What’s new for Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism

Made up of 31 neighbourhoods, Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism offers a diverse range of experiences for every interest.

Check out the area’s thriving arts district, shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, fishing and diving spots galore.

For 2023, the region is welcoming new attractions and transport links, seeing a raft of hotel and restaurant openings as well as old favourites re-opening their doors.

Known as the ‘Venice of America’ visitors can explore some of the 300 miles of inland waterways by boat or the more adventurous can take to a paddleboard or kayak as they explore beyond the beaches.

ACCOMMODATION

A host of new hotels have opened in Greater Fort Lauderdale in recent years with 10 in 2021 alone. The trend is set to continue in 2023 with five new openings, starting with the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Northwest in Tamarac, slated to open in March 2023.

In April 2023, both the Wyndham Dolce Hotels & Resorts Hollywood (100 rooms) and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Lauderdale (110 rooms) are set to welcome guests.

Following in May 2023 is the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Lauderdale with 150 rooms and October sees the design-led brand Aloft Hotels open a 14-storey Fort Lauderdale property with 138 rooms.

Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina, a South Florida icon for more than 50 years, is going through a total re-imagination. Upon completion the hotel, which is expected to open in 2024, will have 376 guest rooms and suites, a multi-level pool experience with family and adult areas, lobby lounge, Pier Top lounge, spa, fitness centre, kids’ club and marina promenade.

A further 10 hotels are set to open in 2024, including The Whitfield Las Olas Hotel & Spa.

ACTIVITIES

Following its grand opening in January 2023, visitors can experience a ‘Top of the Tower’  tour with scenic views of the waterways at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame. The US$47 million renovation and expansion features five swimming pools, a 27-metre dive tower with springboards, nine platform levels and more.

With waterways aplenty in Fort Lauderdale, visitors can join the all-new paddleboard or kayak tour of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. Organised by Sunrise Paddleboards, the excursion includes a paddle from Coconut Cove and a walk through the grounds of the historical 100-year old plantation that is home to raccoons, wild monkeys, turtles, manatees, herons and more.

Craft Food Tours invites culinary explorers to join them for a new tour in Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Village. Taking place on Saturdays, visitors will taste delights offered at Lona Cocina & Tequileria, Takato, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery and Archibald’s.

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show is planning to reopen its doors in late spring 2023. The landmark restaurant is currently undergoing renovations.

Preparing for opening in 2023 is the three-story Victory Entertainment Complex in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighbourhood. The exciting development will include a distillery, cigar bar, wine and whiskey lounge and rooftop area.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center is hosting major events following its recent expansion. The event complex features 800,000 square feet of total space, a 350,000-square-foot exhibition hall, water taxi access and more. Completion of the US$1.3 billion expansion is set for 2025 and will include waterfront ballrooms, a five-acre outdoor waterfront plaza and an 800-room, Omni hotel.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship casino resort of Hard Rock International and home to the first-ever Guitar Hotel. The hotel and event complex is set to play host to top international acts in 2023 including Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Gladys Knight, Bryan Adams, Billy Idol and more.

DINING

After an eight-month refurbishment, Italian eatery Anthony’s Runway 84 re-opened its doors in January 2023. Located on West State Road 84 the much-loved 40-year-old spot has been transformed into a supper club with live music.  It serves up some classic Italian dishes as well as tempting ‘Runway Specials’ such as Swordfish ‘Runway Style’ and Chicken Vodka Parmigiana. Guests should check out the cocktail menu too.

Southern Cajun Kitchen, Voodoo Bayou is slated to open its doors on Las Olas in 2023. Offering up a true taste of New Orleans, the menu will feature Southern Cajun Cuisine, an exotic craft cocktails list, and an extensive Bourbon/Whiskey collection.

Moxies, an intimate dining destination, is also set to open on Las Olas Blvd this month (February 2023). Moxies is a contemporary-casual restaurant with a globally inspired menu and handcrafted cocktails.

Opening in spring 2023 on Las Olas Blvd, TIMBR will invite visitors to an “enchanted world with a unique dining concept”. The 6,500-square-feet space is undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation and diners can enjoy twists on their favourite American and European dishes, a superb wine list and cocktails.

Arriving in late 2023, Marina Village by Bahia Mar is one part food hall, one part event space, with prime views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Spanning 35,000 square feet, the complex includes an open-air, waterfront promenade lined with eight food concepts and a bar, plus a ferry that has been converted into a two-storey event space.

Also later in 2023 is Baresco, a Mexican restaurant in Pompano Beach Fishing Village, which will feature fresh seafood with Mexican flare, a 40-seat private indoor dining room and an expansive, 150-seat covered patio.

CONNECTIONS

Brightline high-speed rail, which currently connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach, is adding a new station and service from Orlando later this year. The station will be located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C, making Fort Lauderdale more easily accessible for travellers flying direct into Orlando.

CRUISE

With a rich cruising history, Port Everglades is expecting to welcome eight cruise lines, 45 ships and nearly 3.5 million passengers in 2023.

Highlights of 2023 include:

Viking has increased its ships homeporting in Port Everglades to four, including two of its expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new Evrima will sail from Port Everglades in February 2023 and Azamara Cruises’ Onward sets sail in autumn 2023.

Disney Cruise Line will begin sailing from Port Everglades from a reimagined cruise terminal at Port Everglades in late 2023.

https://www.visitlauderdale.com/

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