8 Easy Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

By Brian Dohrn | Dohrn Travels | Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

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If you’re looking for the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise, you don’t need to plan a packed itinerary. Some of the easiest and most enjoyable options are close to Port Everglades, from beach time and waterfront sightseeing to outdoor adventures.

I’ve spent time in Fort Lauderdale before cruises, and one thing I like about the area is how easy it is to keep the day simple. You can ride the Water Taxi, walk the beach, explore Las Olas Boulevard, or head out for a bigger experience like an Everglades airboat tour or fishing charter.

The best things to do in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise really depend on how much time you have. A few hours calls for something easy and nearby, while a full day gives you more room for longer tours and activities.

This guide focuses on practical, low-stress options that work well for cruise travelers, with ideas for a few hours, a half day, or a full day before embarkation.

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Table of Contents

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Quick Answer: What to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

The best things to do in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise depend on how much time you have. For an easy afternoon, head to Fort Lauderdale Beach, ride the Water Taxi, or explore Las Olas Boulevard.

Have more time? Visit Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, walk the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, take an Everglades airboat tour, or book a Fort Lauderdale fishing charter.

Quick picks:

• Relaxing: Fort Lauderdale Beach
• Sightseeing: Water Taxi
• Dining & Shopping: Las Olas Boulevard
• Nature: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
• Adventure: Everglades Airboat Tour
• Fishing: Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter

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Best Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

Fort Lauderdale has a good mix of easy pre-cruise activities, whether you have a few hours or most of the day. The options below range from relaxed beach time and sightseeing to outdoor adventures, so you can choose what fits your schedule best.

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Relax at Fort Lauderdale Beach Before Your Cruise

Fort Lauderdale Beach is an easy choice if you want to slow down before embarkation day. You can walk the beach, grab something to eat, or spend a few hours enjoying the ocean without planning a full activity.

It works especially well for cruise travelers because you’ll find:

• Beachfront restaurants and bars
• Shops and places to grab a drink
• A scenic promenade that’s easy to explore on foot

On one of my visits, I spent time walking along Fort Lauderdale Beach and stopping at shops and restaurants along the way. Michelle and I have eaten at Coconuts on two different trips — once for lunch and once for dinner — and both meals were great.

We also stopped for drinks at Bo’s Beach and took a photo with the giant Fort Lauderdale snowman along the promenade. It’s a fun area to wander without feeling like you need a set itinerary.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is about 15–25 minutes from Port Everglades, making it a good option if you arrive the day before your cruise and want something easy and relaxing.

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Ride the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi for Easy Sightseeing

The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is one of the easiest ways to see the city without driving from place to place. It runs along the Intracoastal Waterway and gives you views of waterfront homes, yachts, marinas, restaurants, and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The captains usually share local history and stories along the way, so the ride feels more like a sightseeing tour than simple transportation.

On one of my visits, Michelle and I spent an afternoon riding the Water Tax just to explore the city from the water, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the day. It’s a relaxed way to take in Fort Lauderdale’s boating culture, grab a drink on board, and enjoy the scenery.

Another big advantage is the hop-on, hop-off setup. You can use it to reach restaurants and attractions instead of constantly moving your car.

Popular stops include:

• Shooters Waterfront
• 15th Street Fisheries
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
• Las Olas Boulevard shops and restaurants

For cruise travelers, this is a good choice when you want sightseeing without committing to a full tour or packed itinerary.

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Take an Everglades Airboat Tour Before Your Cruise

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If you have most of a day available, an Everglades airboat tour is one of the more memorable things you can do before a Fort Lauderdale cruise. It gives you a completely different experience from the beaches and waterways around the city.

Many tours combine an airboat ride through the Everglades with opportunities to see local wildlife and learn more about the ecosystem. It’s a better fit for travelers who want an adventure rather than a relaxed beach or sightseeing day.

I’d plan this for the day before embarkation, not the morning of your cruise. That gives you plenty of time to enjoy the tour without worrying about traffic, delays, or getting back to Port Everglades on time.

You can compare and book Everglades airboat tours here.

Planning an Everglades tour? Check out my guide to the best Everglades airboat tours from Fort Lauderdale to compare your options.

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Book a Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charter Before Your Cruise

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If you’d rather spend your pre-cruise day on the water, a Fort Lauderdale fishing charter is a great option. You can choose between shared and private trips, with many charters offering half-day outings that work well when you have several hours to spare.

Fort Lauderdale is known for offshore fishing, and depending on the season and conditions, trips may target species like mahi-mahi, tuna, sailfish, and wahoo.

For cruise travelers, I’d plan a fishing charter for the day before embarkation rather than cruise morning. That gives you more flexibility if the trip runs long or weather changes your plans.

Want help choosing a charter? Check out my guide to the best fishing charters in Fort Lauderdale to compare private and shared options.

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Explore Las Olas Boulevard Before Your Cruise

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Las Olas Boulevard is a good choice if you want an easy afternoon or evening before your cruise. The area is filled with restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and coffee shops, so it’s easy to explore without much planning.

You can grab lunch, browse a few shops, or come back for dinner the night before embarkation. It’s a good fit when you want something relaxed but still want to get out and see a little of Fort Lauderdale.

For a quieter walk, head over to Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale nearby. The path follows the New River and gives you a scenic break from the busier parts of downtown.

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Visit Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale

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Located between Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park feels like a quiet nature break right in the middle of the city.

You’ll find walking and biking trails, wildlife, coastal dune lakes, and places to kayak or canoe.

On one of my visits, I arrived at the park by Water Taxi and spent some time walking the trails. I spotted a tortoise near its burrow and later stopped for a beer at The Grove inside the park.

What stood out to me most was how peaceful it felt compared to the beach and city just outside the park. The huge trees and thick greenery give parts of the park an almost jungle-like feel.

For cruise travelers, it’s a good choice when you want something outdoorsy and relaxing without heading far from Fort Lauderdale Beach.

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Visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

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Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a good choice if you want something quieter than the beach before your cruise. The historic estate sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale Beach, with tropical gardens, art, and a preserved early-1900s home.

You can spend your time walking the gardens, looking for wildlife, or touring the house and its original furnishings and collections.

It works well for cruise travelers because it’s close to the beach and many hotels near Port Everglades, making it easy to fit into a relaxed half-day before embarkation.

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Have Extra Time? Walk the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

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About 25–30 minutes south of Port Everglades, Hollywood Beach has a more laid-back feel than Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk runs along the ocean and is lined with restaurants, beach bars, ice cream shops, and live music spots.

Michelle and I have spent time here on two different trips. On one visit, we ate at WHY NOT? and shared the surf-and-turf special. On another trip, we stopped for drinks and empanadas at Blue Wave Argentinian Gastropub. We also walked the Broadwalk in the morning and grabbed coffee at Boardwalk Ice Cream while taking in the ocean views.

It’s a good option if you have extra time before your cruise and want a relaxed evening by the beach. You can walk the oceanfront, grab dinner or a drink, and ease into vacation mode without needing much of a plan.

If you’re planning your embarkation day, you may also find this helpful:
→ Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Port Everglades

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What to Do in Fort Lauderdale Based on How Much Time You Have

How much time you have before your cruise makes a big difference. I’d keep your plans simple and choose one or two activities rather than trying to squeeze too much into the day.

2–3 Hours

Stick with something close and easy. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, or a short ride on the Water Taxi are good choices when your time is limited.

Half Day

With half a day, you have more flexibility. Spend a few hours at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, explore Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, take a longer Water Taxi ride, or head to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk if you don’t mind going a little farther from Port Everglades.

Full Day

A full day gives you time for one of the bigger experiences. An Everglades airboat tour or Fort Lauderdale fishing charter makes the most sense here, since both require more time and are better enjoyed without feeling rushed.

No matter which option you choose, I’d save the longer activities for the day before embarkation and keep cruise morning simple.

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Tips for Planning Your Fort Lauderdale Pre-Cruise Day

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A little planning can make your pre-cruise stay much more relaxing. I’d keep the schedule simple and leave yourself plenty of time before embarkation.

Arrive at Least One Day Early

Flights get delayed, and cruise ships don’t wait. Arriving at least one day early gives you time to settle in, enjoy Fort Lauderdale, and avoid starting your cruise stressed out.

Stay Near Port Everglades

Staying close to the cruise port makes embarkation morning much easier, especially if your hotel offers a shuttle to the terminals.

Helpful guides for finding lodging near Fort Lauderdale:
→ Best Hotels Near Port Everglades with Shuttle to Cruise Terminals
→ Where to Stay Near Port Everglades: A Practical Guide for Cruise Travelers

Save Bigger Activities for the Day Before

Fishing charters, Everglades tours, and other longer activities are better scheduled the day before your cruise rather than embarkation morning. That gives you some breathing room if traffic, weather, or delays affect your plans.

Keep Embarkation Morning Simple

Cruise morning isn’t the time to squeeze in one last big activity. Grab breakfast, check out of your hotel, and give yourself plenty of time to get to Port Everglades.

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FAQs About Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

Is one day enough in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise?

Yes. One day is enough to enjoy a few highlights without rushing. A beach visit, a Water Taxi ride, or time around Las Olas Boulevard can fit easily into a pre-cruise day.

What can I do in Fort Lauderdale if I only have a few hours before my cruise?

Keep it simple and stay close to Port Everglades. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, or a short Water Taxi ride are the easiest choices when your time is limited.

Should I book a tour on embarkation morning?

I wouldn’t. Longer activities like Everglades airboat tours or fishing charters are better scheduled for the day before your cruise. Embarkation morning is easier when you leave extra time for checkout, traffic, and getting to the terminal.

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Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before a Cruise

The best things to do in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise are the ones that fit your time without making the day feel rushed.

Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Water Taxi, Las Olas Boulevard, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park are all easy choices for a shorter stay, while an Everglades airboat tour or fishing charter works better when you have most of the day.

Arriving at least a day early gives you time to enjoy Fort Lauderdale instead of treating it as just a place to board the ship. Keep the plans simple, leave yourself some breathing room, and make the pre-cruise stay part of the vacation.

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