affiliate links. Read the disclaimer about affiliate links & PR gifting here. 

Plunge Hotel consists of two buildings: Ocean Front and Tropical View (where the lobby is). Those buildings are divided by North Ocean Drive, a rather quiet two-way road. Tropical View building has a brightly decorated lobby area, a cafe, and promises a new restaurant in the fall. The Ocean Front building is located next to the Plunge pool and Tiki bar. 

I haven’t quite figured out why the beach bar is referred to as a Tiki Bar because, like many other bars in the area, nothing about it inspires a “tiki” atmosphere. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the open environment of this space. A set of barstools face a narrow ledge overlooking the ocean. A few steps from the bar spill right onto the white, sandy beach. It’s hard to beat the peacefulness of sitting in the shade, gently hugged by a soft breeze, sipping a Corona, snacking on chicharrones, and looking out on the crashing waves.

The Room

Taking the first step into the room I fell in love with it. My Classic King Bed suite had a partial ocean view, plenty of open space, and a beachball casually resting on the giant bed. The bathroom is white and open, with a clear glass sink and a clear double-sliding frameless shower that had a spa-like feel. 

Each room, in addition to all the basic hotel staples, has a hall closet, in some cases microwave and kitchenette, and a furnished balcony. Everything about the room felt comfortable and inviting. The sheets are soft and cozy, the setting is comfortable and the overall decor is fun, warm, and modern. 

To try: The giant fudge chocolate bars sold at the cafe are to die for. 

Food: The Tiki bar menu selection is a limited Mexican-inspired menu, a few staples, nothing special but there are plenty of eating options within walking distance. Learn about some of them here. 

Other notes: Early check-in is $20, valet parking is complimentary for hotel guests, and towels, beach umbrellas, and chairs are all provided by the hotel as well. The lighting in the bar is a bit weird (red and orange) but it is that way to accommodate the turtle population who tend to nest on the beach.

Address: 4660 El Mar Dr. Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308

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