Fort Lauderdale Attractions and Sightseeing

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida - FL, USA)

Attractions in Fort Lauderdale are a little more reserved than in other tourist cities such as Orlando and Tampa, and tend to focus more on nature tours rather than theme parks.

As a coastal town, boat-based tours are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Fort Lauderdale and present visitors with a chance to appreciate the fine natural beauty of the area.

As an alternative, the Fort Lauderdale Ghost Tour presents a history of the city's spectral sightings, while the Pompano Park Harness Track provides thrilling evenings for racing lovers and equine fans alike.

Billie Swamp Safari

Address: Big Cypress Reservation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 983 6101
The Billie Swamp Safari combines walking with airboat and swamp buggy rides, to allow Fort Lauderdale tourists to take in a variety of natural and historic sites set in the 2,200-acre / 890-hectare Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Visitors on Fort Lauderdale's Billie Swamp Safari are offered the chance to see a variety of indigenous wildlife attractions, including alligators, bison, deer, ostrich and water buffalo. Swamp buggy rides provide a more leisurely approach to viewing the surroundings, while the airboat rides are a faster and more thrilling experience.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Flamingo Gardens

Address: 3750 South Flamingo Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 473 2955
Fort Lauderdale's Flamingo Gardens is an attraction providing 60 acres / 24 hectares of lush botanical gardens, in which visitors and tourists can appreciate a wide variety of natural beauty. The interesting Bird of Prey Center sits adjacent to enclosures containing flamingos, bobcats and alligators. Meanwhile, attractions at the garden's wildlife sanctuary include citrus groves, exotic and native plants and Florida's indigenous 'Champion' trees.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Fort Lauderdale Ghost Tour

Address: Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 290 9328
Tours lasting 60 to 90 minutes begin at the stylish Las Olas Boulevard and take in a variety of allegedly haunted areas and attractions, before finishing up in the historical downtown area. There's no guarantee of seeing any ghostly apparitions, but the guides provide interesting tales of previous sightings and the history of the supposed spirits residing in the area.
Open hours: by reservation only, call for details
Admission: charge, discount for children

Jungle Queen Riverboat Tours

Address: Bahia Mar Yacht Basin on A1A, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 462 5596
On Fort Lauderdale's Jungle Queen Riverboat Tours visitors can take a trip on a traditional, classic-styled riverboat reminiscent of period Mississippi. Of the two different tours available, the 'Sightseeing Cruise' is the most exciting and extensive. The trip takes in the New River, downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades and the Jungle Queen Indian Village. Attractions of particular interest at the Indian Village include a variety of rare and interesting birds, alligator wrestling and native Seminole Indians.
Open hours: tours run twice daily - 10:00 and 14:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children

Glassbottom Boat Tours

Address: Bahia Mar Yacht Basin on A1A, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 467 6030
Aboard a 60-foot / 18-meter glassbottom boat, visitors are provided with the chance to explore Fort Lauderdale's stunning coral reefs and other underwater attractions. Fort Lauderdale's Glassbottom Boat Tours last two hours, during which time participants can go snorkeling and get a closer view of the ocean's beautiful flora and fauna.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 09:30 to 11:30 Sunday - 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

Pompano Park Harness Track

Address: 1800 Southwest 3rd Street, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 954 972 2000
Fans of horseracing visiting Fort Lauderdale should take a trip to the Pompano Park Harness Track; as Florida's only pari-mutuel harness racetrack it is the perfect place to enjoy an evening's entertainment. Experience the thrill of the races close up in the stalls or watch over a leisurely dinner at the Top of the Park restaurant. Other attractions for visitors wanting a closer look at the horses and the course itself include informative guided tours.
Open hours: daily - evenings only
Admission: charge