Top 7 Insta-Worthy Spots to Visit in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Written for Visit Lauderdale
Let’s be honest. If you didn’t capture every moment on Instagram, you didn’t really go on vacation.
It’s the age of social media--a time when likes are the best compliments and photo ops are the new norm. While a vacation is defined as a “break from your daily routine,” a good amount of your time off will consist of a routine of its own: Smile. Crop. Edit. Swipe. Caption. Post.
Sharing photos from your trip online not only gives you bragging rights with your friends and family, but also provides a library full of fond memories to look back on.
Choosing the right places to take pictures is an important step in the travel planning process, and it just so happens that Greater Fort Lauderdale has many locations suited to being the best backdrops for your vacation. We’ve collected a few of our favorites below that are so insta-worthy, they need #nofilter.
1. Las Olas Boulevard
The road to finding the right places to take pictures begins (believe it or not) on a road. Las Olas Boulevard connects downtown city life to the sun-kissed sands off A1A. Seen by many as the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas has plenty of spots just waiting for you to pose in front of.
You can really make it an all-day adventure; there are fashion boutiques, restaurants, bars, art galleries, outdoor cafes, hidden parks and side streets on every corner. Take a leisurely stroll down the sidewalk, and explore as you go. Snap some pics next to the old-fashioned lamp posts, twinkly lights wrapped around palm trees and detailed Mediterranean architecture throughout the neighborhood. Keep on traveling to your heart’s (and followers’) content, until you eventually reach Fort Lauderdale Beach. Sitting on the famous, oversized Adirondack chair at the entrance always makes for a great family photo.
When the sun starts to set, make your way to the top of the seventh floor of the One West Las Olas building. Rooftop @ 1WLO, Fort Lauderdale’s first ever rooftop bar, has a 4,000-square-foot open patio with “a garden in the sky.” Seated next to the greenery and natural decor, you can enjoy small bites and craft cocktails--after you take their picture, that is. End your evening by posing one last time at the edge of the patio. The best part? The breathtaking, panoramic view that overlooks the city and New River under the charming light of photography’s golden hour.
2. Hillsboro Lighthouse
If you really want your selfie game to reach new heights, make plans to see the nearest lighthouse. First lit in 1907 and known as the “Big Diamond,” the Hillsboro Lighthouse has been named a historic landmark in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The light marks the northern limit of the Florida Reef and watches over 28 nautical miles at the Hillsboro Inlet.
Given your vacation takes place at the right time of year, you can book a tour of the lighthouse with the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. Your tour will start with a 20-minute boat ride led by a knowledgeable guide who recounts the landmark’s history. Be sure to get quick snaps in front of the water—bonus points if, in typical Instagram fashion, they capture you contemplating life’s meaning as you stare into the distance. (You know, the usual.)
0nce you arrive at the foot of the lighthouse, climb 175 steps up the tower’s winding staircase. Have your travel buddy climb a few flights higher than you to take an artsy photo of you standing there as the stairs spiral down around you. When you eventually get to the top, it’s your big chance to get the money shot: a photo in front of the railing with a 137-foot-tall glimpse of the ocean water and sandy beaches below.
If you aren’t able to book a tour, the Hillsboro lighthouse can be clearly viewed from across the inlet at Hillsboro Inlet Park on SR A1A in Pompano Beach. Having it in the background can be just as picturesque as standing at the top.
3. FATVillage
Of course, your Instagram profile is incomplete without a few mural photos. When a photo captures a person standing in front of a mural, it almost makes them a part of the art itself. On your vacation, you’ll see that once you spot a mural, it’s impossible to resist that opportunity.
Greater Fort Lauderdale has its own mural hub without all the hustle and bustle of Miami’s Wynwood Walls. As downtown’s “Creative Enclave,” the Flagler Arts and Technology Village (FATVillage) Arts District is garnering attention nationwide. Being that FATVillage is home to techies, artists, designers, and other visionary professionals, there is a contagious creative energy in the air.
The district is only four blocks long, so it is extremely walkable. You can roam around in the daylight and witness artists in action. Go inside Next Door at C&I Studios where you can buy a cup of coffee and take photos in front of their huge bookcase. The coffee shop also has an open wall facing a railroad track. It is truly a hipster’s dream come true.
Later, grab your camera and become an artist yourself by snapping inventive photos of the many murals around the village. Don’t forget to take in the artwork--there are colors everywhere you look and even more meaning left to interpret beyond the paint. Jump in the frame, kick one leg up on the wall and spice up your Instagram feed with an edgy aesthetic. Visit the Underground Create map for a full list of the public art around FATVillage and the rest of Broward County.
More chances for photo ops are available on the last Saturday of every month when FATVillage hosts its cultured art walk. This event attracts people of all ages, along with their dogs, to experience art, crafts, music, food and fun. You can peruse open art galleries and browse the Goods Vendor Market, where artisans sell their crafty creations. Take a picture in the Courtyard, with its ambient lighting there to set the mood.
4. 17th Street Causeway Drawbridge
Normally, when one is stuck waiting for a drawbridge, it isn’t cause for celebration. However, if you are fortunate enough to find yourself in Fort Lauderdale waiting for the 17th Street bridge, you will thank your lucky stars.
Fort Lauderdale really is the “Venice of America,” and a perspective from 17th Street Bridge confirms it. With a modern design, the 17th Street Bridge offers stunning views of the water on Port Everglades and its busy supply of cruise ships. Sundays are the best days to see a lot of them in action, as they enter Port Everglades to disembark and take on a fresh group of cruisers. It is also important to note that you are not allowed to physically exit your car if you are stuck on the bridge. Either take photos from your window or leave your car in the public parking lot below the bridge and walk up to the top for the best shots.
In addition to the port, there are other places to capture around the bridge. A slew of restaurants and the famous Pier 66 are in your line of sight. Underneath the bridge on the west, you can see water taxis docking and picking up new passengers. Ride the water taxis yourself, and give your lens a good look at the bridge from a different point of view.
5. Historic Ali Cultural Arts
If you want your Instagram posts to showcase your cultured side, the Historic Ali Cultural Arts is the place for you. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard’s Ali Cultural Arts venue allows you to experience rich culture on your vacation, not to mention it is a definite conversation starter for your comment section. The two-story facility holds a significant title as the first black-owned building in Pompano Beach.
Historic Ali Cultural Arts is home to an outdoor concert stage and three multi-purpose galleries infused with African American culture. It features a variety of artistic disciplines, thoroughly highlighting South Florida’s diverse community. This destination is a great family photo spot; kids can explore the exhibitions, learn about important cultural traditions and pose for photos in the process.
Since it was built in the 1930s, the venue is a rare surviving example of early 20th century architecture. Be sure to meander around the bright yellow building and its surroundings for a vibrant, colorful picture.
6. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Get a taste of paradise and a history lesson all in one place. Situated on a coastal barrier island, the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a photographer’s dreamland.
The island was once home to ancient Tequesta Indians, early European settlers and shipwrecked sailors. You can wander around there, just as they did, and take a tour of the lush estate. The guides will unleash a wealth of knowledge about Fort Lauderdale’s history along the way.
To say there is a lot to take pictures of at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a huge understatement. Smile in front of one of the finest orchid collections in the country. Go on the nature trail as wading birds, monkeys and the occasional manatee photobomb you. Pretend you are in a desert oasis while you peruse the Desert Garden, or embrace the greenery in the hibiscus garden and the main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation. Let the homeowner’s artistic treasures and the bright walls around the property inspire creativity in your photography.
7. BB&T Center
This last location did not make the list for its appearance, but rather, who makes an appearance there. The BB&T Center in Sunrise attracts the hottest world and nation-wide tours, from music superstars to one-of-a-kind, over-the-top productions. It’s also the homebase for the beloved Florida Panthers hockey team. With over 200 events annually, this 20,000-seat arena has a stellar lineup that will draw crowds (and likes!).
Believe it when we say that you will want to post any photos or videos you take at the BB&T Center. The lively atmosphere is one you will never want to forget. Discover when your favorite singer, act or team will be there, score some tickets and see them in action. Pose for a photo with your pal at your seats with the huge, roaring crowd and stage behind you. Post your memory and check in at the arena on social media to see how your followers react in excitement (Okay, and maybe some jealousy, too). Some artists even walk through the crowd on the floor, and you may be lucky enough to get a selfie with them. Record the best parts of the show, and upload it to your Instagram story. You will want to look back at your visit to the BB&T Center and relive it again and again.
Whether it’s a competitive edge you’re after or merely a way to hold onto precious memories, posting photos is now a main event of your vacation. We think it’s safe to say Greater Fort Lauderdale is nothing short of picture-perfect. Select your top places to take pictures using the #VisitLauderdale Vacation Planner tool. With a plan set in motion, your South Florida adventure will be a trending topic both on your timeline and in your lifetime.