Sarah & Ben
Things To Do
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
This is where the main event is happening! You'll get to spend lots of time here on our big day, but won't have access to the interior rooms of the house or the lovely and informative docents. We love the Bonnet House and the story behind it and hope that you spend some 1:1 time with this special place while you're in town.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Sea Grape Forests, banyan trees, mangrove swamp, a rad public beach, and local microbrews on tap at Park & Ocean. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is another must-see while you're in the neighborhood, and was built from public lands donated by the Birch-Bartlett estate. There is nothing like it left from here to Miami.
Padrino's Cuban, Fort Lauderdale
Tasty Cuban food in classy surrounds. The ropa vieja is top notch.
Bravo Peruvian Cuisine
This is one of our favorite local haunts - don't miss the ceviche trio with corvina, lomo saltado, or the house made desserts.
Croissan'Time French Bakery
Out of this world French pastries.
Stork's Bakery & Coffee House
Solid cafe fare in the heart of Fort Lauderdale's Gayborhood. Try their cakes and pies, coffee drinks, and chicken salad.
Park & Ocean
A great place to stop for a drink and a bite to eat after a day at the beach or a long walk at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which is connected to the restaurant.
A Tropical Plant Fair at Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve
Our local park is hosting a tropical plant fair Saturday and Sunday from 9-5. You better believe we will be there Sunday morning. Join us or stop by on your own time for some very reasonably priced houseplants and local crafts!
River of Grass Everglades Airboat Tours
"There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth; remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them." -Marjorie Stonenman Douglas -Ben Wolf No trip to south Florida is complete without a trip to the Everglades! Take an airboat ride through one of the United States' most unique ecosystems, spotting wildlife like gators, turtles, and birds galore. Even if you are not a nature lover, zipping through the Everglades on an airboat is fun in and of itself. This particular company's tours come highly rated, but we have not tried them ourself. If you would prefer to take a group tour, there are several options that do not necessarily require advance reservations, like Everglades Safari Park and Sawgrass Recreation Park.
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Great place for dirt cheap houseplants, Latin street food, crystals, tzotches, chazzerai, and more
Luff's Fish House
An excellent upscale option for fresh, locally caught Florida seafood. TRY THE KEY LIME PIE OR WE ARE NOT FRIENDS ANYMORE.
Fish Shack
A no-frills spot for fresh, locally caught Florida seafood!
Brightline Train
High Speed Rail? In Florida?? Yup! The Brightline will take you from downtown Fort Lauderdale to Miami or West Palm Beach in just 30 minutes. This is an excellent way to explore areas like downtown Miami, Brickell, Coconut Grove, and Little Havana without having to deal with traffic and parking.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Great art museum in cool buildings with views of Biscayne Bay
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
If you've rented a car, have some extra time on your hands, and are willing to brave Miami traffic, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden is a wonderful tropical oasis. One of the oldest institutions in Miami, it showcases local and tropical plants that couldn't grow anywhere else in the contiguous United States. While down in Coral Gables, check out Venetian Pool, the old Biltmore hotel, and Miracle Mile!
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Its Vizcaya! Another big house, this one is in the movies!
Joe's Stone Crab
I know what you are going to ask... Are stone crabs in season? Why yes, they are! And Joe's Stone Crabs is the place to go to drop some $$$$ on a delicious feast. This place is the original- the restaurant is older than the city of Miami Beach itself!