1. The Wharf Overlooking Las Olas riverfront, this open-air venue hosts a fleet of cocktail bars, musical performances, country line dancing and restaurant pop-ups like The Piefather, Carlos & Pepe’s and more. 20 W. Las Olas Blvd.
2. Daniel’s Sourcing fish from the Florida Keys, meat from North and Central Florida ranches and produce from Homestead farms, supporting local purveyors is a priority for this steakhouse. Enjoy dishes like pan-seared hogfish, zucchini tataki and Key lime pie. 620 S. Federal Hwy.
3. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens The 1920s Mediterranean-style villa is a protected historic landmark open to visitors. Enjoy five gardens, wave to the resident squirrel monkeys and attend the International Orchid & Garden Festival in April. 900 N. Birch Road
4. Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar This cafe-cum-floral-shop serves lattes, scones and empanadas with a side of peonies by day and blossoms into a chic cocktail and wine bar by night with live music and potent espresso martinis. 1001 E. Las Olas Blvd.
5. Regina’s Farm Regina Rodrigues serves a taste of her Brazilian home state, Minas Gerais, on Saturday afternoons at her backyard restaurant, where chickens roam freely and guests commune over her homemade stews, cheese bread, chicken pie, yucca and more. 1101 Middle St.
6. NSU Art Museum Founded in 1958 and known for its collection of work by Latin American artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the museum now counts the outdoor exhibit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “Surrounded Islands” in its permanent collection. 1 E. Las Olas Blvd.
7. Flamingo Gardens Home of the largest grouping of Florida Champion trees, the 60-acre garden and wildlife sanctuary was founded in 1927 and has heliconias, thousands of orchids, a butterfly sanctuary and, of course, flamingos. 3750 S. Flamingo Road
8. Coconuts Tie up the boat at the dock, and come in for some crab cakes at one of the most beloved eateries in the area. Be sure to try the Be Nice punch, a coconut rum-based cocktail and a playful nod to the waterfront restaurant’s motto. 429 Seabreeze Blvd. 
9. Riverside Hotel The grande dame of Las Olas combines retro glamour with modern-day majesty. The 231-room hotel is outfitted with tech luxuries like smart-room controls and heated pools, while maintaining its 1930s charm with original coral fireplaces. 620 E. Las Olas Blvd. 
10. Elbo Room Opened in 1938, this iconic beach bar was once the watering hole for WWII sailors and now welcomes vacationers and locals in search of cocktails, dancing and a raucous crowd. 241 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
11. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Hike or bike one of the very few coastal hammock ecosystems left in South Florida. This state park is home to more than 250 species of birds, landing it on the Great Florida Birding Trail Guide. 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd. 
12. Larb Thai-Isan Named after a meat salad from northeastern Thailand, this hidden-gem Thai eatery, located in a strip mall, offers khao soi, mango sticky rice, pad si ew and other authentic dishes, most of which are made with old family recipes. 6234 N. Federal Hwy. 
13. The Katherine Restaurant Led by James Beard nominee Timon Balloo and his wife, Marissa, the eclectic eatery is a love letter to their combined heritages, with dishes like Thai red curry branzino, Hokkaido scallop crudo and Mom’s trini oxtail. 723 E. Broward Blvd.
14. Broward Center for the Performing Arts Presenting more than 700 performances annually, the arts center presents world-class ballets, concerts, plays and more. The venue has hosted stars like Paul Anka, Josh Gad and Nikki Glaser. 201 S.W. Fifth Ave. 
15. Fort Lauderdale Beach Soak up the laid-back energy on this 3-mile swath of sand that’s more Jeep Wrangler than Lambo. As Miami Beach’s more casual cousin, this spot is perfect for sunbathing, beach volleyball or roller blading the promenade. 1100 S. Seabreeze Blvd.
16. Wells Coffee Company What started as a project by husband-and-wife team Brandon and Nicole Wells led to a city-wide movement to bring better beans to the area and eventually grew to include a second location in Tarpon River. 737 N.E. Second Ave. 
17. Louie Bossi’s Ristorante, Bar & Pizzeria Italian American chef, Louie Bossi, made a name for himself in South Florida with classic plates like pazzesco, linguine con vongole and custom pizzas made with artisanal ingredients. 1032 E. Las Olas Blvd. 
18. Mai-Kai After a $20 million renovation, this iconic tiki restaurant made its grand re-opening in 2024. Catch performances of traditional South Pacific dances involving fire, drums and hula skirts while eating poke bowls, crackling tempura calamari and more. 3599 N. Federal Hwy.

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