How to Spend 2 Days in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise
Our family took our very first cruise this summer, but before boarding the ship, we decided to spend two days exploring the Fort Lauderdale area. It turned out to be the perfect way to ease into vacation mode before a busy week at sea.
We rented a VRBO with a pool, and after arriving in southern Florida, that's exactly where we wanted to spend the afternoon. July in Florida is HOT! Between swimming, relaxing, and spotting wild iguanas and lizards sunning themselves around the neighborhood (definitely something you don't see in Indiana), it was the perfect low-key start to our trip.
Lunch at Flanigan's Seafood Bar & Grill
When lunchtime rolled around, we headed to Flanigan's Seafood Bar & Grill, a Florida favorite that several people had recommended.
Of course, we had to try their famous ribs, and they absolutely lived up to the hype. They also bring warm, buttery garlic rolls to the table that disappeared immediately.
Our table also ordered the salmon sandwich and a po' boy, and everyone loved their meal. It was one of those lunches that was so good I completely forgot to take photos! You'll just have to trust me on this one.
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Don't Skip Sunshine Bakery
Right across the street sits one of my favorite discoveries from the trip—Sunshine Bakery.
We spotted it after lunch and decided to stop in for a few treats to enjoy back at the house, not really knowing what to expect.
Walking inside was like stepping into dessert heaven. The display cases were packed with beautiful pastries, cakes, cookies, and baked goods, and locals kept walking in asking for their usual favorites.
We filled a box with several treats to enjoy poolside later that afternoon, and every one of them was delicious. I heard their coffee is excellent too, but after lunch I simply couldn't squeeze in another drink. Next time!
Spend the Evening on Las Olas Boulevard
As the temperatures cooled off a little, we headed to Las Olas Boulevard, one of Fort Lauderdale's most popular shopping and dining districts.
For dinner, we chose Big City Tavern, and it ended up being one of our favorite restaurants of the trip. The open-air dining room, warm wood accents, and cozy atmosphere made it a wonderful place to spend the evening.
I ordered one of their specialty cocktails along with the fish and chips, and both were excellent.
After dinner, take your time strolling Las Olas Boulevard. We wandered through art galleries, boutiques, and local shops before spending quite a while browsing Las Olas Kollective, which had a beautiful selection of affordable jewelry.
Before heading back for the night, we couldn't resist stopping at Yogurt Ur Way for frozen yogurt. My family loves places where you build your own bowl with endless toppings, and this one definitely hit the spot.
It was the perfect ending to our first day in Fort Lauderdale and a relaxing way to kick off our cruise vacation.
Day 2: Explore Miami & Enjoy One Last Florida Evening
Start your morning with a trip to Zoo Miami. We visited on a Wednesday, and aside from a few summer camp groups, it wasn't crowded at all.
One thing we weren't prepared for was the heat. July in south Florida is no joke! Thankfully, we packed cooling towels, took plenty of breaks in the shade, and found relief in the zoo's air-conditioned restaurant around lunchtime.
If you're visiting during the warmer months, I have one piece of advice: rent one of the four- or six-person bikes.
The zoo is enormous, and after two hours of walking, we'd only explored about a third of it. We eventually made it through about two-thirds before deciding the heat had won. Looking back, renting a bike would have been well worth the extra cost and would have allowed us to see much more.
Some of my favorite animals included the elephants, camels, and the incredible Harpy Eagle. I'd never even heard of a Harpy Eagle before this trip, and seeing one in person was amazing.
By early afternoon, we were more than ready to cool off, so we headed back to our rental and spent a few relaxing hours in the pool before dinner.
Dinner at BRGR Stop
That evening, we drove to BRGR Stop, and I'm so glad we did.
From the outside, it's easy to overlook, tucked into a shopping plaza, but inside you'll find a fun mix of graffiti art and steampunk-inspired décor that gives the restaurant a personality all its own.
They're known for their creative burgers and over-the-top milkshakes.
My husband and I shared the Bourbon Cowboy, stacked with two Angus smash patties, cheddar cheese, bacon, beer-battered onion straws, and Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce on a challah bun with roasted garlic fries.
I'm glad we shared because it was huge—and absolutely delicious.
End Your Trip by the Ocean
Before heading back to pack for your cruise, spend some time along the beach.
Whether you simply drive along the coastline or find a place to park and take a walk, it's the perfect way to end your time in south Florida. Watching the waves roll in, feeling the warm ocean breeze, and slowing down for a little while was the perfect ending to our pre-cruise getaway.
Looking back, these two days gave us just the right balance of relaxation, great food, and exploring before setting sail. If you're cruising from Fort Lauderdale or nearby Miami, I highly recommend arriving a couple of days early and making a little vacation out of it.
Confession: For someone who plans trips around coffee shops, I somehow made it through two days in Fort Lauderdale without visiting a single local café! Between trying to keep four non-coffee drinking people happy, avoiding toll roads, and fitting everything into our schedule, it just never happened. The only coffee I had was a Starbucks at the airport on the way home—which might be my biggest travel regret of the trip! I guess that just means I'll have to come back. Ha!