10 Best Things to do for Couples in Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you are in need of a couples retreat in a destination that has it all, a trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL, may just do the trick! This fantastic South Florida city is known for its gorgeous beaches, top-tier shopping, booming art scene, rich culture, and spectacular events, tours, attractions, and things to do. With so many options available, it’s no wonder that couples choose Fort Lauderdale time and time again to celebrate milestones and rekindle romance.

If you’ve got your heart set on retreating to Fort Lauderdale with your sweetie, all that’s left to do is plan, and pack! When it comes to planning, it can be a little overwhelming sorting through the sheer quantity of attractions, tours, and places to go. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 Best Things to do for Couples in Fort Lauderdale, FL, to make this trip one for the books… or should we say, romantic novel!

Table of Contents

• Animal Encounters
• Get Active
• City Tours
• Traverse through Nature
• Boat Tours
• Gondola Rides
• Explore Downtown
• Live Entertainment
• Museums
• Romantic Dinner

 

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Animal Encounters

 

Fort Lauderdale animal encounters are one of the best ways to experience some of the awesome creatures native to Florida, and have a blast with your other half

 

Between the beautiful beaches, winding waterways and canals, state parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, and with its close proximity to both natural and artificial reefs, and the Everglades, Fort Lauderdale is the apex for animal encounters and outdoor adventures.

With such a massive and diverse collection of flora and fauna in the area, it’s highly likely to see some incredible wildlife on your own as you explore the city. However, booking an amazing animal encounter experience is the best way to guarantee sightings, and have an up-close experience with Florida’s native wildlife.

Flamingo Gardens is one of the best places to do this near Fort Lauderdale! Located in Davie, about 15 miles away from the city, depending on your location, Flamingo Gardens showcases the natural beauty of South Florida in a magnificent way. This 60-acre wildlife sanctuary houses the Wray Home Museum, over 3,000 species of plants, and 80 different types of animals including the following:

• Flamingos
• American alligators
• Florida panthers
• And MORE!

If you and your partner are searching for a more adventurous animal experience, then Sawgrass Recreation Park is the way to go. It’s about 30 miles outside of the city in the Everglades, but it’s definitely worth the trip!

Visitors will be able to enjoy a live alligator show, adventure through the wilderness walking trail, and zoom through the wetlands at speeds of up to 40mph aboard an unforgettable airboat tour! As one of the best things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale, this excursion is sure to bring maximum fun and excitement to any relationship!

{Read Reviews & Book Fort Lauderdale Animal Encounters Online}

 

Get Active

 

Paddleboard tours with Sup Pup Ft. Lauderdale are a fun and unique way to reconnect with nature, and your partner

 

For all of the fitness junkies out there, you will be happy to know that there are plenty of things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale to get active. And we’re not just talking about day passes to gyms and fitness classes, either! Tons of unique experiences are offered throughout the area that are so much fun, you won’t believe it’s actually a workout.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and bicycling are just a few of the many ways to experience Fort Lauderdale while keeping the heart pumping with your heart-throb! Kayak and paddleboard tours will take you through the luscious and lovely Las Olas canals for stunning natural views like you’ve never seen before. If you’d rather stick to dry land, there are plenty of trails and outdoor settings for walking, biking, and running, as well.

 

City Tours

 

City tours that also take you to nearby places, like the beautiful beaches of Key West, pictured above, are one of the top things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale

 

Exploring a new city is always a blast, especially when it’s with your favorite person! City tours come in all shapes and sizes, and are a great way to make sure you’re seeing the highlights of the city, and the best of what it has to offer. Not only that, with a local guide at the helm, you’ll get a true insider’s perspective, and see parts of the city you may not have even known existed!

{Read Reviews & Book Fort Lauderdale City Tours Online}

 

Traverse through Nature

 

Image of a massive and magnificent tree found at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale by Richard McNeil

 

Reconnect with nature, and your significant other, and explore all of the scenic beauty and wonder that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. It’s hard not to feel enchanted when you’re with your true love, surrounded by nesting turtles on the beach, the magical mangroves of the Everglades, or hardwood hammocks that are home to rare and unique animal species. If this sounds like just what the doctor ordered, check out these awesome places that are perfect for immersing yourself in the local nature:

• The Everglades: Visiting the Everglades will have you feel as if you’ve been transported to a whole new world! A thrilling airboat tour through the marshes, mangroves, and wetlands in search of wonderful wildlife like alligators, panthers, and bald eagles is one of the best things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale who are searching for adventure!
• Dania Beach: A vacation to Fort Lauderdale requires a trip to the beach! Opting for less-crowded Dania Beach over the more popular beaches, like Fort Lauderdale Beach, for example, makes for a more intimate experience. Not only that, it’s a favorite among nesting loggerhead sea turtles, as well!
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: Often referred to as, “Fort Lauderdale’s Central Park,” Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a wilderness oasis within the city! Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway, this park houses maritime hardwood hammocks, a coastal dune lake, different rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, and more. Top activities at the park include bicycling, fishing, birding, snorkeling, and hiking, just to name a few!
• Vista Park Reef: You would be amazed at the breathtaking beauty that lies just beneath the surface of Vista Park Beach. Grab your partner, your snorkeling or diving gear, and prepare for picturesque views of coral, sea fans, tropical fish, and more! The clear water and secluded nature of the area makes it ideal for couples in Fort Lauderdale.

And that’s just to name a few! As you can see, whether it’s by land or by sea, exploring nature with your sweetie is one of the top things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale. A trip to any of the above places will get you outdoors and witnessing the natural beauty of this amazing area in an unforgettable way!

 

Boat Tours

 

A sightseeing cruise aboard Jungle Queen, pictured above, is the perfect thing to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale searching for excitement and enchantment

 

One of the most romantic things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale is, by far, taking a boat tour through the area’s stunningly scenic waterways! Just imagine how great it will be with the salty breeze, gorgeous landscapes, wonderful wildlife galore, and your other half in your arms. Boat tours come in many forms, so choosing the one that’s best for you and your sweetheart is a cinch! Popular tour types include:

• Private charters
• Dinner cruises
• Combination tours
• Cycleboat cruises
• Sightseeing cruises
• And MORE!

Most cruises will take you down the local waterways, rivers, and canals, yielding breathtaking views of downtown. With so many tour types to choose from, however, you’re not limited to this particular area. Some Fort Lauderdale boat tours will take you to local sandbars, by the gorgeous beaches, and even to Key West on a day trip!

{Read Reviews & Book Fort Lauderdale Boat Tours Online}

 

Gondola Rides

 

Image of an authentic Venetian gondola in the canals of Fort Lauderdale courtesy of Las Olas Gondola

 

Consistently ranked among the most romantic cities in the entire world, Venice, Italy, is known far and wide as the place to be for love and romance. The architecture, culture, antique charm, and serenading gondoliers are just a few of the many reasons lovers return to this wonderful place, year after year. Luckily, you can find a little piece of this Venice allure in Fort Lauderdale, FL!

Fort Lauderdale is actually nicknamed, “Venice of America,” due to the 300 miles of winding canals and waterways that work their way through Greater Fort Lauderdale, downtown, and beyond! Not only that, authentic Venetian gondolas are the preferred mode of transportation through said waterways. Like a scene from Venice, taking your sweetheart on a private gondola ride is one of the most romantic things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale, FL!

 

Explore Downtown

 

Image of Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale from Wikimedia

 

When you’re ready to sweep your sweetheart off of their feet, head to downtown Fort Lauderdale for date night! There are a ton of things to do for couples in downtown Fort Lauderdale from wine tasting, to romantic meals, to dancing the night away, and everything else in between. There’s something for all types of lovebirds!

Las Olas Boulevard is the main street that runs through the city, and is the heartbeat of downtown. This lovely and luscious tree-lined area is known for their wide variety of bars, restaurants, shops, businesses, and fun things to do!

Adjacent to that is Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, and this area is known for its Historic District, riverfront activities, museums, art, parks, and gorgeous landscape views. Day or night, a trip to downtown yields a practically endless amount of things to do!

 

Live Entertainment

 

Image of the Au-Rene Theater courtesy of Broward Center for the Performing Arts

 

The arts and entertainment scene is thriving in Fort Lauderdale, and what better way to spend a night out on the town with your partner than to get dressed up and enjoy some live entertainment! With show-stopping performances from artists across every genre and medium, Fort Lauderdale showcases the finest in music, art, dance, and theater.

The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District is the hub for this, and with multiple venues in walking distance of each other, as well as Las Olas Boulevard’s lively nightlife in close proximity, you’re in the perfect situation for a fully-loaded and fantastic night out on the town. And when we say there is something for everyone in Fort Lauderdale, we aren’t kidding!

Live entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes in this thriving cultural center. From Broadway shows and ballets at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, to live music from local and regional artists in the nearby pubs and courtyards, there is a smorgasbord of music and art to choose from. Even further, the area is also known for hosting some incredible concerts and music festivals, hosting top talents in every category, from Billy Joel to Billy Currington!

 

Museums

 

Pictured above is the Stranahan House Museum, and a trip to this fine museum is the perfect thing to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale who are wanting to combine history, learning, and fun! Image from Wikimedia

 

Another one of the best things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale is to visit one of the many fun and fabulous area museums! There are a ton of museums to choose from, covering a wide range of topics. Learn something new with your lover, and check out one of these amazing Fort Lauderdale museums:

• Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts: Art enthusiasts will love this unique museum, with its massive collection of porcelain and glass art dating back to the 18th century! This museum combines both past and present, with local artists featured in the gift shop, as well.
• Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: The Bonnet House Museum is a 1920’s estate, which was once owned by Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, this museum is known for its amazing architecture, art, historic and cultural preservation, one of the most magnificent orchid collections in the country, and playful monkeys! This is a unique experience you don’t want to miss.
• NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale: Enjoy the finer things in life, and head to the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale with your sweetie! Founded in 1958, this massive and magnificent museum contains 25,000 square feet of some of the finest art South Florida has to offer.
• Historic Stranahan House Museum: The Stranahan House is the oldest building in Broward County, and is one of the best places to learn about Fort Lauderdale’s rich history. Built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, Fort Lauderdale’s “Founding Father,” and his wife, Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, who was the area’s first teacher, this historic building was not only once their home, but also a post office, town hall, trading post, and community center.

No matter which museum you choose to visit, you’re in for an afternoon of both learning, and fun! Museums are a great way to delve deeper into the culture, history, and heritage of this South Florida city.

{Read Reviews & Book Fort Lauderdale Museum Admission Tickets Online}

 

Romantic Dinner

 

A romantic dinner is the perfect way to fill up on quality time, and delicious food

 

One of the top things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale is to dine at one of the area’s many delicious restaurants. From steakhouses with amazing views, to intimate Italian restaurants, there are a ton of romantic dinner options to satisfy your sweetheart, and your taste buds! Check out a few of the best restaurants for couples in Fort Lauderdale below:

 

 

A tried and true classic, dinner in an intimate setting is a great way to spend quality time together, enjoying conversation and each other’s company. Whether it’s the cap to an unforgettable day in Fort Lauderdale, or the beginning of an exciting night out on the town, dining with your darling at an enticing eatery should definitely be a part of your vacation checklist!

 

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Don’t forget to bring a camera! When enjoying all of the amazing things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale, you will definitely want to capture the moment

 

See for yourself why they call Fort Lauderdale, “Venice of America,” and how it lives up to its name. No matter if you and your favorite person are celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, looking to rekindle romance, or are just wanting to escape for a bit, this is the perfect place to do so. With so many things to do for couples in Fort Lauderdale, FL, your romantic retreat to this fabulous South Florida destination is sure to not only bring you closer to the one you love, but leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!