Where to Eat...

Breakfast

THE DECK at the Sea Club Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Lunch

ARUBA'S on Commercial Blvd. in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Dinner

MANGOS on Las Olas

What to Do...

Morning

My perfect day begins watching the sun come up while enjoying a light breakfast out on The Deck at the Sea Club Hotel in the middle of Fort Lauderdale Beach. Sitting outside and feeling the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze off the ocean was indescribable. Especially since I was in Cincinnati just days ago and it was 20 below!

We (my wife and I) went for a nice long walk along the beach for about 3 miles (they have mile markers so you know how far you've gone). Then off to the Harbor Beach Marriott for an hour of being pampered at the Spa. Too incredible to put into words here. Take my advice and just do it.

Back to the hotel to get ready for the day and off to lunch.

Afternoon

Since we love the ocean, our perfect day lunch finds us at ARUBA'S right on the sand in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. A rustic setting with huge windows so you can enjoy the view in comfort. The food is not fancy but filling and tasty. The beer is cold too!

Right outside of Aruba's is the city pier where you can go fishing (for a fee) or just a stroll. The center of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is right there as well with other fun places like The Village Pump or 101 where the prices are a little higher but it is always worth it.

We wanted to see the city by water so I bought $12 tickets on the Water Taxi and we had the run of the city. Lauderdale by water is a completely different place and unlike anywhere else in the world. Our all-day-pass found us cruising past multi-million dollar yachts and homes until we arrived downtown at The Riverfront and the Museum of Discovery.

Happy Hour found us in the old part of town at Tarpon Bend Restaurant where the party seems to start early and everyone that works downtown must be there by 5pm! Then back to the hotel.

Evening

After dinner we were pleasantly surprised to find that we had stumbled into Comedy Night at Mangos (Tuesdays). The uber-funny Gene Merola was performing along with a very funny guest comedian from Miami. Gene is somewhat of a local legend and after only 10 minutes I could see why. He is quick and spontaneous beyond human comprehension.

After the show we took a stroll up and down Las Olas to see the sidewalk cafes, shops and people. There is usually plenty going on everywhere on this world-class boulevard.

Late Night

We caught the Trolley back to the beach for $1 each and ended up having a beer at the famous Elbo Room before heading to the more contemporary (and not nearly as loud) Beach Place just a block away. Here we walked through Sloppy Joe's and into Howl at the Moon. What a RIOT this place is. Dueling grand pianos and two crazy, fun guys that never stop the nonsense. The room was singing along and we really enjoyed this lively place.

We had a wonderful evening capped with a great finale to our perfect day!

Comments

You can't go wrong in Fort Lauderdale. Whether it is for the kids or the most active adults there are options second to no other city. It is a big city with a small intimate feel. I plan on many more perfect days in this paradise.