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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Dinner at Baoase in Curaçao isn’t just a restaurant, you’re walking into a full resort setting where everything feels intentional. The table is right by the water, the food is French-inspired with tropical and Asian flavors woven in, and the whole thing moves slowly in the best way. We sat there for hours and didn’t want it to end.
✨ Culinary Beach Restaurant, oceanside tables, candlelit ambiance
✨ French-inspired menu with tropical and Asian influences
✨ Service that’s attentive without being over the top
✨ The kind of dinner you’re still thinking about days later
Fair warning: this isn’t a casual grab-a-table kind of spot. You’re making a reservation, thinking through your outfit, and blocking off the whole evening and it’s worth every bit of that.
If you’re celebrating something or just want one dinner that feels a little extra, this is where to do it. Full Baoase resort review linked in bio. 🔗
Curaçao has the beaches everyone talks about, and then it has these. The spots that made this trip actually feel like mine weren’t on any resort map. I found them by renting a car, asking locals, and just following what looked good.
✨ Playa Lagun: a calm little cove where the water does all the work
✨ Playa Kalki: rocky entry, but the snorkeling right off shore is worth it
✨ Playa Jeremi: no rentals, no crowds, no setup. Just the beach
✨ Fort Nassau: watched the sun go down over Willemstad and stayed for dinner
✨ Hofi Cas Cora: breakfast on an actual farm and the freshest food of the whole trip
✨ Willemstad Street Party: I had no idea Thursday nights turned into that. Just followed the music.
✨ Playa Forti: cliff jumping and amazing food, talk about dinner and a show!
Honest caveat: if you need everything planned and structured, a few of these will feel a little too unpolished. But if you like the kind of trip where the best parts are the ones you stumble into, this is exactly that.
All 7 spots with full details are linked in bio. ☀️
#curaçao #hiddengems #travel #travelguide #whattodoincuracao
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.
If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.
#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
