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A day tour of Fort Lauderdale via water taxi
Fort Lauderdale, Florida has plenty for a visitor to see and do, but if you only have a day there prior to boarding a cruise ship, what should you choose to see? I spent my day on the water taxi, hopping on and off at stops along the way. It was an excellent way to get a glimpse of the city.
There are multiple water taxi routes with access to beaches in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood and a total of 19 stops. The main route runs inbound and outbound between downtown Fort Lauderdale and the coast at the eastern edge of the city. You can purchase a day pass which allows you to get off and on at any of the stops all day.
Riverwalk Park
I was with a group of friends and we first boarded the water taxi at Riverwalk Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The waterfront Riverwalk contains a park, restaurants, and shops and is home to several arts and cultural venues.
The water taxi is not a guided tour, but many of the drivers point out landmarks along the way, particularly when they know they have a boat full of tourists. Part of the route passes impressive mansions. Drivers told us the history of some homes, including famous owners and price tags well out of our reach. But the multi-million dollar price tags for the homes paled in comparison to the price tags of the yachts moored in the waterways.
Views of mansions and yachts along the way
We stopped to wander and window-shop on Los Olas Boulevard, an area with high-end shops, galleries and restaurants. At our next stop we ate lunch on a patio overlooking the water. Other stops included a walk along the beach and a restaurant for dinner. It was a fun way to spend the day.
Window shopping on Los Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Have you used the water taxi in Fort Lauderdale. What other Fort Lauderdale attractions do you recommend?
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13 Comments
Irene S. Levine
April 14, 2014 at 11:25 amWhat a great idea for a pre-cruise adventure!
Lois Alter Mark
April 14, 2014 at 12:23 pmI will definitely have to try a water cruise next time I’m in Fort Lauderdale. Those mansions are gorgeous!
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
April 14, 2014 at 1:07 pmGood to know. I’ll keep in mind for next time I’m in the area.
Michelle
April 14, 2014 at 5:53 pmThis looks like so much fun! I had no idea this water cruise existed and I live in Tampa. Thank you for the information!
Nancie
April 15, 2014 at 6:32 amI’ve not been to Florida. If I ever get to Fort Lauderdale, I will take advantage of the water taxis. I would love to see some of those mansions.
Patti Morrow
April 15, 2014 at 8:45 amWhat a great way to bop around Ft. Lauderdale! I never knew the water taxi existed, but will definitely give it a try next time I am there.
Arleen
April 15, 2014 at 10:29 amI have been to Ft; Lauderdale many times and I have never heard of the water taxi. I love the idea. It has me thinking that there are other places in Florida that offer similar services.
Lis Sowerbutts
April 15, 2014 at 8:42 pmGosh I thought Ft Lauderdale was just a cruise ship port – obviously it’s a bit more than that!
Doreen Pendgracs
April 16, 2014 at 7:02 amHi Donna: I love Fort Lauderdale! We really enjoyed our cruise of the Intercoastal Waterway, where you ride by all the gorgeous homes along the water. It was a gorgeous journey!
Donna Janke
April 16, 2014 at 9:45 pmThanks everyone for the comments. The water taxi was a fun way to spend a day and see part of Fort Lauderdale. I would definitely look for similar facilities in other cities with waterways.
Suzanne Fluhr
April 18, 2014 at 7:15 pmMy only forays to Fort Lauderdale have been to the airport, but the water taxi sounds like a good way to see the area. I’m sharing this with my travel blogger son who lives on South Beach.
Marilyn Jones
April 20, 2014 at 6:07 pmI would always rather let someone else “drive” me around…what a great way to see the area!
What a Trip
April 20, 2014 at 9:05 pmWhat a great way to explore Fort Lauderdale from a water taxi.