About 30 miles north of Miami is Fort Lauderdale, a vibrant tropical paradise on Florida’s east coast that’s comprised of 31 neighborhoods. Fly directly into Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport (FLL) from dozens of destinations across the U.S., Canada, South America and the Caribbean and let the fun begin. The city’s thriving arts and culture scene, enticing culinary options, thrilling adventures and laid-back beach vibes await. Not only that, but Fort Lauderdale prides itself on “welcoming everyone under the sun.” There truly is something for everyone in the “Venice of America.” 

Why Fort Lauderdale 

• Average daily temperature of 77°F (25°C) and 300 days of sunshine annually. 

• Eight beaches with 24 miles of golden sand. 

• People from 170 countries speaking 147 languages call the Fort Lauderdale area home. 

What’s New in Fort Lauderdale

• A $1.3 billion expansion of the Greater Fort Lauderdale | Broward County Convention Center is currently underway. 

• The new LauderGO! Micro Mover is a sustainable option to travel around downtown, Las Olas and the beach. 

• The new Marina Village by Bahia Mar is a new a waterfront food, beverage and entertainment venue in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Fort Lauderdale, as well as places to grab a bite to eat, or host a power lunch or dinner. Here, are a few spots to pique your interest. 

SEE 

The Venice of America 

With 300 miles of inland waterways winding through the greater Fort Lauderdale area, and 165 within the city of Fort Lauderdale itself, it’s no surprise the city has adopted the nickname, “Venice of America.” One of the best ways to see the city is on the water, which is easy to do onboard the Water Taxi. Not only does the Water Taxi serve as a traditional taxi, but on the water, private charters are available to add a splash of the unexpected to your event.    

Mad Arts Museum 

Year-round exhibits and immersive installations that highlight the intersection of art and technology are part of the recently expanded Mad Arts Museum. The 50,000 square foot space spread across two floors and an outdoor garden provides an immersive experience in award-winning art, light and innovation in which your guests can stimulate their senses and engage their minds. The museum is available for private events. 

The Historic Stranahan House Museum 

Not only is the Historic Stranahan House Museum the city’s oldest and most historically significant surviving structure, the house essentially is where the city began. Frank Stranahan, credited as Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, built the house on the New River in 1901; his wife Ivy was the area’s first schoolteacher. After serving as a family home, the house transitioned into a trading post, post office and town hall before being restored and opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1984. Guided tours are available, and the house is available for private events. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and COTC Events, a Hosts Global Member. 

DO 

Food Tour 

The best way to experience a destination is through its food, and a food tour is a terrific way to try and a lot of flavors all at once. Craft Food Tours’ three curated tours in Fort Lauderdale certainly fit the bill. The three-hour Fort Lauderdale Food Tour meanders through the Las Olas culinary scene, while the two-and-a-half-hour Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour checks out the city’s sanding dining options. The third option is the two-and-a-half-hour Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour that introduces guests to some of the city’s best secret spots. 

Cycle Party 

See Fort Lauderdale in a different way – by Cycle Party. The party bikes can accommodate up to 16 guests, with 10 people putting in the effort by pedaling while five or six can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. The two-hour Coffee, Snacks & Shops Tour is the perfect way to discover Fort Lauderdale’s treasured coffee shops and shops, fueled by caffeine (and leg power). 

Set Sail 

Another way to see the Venice of America by boat is with Action Yacht Charters & Events. With more than 20 years of corporate experience, this charter company can take groups of up to 400 out onto the water on luxury yachts and adventure catamarans, or even sport fishing. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and COTC Events, a Hosts Global Member. 

EAT 

DUNE by Laurent Tourondel   

Look no further for an elevated dining experience than DUNE by Laurent Tourondel, serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The menu features contemporary coastal cuisine dishes with an emphasis on creativity and innovation. Think eggs shakshuka & chorizo raviole or buttermilk coconut pancakes for brunch; Lobster Salad or a Grilled Branzino filet for lunch; and grilled Mediterranean sea bass souvlaki-style and fine cuts of meat for dinner, to name a few dishes. Three private, oceanview indoor and outdoor spaces can accommodate groups from 10 to 500. 

Waterfront Food Hall 

The Waterfront Food Hall at the new Marina Village by Bahia Mar is a terrific way to satiate myriad of appetites all in one place. Eight culinary kiosks serve everything from tacos to sushi to pizza and salads, with more in between. Once everyone has their favorite flavors, they can sit and relax, enjoying waterfront views as they dig in. 

Twice Removed

Featured as one of four Fort Lauderdale area restaurants in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., Twice Removed serves up “eclectic American” cuisine in an atmosphere that makes its guests feel right at home. Serving dinner Tuesday through Sunday, bites include the likes of a Pernil Toston with six-hour pulled pork, pickled onions and cotija cheese on a flour tortilla; Curry Chicken with Jamaican curry, onions and peppers; and Churrasco Frites, a marinated skirt steak with chimichurri and twister fries. Speaking of fires, don’t sleep on them – Twice Removed serves them up in a variety of ways, plus six types of poutine.  

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and COTC Events, a Hosts Global Member. 

STAY/MEET 

Just as Fort Lauderdale has something for every meeting planner and attendee, so does ALHI. The new Pier Sixty-Six is accepting reservations for January 2025 and beyond, and Omni Fort Lauderdale is slated to open late-fall 2025. 

Pier Sixty-Six  

For nearly 60 years, Pier Sixty-Six has been an icon in Fort Lauderdale. As it nears completion of its extensive transformation, the highly anticipated waterfront destination will serve as a gathering place for boaters, dreamer and adventurers. The relaxed sophistication of its 325 guest rooms and suites featuring mid-century modern architecture and spacious balconies; a dozen culinary options; and more than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event spaces is the stuff meeting planners’ dreams are made of. 

Omni Fort Lauderdale 

When it opens in the fall of 2025, Omni Fort Lauderdale will boast 801 guest rooms and suites and 120,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, all connected to the Broward County Convention Center. Aside from the business at hand, the hotel will have six dining venues and Mokara spa for the utmost in relaxation. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and COTC Events, a Hosts Global Member.