See Fort Lauderdale: 8 Tours That Provide Different Experiences

Home to one of the best beaches in the U.S., voted by TripAdvisor, Fort Lauderdale features a spacious coastline along the Atlantic Ocean with easy access to Intracoastal Waterway and A1A Scenic Byway. This location means visitors can’t pass up the opportunity to sight-see – especially all the waterfront mansions and marine life. Get ready to see Fort Lauderdale and plan an adventure.

How to See Fort Lauderdale: Top 8 Sightseeing Tours

Area Cruise: Tropical Sailing

Tropical Sailing offers four yacht cruises with different experiences. Those looking for some action should try the reef sail or sail-and-splash tour.

Reef sail ventures through Millionaire’s Row and then into the ocean for snorkeling. The sail-and-splash option features a water slide and trampoline, snorkeling equipment, and dolphin sightings. Want to relax and enjoy the view? Schedule the island getaway or sunset cruise. Couples find the cruise a must for romantic sunset views and champagne toast.

Everglades: Fort Lauderdale Airboat Rides

The city sits only an hour from the Florida Everglades. One top way to access the region and learn about nature is an ecotour with Fort Lauderdale Airboat Rides. The company offers one- to three-hour tours suited for families and groups. For an up-close look, guests launch from Fort Lauderdale and travel deep into the Glades larger boats cannot access.

Each tour takes place on a safe high-powered aluminum airboat. The one-hour option gives riders a look at the Everglades on a non-stop, high-speed adventure. Those looking to spend more time should book a two- or three-hour ride – both of which venture into swamps.

City: Segway Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale has a rich history and serves as home to celebrities and billionaire inventors. To explore sites and waterfront mansions, tour with Segway Fort Lauderdale. Segways offer a low-impact way to sight-see without walking or riding on the water.

Segway Fort Lauderdale offers several tours, including riverwalk, mansions, nighttime, eco and historical options. The one-hour yacht and mansion tour ventures into Millionaire’s Row, located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The two-hour full-city option takes guests to mansions as well as Intracoastal Waterway, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and 17th Street Causeway Bridge.

Family: BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

See Fort Lauderdale and Intracoastal Waterway with BlueFoot Pirate Adventures. This themed cruise provides an interactive experience for families — complete with treasure hunts, pirate talk, dress up and water cannons. Children enjoy singing songs, playing games and helping ward off pirate attacks. Parents sit back, see the sites and sip on their favorite beverage. Yes, the company allows guests to bring drinks on each trip.

In addition to family cruises, BlueFoot Pirate Adventures offers adult-only trips for groups of 20 to 48 people. Children can also book a birthday party excursion with up to 48 passengers.

Deep-sea: Fishing Headquarters

Three words describe Fishing Headquarters: deep sea fishing. Compared to many area charters, Fishing Headquarters offers affordable rates for half-day trips. Drift fishing on Catch My Drift – the most popular option – offers three-hour fishing trips and includes all equipment and instruction. The boat features air-conditioned cabin, bench seating inside, separate restrooms and giant fish hold.

Other fishing trips by Fishing Headquarters include night anchor fishing, Saturday night six-hour trips and private charters. After castling a line, get ready for kingfish, mahi mahi, grouper, snapper and mackerel.

Dinner: Jungle Queen Riverboat

For over 80 years, Jungle Queen Riverboat has provided a special way to see Fort Lauderdale. Two popular adventures include a dinner show and sightseeing and afternoon sightseeing and tropical isle. Both last three to four hours.

The dinner show cruise features a narrated tour of the rich and famous before arriving at tropical isle. Once there, enjoy an all-you-can-eat dinner with live show. The Jungle Queen afternoon tour takes guests down Fort Lauderdale’s New River. When on tropical isle, watch an alligator show, see exotic birds, lemurs and monkeys, and even hold a baby gator.

Romance: RiverFront Gondola Tours

Fort Lauderdale touts itself as the Venice of America due to its waterway system and the number of yachts and gondolas. Guests can see why with RiverFront Gondola Tours. This gondola provider explores the backwaters where guests enjoy luxurious homes, tropical foliage, exotic animals and marine life.

RiverFront Gondola Tours offers a more relaxing ride and accommodates six passengers. Daytime and evening rides are available, and suit small groups and couples. In addition, bring lunch, dinner and refreshments to enjoy with loved ones. The staff provides cold water and tableware.

Food: WonderMunch

Sample the best of the city’s food scene on a Fort Lauderdale food tour with WonderMunch. The company offers a combo food-history tour that covers landmarks and important people on Las Olas Boulevard. While walking, stop by four top restaurants handpicked by local guides.

Each WonderMunch walking tour lasts 2.5 hours, rain or shine. Total distance covers about five blocks, so wear appropriate clothing, shoes and sun protection. At each stop, learn about the dish, local food scene and inspiration.

Need more things to do? Check out Fort Lauderdale’s arts and culture scene.