Fort Lauderdale Should Be Part Of Your Fall Travel Plans

Still trying to squeeze in a fall vacation before the harsh reality of winter sets in? Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with its sun-drenched beaches, excellent culinary options and array of activities, is an ideal choice. Fort Lauderdale, once mainly known as a classic spring break destination, has evolved into a mix of high-energy beach scenes, upscale resorts and family-friendly activities.

“Fall is a wonderful time to be in Fort Lauderdale,”says Dean Trantalis, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. “Our weather gives residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy more of what makes our city special, from our beaches and waterways to our parks, neighborhoods and downtown. There is a real sense of energy throughout the city this time of year, with festivals, outdoor events and new experiences bringing people together. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or you call Fort Lauderdale home, fall is a great time to get outside, explore the city and experience the community that makes Fort Lauderdale such a special place.”

Huizenga Park

Huizenga Park, Fort Lauderdale’s newly reimagined 3.6-acre waterfront park, sits where Las Olas Boulevard meets the New River and has become a central gathering space in downtown since reopening in January following a $15 million transformation. Designed as an “outdoor living room” for the city, the park features a large central Civic Lawn, shaded seating areas, waterfront Riverwalk Terrace and New River Landing, the restored Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain, public art and direct access to the Riverwalk and Water Trolley. The park was designed to be active throughout the day and for a wide range of visitors, with Poppy’s Play Patch, a dedicated children’s play area; The Dog Spot, downtown Fort Lauderdale’s first enclosed off-leash dog run; shaded café-style seating; food and beverage options; and public restrooms.

Programming is a major part of the park’s new identity, with more than 200 free events and activities planned during its inaugural year for all ages, making it an easy stop for visitors looking to experience downtown Fort Lauderdale beyond the beach. The Cleveland Clinic-backed wellness series offers more than 100 free programs throughout the year, from yoga and Zumba to fitness classes, recovery experiences and dog-friendly workouts. Arts and culture programming brings outdoor movies, live music, poetry and art classes to the park, while the biweekly Community Market gives visitors a chance to browse local makers, artisans, food vendors and small businesses. With its location along the New River and direct connection to the Riverwalk, the park also makes an easy starting point for exploring downtown on foot, grabbing a meal nearby or spending an afternoon along the waterfront.

Huizenga Park is quickly becoming a destination for dining as well as events, with several food and beverage concepts adding to the experience around the park and along the New River. Sweetwaters, a 291-seat waterfront restaurant from the team behind Miami’s Rusty Pelican, recently opened directly alongside the park, offering all-day dining and expansive river views. Ophelia, the beloved Coconut Grove bakery and café known for its handcrafted pastries, specialty coffee and chef-driven breakfast and lunch offerings, recently opened its first Broward County location at the park.

Smorgasburg South Florida

Born in Brooklyn and now recognized as one of the world’s largest open-air food markets, Smorgasburg South Florida brings together local chefs, food entrepreneurs and communities through its signature outdoor markets. Smorgasburg SoFlo returns to Flagler Village for a brand new season and Fall Kickoff, coming back bigger than ever with 30-plus food vendors, a mix of new and returning favorites, expanded cultural programming and community activations. The open-air food market continues to bring together the best of South Florida’s culinary scene, giving local chefs and food entrepreneurs a platform to reach new audiences while creating a lively weekend gathering place in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Expect plenty of new flavors, familiar favorites and even more reasons to make Smorgasburg part of your weekend tradition.

Dine Al Fresco

After a long South Florida summer, fall brings a welcome shift in temperature and a renewed invitation to linger outdoors. In Fort Lauderdale, that means taking advantage of the city’s waterfront setting with leisurely lunches, sunset cocktails and dinners served alongside views of the Intracoastal and beyond. Restaurants like Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale and Del Mar Fort Lauderdale make the most of the season with sophisticated menus featuring seafood towers and lobster spaghetti, paired with sweeping waterfront scenery. As the temperatures become more comfortable, there’s no better time to slow down, dine outdoors and take in the quintessential Fort Lauderdale atmosphere.

Jenni Morejon, President, Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, says, “Fall is such a special time in Fort Lauderdale, especially with the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show bringing people from around the world to our waterfront. It’s a time when the weather invites people to experience the city the way locals do: outside, on the water and together. You see people out on the New River, walking along the Riverwalk, spending the afternoon downtown, grabbing a meal by the water or heading out on the boat. Huizenga Park has become a true gathering place, with free fitness and wellness classes, outdoor movies, markets and seasonal programming bringing people together. The park has become Fort Lauderdale’s newest culinary destination with the recent openings of Sweetwaters, the park’s signature riverfront restaurant, and Ophelia, a popular bakery and café known for its scratch-made pastries, specialty coffee and signature breakfast offerings. There is a different energy across Fort Lauderdale this time of year, when the weather brings people outside and you really get a sense of what makes this such a special place to live, visit and spend time.”

Jason Brown, General Manager, Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale, adds, “When the weather cools down in the fall, Fort Lauderdale really comes alive along the water, making it one of the best times to experience the city. It’s a season that really captures the vibrant, coastal energy, from boating and waterfront walks to lingering over a meal with a view. At Ocean Prime, our waterfront terraces along the Intracoastal offer a front-row seat to that experience, with sweeping views of the water and beautiful sunsets. Whether it’s a leisurely lunch, weekend brunch or cocktails as the sun goes down, fall is the perfect time to dine outdoors and take in the best of Fort Lauderdale.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com