What to do in FLL until 5:30 P.M. flight home?

[Holly Harbor]

I hate the idea of spending the day at the airport after a cruise. Any suggestions of easy, economical activities in Fort Lauderdale instead of ship's "excursions" with airport transfer?

[gorgotron]

All beached out? There's some beautiful beaches on Las Olas Boulevard. A lot of nice dining options in that location as well. If you're bored you can always go to the IMAX and if you have kids, the Museum of Discovery and Science is a nice attraction for them.

[capriccio]

I recommend:

 

• Use the luggage express/valet program with your ship to get your check-on backs to the airport (and on to your destination).
  
• Catch a taxi to the Hilton Marina ($10).
  
• Catch the water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com) for transportation and a narrated tour.
  
• Get on and off as desired including getting off at the Las Olas Blvd stop (http://www.lasolasboulevard.com
  
• Eat a nice lunch at one of the restaurants near a water taxi stop (some are listed on the website)
  
• Catch a cab/uber to the airport by 3:30.
  

Alternatively:

 

• Use the luggage express/valet program with your ship to get your check-on backs to the airport (and on to your destination).
  
• Be some of the last passengers off the ship (10-ish).
  
• Take a taxi/uber to the Jungle Queen (http://www.junglequeen.com) or the Carrie B (http://www.carriebcruises.com) for their 11 am sightseeing cruises (last 1 1/2 hours).
  
  • If you chose the Jungle Queen, have lunch afterwards at nearby Coconuts (or walk further up the beach for lots of restaurants) and then walk the beach.
    
  • If you chose the Carrie B, the dock is one block off Las Olas Blvd so there are lots of restaurants to chose from.
    

  [*]Catch a cab/uber to the airport by 3:30.

Edited February 3, 2016 by capriccio

[Clarea]

Rent a car, check out the local area. Some like the Sawgrass Mills mall. Some take an Everglades airboat ride.

[capriccio]

I recommend:

 

• Use the luggage express/valet program with your ship to get your check-on backs to the airport (and on to your destination).
  

 

 

My typing is atrocious:mad:; in case you couldn't figure it out that should read checked bags.

[BlueHerons]

I agree with the water taxi. It's a lot of fun.

 

Flip Flops is also fun for lunch, it's on the water taxi route, it's waterfront, and it is reasonably priced.

 

I'd skip the Everglades June-September. The mosquitoes are Jurassic Park like.

[Holly Harbor]

Thanks to all for your great suggestions. I've printed them out and now just need to "conference" with DH to make a decision.

[jerseygirl79]

I recommend:

 

• Use the luggage express/valet program with your ship to get your check-on backs to the airport (and on to your destination).
  
• Catch a taxi to the Hilton Marina ($10).
  
• Catch the water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com) for transportation and a narrated tour.
  
• Get on and off as desired including getting off at the Las Olas Blvd stop (http://www.lasolasboulevard.com
  
• Eat a nice lunch at one of the restaurants near a water taxi stop (some are listed on the website)
  
• Catch a cab/uber to the airport by 3:30.
  

Alternatively:

 

• Use the luggage express/valet program with your ship to get your check-on backs to the airport (and on to your destination).
  
• Be some of the last passengers off the ship (10-ish).
  
• Take a taxi/uber to the Jungle Queen (http://www.junglequeen.com) or the Carrie B (http://www.carriebcruises.com) for their 11 am sightseeing cruises (last 1 1/2 hours).
  
  • If you chose the Jungle Queen, have lunch afterwards at nearby Coconuts (or walk further up the beach for lots of restaurants) and then walk the beach.
    
  • If you chose the Carrie B, the dock is one block off Las Olas Blvd so there are lots of restaurants to chose from.
    

  [*]Catch a cab/uber to the airport by 3:30.

 

This is perfect! Our flight out of FLL on May 28th isn't until 6:20. This is exactly the info I needed. Thanks for sharing.