One Day in Fort Lauderdale: What to Do If You Only Have a Few Hours

If you only have one day in Fort Lauderdale, you can still see a lot without feeling rushed. Whether you’re stopping through before or after a cruise, waiting for a flight, or just passing through South Florida, this is a city that’s surprisingly easy to explore in a short amount of time.

Most of the best stops are close together, and you don’t need a complicated itinerary to enjoy them. The easiest place to focus your time is Las Olas Boulevard, where you’ll find restaurants, shops, murals, canals, and easy access to the beach all within a short distance.

Here’s exactly how I would spend one day in Fort Lauderdale if I only had a few hours or a short day.

If you're planning the stop as part of a larger South Florida trip, you can also check out my guide to one day in Miami: the perfect 24-hour Miami itinerary to see how I plan a quick visit there too.

Start with Coffee and a Nutella Donut

Start your morning at Pan’E Dolci Bakery.

This authentic Italian bakery is one of those places where you walk in planning to grab a coffee and immediately start reconsidering your entire plan because the display case is packed with delicious looking pastries.

The Nutella donut and a coffee is how I'd start my morning. It’s the kind of breakfast that feels slightly indulgent but also completely justified because you’re on vacation.

Of course, if something else catches your eye in the pastry case, go for it. Between the cannolis, cookies, breads, and pastries, it’s very easy to walk out with more than you planned.

If you want the full breakdown of what to order, see my full review of Pan’E Dolci Bakery Fort Lauderdale.

Check Out the Murals Nearby

After breakfast, take a few minutes to walk around the area and look for the murals nearby.

One fun photo spot is on the side of Hoffman’s Chocolates. While you’re there, it’s honestly very hard not to step inside and grab a chocolate. I tried to show restraint. I did not succeed.

Another mural can be found near Red Door Asian Bistro & Hibachi, which adds another colorful stop along the way.

Las Olas has several murals and pieces of street art scattered throughout the area, so it’s worth keeping your eyes open as you walk. Some are big and obvious, others are tucked between buildings, which makes it a fun little scavenger hunt as you explore.

Browse Local Vendors at Kollective

One of the more unique stops along Las Olas is Kollective.

This shop features more than 60 different vendors, selling everything from local artwork and jewelry to clothing and handmade gifts.

It’s a great place to browse for a bit, especially if you like finding something a little different than the typical souvenir shop. Plus it’s all local artists and small businesses, which makes it feel more personal than buying a magnet at the airport gift shop.

Walk the Canals (The Venice of America)

Fort Lauderdale is often called the “Venice of America” because of its network of canals.

If you enjoy walking and have the time, consider strolling through some of the canal neighborhoods on your way toward Fort Lauderdale Beach.

The walk is beautiful and gives you a chance to see some of the waterfront homes and boats that Fort Lauderdale is known for. You’ll pass docks, yachts, and quiet residential streets that feel completely different from the busier areas around Las Olas.

It’s an easy way to see another side of the city without needing to plan anything complicated.

Or Take a Boat Tour of the Canals

If walking isn’t your thing, another great option is taking a boat tour through the canals.

Seeing the city from the water gives you a completely different perspective of Fort Lauderdale. You’ll pass luxury homes, yachts, and waterfront restaurants while cruising through the waterways.

It’s also one of the most relaxing ways to see the area. Sitting on a boat while someone else navigates the canals is significantly less work than trying to map everything out yourself. If you want to experience the waterways this way, you can book a canal sightseeing tour here to see several neighborhoods and waterfront homes in one trip.

Head to the Beach

If you still have time, make your way to Las Olas Beach.

You can walk the beachfront promenade, relax on the sand, or grab a drink at one of the nearby restaurants. The beach area is lively but easy to navigate, with plenty of places to stop if you want a quick snack or drink.

If you don’t feel like walking all the way there, you can always grab an Uber or use the Ride Circuit app, which offers free shuttle rides around parts of the city.

Stop for Gelato

Before heading back toward Las Olas, stop at Gelato & Co.

Their gelato is excellent and makes the perfect afternoon treat after walking around all day.

At this point you’ve probably already had a donut, possibly chocolate, and maybe a pastry, but gelato somehow still feels completely reasonable. Travel math works differently.

Go Back to Pan’E Dolci for Lunch

If you’re ready for something more filling, head back to Pan’E Dolci Bakery for lunch.

Their Italian sandwich is a must.

It’s stacked with fresh sliced salami, provolone cheese, ham, tomatoes, eggplant, and fresh basil on focaccia bread.

The sandwich is huge. I ate half for lunch and saved the other half for the next day, which honestly felt like a small gift from past me.

Dinner at Big City Tavern

If you're staying in Fort Lauderdale through the evening, Big City Tavern is a great dinner option right on Las Olas Boulevard.

It’s a classic Fort Lauderdale restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a solid menu. Nothing overly complicated — just a dependable place to sit down, order a good meal, and end the day.

If you are planning to stay overnight, it’s worth browsing hotels near Las Olas Boulevard here so you’re within walking distance of most of these stops.

Grab a Treat for Tomorrow

Before ending the day, stop by Hollywood Donut Factory and grab a donut to bring back with you.

Future you will be very happy you did.

There’s something very satisfying about opening the hotel box the next morning and remembering you planned ahead.

How Long You Need in Fort Lauderdale

You can see a lot of Fort Lauderdale in just a few hours, especially if you focus your time around Las Olas Boulevard.

If you have more time, spending half a day or a full day gives you the chance to explore the canals, enjoy the beach, and try a few more restaurants but you could spend much longer here if you have the time.

If you're flying out afterward, my Fort Lauderdale Airport guide: what to know about FLL before you fly covers things like security timing, food options, and airport logistics.

And if you’re flying into South Florida for this trip, I usually compare flights on Skyscanner first so I can see different airlines and arrival times in one place. Getting into town early makes it much easier to actually enjoy your day instead of losing it to travel or staying late after a cruise lets you have time to explore fun places like this!

Is One Day in Fort Lauderdale Enough?

Yes. Between the bakeries, murals, shops, canals, and beach access, one day in Fort Lauderdale is plenty of time to see a lot — especially if you focus your time around Las Olas Boulevard.

You can start the morning with coffee and pastries, walk past murals and shops, see the canals, spend time at the beach, and still have room for gelato and a giant Italian sandwich.

Which is honestly a pretty solid day of sightseeing.